Job Title: Entry Level Staff Attorney
Department: Criminal Defense
Location: Detroit
Reports To: Supervising Attorney
Position Type: Full-Time
Union Status: Union
FLSA Status: Exempt
Hiring Timeline: We are currently recruiting for a position with an anticipated start date in Fall 2027.
About NDS:
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 clients—before arrest where possible, throughout the life of a case, and beyond case resolution—while addressing the legal, social, and systemic challenges that impact long-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 Entry-Level Staff Attorney is someone who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities, preferably with a proven commitment to public defense, or demonstrated experience serving marginalized communities in a social justice organization. At NDS Detroit, how we represent our clients is as important as individual case outcomes and our attorneys approach the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment.
ResponsibilitiesRequired
- A demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity and social justice issues and the Wayne County communities.
- A track record of strategically guiding casework, projects and/or relationships; applying good and practiced judgment; and routinely pushing through roadblocks to achieve your goals.
- A growth mindset.
- Doggedness and resilience combined with people and situation smarts.
- An ability to quickly build relationships across varying identities, income levels, races and ethnicities.
- A high level of organizational and administrative skills to handle a high caseload.
- Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
- Enrollment in an accredited law school with a graduation date not later than May 2027, with the ability to take the July 2027 Michigan Bar Examination; OR
- A license to practice law in Michigan or in another state; and/or the capability of becoming licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan within six months. Experience in the criminal courts of Wayne County (and Michigan generally) are encouraged to apply.
- Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Word and OneDrive.
Preferred
- Bi-lingual (Spanish or Arabic) attorneys are encouraged to apply.
- Experience representing clients in criminal cases and knowledge of criminal procedures from arraignments to appeals.
Compensation:
Compensation is commensurate with experience. The pre-licensed salary starts at $78,794.69 annually.
- Full medical and dental benefits
- Retirement plan with company match up to 5%
- Robust time off perks, paid parental leave and other benefits, are provided
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.
MinUSD $78,794.69/Yr. MaxSkills Required
- Demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, racial equity, social justice, and Wayne County communities
- Track record of strategically guiding casework, projects, or relationships; applying judgment; and overcoming obstacles
- Growth mindset
- Doggedness, resilience, and strong people and situational judgment
- Ability to build relationships across varying identities, income levels, races, and ethnicities
- Strong organizational and administrative skills to manage a high caseload
- Clear and effective oral and written communication skills
- Enrollment in an accredited law school with graduation by May 2027 and ability to take the July 2027 Michigan Bar Examination, or admission to a state bar and ability to become licensed in Michigan within six months
- Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Word, and OneDrive
- Bilingual Spanish or Arabic language skills
- Experience representing criminal case clients and knowledge of criminal procedures from arraignment through appeal
What We Do
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a nonprofit public defense organization providing high-quality, community-based, holistic legal representation. Its multidisciplinary teams combine criminal, civil, family, immigration, and youth defense attorneys with advocates, social workers, investigators, and paralegals. Beyond the courtroom, NDS addresses related employment, schooling, housing, immigration, and family-court issues while engaging communities and advocating for policy changes that advance justice for affected communities.
