Contract Attorney

POSITION TITLE: Contract Attorney 

Department: CLCSAC2 

Reports to: Managing Attorney  

Salary: $74,169-$115,545

CLCSAC2 is currently looking for a Contract Attorney. In addition to the duties of an Attorney described below, the Contract Attorney is to be available daily to provide courtroom coverage, including contested matters, for case-carrying attorneys who are not in the office or who are otherwise unavailable. The Contract Attorney is to be available for assignment to delinquency or other hearings located out of the Sacramento Courthouse. The Contract Attorney may be required to attend matters in multiple courtrooms daily, and to coordinate such coverage with the Firm Director and Attorney Supervisors. At the discretion of the Firm Director, the Contract Attorney may be assigned primary responsibility for some cases. 

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

The Contract will support staff attorneys by carrying out the following duties: 
1. Be available to provide daily courtroom coverage including contested matters, for case-carrying attorneys, at both the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Court and Dept. 12 in Placer County Superior Court. 

2. Attend court hearings, in-person and virtually, on behalf of CLC clients in coordination with the Managing Attorney and/or Attorney Supervisor. 

3. Support the CARE Team in dependency and juvenile justice proceedings (located at the BT Collins Juvenile Justice Center) by participating in court hearings and staffing on behalf of CLC clients. 

4. Participate in the CARE referral process and on-going case review of all CARE clients. 

5. Serve as a resource for all CARE Team members to develop legal strategies and communicate directly with case-carrying attorneys. 

6. Attend CFTs, IEPs, MDTs, E-Cons, or other case plan related meetings for CARE clients. 

7. Conduct legal research and brief writing on CARE-related issues. 

8. Assist with developing training for staff. 

9. Assist case-carrying attorneys with brief writing, developing case theories, and creating trial strategies as appropriate. 

10. Assist in the cultivation of outside resources and organizing information from service providers to support CLC clients.

11. Continuous Learning: A willingness to engage in on going learning about diversity, equity and inclusion and integrate this knowledge into daily work practices. 

The Contract Attorney is responsible for the following other duties: 
1. Assess the critical issues of each assigned case and advocate for each client by:  

•  Assertively and persuasively working with attorneys, clients, social workers and the court. Develops professional relationships with and provides sound advice to clients through frequent age-appropriate interviews that adhere to ethical standards. Follows up on client requests and court orders to ensure that clients receive appropriate services in a timely manner.
• Independently investigating and appropriately directing Social Worker Investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case. Effectively engages available resources to properly represent and advocate for our clients’ bests interests, including but not limited to: educational resources, medical providers, mental health professionals, Regional Center resources, community-based services providers, other legal experts or consultants, such as Legal Aid, Public Counsel, Alliance for Children’s Rights, etc., and Public Defenders in Juvenile Justice Court and Collaborative Court Programs in Department 90. 
• Properly applying dependency case law, statues and court rules. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of dependency law and a general knowledge of law in related areas by competently analyzing and applying the law in daily advocacy and practice thus providing thorough, competent and accurate legal advice. 
• Using effective trial and courtroom presentation skills. Effectively apply evidentiary rules and objections. Properly preparing witnesses. Treats clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully. 
• Effectively negotiating with other counsel. Maintains professional effective working relationships with bench officers, courtroom personnel, social workers, attorneys, CASAs and service providers. 
• Preparing clear, concise and persuasive motions, pleadings, briefs, and memorandums of law, as well as correspondence and reports as needed by thoroughly and appropriately researching applicable law. Submits/sends documents in a timely manner.                                     

2. Maintain professional relationships with all CLC coworkers by: cooperating with attorneys, supervisors and CLC leadership, demonstrating respect for and gets along well with support staff, appropriately using social worker investigators, being flexible and willing to assist with coverage in other courtrooms, mentoring and being a role model for less experienced attorneys, being cooperative with and supportive of office personnel, seeking assistance from supervisors when prudent or required, and assisting and cooperating with other attorneys. 

3. Effectively manage cases assigned for coverage by: accurately completing all appropriate reports and notes in a timely manner, maintaining files in an orderly manner according to office policy, writing legibly, properly documenting court proceedings, contacts and case developments, maintaining an accurate calendar of upcoming hearings for each case. Ensure any case-related follow-up is completed while the case-carrying attorney is out of the office. 

4. Effectively use his/her time, as demonstrated by: properly prioritizing and allocating time and resources, attending requisite meetings and training programs, consistently meeting deadlines, and providing timely responses to communications and messages.

 5. Consistently follow office policies and procedures. 

6. Any other duties as requested by the Managing Attorney or Attorney Supervisor. 

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications

 1. Juris Doctor degree and a member in good standing of the State Bar Association of California. 

2. The successful candidate must have excellent time management skills, a willingness to adapt to different schedules and daily courtroom assignments, and juggle multiple responsibilities in a short time frame. The ability to establish great rapport will all bench officers, as well as read, comprehend and advocate case issues quickly and efficiently is required. 

3. A positive attitude, ability to work under pressure, and skill in obtaining  case information as needed from colleagues and clients is necessary. 

4. Excellent negotiation skills are a plus. 

A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center. 
 

Perks + Benefits Employees of CLC Enjoy:Health + Wellbeing

-Employee Assistance Program-Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance) *

-Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan*-Generous Parental Leave* 

-Fitness/Wellness Program*

-Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA *

 -Transit + Parking Benefits * 

Growth + Development

-Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.

Flexibility + Additional 

-Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)-Paid vacation/sick/holiday time-CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys employed as of January 31st or any new admittee who has not yet paid bar dues.* 

Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment

About CLC

CLC is the largest children's legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.