Special Litigation Research Attorney

Job Title:Special Litigation & Research Attorney

Department:Training

Location:Detroit

Reports To:Training Director

Position Type:Full Time

Union Status:UnionEligible

FLSA Status:Exempt

AboutNDS:

Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a national nonprofit public defense organization that pioneered the holistic defense model more than 30 years ago. Founded in Harlem NDS was built to challenge the traditional public defense model by centering clients communities and interdisciplinary advocacy. Today NDS operates community-based offices in Harlem; the Bronx; Detroit; and Hays County Texas supported by a unified national infrastructure that allows local teams to deliver high-quality responsive representation rooted in the communities they serve.

Across all locations NDS provides client-centered legal representation through interdisciplinary teams composed of attorneys investigators social workers client advocates and team administrators. Our approach emphasizes early and ongoing engagement with clientsbefore arrest where possible throughout the life of a case and beyond case resolutionwhile addressing the legal social and systemic challenges thatimpactlong-term stability. NDS is committed to treating every client with dignity and respect and to advancing justice for individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized and over-policed.

Core Purpose of the Role:

The ideal Special Litigation & Research Attorney is an experienced attorney well-versed in Michigan law whodemonstratesa commitment to serving marginalized people and communities. The Special Litigation & Research Attorney will help shape our present and futurecontributing 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 Special Litigation & Research Attorney approaches the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment.

• 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.

• Work collaboratively with the two other attorneys who make up NDS Training Development and Special Litigation Team under the supervision of the Training Director. Together with this team the new Special Litigation & Research Attorney will:

• Provide prompt research brainstorming and strategicassistanceto NDS staff members during a daily set of on-call hours.The team also provides similar assistance to the attorneys on the Wayne County Managed Assigned Counsel Roster.

• Train NDS staff members and Roster Attorneys on how to use available resources. This may also include developing or organizing existing resource banksvettingand updating existing resources and developingnew resources such as practice guides cheat sheets and model pleadings.

• Foster a culture of collaboration and excellent representation byfacilitatingcaseroundsdiscussions creating forums for development of trial and oral advocacy skills and developing new training programs for NDS staff and roster attorneys.

• Support and train NDS staff and roster attorneys in all aspects of motion practice including issue-spotting writing record development and argument.

• Assist NDS staff and roster attorneys with interlocutory appeals including providing guidance training and mentorship to help train attorneys to litigate interlocutory appeals. The Special Litigation & Research Attorney may alsobe requiredto litigate interlocutory appeals including researching drafting and arguing appeals in collaboration with the NDS staff androsterattorneys assigned to those cases.

• Draft newsletters and other regular communications for NDS staff and roster attorneysadvisingthem of legal updates training opportunities and practice tips.

• A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice indigent defense racialequityand social justice issues and to the Wayne County community.

• Experiencerepresentingclients in criminal cases and knowledge of criminalproceduresfrom arraignments through appeals.

• Skill andsignificant experiencein legal research and analysis.

• Willingness to train or help other people.

• An ability to quickly build relationships across varying identities income levels races and ethnicities.

• A high levelof organizational and administrative skills.

• Clear and effective communication skills both orally and in writing.

• A license to practice law in Michigan or in anotherstate;and/or the capability of becoming licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan within six months.

• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office SuiteincludingMicrosoft Word and OneDrive.

Preferred

• Several years of experience practicing in Michigan preferably Wayne County and extensive familiarity with Michigan criminal law and appellate procedures.

• Bilingual (Spanish or Arabic) attorneys are encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

Compensation iscommensuratewith current salary range for this position is$78794.69- $122912.49.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.

• Full medical and dental benefits

• Retirement plan with companymatchup to 5%

• Robust time offperks paid parental leave and other benefits are provided

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should email a cover letter resume and writing sample to with the subject line Detroit Special Litigation & Research Attorney. Please send your application as one bookmarked PDF. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be submitted by no later than 11:59 pm on August 14th 2026.

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.