SUMMARY:
The Friend of the Court (FOC) Staff Attorney provides legal expertise and representation in domestic relations matters, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, while providing quality and timely service to the public and judiciary. This role involves courtroom advocacy and legal research to establish paternity and support, modify and enforce court ordered support, custody, and/or parenting time, and handle other domestic relations matters on a judge’s, referee’s, or specialized docket. Employees in this classification will be expected to research the law and review case information to make independent recommendations or decisions. This position reports to the Assistant Friend of the Court or designee.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Prosecutor: Serve as Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney to establish paternity and support.
• Enforcement & Modification: Initiate and participate in enforcement and modification proceedings relating to custody, parenting time, and support.
• Legal Research & Writing: Draft and argue motions, prepare court orders, and conduct legal research.
• Child Support Calculation: Calculate child support obligations using the Michigan Child Support Formula.
• Court Support: Provide legal advice, evidence, testimony, recommendations, and general support to judges, referees and staff.
• Customer Support: Interview litigants, discuss cases with attorneys, mediate disputes, and provide procedural information.
• Knowledge Maintenance: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of court processes, procedures, policies, and laws.
• Problem Identification, Escalation, & Improvement: Identify common problems, escalate to management, and recommend possible solutions and/or improvements.
• Data Reporting: Maintain statistical data.
• Compliance: Adhere to all relevant policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES and CERTIFICATIONS:
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active member of the State Bar of Michigan in good standing.
• Experience in legal research (Westlaw, Lexis).
• Courtroom advocacy, domestic relations, and mediation experience (preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Suite and relevant court systems.
• If an employee drives on behalf of the Court, the employee must possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license, no fault insurance and access to a vehicle to use in the performance of assigned duties.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
• Strong investigative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to learn, retain, expand, and apply knowledge of Court policies and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt to changing priorities, meet deadlines, and remain calm in high stress situations
• Ability to independently and efficiently produce quality work in a high-volume, deadline driven environment.
• Ability to actively anticipate, identify, and resolve issues.
• Ability to understand and carry out instructions and request clarification when needed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgement, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, fostering a positive work environment, and demonstrating leadership qualities.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, software and other technology.
• Cultural competency and ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to analyze and comprehend complex factual patterns and legal issues.
• Strong legal research, writing, reasoning, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to present statements of fact, laws and arguments clearly and logically, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform in a manner consistent with the Michigan Code of Professional Responsibility.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Successful completion of criminal and IV-D background check, fingerprinting and rechecks.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• May be assigned to alternate work locations and/or training sites and will be responsible for transportation to those locations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
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.
Grant funded positions are contingent on availability of grant funding and may be terminated should funding substantially reduce or cease. The affected employee may be considered as a candidate for other vacant positions within the Court for which they are qualified.
