Assistant Youth Appellate Defender

• Applicants must be current members of the Michigan Bar or eligible to waive into the bar
• Applicants must have a demonstrated commitment to youth defense, indigent defense, public service, and racial equity
• The ideal candidate will have experience representing children in delinquency proceedings and be an experienced youth defense trainer; youth public defense experience is preferred
• Knowledge, training, and experience related to adolescent development, neuroscience, education, mental health treatment, and best practices for rehabilitation of children
• Skills in legal research and writing, client communication, and oral advocacy
• Ability to communicate effectively with people of different backgrounds and lived experiences and proven expertise in communicating with children and adolescents is preferred

About Us This position is new to SADO as traditionally we have only represented individuals in adult court. The Assistant Youth Appellate Defender will integrate into SADO’s existing structure and mission of obtaining just outcomes for our young clients.  SADO attorneys work in trial courts and appellate courts across the state to achieve tangible results for the people we represent and to improve the system. We strive to show the courts that each person we represent is more than a case number and is entitled to equitable treatment and justice. We focus on our clients as people and actively work to challenge injustices and disparities in the criminal legal system based on race, class, ability, behavioral health, and other identifying characteristics and statuses. SADO attorneys frequently appear in the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court and play an important role in shaping criminal law in Michigan.[1]