Assistant Corporation Counsel (Exempt) - Labor and Employment

Salary : $53,906.00 - $108,039.00 Annually
Location : Michigan, MI
Job Type: Certified-Regular Civil Service
Job Number: 2024310484DMPL
Department: Law
Opening Date: 03/19/2025
Bargaining Unit: 9000-Non Union Salary Regular Service General

Description
Under general supervision, perform difficult and specialized professional legal work in preparation for litigation of complex and/or major lawsuits for assigned departments which functions and activities are such as to present specialized legal problems; and/or performs difficult and specialized transactional, labor and employment, litigation and municipal legal work necessary for the advising and counsel of clients.

Experience in leading and managing labor and employment cases, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, unfair labor practices, disability claims, labor arbitrations, workplace safety, whistleblower claims, civil service hearings, MIOSHA complaints, Wage and Hour claims, manage appeals related to these cases.

Examples of Duties

• Experience in leading and managing labor and employment cases, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, unfair labor practices, disability claims, labor arbitrations, workplace safety, whistleblower claims, civil service hearings, MIOSHA complaints, Wage and Hour claims, manage appeals related to these cases.
• Conduct thorough Investigations of highly sensitive employee relation cases.
• Collaborate with various City Departments to provide strategic, proactive recommendations to address aimed at mitigating risk and ensuring compliance with labor and employment laws.

• Continuously monitor developments in employment laws and provide legal guidance to ensure the City of Detroit remains complaint with new regulations.
• Serves as legal specialist for an assigned major department, group of departments, or department which functions present specialized legal problems; and/or serves as legal advisor and counsel for the City of Detroit agencies, officials and personnel on non-litigation issues.
• Prepares for and litigates complex employment cases.
• Prepares for and litigates a large volume of cases that are complicated by a multiplicity of factors and details or where there is an admixture of public and proprietary law.
• Prepares for litigates cases with implications of important precedent and/or involving potentially substantial monetary awards.
• Conducts legal research, analysis and/or evaluation of issues of substantial complexity and/or which may have significant, implications for the establishment of legal precedent.
• Conducts negotiations, business transactions and other projects requiring demonstrated and specialized expertise.
• Prepares complex legal pleadings and documents.
• Confers with supervisors and other litigators on case strategy.
• Reviews of cases referred from Department sections for comments and recommendations on strategy and procedure.
• Litigates important cases before Federal or State judicial or administrative tribunals at all levels.
• Advises City officials on a variety of matters relating to pending litigation.
• Provide case status reports to the Corporation Counsel.
• Drafts legal opinions and/or legal interpretations of laws. rules, regulations and other documents related to the operations of municipal government and/or other legal subject matters.
• Prepares for and litigates appeals to higher tribunals as required.
• Responds to inquiries from other municipalities, private law firms, and the state and federal government.
• Perform special projects at the direction of superiors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association approved institution.
• Two (2) to ten (10) years of experience in the above specified.

Supplemental Information
Skill In:

• Excellent analytical, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills, self-discipline
• Effectively organize and manage independent caseloads presenting multiple simultaneous priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; and commitment to participate in a team-oriented practice environment.
• Legal writing and drafting
• Developing legal arguments and applying legal principles to legal problems.
• Effective problem-solving techniques
• Oral and written communication.

Ability to:

• Analyze and appraise facts, evidence, and precedence.
• Present statements of fact, law, and arguments clearly and logically.
• Interact effectively with outside agencies and departmental personnel with tact and diplomacy.
• Display judicial temperament and poise.

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training Experience & Personal Qualification: 30%
• Total of interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 - 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The City of Detroit offers a competitive and comprehensive employee benefit package. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. Part of the reason for the low turnover rate is the exceptional benefit package listed below. Benefits include, but are not limited to the following:

HEALTH

• Medical - Eligible for hospital, surgical, and prescription drug benefits.
• Dental
• Vision

INSURANCE

• Life Insurance - Optional group insurance available to employee and their family. The City pays 60% of premium for first $12,500 of employee life insurance. Employee may purchase, at own expense, life insurance for spouse and each dependent.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Income Protection Plan) - The City offers disability insurance through payroll deductions for persons who become disabled and who are not yet eligible for a service retirement.

PAID TIME OFF

• Sick Leave
• Vacation
• Holidays

OTHER LEAVE BENEFITS
The City also has the following paid and unpaid leaves; funeral leave, Family and Medical Leave, jury duty, military duty leave, unpaid personal leave,

RETIREMENT BENEFITS
City Employees Retirement System
As a regular City employee you automatically become a member of the General Retirement System. This entitles you to a retirement allowance after:
Completion of thirty (30) years of service;
- At age sixty (60) if you have at least ten (10) years of service, or

- At age sixty-five (65) with eight (8) years of service.
In the event of disability, other eligibility rules apply);
- An early, actuarially reduced, retirement is offered after you have attained at least twenty-five (25) years of service;
Employees are vested after ten (10) years of service, regardless of age.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Employees have many opportunities for growth and career advancement throughout all City departments and divisions.
Have a successful career with the City of Detroit. Always remember that you are a part of a team with a common Vision of delivering excellent service to the citizens of the City of Detroit
01

Do you have two (2) to ten (10) years of experience in the above specified.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a Juris Doctorate Degree from an American Bar Association.

• Yes
• No

Required Question