Attorney 4

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law plus three years of experience as a practicing attorney.

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

Job Duties:

• 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 agencys representation. Advises clients about their rights including but not limited to the patients bill of rights and other statutory rights found in the Louisiana Childrens Code Medicaid law and other applicable bodies of law. Identifies and seeks to obtain appropriate resources for clients.

• Engages in meaningful communication with clients including but not limited to face-to-face meetings. Represents children in SIJS/child welfare cases and are in need of assistance from a master-level attorney in SIJS law and child welfare.

• 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 follow 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 the hospital or facility 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 LDH DCFS provider and other records of the child. Contact lawyers for other parties Court Appointed Special Advocates parents guardians and/or caretakers of the child (with the permission of their attorneys and the client).

• Coordinates and consults with the MHAS Social Worker(s) on staff as needed and directed. 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 a witness and ensures that the child is prepared to testify.

• Attempts to ensure the 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.

• Enter data into the Prime data collection system. Attends training and conferences as required to remain on the cutting edge of mental health SIJS and child law.

• 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. Keeps in good standing concerning professional ethical requirements. Complies with the Louisiana Supreme Courts Special Rules for cases involving the Protection of Children. All other duties assigned.

No Civil Service test scoreis required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy click on the Apply link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*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 thecompleted education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

A criminal history check may be conducted on all new hires as well as employees changing positions including promotions demotions details reassignments and transfers.Also prospective employees may be subject to pre-employment drug testing. New hires will be subject to employment eligibility verification via the federal governments E-verify system.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

For further information about this posting please contact:
Erica R. Gay
HR Specialist
Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources
email: