Staff Attorney

Pay range: $72,500 - $95,000

• Please submit a cover letter indicating highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications as well as your salary expectations.
  
  

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to return the city's blighted and vacant properties to productive use. We utilize a variety of Sales programs to make homeownership and land purchases accessible to Detroiters. Plus, we take our commitment to revitalization one step further with our Compliance and Nuisance Abatement programs, requiring renovation and occupancy to improve neighborhoods, eliminate blight, and combat real estate speculation. The Detroit Land Bank Authority works directly with individual buyers, as well as Community Partner organizations and developers for projects big and small.

About This Opportunity

Join our team and be a catalyst for positive change! We are seeking a dynamic individual passionate about community building, enrichment, and development to contribute to our mission of enhancing the quality of life in our vibrant and diverse community.

General Job Summary

The Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) seeks one or more Staff Attorneys to manage litigation in connection with the DLBA’s Quiet Title, Nuisance Abatement and/or Unauthorized Occupancy programs. Each position will work primarily in one of these areas depending on interest and qualifications, but may also work at times in others. A successful applicant will be responsible for all aspects of civil litigation, including drafting pleadings, reviewing records, managing files, attending hearings, representing the organization’s interest in collaborative settings, negotiating agreements, and managing a personal case load.

The DLBA encourages applications from candidates with many or all of the desired subject matter qualifications set forth below. A successful applicant’s salary will be commensurate with their qualifications and years of relevant practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (depending on applicant experience may include many or all of the following)

• Draft pleadings, review records, attend hearings, devise litigation strategy and manage files in various stages of DLBA’s Quiet Title, Nuisance Abatement, and/or Unauthorized Occupancy litigation matters, as well as general litigation
• Assist in creating program policies and vendor management
• Manage full case load of property cases and be responsible for timely movement and resolution
• Investigate reports of suspected unauthorized occupancy in DLBA-owned properties
• Collaborate with various DLBA departments and external third-party agencies, including the City of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department
• Respond to questions, requests for information, and, when appropriate, comments regarding the law from other DLBA staff, and the general public
• Provide direct supervision to support staff, as applicable
• Confer with legal team on various additional matters including, but not limited to, contracts, property sales, and Freedom of Information Act Requests
• Perform legal and general research
• Perform additional duties as directed by Legal Department management
  
  

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan
• Knowledge of Michigan district and circuit court practice, knowledge of Federal court practice also preferred, but not required
• Familiarity with and ability to prepare litigation documents
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in legal speaking and writing
• Excellent organizational and time management skills including the ability to multi-task
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and good judgment to identify potential solutions
• Strong negotiation skills
• Understanding of and ability to apply attorney ethics rules
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced and demanding environment
• Ability to work effectively with others as part of a team
• Ability to conduct research that is relevant, accurate, and thorough
• Experience using and proficiency with MS Office
• Mission-driven individual with high personal integrity and a strong sense of public service to the residents of the City of Detroit
• Detroit residency preferred
  
  

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association-accredited law school
  
  

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (Subject Matter)

• Familiarity with the Wayne County Treasurer tax foreclosure process
• Familiarity with Michigan real estate, municipal, and landlord-tenant law
• Experience dealing with tax foreclosed properties
• Understanding of real property chain of title and ability to recognize issues that arise therein
• Experience in general civil litigation
  
  

Benefits

Working with the DLBA, you will be a vital part of the fight against the blight epidemic facing Detroit. Compensation is based on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's education, training, experience, expected quality and quantity of work, external market and internal value analysis including seniority and merit systems, as well as internal pay alignment. Annual salary is just one component of the Detroit Land Bank's total compensation package. Other rewards include a variety of benefits to employees, including health, dental and vision insurance coverage, life and disability insurance within your first 60 days, additionally included are a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off.

**AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**