THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office in Detroit, Michigan and we are expanding our services. We invite you to join our team as we expand our Housing Defense Practice, where our goal is to decrease housing insecurity and safeguard our clients’ right to secure and/or maintain stable housing while combating the destabilization and disintegration of Detroit’s diverse communities. Building on 30 years of experience of providing high quality legal representation, we are expanding our efforts to bring the same caliber of representation to the residents of the City of Detroit. We are seeking a highly organized, self-driven, and resilient individual dedicated to our mission.

NDS Detroit adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ while a case is pending and after the case concludes. NDS Detroit is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients while treating each client with dignity and respect.

The ideal Housing Defense Attorney is an experienced attorney who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities, preferably with experience in a public defender office or fast-paced legal services organization. The Housing Defense Attorney will help shape our present and future—contributing to a collaborative environment and culture of excellence in alignment with our values. At NDS Detroit, how we represent our clients is as important as individual case outcomes, and our ideal Housing Defense Attorney approaches the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment.

1. 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.
2. Engage in frequent court appearances and litigation, including arraignments, preliminary conferences & examinations, legal arguments, hearings & trials, and sentencings. 
3. 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.
4. Coordinate work performed by team members (investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators).
5. Work with cross-practice colleagues (immigration defense/civil defense/family defense) to obtain comprehensive legal outcomes for clients.
6. File motions, briefs and other related documents on a frequent, timely basis.
7. Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations, hearings, and trials in criminal cases.
8. Work primarily at NDS’ main office when not in Court.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Embody NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence.
2. Provide vigorous advocacy work with energy and enthusiasm to clients and their families in the City of Detroit who face housing insecurity.
3. 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.
4. Engage in frequent court appearances and litigation, including legal arguments, hearings, and trials.
5. File motions, briefs, and other pleadings and make oral arguments in-person and virtually on a frequent, timely basis.
6. Provide effective oral advocacy in negotiations, hearings, and trials.
7. Advocate for clients to access and obtain benefits, subsidies, and other services to resolve Housing Court proceedings
8. 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.
9. Coordinate work performed by team members (social worker, client advocates, and team administrator).
10. Work with cross-practice colleagues (criminal/civil defense) to obtain positive and comprehensive legal outcomes for clients.
11. Perform community outreach representing NDS Detroit Housing Defense at community-based initiatives on housing issues on a bi-weekly basis.
12. Contribute ideas in the development of forms, processes, and procedures to implement within the housing defense team.
13. 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.
14. 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.

The salary, benefits, and employment policies relevant to this position are governed by the CBA between NDS and the NDS Union, part of ALAA UAW 2325.

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. 

The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-confirming , and gender fluid people to apply.