A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Department Summary:

Student Legal Services is a full-service law office that serves enrolled students at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses to varying degrees.  

Position Summary:

The Associate Attorney, under the supervision of the Director, assists University of Michigan students with a variety of legal issues and concerns in a confidential and professional manner. The Associate Attorney handles a mixed caseload using advice and referral, brief service, transactional work, negotiation, mediation, and litigation. The Associate Attorney is also encouraged to participate in task forces, committees, local and state bar associations, and community education. The primary areas of practice for the Associate Attorney are housing/landlord-tenant disputes, family law, and consumer law matters.  

The duties of the Associate Attorney include interviewing new clients, providing legal counsel/advice, evaluating the merit of claims, responding to the urgent needs of clients, and providing representation in litigation when necessary.  As part of their representation of clients, this role researches and drafts legal documents including complaints, answers to complaints, motions, legal briefs, mediation summaries, and judgments.

Family Law (45%):  

• Evaluate cases for divorce, child custody, personal protection orders, and other family law litigation.  
• Prepare and file pleadings, conduct discovery, investigation, and attend pre-trial matters such as mediation and motions.
• Provide representation in court for clients, including trials, pre-trial matters, and motion hearings.
• Provide advice to and represent clients in mediation and other alternative dispute resolution.
• Draft documents such as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
• Professionally and expeditiously resolve diverse and complex family law matters.

Civil/Housing/Landlord-Tenant (30%):  

• Evaluate cases to determine if appropriate for litigation.
• Conduct initial consultations with clients seeking advice or representation in landlord-tenant disputes.
• Provide clear, accurate, and actionable legal guidance tailored to each client's unique situation.
• File pleadings, conduct discovery, investigation, and attend pre-trial matters such as mediation and motions.
• Engage in settlement negotiations and provide representation at trial as needed.  

Advisor/Counselor (20%):  

• Conduct intake interviews each week.  
• Provide legal advice regarding consumer, housing/ landlord-tenant, and family law matters.  
• Negotiate on behalf of clients as necessary.  
• Monitor and provide follow-up advice as necessary.  
• Encourage self-help and alternative dispute resolution whenever possible.  
• Refer cases as appropriate to university or community resources.

Community Involvement and Continuing Education (5%):

• Accept speaking engagements throughout the University community.
• As appropriate, provide representation on community and University boards and committees.
• With the approval of the Director, initiate projects to benefit the education of the University student community.
   

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan
• Minimum three years of experience practicing law, primarily family law
• Highly efficient with Microsoft Suite, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Docs, Adobe and other emerging technologies.
   

• Experience in a student-centered practice in a university environment.
• Ability to interact effectively, considerately, and professionally with people under difficult circumstances.
• Demonstrable skills in litigation, advocacy, client interviewing, and drafting legal documents.
   

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Position Responsibilities Criteria:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp complex legal concepts, coupled with strong analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and organize multiple tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work a regular and consistent schedule.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a proactive, self-motivated professional who thrives in a collaborative team environment.
• Participate in presentations, trainings, consultations and other appropriate services to students, University of Michigan community, partner agencies, and other stakeholders, and document these activities appropriately.

Working Conditions:

• The position is fully in-person with the Associate Attorney traveling between the office, courts, and throughout the University of Michigan campuses as necessary. The work requires a fully onsite presence.  

Physical Requirements:

• The position requires travel to and from various sites, including but not limited to, district and circuit courts within Washtenaw County and other law offices.

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.  

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.  

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2025 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY25-26 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

Relocation will not be offered for this position.

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Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.