Staff Attorney (Housing Practice) - NDS Detroit

• Embrace NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence by providing vigorous representation with energy and enthusiasm to the residents of Wayne County.
• Engage in frequent court appearances and litigation, including arraignments, preliminary conferences & examinations, legal arguments, hearings & trials, and sentencings.
• Interview clients and their families in the office or local jails, conduct legal research and write pre-pleading letters, motions and pre-sentencing memoranda on behalf of clients.
• Coordinate work performed by team members (investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators).
• Work with cross-practice colleagues (immigration defense/civil defense/family defense) to obtain comprehensive legal outcomes for clients.
• File motions, briefs and other related documents on a frequent, timely basis.
• Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations, hearings, and trials in criminal cases.
• Work primarily at NDS’ main office when not in Court.

• Embody NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence.
• Provide vigorous advocacy work with energy and enthusiasm to clients and their families in the City of Detroit who face housing insecurity.
• Perform client intakes, complete the Housing Defense Intake form, Legal Analysis Summary, Retainer Agreement and Client Income Attestation, complete and file Appearance with the court as necessary.
• Engage in frequent court appearances and litigation, including legal arguments, hearings, and trials.
• File motions, briefs, and other pleadings and make oral arguments in-person and virtually on a frequent, timely basis.
• Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations, hearings, and trials.
• Advocate for clients to access and obtain benefits, subsidies, and other services to resolve Housing Court proceedings
• Interview clients by phone, in person and through virtual means, conduct legal research and write pre-pleading letters, emails, pleadings, motions, and memoranda on behalf of clients.
• Coordinate work performed by team members (social worker, client advocates, and team administrator).
• Work with cross-practice colleagues (criminal/civil defense) to obtain positive and comprehensive legal outcomes for clients.
• Perform community outreach representing NDS Detroit Housing Defense at community-based initiatives on housing issues on a bi-weekly basis.
• Contribute ideas in the development of forms, processes, and procedures to implement within the housing defense team.
• Meet reporting requirements: entering case notes in client database for each client daily, submitting daily work log to the team administrator and supervising attorney daily.
• Scan, upload and save court forms and other case documents to client files daily.

Identify community resources/agencies and for client referrals.

Compensation: Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as retirement plan with company match, robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided. The salary range for this position is 78,794.69 – 122,912.49.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample with their application as one document, preferably PDF. For more information about NDS, please visit our website at http://www.ndsdetroit.org.