Director of Legal Affairs

Company: City of St Joseph
Location: Grand Rapids
Posted on: May 28, 2025

Job Description:

Nature of WorkThis is an advanced professional legal position in which the Director of a legal division serves as the lead attorney and primary manager over the daily affairs of a division in the City's Law Department. The position involves direct management and oversight of legal services specifically as they relate to the respective division's functions (litigation, enforcement, and municipal law). The Director will oversee all cases of the division and ensure that complex legal issues are handled professionally.The position has the responsibility and authority to provide guidance and daily supervision of the operations for the division. Supervisory duties include, but are not limited to, the oversight of the professional legal staff to provide direction in their ability to properly handle cases, projects, legal communications, presentations, and other related duties consistent with the Law Department's functions; responsibility for making regular work assignments; administration of employee performance reviews, counseling and coaching guidance when needed; facilitation of employee professional development training opportunities; and ensuring that staff implement LEAN initiatives involving the legal services provided by the division. The Director is also expected to assist with cost estimates and the department's budgetary process as needed.This position operates with a great deal of decision-making autonomy and discretion to fulfill these responsibilities. Work is performed under the authority of the City Attorney. Supervision of the position is exercised through periodic meetings and reports to the City Attorney and/or Deputy City Attorney.We are currently seeking to fill the Director of Legal Affairs position in the Criminal Enforcement Division of the City Attorney's Office. Candidates must be licensed and in good standing with the State of Michigan Bar Association. The Director of Legal Affairs will be responsible for leadership over Assistant City Attorneys and administrative staff members. The work will involve issuance of warrants, prosecution of criminal misdemeanors under the Grand Rapids City Code and traffic violations under the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code up through and including trial, juvenile prosecution, as well as formal hearings. The Criminal Enforcement Division works very closely with the GRPD as it relates to the prosecution of these matters. Prior criminal law experience is preferred.Minimum Training and Experience

• Graduation from law school-AND-
  • Four years of experience in the practice of law, including experience in trial work-OR-
    • Equivalent combination of training and experience.Other Necessary Requirements
      • Possession of a license to practice law in the State of Michigan.
      • At least two years of experience serving in a leadership or management role over professional legal staff.
      • Experience in litigation and/or criminal law.
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Keywords: City of St Joseph, Kalamazoo , Director of Legal Affairs, Legal , Grand Rapids, Michigan