Job Postings

March 7, 2010
Appointment of New Magistrate Judge, Eastern District of Michigan
For more information, please click here.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

Vacancy Announcement Number: SWKD09256242
Posted on www.cpol.army.mil and www.usajobs.gov.

Changes to the Job Announcement: NOTE: Please carefully read information contained in this announcement on what is required and where to mail your documents in order to apply for this vacancy.    

Opening Date: January 22, 2009           Closing Date: February 20, 2009         

Position:                       General Attorney (Contracts), YA-0905-
Salary:                          $50,597 - $95,381 Annual
Place of Work:             US Army Engineer District - Detroit , Office of Counsel,
Position Status:            This is a Permanent position. -- Full Time
Number of Vacancy:      01

DEPARTMENT OF ARMY RANKED ONE OF THE TOP TEN FEDERAL WORKPLACES FOR 2007!

Duties: Independently investigates claims which may involve large sums of money, extremely capable opposing legal talent, and/or difficult legal problems because of the absence of closely applicable precedent. Performs legal research pertaining to claims which requires a knowledge and study of current decisions of federal and state courts and current statutes and regulations. Serves as Trial Attorney for assigned cases appealed to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. Conducts investigations for, prepares litigation reports for, and coordinates with and assists Department of Justice or United States Attorneys in litigation arising out of contract law, environmental law, civil works cost sharing, Indian law, tort claims, and water law. Advises the Great Lakes Districts on real estate law for acquisition and disposal activities, including reviewing real estate instruments, conducting closings, determining relocation benefits, and preparing condemnation packages.

About the Position: Selectee will work under the general supervision of the District Counsel. The incumbent receives assignments and performs duties on own initiative in accordance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures. The incumbent's work product is reviewed only for general legal sufficiency, compliance with agency policy and possible precedent and overall effectiveness. When designated as Trial Attorney, develops facts and plans and presents cases on own initiative. Deals directly with agency officials, Justice Department Officials, Administrative Judges, and officers and attorneys for contractors.

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Dear Cooley Alumni:

Cooley Law School has learned of a pressing need for lawyers to volunteer to handle home foreclosure-related lawsuits in federal court. Cooley is working with the Judges Pro Bono Committee of the United States District for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan to help address the foreclosure crisis that has now made its way into federal court. We are seeking your help.

In a meeting two weeks ago with Judge Denise Page Hood, Judge Victoria Roberts, E.D. Mich. Court Administrator David Weaver, and Deputy Court Administrator Libby Smith, Cooley-Auburn Hills Associate Dean John Nussbaumer learned that federal district judges are now seeing pro se cases being filed by plaintiffs who are seeking to set aside a sheriff's sale and have title to their home restored. These cases are being filed as diversity actions and as original jurisdiction actions, citing federal statutes such as the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, Truth in Lending Act, Racketeering and Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act, and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Plaintiffs also rely on the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Michigan statutes cited include Foreclosure by Advertisement, the Michigan Consumer Mortgage Protection Act, and the Michigan Mortgage Brokers Lenders and Servicing Lending Act. Common law theories cited include fraud, fraudulent inducement, quiet title, and breach of contract. Plaintiffs sometimes challenge the notice provisions that allow foreclosure by advertisement and make a due process argument from that.

The Federal District Court needs and wants our help by enlisting volunteer lawyers to help handle these cases on behalf of the various plaintiffs. The Federal Bar Association is organizing a training program for volunteer lawyers willing to help handle these cases that we hope to present in late October or early November. 

We thus are reaching out to ask you to volunteer your time to help the court address this pressing need. Membership in the Federal Bar Association is not required.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Administrative Assistant Sabrina Wescott at Cooley Law School's Auburn Hills campus. Sabrina can be reached at wescotts@cooley.edu or at 248 751-7800 Ext. 7778. 

This contact will not commit you to taking a case. Before you agree to accept a case, you will have the opportunity to review the case file to determine if you want to accept it. If you are currently involved in Cooley's Service to Soldiers Program, we appreciate your service and do not expect you to take this on as well. We know your time is valuable and limited. 
But if you have been looking for a way to get involved in pro bono efforts and particularly with Cooley's Center for Ethics, Service, and Professionalism, we would welcome your help.

Sincerely,

Amy Timmer 
Associate Dean of Students and Professionalism

John Nussbaumer
Associate Dean for the Auburn Hills Campus

James D. Robb
Associate Dean of Development and Alumni Relations

Past Postings

Appointment of New Magistrate Judge (Detroit or Ann Arbor, Michigan):

The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit or Ann Arbor.  The current annual salary of the position is $155,756.  The term of office is eight years.

Copies of the complete notice and the application form may be obtained at www.mied.uscourts.gov and at the following Clerk’s Office locations:

600 Church Street, Room 140, Flint
231 W. Lafayette Boulevard, Room 564, Detroit
200 E. Liberty Street, Room 120, Ann Arbor
1000 Washington Avenue, Room 304, Bay City

In order to be assured of consideration, applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 26, 2008.