THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE is building a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office in Wayne County and we invite you to join our team as we represent our clients with excellence. Building on 30 years of experience of providing high quality representation, we are expanding our efforts to bring the same caliber of representation to the communities of Wayne County.
We are seeking a team of highly organized, self-driven, and resilient individuals dedicated to our mission. The Criminal Defense Practice at NDS Detroit will represent residents of Wayne County who are charged with felony crimes and cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes. NDS is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients while treating each client with
dignity and respect.
The Team Administrator is an integral part of the defense team who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities. The Team Administrator will help shape our present
and future—contributing 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 Team Administrator approaches the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment.
1. 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.2. Work closely and collaboratively with team members in providing our professional and high-quality representation.3. Enter data regarding NDS’ clients and cases promptly, accurately and completely into the case management system and maintain the integrity of the database.4. Make frequent phone contact with clients, their families, legal and social work providers, the court, and attorneys.5. Foster communication between various team members.6. Liaise with other stakeholders, including court personnel, government agencies, and community organizations in service of our clients.
The ideal candidate will bring:1. A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity and social justice issues and the Wayne County communities.2. Experience working with a data management system, with word processing systems, and a basic knowledge of computer usage in a network environment. Knowledge of Wayne County/Michigan court systems is preferred.3. Energy, enthusiasm and ingenuity combined with an ability to work cooperatively in team setting to achieve the goals of the representation.4. Doggedness and resilience combined with people and situation smarts.5. An ability to quickly build relationships across varying identities, income levels, races and ethnicities.6. A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload and multi-task in a very fast-paced environment.
7. Receive and process discovery into the case management systems.8. Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.9. Bi-lingual (Spanish or Arabic) individuals are encouraged to apply.
Compensation Compensation is commensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits, as well as other benefits, are provided. The salary range for this position is $53,255.48- 90,666.78.
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.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample with their application as one document, preferably PDF. For more information about NDS, please visit our website at http://www.ndsdetroit.org.
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.
USD $53,255.48/Yr.
USD $90,666.78/Yr.
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is known nationally and internationally for its innovative, community-based, holistic public defense practice. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing unparalleled legal representation.
Since we opened our doors in Harlem in 1990, we have pioneered the holistic model as a way to address problems plaguing public defense. In contrast to a traditional public defense practice, NDS clients have an entire team fighting on their behalf, including criminal and civil attorneys, family defense attorneys, advocates, social workers, investigators, paralegals, law school and social work interns, and pro bono attorneys. NDS deploys all of these resources on behalf of our clients, addressing the underlying issues that bring them into contact with the criminal legal system. NDS staff use their engagement with a client as an opportunity to disentangle them from the system completely.
This approach allows defense to extend well beyond the courtroom, with robust social services and comprehensive teams meant to protect our clients from the damages of criminal legal proceedings. When clients face consequences with employment, schooling, immigration or in family or housing court, NDS works alongside them to resolve these issues.
NDS fights for our clients both by working their cases and by advocating for policy changes that provide a measure of justice to their communities. NDS is an active member of these communities, establishing meaningful relationships with clients and their families. NDS hosts frequent education and outreach events to support its neighbors and participate in local events.
NDS has been a part of the Harlem community for nearly 30 years and opened a second office in Detroit in 2019, providing the same world-class service to the people of Wayne County.
