Lead Attorney

Detroit City Council

Detroit, MI

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$119,621–$173,490 Per Year
SKILLS
Actuarial Skills, Attorney, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Hospital, Legal, Legal Research, Life Insurance, Litigation, Organizational Skills, People Management, Prescription Drugs, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Pro Bono, Problem Solving Skills, Research Skills, Service Delivery, State Laws and Regulations, Team Lead/Manager, Training/Teaching, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Detroit, MI
POSTED
3 days ago

Lead Attorney

Salary

$119,621.00 - $173,490.00 Annually

Location

Coleman A Young Municipal Center, MI

Job Type

Certified-Regular Civil Service

Job Number

202601091157JT2

Department

Non Departmental

Division

Project Clean Slate

Opening Date

07/13/2026

Closing Date

7/16/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

9000-Non Union Salary Regular Service General

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

Description

Lead Attorney

Under supervision of the Executive Director, the Lead Attorney supervises the legal team, including attorneys, law clerks and/or senior legal assistants handling expungement cases in courts across the state for City of Detroit residents.

Examples of Duties

  • Assign and distribute legal work to Staff Attorneys and external contract attorneys including hearing assignments, brief writing, and appellate briefs.
  • Respond to questions from attorneys and staff regarding legal issues, records, warrants, and expungement applications.
  • Review criminal records to determine expungement eligibility.
  • Identify statewide legal and process-related expungement issues and work to develop solutions, including liaising with judges, court administrators, and the State Court Administrator's Office.
  • Brief writing.
  • Train new attorneys.
  • Recruit and provide training for pro bono attorneys and law school clinics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of criminal law, including courtroom experience.
  • Knowledge of Michigan expungement statutes.
  • Knowledge of appellate court procedures.
  • Skill in legal research, writing, and drafting.
  • Prior Supervisory Experience.
  • Skill in developing legal arguments and the application of legal principles.
  • Skill in oral and written communication.
  • Ability to problem solve and display resourcefulness and initiative in handling legal matters.
  • Ability to coordinate efforts among a large number of stakeholders throughout the state engaged in expungement litigation.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Special Requirements:

  • License to practice law in the State of Michigan.
  • Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifications (required):

  • Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association approved institution.
  • Eight (8) years of experience in the practice of law, including six (6) years of litigation or related experience, and two (2) years of experience in supervising the activities of a group of professionals engaged in a wide variety of legal work.

Qualifications (required):

  • Experience in municipal corporation law.

Supplemental Information

Evaluation Plan

  • Interview: 70%
  • Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
  • Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

  • Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
  • Detroit Residency Credit: 15 point

LRD: 1/8/2025

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

HEALTH

  • Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
  • Dental
  • Vision

INSURANCE

  • Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

  • Sick Leave
  • Vacation
  • Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS

The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

City Employees Retirement System

As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:

  • Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
  • At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or
  • At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
  • In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
  • An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
  • Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.

Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit.

01

Please indicate your highest level of education completed

  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • PhD/J.D.
  • No Education experience

02

Do you have a Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association approved institution ?

  • No
  • Yes

03

How many years of experience do you have in municipal corporation law?

  • None
  • 1-3
  • 4-6
  • 7 plus

04

Do you posses a license to practice law in the State of Michigan?

  • No
  • Yes

Required Question

Employer City of Detroit

Address Coleman A. Young Municipal Center

2 Woodward Ave ste 316

Detroit, Michigan, 48226

Website http://www.detroitmi.gov/Detroit-Opportunities/Find-A-Job

About the Company

D

Detroit City Council