Attorney 3

The official job specifications for this role as defined by the State Civil Service can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Fulfills duties of loyalty confidentiality advocacy and competent representation to clients.
• Conducts a continuous study of applicable law and judicial decisions.
• Obtains copies of all pleadings and notices. Participates in discovery negotiations conferences and hearings. Informs other parties and counsel of the attorneys representation.
• Advises clients about their rights & identifies and seeks to obtain appropriate resources for clients.
• Engages in communication with clients including but not limited to face-to-face meetings.
• Avoids creating and attempts to reduce delays in CINC proceedings and advocates for timely permanence for the child.
• Advises the child about the case the childs rights the court system the proceedings counsels role expectations of the legal process the risks and benefits of possible courses of action and other relief; determines the clients desires and preferences in a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner.
• Advocates for the desires and expressed preference of the child and follows the childs direction throughout the case in a developmentally appropriate manner. To the extent that a child does not or will not express his/her desires and preferences about particular issues determines and advocates for the childs best interest.
• Engages in regular and meaningful communication with the child including but not limited to face to face meetings with the child at the childs placement and/or other locations outside of the courthouse.
• Travels by personal vehicle to court to meet with clients to staff meetings and to other required locations. Submits timely requests for travel reimbursement.
• Conducts thorough continuing and independent investigations and discovery including but not limited to: Reviewing social service psychiatric psychological drug and alcohol medical law enforcement school court DSS provider and other records of the child.
• Contacts lawyers for other parties Court Appointed Special Advocates: parents guardians and/or caretakers of the child (with the permission of their attorneys).
• Interviews individuals involved with the child; reviews relevant evidence; and attends treatment placement and administrative hearings; other proceedings involving legal issues; and school conferences or staffing as needed.
• Attends treatment placement administrative hearings and school conferences or staffing as needed.
• Files petitions motions answers responses or objections as necessary.
• Attends and participates in all hearings and conferences with the court relevant to the child.
• Participates in mediation and settlement negotiations.
• Presents evidence direct and cross-examines witnesses offers exhibits and provides independent evidence as necessary. Decides whether to call the child as witness and ensures that the child is prepared to testify.
• Attempts to ensure clients presence at significant court hearings except when counsel affirmatively waives the childs presence.
• Seeks to ensure continued representation of the child at all child-related conferences and hearings.
• Discusses the end of legal representation with the child and determines what contacts if any will continue between the child and his/her counsel.
• Provides mental patients with legal representation at all stages of their confinement.
• Prepares and files petitions for probable cause revocation of conditional discharge and writs of habeas corpus on an individual case by case basis.
• Identifies and addresses violation of patient rights.
• Advises and confers with hospital staff on patient rights and violation of these rights.
• Counsels clients refusing medication and provides representation in administrative review proceedings.
• Represents clients in judicial commitment proceedings.
• Collects data required by the IV-E program documents changes in client status per IV-E compile and organize IV-E indicators and reasons for client changes and updates support staff weekly on changes regarding every client on caseload. Assists support staff in correct and accurate recordation of data and reviews final information prior to submission. Responds within 24 hours to the data collection specialist when requests for updates are made.
• Plans organizes coordinates and controls the work of the agency as directed. Submits monthly reports on time. Coordinates legal representation of clients with other MHAS offices.
• Complies with Supreme Court of Louisiana requirements to practice law in Louisiana including but not limited to education requirements to represent children in abuse and neglect cases.
• Learns and implements most updated best practices for representing children and clients with disabilities.
• Provides guidance assistance supervision and lead worker responsibilities to support staff and attorneys of lower rank as directed.
• Develops strategy for implementation of systems improvements in the protection of patient rights and the rights of children & effectuates systemic changes.
• Trains other staff members various mental health professionals and various groups in the community on the legal rights of patients and responsibilities of treatment providers.

* Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e. relevant detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.