The Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), a division of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO), is hiring a criminal appellate attorney, with experience in private billing and/or managing a private law practice, to review and audit vouchers of MAACS roster attorneys, private counsel assigned to represent people appealing criminal convictions.  Compensation ranges from $88,071 to $144,865 depending on experience. Our office follows a hybrid workplace model that mixes in-office and remote work to offer flexibility and support to staff. This position is for either the Detroit or Lansing office.

The Voucher Review Attorney will be responsible for working with the MAACS accounting staff in reviewing and monitoring the vouchers submitted by the roster attorneys. The Voucher Review Attorney will also be responsible for responding to any inquiries from court staff as to the reasonableness of the submitted voucher.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Monitoring MAACS’s annual fund for private counsel legal fees and enforcing policies and procedures.
  • Performing reviews and audits of legal service bills for compliance with billing policies and procedures, including the reasonableness of the time expended for each legal service.
  • Meeting with roster attorneys if necessary to review all supporting documentation and billing procedures.
  • Performing legal research and drafting memoranda, correspondence or other documents.
  • Utilizing internal case management systems to develop, maintain, and analyze statistical reports.
  • Recommending policies and procedures to minimize the risk of fraud, waste and abuse.
  • Professionally communicating information regarding audits and billing policies in response to attorney and court inquiries; and
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • The successful candidate may carry a limited appellate caseload, subject to other job responsibilities.

 

Requirements
  • Candidate must be a licensed attorney in Michigan with experience in Michigan criminal appeals.
  • Preference will be given to attorneys with experience managing a private law practice or similar public sector experience.
  • Experience tracking time and billing clients for legal services rendered in their cases.
  • Professional writing skills, including the ability to draft detailed, comprehensive and accurate reports, pleadings, correspondence and other documents.
  • Solid analytical and investigative skills and the ability to analyze and summarize large amounts of information and data.
  • Proficiency with Windows, MS Word, Excel, Access or similar programs.
  • Ability to strictly adhere to confidentiality requirements.
  • A degree in accounting or knowledge of the principles of accounting in government systems is desirable but not required.
Job Contact
Janet Boswell
313-256-9833 hr@sado.org