Friend of the Court

Livingston County was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Chief Judge, this position is responsible for the overall management of the administrative functions of the Friend of the Court, including establishing policies and procedures and monitoring compliance for the collection, enforcement, and investigative responsibilities of the family division in all areas of domestic relations matters. Prepares, presents, implements, and monitors budgets for the Friend of the Court, develops and implements programs and policies to improve court services and maintains compliance with statutes and court rules.

Benefits:

• Retirement plan includes a 401a with up to 8% employer contribution
• Comprehensive Medical, Pharmacy, Dental & Vision
• Optional HSA with an employer match
• Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Short-term & Long-term disability & Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Health & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid vacation, sick days & holidays. Unused vacation and sick time rolls over
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Up to $500 annual Wellness reimbursement* & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.
• Voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital & Whole Life policies
• Employee assistance program

*Pro-rated based on DOH

Pay Rate Information:

The Friend of the Court position is a non-union, exempt position. Starting salary is $114,340/year. This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 15 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $144,842/year.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Plans, organizes, and directs all aspects of departmental operations including personnel, budgeting, planning, and general administration. Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.
2. Assesses department operations, staffing levels, facilities, and equipment. Analyzes budgetary and resource needs, makes recommendations for improvements, and implements changes. Monitors operational costs and makes recommendations for increasing efficiency.
3. Prepares and presents annual budget requests, administers departmental budget, and ensures that the authorized budgetary and purchasing procedures are properly used.
4. Assigns or delegates responsibility for assignment of work, directs personnel, evaluates performance of all employees, and assures necessary training and professional development. Takes disciplinary action according to established procedures.
5. Coordinates and oversees the conduct of hearings by staff, reviews case outcomes, including legal documentation regarding evidence presented and outcomes recommended by staff, to determine if legal and evidence sufficiency exists to support said outcomes.
6. Conducts hearings, examines testimony and evidence, prepares and reviews orders, drafts opinions, and conducts legal research on a variety of assigned cases.
7. Plans, develops, implements, and monitors programs, policies, and procedures to ensure domestic relations cases are properly administered and investigated, and courts orders are enforced. Coordinates and oversees the SMILE program.
8. Monitors compliance with applicable directives and regulations from both the state and federal Office of Child Support and the Department of Human Services.
9. Prepares, implements, administers, and monitors various state and federal grants. Submits related records and reports for maximum financial reimbursement to the county from the state and federal government by enforcing the collection of child support payments.
10. Performs policy research and development, produces statistics, analyses, and reports on Friend of the Court operations. Develops short and long-range plans, coordinates policy development, and the implementation and coordination of services within all the courts.
11. Reviews Friend of the Court reports, recommendations and investigations including, but not limited to, child support, spousal support, childcare, custody, parenting time, and change of domicile for accuracy and compliance with applicable statues, court rules, state and federal regulations, local administrative orders, and judicial directives. Prior to signatures by the Judge, reviews all proposed domestic orders, pre- and post-judgments prepared by attorneys, and in pro per litigants, to ensure compliance with applicable court rules, procedures and policies.
12. Authorizes show cause petitions for non-compliance with court orders regarding child support, spousal support, health care, and parenting time. Appears in court regarding show cause hearings and bench warrant proceedings presenting evidence, taking testimony and examining witnesses related to the non-compliance of the court orders.
13. Oversees the issuance of bench warrants for failure to appear at show cause hearings and ensures proper compliance with LEIN policies and procedures.
14. Attends meetings of the Chief Judges for the County, Court Administrators, and other committees related to court functions and projects. Serves on the administrative council with other administrators and the Chief Judge.
15. Represents the court to Livingston County Commissioners, Elected Officials, Department Heads, local units of government, the State Court Administrative Office, the Michigan Supreme Court, other trial courts, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and others as appropriate. Facilitates communication and collaboration with the named agencies and groups to promote efficient and effective administration of justice and delivery of services. Coordinates and attends meetings on any matter relating to court functions.
16. Keeps abreast of legislative and regulatory developments, new administrative techniques, and current issues through continued education and professional growth. Attends conferences, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.
17. Supervises all employees of the Friend of the Court, including the Deputy Friend of the Court, Attorney Referees, Caseworkers, and clerical staff. Makes decisions on who to hire, promote, discipline, and terminate from employment.
18. Provides direct supervision for union employees in accordance with established county policies and procedures, current collective bargaining agreements, and with all applicable statutes and regulations governing the employee relationship. Conducts grievance hearings. Acts as co-negotiator with other court administrators for collective bargaining agreements where the court is the employer.
19. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

• Juris Doctorate Degree and seven years of experience, preferably in family or domestic law.
• At least five years of supervisory/managerial experience, as well as familiarity with alternative dispute resolution/mediation, information management, personnel management, accounting and/or other areas of administration, preferably in the office of the Friend of the Court.
• The Court, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• License to practice law in the State of Michigan and a member and in good standing with the Michigan Bar.
• Family Law Certification through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) preferred.
• Valid Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• Thorough knowledge of the professional public management techniques involved in budgeting, personnel administration and resource management, and the ability to identify and implement new best practices.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of the State of Michigan Friend of the Court system, procedures and statues, mediation, and conflict resolution, and conducting legal research.
• Considerable knowledge of domestic law, ancillary law as it relates to domestic cases, court policies and procedures, preparing and interpreting legal documents, and applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge and skill in analyzing and researching statutes and case law, preparing, and interpreting legal documents and interpreting evidence.
• Skill in assembling and analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and formulating policy and service recommendations.
• Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing and making presentations in public forums.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with County employees, contractors to the County, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and County, court, and state software databases.
• Ability to attend meetings scheduled at times other than normal business hours.
• Ability to respond to emergencies or service needs on a 24-hour basis.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view, and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile in an office setting, stand, sit, stoop, and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must lift or push/pull objects of up to 15 lbs. without assistance. Accommodation will be made, as needed, for office employees required to lift or move objects that exceed this weight.

The typical work environment of this job is a business office setting where the noise level is quiet and sometimes moderate.