Managing Attorney - Direct Appeals

SADO is hiring a Managing Attorney for Direct Appeals. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director and working with other managing attorneys, manages all aspects of the direct appeals unit of SADO. Assigns cases, provides feedback to attorneys and staff, and supervises the work of direct appeals staff attorneys and paralegals. Monitors all case assignments to SADO’s direct appeals unit and manages overall intake. Assists on complex and problematic cases, including as second-chair in court. Maintains a small caseload and covers caseloads while attorneys are on leave. Assists in planning, personnel, administrative, and budget matters. Works to engage and advance SADO as a client-centered public defender. Interacts and seeks involvement with state and local bar associations, criminal justice organizations and stakeholders, and the Legislature. The Managing Attorney will work in either the Detroit or Lansing office. Regular in-office presence is required for this position in both our Detroit and Lansing offices, though some remote work is permitted.

Responsibilities
1. Supervises and directs the work activities of a multi-site team of staff attorneys and other professionals and core staff, including paralegals. Helps to recruit, hire, and train new attorneys, and consults with the Deputy Director to develop and implement training and onboarding.
2. Provides feedback and review of attorney performance including caseload management, client communications, briefing, oral arguments, evidentiary hearings, and sentencing advocacy, and ensures attorney compliance with all internal policies and procedures and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
3. Monitors receipt of all case assignments and makes all assignments to Direct Appeals staff attorneys including those teaching law school clinics. Oversees the staff procurement of records and transcripts for case preparations and decides, in consultation with the Deputy Director, whether the SADO defender division should take on special or complex assignments.
4. Works closely with the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System Administrator and related staff to assure the proper distribution of appointments as statutorily required.
5. Handles all communications and case-related contacts, pleadings and court appearances in pre-assignment cases. Screens all cases for conflict of interests along with SADO’s Administrative Office.
6. Provides analysis and advice to staff attorneys on complex and problematic cases. Focuses on the clients and cases of attorneys who have recently received their own caseloads, Michigan Supreme Court cases, and evidentiary hearings.
7. Maintains a reduced regular caseload. Covers the caseloads of attorneys who are on leave and provides backup if attorneys are unable to complete specific assignments. Assigns cases of retiring or departing attorneys.
8. Prepares operational reports and analyses as needed for the Director, the Appellate Defender Commission, the Supreme Court and State Court Administrative Office, the Legislature, the Executive Branch, and the public.
9. Works with state and local bar associations, criminal justice reform organizations, and stakeholders in indigent defense systems and services.
10. Investigates and responds to client letters of complaint.
11. Guides attorneys and team on questions regarding grievances, discipline, ethics, policy or strategy.
12. Develops and updates case and client related IOPs under direction of the Deputy Director.
13. Coordinates strategic litigation, takes the lead on developing legal issues, and where appropriate public policy.
14. Develops and supervises SADO clinics and internship program, which includes hiring summer interns on a rotational schedule with other managing attorneys.
15. Leads relevant SADO Committees on areas of interest.
16. Thinks creatively about ways to improve how SADO operates. Implements procedures that increase collaboration, team development, and best client-centered practices. Manages and develops special projects and grants to improve representation of SADO clients.
17. Incorporates SADO’s values into all the above and into leadership style.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of the job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.