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JOB SUMMARY
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Under the direction of Public Defender, the Assigned Counsel Manager is responsible for assisting in the operation of the County's conflict indigent criminal defense program to ensure that adult defendants receive competent legal representation in criminal proceedings. The Manager is responsible for assisting in the screening, selecting, and maintaining a roster of eligible attorneys for case assignment, evaluating attorney performance, approving payments, authorizing investigative resources and performing other duties associated with the provision of competent and consistent legal representation. This position will act in a liaison fashion between Courts and the Public Defender's Office to comply with MIDC legal parameters.
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EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
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Essential Duties:
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Management of the County's public criminal defense assigned counsel system separate
from the court including planning, and general coordination. Provides the leadership team
with ongoing reports regarding caseload, legal resources, and costs.
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Aids in supervision of any support staff, if necessary. Maintains responsibility for
directing day-to-day operation workload of personnel, evaluates performance, and
assures necessary training and professional development. Recommends disciplinary
action according to established procedures
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Provides insight regarding the attorneys that are qualified to accept assignments. Ensures that interested attorneys meet the MIDC standards established for legal providers - including but not limited to basic skills and annual training requirements.
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Maintains a roster of qualified attorneys, makes case assignments, and aids in the oversight of scheduling of counsel. Monitors cases and the performance of assigned attorneys.
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Approves the use of investigators, experts and other resources required for cases and assigned counsel.
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Reviews approves and manages vouchers for payment to assigned attorneys, investigators, experts, and other expenditures associated with cases and is responsible for transferring all vouchers to for payment.
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Resolves non-grievance matters between defendant and assigned counsel, and the courts including administratively reassigning counsel when appropriate with support of supervision staff in office.
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Develop and maintain an independent appeal process for assigned attorneys concerning decision made by the Manager.
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Assists with the management of compliance with the MIDC standards, including annual grant requests for funding compliance plans.
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Attends legal conferences and seminars to stay current on legal issues, updates administrative techniques regarding public defender requirements and other legal matters.
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The Assigned Counsel Manager is responsible for overseeing the conflict counsel process in the Washtenaw County Courts (22nd Circuit Court, 14A District Court, 14B District Court and 15th District Court).
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The Manager is responsible for coordinating a qualification committee to screen and select eligible attorneys for case assignment.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.
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EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS
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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of State of Michigan criminal law and public defense processes and procedures.
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Skill in assembling and analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and formulating policy and service recommendations.
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Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing and making presentations in public forums.
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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 and the courts, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
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Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
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Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and the ability to learn data base software utilized in public defense administration.
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Ability to attend meetings scheduled at times other than normal business hours.
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Ability to respond to emergencies or service needs on a 24-hour basis.
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LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
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Must be licensed in good standing to drive a motor vehicle and to practice law in the State of Michigan. Admittance to practice in front of federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court is desirable.
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PHYSICAL DEMANDS
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Duties require sufficient mobility to work in a normal office setting and use standard office equipment including a computer, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
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These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
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EDUCATION
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Equivalent to possession of a bachelor's degree with major coursework in business, public
administration, or criminal justice or a field related to the work is desirable. Juris Doctorate
and/or master's in criminal justice preferred.
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EXPERIENCE
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Two (2) to three (3) years of progressively more responsible experience in the practice of
criminal defense or the equivalent.
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This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.
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FILING DEADLINE: 8/26/25
CONTROL NUMBER: 2508-2900-3066-0001
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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