Attorney 1,2,3

Our goal is to provide high-quality legal counsel and representation to our clients, address systemic issues that affect the rights of more than one client and require a remedy, act as a clearinghouse for information relative to adults and children with mental health diagnoses and children in need of care, and provide training to various individuals/agencies

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

Job Duties:

60% 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 attorney’s
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 child’s rights, the court system, the proceedings, counsel’s role, expectations of the legal process, the risks and benefits of
possible courses of action, and other relief; determines the client’s desires and preferences in a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner.

Advocates for the desires and expressed preference of the child and follows the child’s 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 child’s 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 child’s 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 a
witness and ensures that the child is prepared to testify.

Attempts to ensure client’s presence at significant court hearings, except when counsel affirmatively waives the child’s 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.

20% 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.

12% 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.

Attends regular staff meetings.

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 Court’s Special Rules for Cases Involving the
Protection of Children.

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.

8% Accomplishes objectives on individual PES Plan.

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.

Position-Specific Details:

This vacancy will be filled by new hire or by promotion of a current permanent status classified employee. 

Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.  

This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders in the Lake Charles and surrounding areas.  

This position is full-time. Establishing or continuing an outside practice is prohibited while being employed in this agency.

Candidate must posses a valid driver's license. Travel is required.

This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as a Attorney 1 (AS-617), Attorney 2 (AS-618), or Attorney 3 (AS-620) depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant. The maximum salary for the Attorney 3 is $118,269. Please refer to the "Job Specifications" tab located at the top of the LA Careers "Current Job Opportunities" page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.

How To Apply:

No Civil Service test score is 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.  

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 government's E-verify system.

Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application.   Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

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 or faxed to (225) 219-1041. 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: Erica.Gay@la.gov