Part-Time Fractional Attorney; Contractor

Overview

About

The Opportunity:

DJC is hiring a contract Part-Time Attorney for a one-year contract to join our Legal Services & Advocacy Practice (LSAP). This role is for a Michigan-licensed attorney with experience in family, traffic, or housing law and a strong commitment to racial and economic justice. You will support people navigating complex legal challenges related to incarceration, poverty, and structural harm. Your work will help clients stabilize housing and resolve family matters through direct legal representation.

The Detroit Justice Center is a nonprofit law practice that helps individuals, families, and communities heal from and move beyond the criminal legal system. We support people harmed by policing, surveillance, incarceration, and poverty, and work in partnership with grassroots groups to build alternatives rooted in justice and care. Our legal services team helps remove legal barriers while advancing a broader vision of community safety and economic freedom.

• Represent clients in family, housing, and traffic matters, focusing on:
  • Family law issues like custody and support
  • Legal issues tied to housing instability
  • Driver’s license restoration
  • Criminal record expungement
• Appear in court for hearings, status conferences, and trials
• Draft and file legal documents such as motions, petitions, and settlements
• Conduct client interviews and maintain responsive communication
• Participate in legal clinics

• Active license and good standing with the Michigan State Bar
• At least 2 years of litigation experience, preferably in family law
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Self-directed and reliable, with a deep commitment to community-based legal work
• Aligned with DJC’s mission to end mass incarceration and support community-led solutions

• Contract Type:
  Independent Contractor (1099)
• Schedule:
  
  Part-time, approx. 10–20 hours/week
• Pay: $75/hour
• Term:
  One-year contract
• DJC provides malpractice coverage for assigned cases
• Access to Lexis, ICLE, and other legal tools included

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We aim to have someone in place by March 1, 2026.

We strongly encourage applications from people most impacted by the criminal legal system. This includes but is not limited to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; people with disabilities; LGBTQIA+ people; and individuals with past justice system involvement. DJC is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.