The Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), the Private Counsel 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 $94,335 to $149,208 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 the 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 and ensuring compliance with the attorneys’ ethical duties to the client.
- Meeting with roster attorneys if necessary to review all supporting documentation and billing procedures.
- Reviewing submitted pleadings to identify performance issues.
- 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 increase efficiency and 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.
Benefits
State employee benefits are comprehensive and include:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401k plan with up to a 9% employer contribution (partial vesting begins at 2 years)
- 13 paid holidays
- 3 weeks of paid vacation in year one
- Paid sick time and, for eligible employees, paid parental leave
- Long-term disability insurance
- Flexible work hours
- Hybrid work environment (remote/office)
- Casual dress as appropriate
- Paid training opportunities
SADO employees are members of the UAW Local 2200.