Van Buren County

Family Division Attorney Referee

Circuit Court - Paw Paw, MI - Full Time

Pay Rate: $37.81 - $42.85

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.

Apply: Family Division Attorney Referee
* Required fields
First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Location
Phone number*
Resume*

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or paste resume

Paste your resume here or attach resume file

Cover Letter
Who referred you to this position? Enter their first and last name here.*
Do you have a valid driver’s license?*
Do you have a valid Commercial Driver’s License?
What’s your citizenship / employment eligibility?*
What’s your highest level of education completed?*
College or University
Are you 18 years of age or older?*
Desired salary*
Earliest start date?*
Have you ever been convicted of a felony?*
If “Yes”, you have been convicted of a felony, please explain the circumstances around the conviction:*
References: Please enter names and contact information:*
Please provide your drivers license number below*
Type of employment desired*
Have you ever worked for Van Buren County in the past? If yes, please provide details such as: department, name of last supervisor, dates of employment, and reason for leaving:*
Do you have any relatives working for the County? If yes, provide names of all relatives and their relationship to you.*
Do you have any employment records under a name other than listed above? If yes, please list additional names*
Have you ever been suspended or discharged from a former employer? If yes, please explain.*
Are you currently employed?*
What is your current or most recent salary?*
Why are you interested in this position?*
Please list applicable skills, including: supervision skills, specialized equipment or software, or information regarding the career/occupation you wish to bring to the County's attention.*
Previous employer:*
Job Title:*
Start Date:*
End Date:*
Status:*
City, State and Zip Code of past employer:*
Job duties:*
Reason for leaving:*
Salary:*
Supervisor name:*
Supervisor Contact Information:*
May we contact for a reference?*
Previous employer:*
Job Title:*
Start Date:*
End Date:*
Status:*
City, State and Zip Code of past employer:*
Job duties:*
Reason for leaving:*
Salary:*
Supervisor name:*
Supervisor Contact Information:*
May we contact for a reference?*
Previous employer:*
Job Title:*
Start Date:*
End Date:*
Status:*
City, State and Zip Code of past employer:*
Job duties:*
Reason for leaving:*
Salary:*
Supervisor name:*
Supervisor Contact Information:*
May we contact for a reference?*
Please upload any other supporting documents.
The County of Van Buren is committed to ensuring honorably discharged members of the armed forces of the United States are provided preference in public employment consistent with Michigan Public Act 205 of 1897, as amended. If you meet the definition of a “veteran” provided by MCL 35.61.

I am an individual who served in the United States Armed Forces, including the reserve components and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.*
Are you a guard or reserve member?*
I certify that my answers are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
I authorize the investigation of all statements, including references, in this application for employment as necessary for arriving at an employment decision. I also specifically waive any written notice requirements of Section 67 of 1978 PA 397 pertaining to disciplinary reports, letters of reprimand, or other disciplinary actions. I also waive any claim against VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT and all current or former employers arising from such investigation or disclosure, including, but not limited to, slander and libel that may result from furnishing any information to VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
This employment application shall be considered active for a period not to exceed 90 days. Any applicant wishing to be considered for employment beyond this period should inquire whether applications are being accepted at that time. I hereby understand and acknowledge that in the absence of an express written contract or agreement to the contrary; any employment relationship with VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT of an “at-will” nature, which means that the employee may resign at any time and the Employer may discharge the employee at any time with or without cause.
In the event of employment, I understand that false or misleading information given in my application or interview(s) would be grounds for discharge. I understand, also, that I am required to abide by all rules and regulations of VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
I further understand that if I am offered employment, a physical, which may include drug testing (at VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT’s expense) may be required, proof of educational and licensing attainment must be submitted. If any driving is done for VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT purposes, I must be both eligible to drive and be qualified for insurance coverage. Employment by VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT is conditioned upon such results being satisfactory to VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT.*
I agree that any action or suit against VAN BUREN COUNTY GOVERNMENT or its board elected or appointed officials, officers, and/or employees arising out of my application for employment, employment, or termination of employment, including but not limited to claims arising under State or Federal civil rights statutes, must be brought within 180 days of the event giving rise to the claims or be forever barred. I waive any limitation periods to the contrary.*
Human Check*