Description:
Location: Royal Oak, Michigan (primarily office-based)Experience: 5–10 years civil litigation experience preferred
Practice area focus: Real property / land use / property litigation experience highly desired
Schedule: Full-time; must be willing to attend 1–2 evening meetings per month (board/commission/municipal meetings) and additional nights as needed
About the Firm:
We are a boutique law firm in Royal Oak that handles litigation and advisory work for municipalities. We pride ourselves on high-quality, practical representation, close client relationships, and a team-oriented workplace. We are seeking a litigation attorney who can step into handling active cases and help grow our practice.
Position Summary:
The Litigation Attorney will manage and litigate matters in state and federal court, represent municipal clients and provide day-to-day counseling on municipal law issues. The role requires strong courtroom and motion practice skills and is client-facing. The ideal candidate has 5–10 years of litigation experience, a comfort with municipal subject matter, excellent writing and oral advocacy skills, and the flexibility to attend occasional night meetings.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a civil litigation caseload from intake through resolution: pleading, discovery, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation/trial.
- Represent municipal clients in real property disputes, zoning and land-use litigation, eminent domain matters, and related administrative proceedings.
- Advise municipal clients and other public-sector entities on legal risks, procedural requirements, and compliance.
- Draft pleadings, briefs, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and legal opinions.
- Attend and present at municipal board/commission meetings, public hearings, and other evening meetings (typically 1–2 per month, plus as-needed).
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
- Admission to the State Bar of Michigan in good standing.
- 5–10 years of civil litigation experience preferred, with demonstrable courtroom and motion practice experience (may accept lesser experience based on other qualifications).
- Substantive experience in real property litigation, land-use, zoning, or municipal litigation (preferred).
- Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
- Strong client-service orientation, organization, and ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
- Willingness and ability to attend 1–2 evening meetings per month and additional nights as needed.
- Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally for court appearances and client meetings.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience representing municipal clients or working at a local government/city attorney's office.
Skills and Attributes:
- Strong judgment, initiative, and ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
- Clear, persuasive communicator in both written and spoken form.
- Strong time and project-management skills, and attention to detail.
- Professional demeanor appropriate for courtroom, council/board hearings, and public-facing meetings.
- Commitment to ethical practice, client confidentiality, and high quality work product.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Benefits include (but are not limited to) health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan participation, and professional development support. (Exact package details to be provided during the interview process).
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume, and a list of professional references (three references).
