Closing Date: 27th March, 2024
Description:
Livingston County was named a 2023 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 5 elected offices, and 5 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.Position Summary:
This position is an employee of the Court whose employment and performance is under the supervision of Judge Susan Longsworth at the Brighton Court and performs various professional legal assignments. Duties include presiding over status conferences, settlement conferences, and other hearings with litigants and attorneys, analyze and research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda, opinions and orders in all areas including civil, criminal, probate, family court, administrative, and/or appellate practice and perform other duties as directed by the assigned judge. The Circuit Court Judge has the authority to hire, discipline or discharge this employee.
Pay Rate Information:
The Research Attorney position is a non-union position and starting pay is $86,802.85/year. This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 12 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $109,959.26/year.
Essential Job Functions:
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.
- Analyzes and assesses civil, criminal, probate, and family law cases to identify relevant factual and legal issues based upon applicable law. Develops necessary expertise in, and reaches conclusions for recommended disposition of issues in various cases.
- Analyzes disputed issues pursuant to applicable law, facts, and subjective interests of the parties. Advises the judge regarding the relative strengths and weaknesses of parties' respective positions making recommendations regarding options for judicial action.
- Communicates with attorneys and litigants regarding court proceedings.
- Reviews case files, briefs, cited authority, transcripts, and documentary evidence to determine relevance, reliability and significance for civil, criminal, probate, and/or family court matters.
- Performs independent computerized and manual legal research. Provides written legal recommendations on motions and evidentiary issues to the judge.
- Prepares opinions and orders for the disposition of legal matters, and reviews and approves orders for entry.
- Assists the judge in court during trials, evidentiary hearings, oral arguments of motions, and other matters brought before the Court which require immediate consideration. Assesses challenges to evidence. Listens to testimony, reviews evidence, makes recommendations as to disposition, and facilitates resolutions where appropriate. Provides legal advice to the judge regarding changes in and interpretation of all statutes, case law, court rules, and procedures.
- Assists in coordinating chambers operations and dockets, ensuring prompt resolution of disputes, maintaining an appropriate timeline for review of case files, ensuring compliance with statutes, court rules, case law, administrative orders, state mandated guidelines, and directives of the assigned judge. Develops and maintains screening devices pertaining to case flow. Authorizes appropriate extensions based upon review.
- Assists in administering orders in high profile and/or highly sensitive cases, including limitations on media conduct. Reviews confidential and privileged material subject to protective orders.
- Acts as a liaison between the Court litigants, attorneys, special masters, facilitators, county clerks, other departments and officials, and the media as required by the Chief Judge. Responds to questions and concerns from the public or other agencies and departments.
- Conducts scheduled court hearing which are not required to be conducted on the record, including status conferences, settlement conferences, and pretrial hearings.
- Monitors, reads and analyzes new legislation, recent court decisions, and court rule changes in both state and federal jurisdictions.
- Keeps abreast of legislative and regulatory developments, new administrative techniques, and current issues through continued education and professional growth. Attends conferences, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.
- Prepare prehearing memoranda for the judges review for the motion docket and for any other hearings that require a summation of facts, recitation of applicable law, and legal analysis.
- May perform as a back-up Referee for the Juvenile Division of the Family Court, to conduct hearings on the Juvenile docket on the record, reviewing files, holding conferences with attorneys, preparing reports and recommendations for the Judge as to how to rule on Juvenile cases.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
Requirements include the following:
- Juris Doctorate Degree is required. A minimum of one year of professional legal experience as research or practicing attorney is preferred.
- The Court, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
- License to practice law in the State of Michigan and a member in good standing with the Michigan Bar Association. Recent law school graduates with excellent academic credentials planning to sit for the next Bar Exam will be considered.
- Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of the Michigan judicial system, rules of evidence, court and administrative rules and procedures, and conducting legal research.
- Considerable knowledge of administrative, civil, criminal, family and/or probate law, criminal and civil justice procedures and processes used in prosecution and adjudication of litigations, trail hearings and administrative procedures, pretrial practices, state licensing or regulatory functions, administrative tribunal procedures, and applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
- Considerable knowledge and skill in analyzing and researching statutes and case law, preparing, and interpreting legal documents and interpreting evidence.
- Intimate familiarity using common legal research tools - WestLaw, LexisNexis, MJI, ICLE, JDW, and similar.
- Strong analytical skills deconstructing competing arguments and distilling them to their essentials.
- Strong skills in multi-tasking and prioritizing assignments, and the ability to focus on and ensure accuracy in minute details.
- Understanding of local court practices and internal office procedures, and the ability to properly handle confidential or otherwise sensitive information.
- Skill in assembling and analyzing data and preparing comprehensive and accurate reports.
- Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing, and making presentations in public forums.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with County employees, contractors to the County, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
- Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
- Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and applicable court and research software.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.