The Deputy Director will oversee the public defender division of the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office, under the direction of SADO’s Director. The Deputy will supervise all managing attorneys and supervisors within the public defender division, which includes investigation, mitigation, and reentry. The Deputy will work closely and in coordination with the Administrator of the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System, the Manager of the Criminal Defense Resource Center, and the Training Director. The Deputy is responsible for identifying needs within the public defender office, developing solutions, and implementing best practices. The Deputy, along with everyone in leadership, is responsible for ensuring that every member of the team is working toward high-quality client-centered representation while adhering to SADO’s values of freedom, inclusivity, empathy, respect, community, and excellence. Salary range is commensurate with experience and ranges from $139,541 to $179,171.
The Deputy Director may work in SADO’s Detroit or Lansing offices.
About Us
SADO’s mission is to fight injustice through access, advocacy, compassion, and education. We fulfill that mission through our public defender division, which provides direct representation to clients, and our private counsel division, which oversees a roster of private attorneys. SADO is Michigan’s largest, oldest, and only statewide public defender office. We represent people on appeal of felony convictions all over the state of Michigan, and we recently began representing children on appeal from juvenile court adjudications. We also represent clients who were sentenced to life without parole as young people in resentencing proceedings. SADO is committed to the highest level of appellate advocacy and to client-centered representation. Visit our website for more information regarding SADO’s history, initiatives, and successes.
Job Responsibilities
• Supervise all managers and supervisors in SADO’s public defender division; the public defender division includes a Direct Appeals Unit (representing individuals appealing felony convictions and children appealing juvenile adjudications), a Juvenile Lifer Unit (representing individuals unconstitutionally sentenced to life without parole as youth), and Project Reentry (assisting with reentry and parole planning).
• Serve as liaison with the Michigan Department of Corrections to ensure uninterrupted access to counsel
• Respond to letters and phone calls from incarcerated people regarding representation concerns
• Develop, maintain, and organize resources and high-quality client-centered training for the public defender division
• Oversee attorney caseloads and case assignment process
• Collaborate with criminal and youth legal system stakeholders on policies that improve public defense and the legal system
• Identify, apply for, and oversee grants for the delivery of indigent appellate defense representation
• Lead internal office committees on issues affecting internal and external issues
• Assists the Director with duties, such as budget advocacy, development of office policies, and personnel matters
• Defines and inspires organizational culture
Must be a licensed attorney in Michigan, or eligible to waive into the Michigan bar, with at least five years of experience in public defense management and similar experience handling criminal appeals. Preferred experience in direct appeals, post-conviction, and JLWOP resentencings.
To Apply
Submit a resume and cover letter stating your interest in the position. The cover letter must address the following: initiatives engaged in as a leader; experience identifying and addressing personnel issues; vision for SADO’s public defenders.
Applications should be emailed by June 15, 2025, to [email protected] and include “Job ID 2025-10” in the subject line.
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