Law Clerk

County Courthouse: 180 Ottawa Avenue NW Grand Rapids

Full-time - $65,114.00 Annually

Department: Probate Court

Job Responsibilities

The Kent County Probate Court is seeking a Judicial Law Clerk to support two probate judges with a combination of legal research, case analysis, and administrative duties. The Clerk plays a key role in reviewing case filings, preparing legal documents, analyzing statutory and case law, and drafting orders and memoranda. The position also assists in tracking legislative changes and ensuring compliance with filing procedures and court rules.

In addition to core legal functions, the Judicial Law Clerk contributes to the Court’s modernization efforts. This includes helping implement legal technology, managing digital case files, and supporting data analysis to improve workflow and decision-making. The position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with the judiciary in a dynamic and evolving court environment.

Essential Duties:

• Provide legal and administrative support to two probate judges.
• Conduct in-depth legal research and prepare draft opinions, orders, and memoranda.
• Analyze statutes, case law, and legal developments relevant to probate matters.
• Monitor legislative and administrative changes impacting court operations.
• Maintain case files, track deadlines, and ensure procedural compliance.
• Draft and file court documents using digital case management systems (e.g., OnBase).
• Support implementation of legal technology and court automation initiatives.
• Assist with data analysis to identify trends and improve case processing efficiency.
• Perform other duties to enhance court operations and support judicial decision-making.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution. Background or experience in computer science, IT, data analysis, or project management is strongly preferred.

The ability to search electronic and hardcopy legal resources for relevant legal precedents and interpretations is required. Effective communication skills, both oral and written, and a thorough working knowledge of brief preparation are essential. 

Requires the ability to interact positively with judges, attorneys, and other employees of the Court.

Additional Information

Additional information and application details can be found here.

*Notices will come via email so please be sure to monitor the email address indicated on your application* 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — August 21, 2025

Grand Rapids Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers^® 2026

Grand Rapids, Mich. — 11 attorneys from Foster Swift's Grand Rapids office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2026. Firm-wide, 39 attorneys were included.

In addition, three others were listed as “Ones to Watch”. Listed attorneys and their areas of practice are as follows:

2026 Best Lawyers

2026 “Ones to Watch”

Best Lawyers^® "Lawyer of the Year" award recognizes individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic location. Only one lawyer is recognized as the "Lawyer of the Year" for each specialty and location.

“Ones to Watch” awards are given to attorneys that are early in their careers, for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the U.S.  Recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers^® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. For more information, visit www.bestlawyers.com.

Since 1902, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC has provided comprehensive legal services to businesses, municipalities and individuals. The firm employs nearly 100 attorneys and over 100 support staff in five locations: Lansing, Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Holland. For more information about the firm, its attorneys, and to access recent publications, visit www.fosterswift.com.

###

Contact:

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 19, 2025

Mika Meyers Attorneys Recognized as

Super Lawyers and Rising Star

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – Mika Meyers PLC, a law firm based in Grand Rapids, has attorneys included
in the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.

The following Mika Meyers’ attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of the Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine: Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer, Daniel J. Broxup, Douglas A. Donnell, Ross A. Leisman, Jennifer A. Puplava, and Nathaniel R. Wolf. Michigan Super Lawyers is an annual listing which recognizes lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a rigorous, multiphase rating process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third-party research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.

Also, Curtis Underwood was selected for inclusion as a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star. The selection process for Rising Stars is the same as the Super Lawyers selection process except that: 1) a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for ten years or less; and 2) candidates for Rising Stars do not go through the peer evaluation by practice area. While up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list.

# # #

About Mika Meyers
www.mikameyers.com
Mika Meyers PLC is a statewide full-service law firm with offices in Grand Rapids, Caledonia and Manistee, Michigan. Founded in 1950, Mika Meyers has 36 attorneys that provide a broad range of legal services to individuals, families, businesses, municipalities, and educational institutions throughout Michigan and nationwide.

Media Contact: Marcia Ritzenhein, Director of Operations, (616) 632-8000,
mritzenhein@mikameyers.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—August 19, 2025

Grand Rapids Attorney Selected as 2025 Michigan Super Lawyer

 Grand Rapids, Mich. —An attorney from the Grand Rapids office of Foster Swift has been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list.

2025 Michigan Super Lawyer

• Frederick D. Dilley – General Litigation

Only five percent of the lawyers in Michigan are selected by Super Lawyers while the "Rising Stars" list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.

Super Lawyers is a research-driven rating system of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes peer nominations, independent research by Super Lawyers and evaluations from a highly credentialed panel of attorneys.

To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years of age or younger, or been in practice for 10 years or less.

###

Since 1902, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC has provided comprehensive legal services to businesses, municipalities and individuals. The firm employs nearly 100 attorneys and over 100 support staff in five locations: Lansing, Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Holland. For more information about the firm, its attorneys, and to access recent publications, visit www.fosterswift.com.

Contact:

COST: $1,075.00*. 

(*Early Bird price reduction to $975.00 if you register by April 25, 2025); this fee includes the Domestic Violence Training. 

Domestic Violence Protocol Training Only On May 14, 2025 $250.00.

Click here for more information and to register.

POSITION OVERVIEW-- Full job description can be found here 

Appointed by the judges, the Attorney Magistrate is an at-will employee under the direct
supervision of the Chief Judge and Court Administrator. Serving at the pleasure of the
Court, the Attorney Magistrate will exercise the jurisdiction expressly provided by law
and authorized by the Chief Judge. The primary authorities include the issuance of arrest
and search warrants, pretrial release, arraignments, pleas, sentencings, civil infraction
cases, small claims proceedings, and marriage ceremonies. The position provides on-call
24/7 (pager duty), including weekend and holiday coverage on a rotational and/or fixed
schedule as determined by the needs of the Court. The Attorney Magistrate conducts
legal research regarding legal matters impacting the Court and advises judge(s), court
administration, and court staff. Performs other duties as assigned.
Magistrates are subject to the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and the Michigan
Code of Judicial Conduct, including filing financial reports.

HOW TO APPLY

To be assured consideration, applicants must apply online (Click here ) and submit the following:
• A cover letter, addressed to Chief Judge Angela T. Ross.
• A detailed resume.
• Three (3) professional references.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI) announced they are accepting applications from qualified persons interested in being nominated for United States District Court judge in the Eastern District of Michigan. The senators are also accepting applications for United States Attorney and United States Marshal in the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Interested candidates should request an application by emailing JudicialNominations@peters.senate.gov. 

• The deadline to submit an application for U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan is 5:00PM on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

• The deadline to submit an application for U.S. Attorney in the Eastern or Western Districts of Michigan is 5:00PM on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

“Michigan’s federal judges, U.S. Attorneys, and U.S. Marshals play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and administering justice fairly and compassionately,” said Senator Peters. “I’m committed to making sure these important positions are held by those with the legal experience and temperament needed to serve our state well. As we begin the process of evaluating and recommending highly qualified candidates to fill current vacancies, I encourage applicants who are interested in public service to apply.”

 “A critical part of the job of a U.S. Senator is to review and recommend qualified, fair and upstanding nominees to the federal bench, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshall’s offices,” said Senator Slotkin. “Michigan is home to some of the most talented legal minds in the country, and I encourage qualified applicants interested in serving in the federal judiciary to apply.”

It is the Senate’s tradition for both home state Senators to recommend judicial nominees to the President for consideration. After someone is nominated, it is Senate procedure for the home state senators to agree to consideration of a nominee before the Senate Judiciary Committee conducts hearings and votes. This is commonly called the “blue slip” process. Nominations approved by the Committee are then considered by the full Senate.

 Peters and Slotkin will continue to listen to public input and consult with Michigan’s legal community to ensure that our state is served by highly qualified, fair, and impartial judges that put the people of Michigan first.

Are you interested in becoming a court approved domestic mediator? Dr. Brian Pappas will share the skills needed to mediate divorce, custody and parenting time issues while Veronica Thronson leads the DV Screening Protocol Training.

Participants can choose to complete the 40 hour mediator training and the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) required 8-Hour Domestic Violence Screening Training for mediators, the 40 hour mediator training, or 8 hour DV Screening Training. Click here for more information and to register.