General Counsel

The Office of the General Counsel is the official legal advisor to Third Circuit Court and provides a full range of law library services and digital legal resources for its judges, referees and employees. It coordinates outside counsel representation as needed. The department is comprised of attorneys, a law librarian, two administrative assistants, and three self-help navigators, with personnel located at the CAYMC, CJC, and LHJ.

Among other duties, the General Counsel’s office:

• Provides legal research and writing assistance to judges.
• Drafts proposed local court rules, local administrative orders, and docket directives.
• Negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts, and prepares requests for proposals.
• Establishes memoranda of understanding between the Court and vendors, outside agencies, labor unions, and other governmental entities.
• Oversees the Wayne County Legal Self-Help Center and the Law Library

The Office of the General Counsel serves as a liaison between the Court and the State Court Administrative Office, Wayne County Corporation Counsel, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.