SUMMARY:
Under general direction of the General Counsel for the Third Circuit Court, and the supervision of the Deputy General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel for the Family Division-Domestic and Juvenile engages in the essential functions as detailed below. Employees in this title are expected to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Acts as a legal advisor to the Family Division of the Court, its judges, and court administrators in the Family Division• At the request of the judges of the Family Division conducts legal research, analyzes briefs submitted and referred to the Associate General Counsel for the Family Division for comment and recommendation in the form of written proposed opinions, memoranda of law or oral consultation. • With the approval of General Counsel, confers with the judges of the Family Division (including the Juvenile and Domestic Sections), upon pending matters of procedure and substantive law. • Studies pending legislation and current decisions for their possible impact on the court, especially as they may impact litigation that is brought in the Family Division, and keeps the judges and court administrators of the Family Division advised on developments in the law through the issuance of written memoranda or oral presentations or informally as necessary.• Recommends or drafts remedial legislation, court rules, local administrative orders or changes to existing procedure or policy.• Serves as a legal liaison between the Court and related agencies or related personnel. • Submits amicus curiae briefs in appellate matters of significant interest to the Division.• May represent the Family Division in various committees of the State Court Administrative Office, or other related agencies.• May represent the Court, its judges or employees in litigation or administrative proceedings involving issues surrounding the Family Division, observes as a liaison with retained counsel in such litigation.• Reviews or drafts contracts involving the Court. • Supervises attorneys, paralegals or clericals as may be assigned.• Manages reporting staff by identifying and assigning work, documenting work performance metrics and communicating work performance expectations, establishing professional development plans, providing training, implementing corrective actions plans, approving time, assuring appropriate staffing coverage, conducting periodic performance reviews, acknowledging accomplishments, providing assistance, and issuing discipline• Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the General Counsel.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduate of an accredited law school. Licensed to practice law in Michigan, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and be eligible to be licensed in such other federal courts as necessary. • Seven (7) years of practice as an attorney, including concentration on legal research and writing or practice especially in the area of Family Law, equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.• Member of State Bar of Michigan in good standing.• Experience conducting complex legal research using Westlaw, Lexis or other available resources.• Prior experience in government service in a legal capacity, preferably working for a court.• Ability to produce at time of application, a writing sample written solely by the individual for a Judge or Court.• Proficient using MS Office Suite and relevant software and systems

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 
• Excellent verbal, written and/or interpersonal communication skills.• Ability to identify, grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details.• Ability to draft legal memoranda and related documents.• Ability to interact with various Court agents and personnel and to work on significant projects.• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to legal problems and matters.• Ability to communicate information and ideas so that others can understand.• Ability to supervise and collaborate with legal professionals.• Excellent facilitation, presentation and meeting management skills.• Ability to plan, organize, execute, delegate and manage in a legal environment.• Skill in counseling employees and interacting tactfully.• Ability to lead a group to accomplish a common goal and to facilitate a team-work environment.• Skill in managing one’s own time and the time of others, as well as the ability to meet deadlines.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Normally a typical customer service office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise.• Employees in this title may encounter individuals who may be under duress.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time to perform job functions.• Ability to detect, create and interpret documents.• Operate a computer and other office machinery, items or equipment.• Position self to move from one place to another.• Communicate with clients, co-workers, and others.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
• Candidates considered for placement in this job title will be subject to a criminal and/or IV-D background investigation and subsequent fingerprinting every five (5) years.• Member of State Bar of Michigan in good standing.• Licensed to practice law in Michigan, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, (or have application pending for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan) and be eligible to practice in such other federal courts as necessary. • Must possess (at time of application) and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license, no fault insurance and access to a vehicle to use in the performance of assigned duties.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the title. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Specific job duties vary from position to position.

Notes:03/06/2014 Revised11/07/2017 Updated for content, format and title03/04/2024 Updated for content