Assistant Public Defender III

Assistant Public Defender III

Salary

$47.11 - $63.13 Hourly

Location

Public Defenders Office (Holland): 12185 James Street, Suite 170, Holland, MI 49424, MI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

21620002

Department

Public Defender

Opening Date

10/15/2026

Closing Date

10/30/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

Unclassified

• Description
• Benefits

Job Description

Under the direction of the Public Defender and Deputy Public Defenders, serves to provide exceptional legal representation on behalf of indigent adult criminal defendants charged with all levels of felonies and misdemeanors. Will also mentor less experienced attorneys in the office and work in a team oriented office.

This is a full-time, benefited position. Pending cases are assigned in the Ottawa County Courts with two office locations, one in Holland, MI and one in Grand Haven, MI. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Essential Job Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides legal counsel to indigent adults charged with crimes by, meeting with clients, preparing for court appearances, drafting briefs, performing legal research, analyzing evidence and planning strategy; represents clients at arraignments, pre-trial conferences, preliminary examinations, pretrial motions, bench trial, jury trials, presenting evidence, arguing motions and calling/examining witnesses presenting opening statements and closing argument.
• Interacts productively with clients, Prosecutors, Sheriffs Department, State Police and other law enforcement agencies, courts, private attorneys, private investigators and social agencies to ensure adequateness of criminal investigations and evaluating the sufficiency of evidence to justify prosecutions.
• Performs other functions as assigned.

Required Education, Training and Experience

Possess an undergraduate degree plus a Juris Doctor Degree with a Certificate of Admittance to the State Bar of Michigan and authority to practice law throughout the state; has practiced criminal law for five full years, and has experience as lead counsel in no fewer than seven felony jury trials that have been submitted to a jury; or has a significant record of consistently high quality criminal trial court representation and the ability to handle life offense cases.

Must be licensed in good standing to drive a motor vehicle and possess a valid Michigan drivers license.

Additional Requirements and Information

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent working knowledge of new laws, precedents, and court procedures.
• Computer literacy, including working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and internet applications software.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of criminal law and procedure, particularly as related to the defense of clients, investigations, research, data analysis, report preparation techniques and computer applications related to the work;
• A willingness and ability to work within a team approach to all aspects of indigent defense.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to interact positively and objectively with clients, other staff and supervisors, managers, employees, consultants, investigators and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; including both verbal and written interactions.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audio logical appliances and devices to increase mobility.

Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed in a normal office environment with travel throughout the County and State.

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Ottawa County offers a wide range of benefits to support you in your career. View the Unclassified Benefits Summary for more information.

The current Unclassified group manual can be viewed here.

The Ottawa County Universal Wage Scale can be found here.

Part-time benefitted positions will receive prorated benefits.

Employer Ottawa County

Address 12220 Fillmore Street

West Olive, Michigan, 49460

Phone 616-738-4800

Website http://www.miottawa.org