Family Division Attorney Referee

Job Description

Job Description

Pay Rate: $37.81 - $51.16

PURPOSE The individual in this position conducts hearings as authorized by the Chief Judge including domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child protective proceedings.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintains expert-level knowledge of Michigan Court Rules, statutes, case law, and the Michigan Rules of Evidence governing domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child protective matters, with continual awareness of legislative and judicial changes.
• Possesses and sustains advanced knowledge of the Michigan Child Support Formula, remaining informed of revisions and updates to its application.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and organizes testimony and other evidence.
• Interprets, reviews, and structures court orders, statutes, procedures, and court rules.
• Exercises judicial independence while consistently demonstrating appropriate judicial demeanor.
• Communicates professionally with litigants, attorneys, counselors, judges, and other stakeholders, including ability to positively interact with Family Division colleagues.
• Protects the confidentiality of court records, including sensitive case data and federal tax information.
• Adapts to technological advancements, maintaining proficiency with new software, hardware, and related updates.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Primarily courtroom and office-based with light physical effort with potential opportunity for remote work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct motion and evidentiary hearings, contempt hearings, settlement conferences, preliminary hearings, progress reviews, emergency removal hearings, and other hearings as designated by the Court.
• Review pleadings, orders, and reports.
• Administer oaths.
• Conduct legal research, both as needed for referee recommendations and as directed by the Court.
• Listen to testimony.
• Rule on the admissibility of testimony and other evidence.
• Determine and apply appropriate burden of proof.
• Analyze facts and apply appropriate guidelines and law.
• Produce written findings of fact and recommendations for orders and orders in an expeditious manner as required by Court Rule.

• Provide advice to staff regarding legal issues involved in domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse/neglect cases.
• May be required to provide Magistrate duties.
• Participate in workgroups and committees.
• Must be available for on-call duties and after-hours matters.
• Participate in the development of policy, programming, and services for domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, and other areas of the court as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited law school, licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, and must be a good standing of the State Bar of Michigan. Must have a minimum of four years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in domestic relations or family division matters, or two years of experience as a referee or magistrate, preferably in a domestic relations or family court setting. Will consider other legal experience which provides comparable knowledge and experience.

SUPERVISION
This position reports to the assigned Family Division Judge who reports to the Chief Judge. Day-to-day work is performed under the direction of the Family Division Administrator.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to conducting the Referee hearings, the individual in this position acts as the hearing room bailiff and court recorder. The Referee is responsible for preparing Referee Recommendations for Orders and Orders following hearings consistent with the Michigan Court Rules.

• Able to work effectively with clients facing financial and emotional stress while maintaining neutrality and objectivity.
• Committed to providing unbiased customer service.
• Willing to participate in ongoing training, both on-site and off-site.
• Employment is contingent on background check, criminal history, fingerprint check, and drug screen.
• Applicants must complete a County application form.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The individual in this position is an at-will employee and serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge.

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