Attorney 4 (Temporary Job Appointment)

The Division of Administrative Law (DAL) is Louisiana's centralized administrative hearings panel. When disputes a rise between government agencies and those they regulate, due process hearings should be fair and impartial, convenient to citizens, and conducted professionally. DAL is independent from the agencies served, preserving fairness and impartiality in administrative hearings.
 
 Applicants must have a license to practice law in Louisiana, be in good standing with the LSBA, and be a resident of Louisiana. This position is domiciled in DAL's Baton Rouge office. Outside law practice is restricted. 
 
 Travel may be required within the state, with occasional overnight stays.
 
 This position is eligible for possible remote work after a designated period of time in accordance with DAL's policy.
 
 *La. R.S. 49:994 - Attorneys must have been engaged in the actual practice of law for at least five years prior to their appointment at DAL*
 
DAL seeks candidates with excellent written and oral communication skills. Employees are responsible for conducting professional proceedings and writing clear decisions that are easy for parties to understand.
 
This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies within the agency. This position may be filled as a temporary job appointment. 
 
Desirable Qualifications:
Experience with administrative hearings, trial practice, or working for a court is preferred. DAL seeks organized individuals who are able to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage a significant caseload. Candidates should be comfortable operating basic computer programs, such as Microsoft Word, and be capable of learning to effectively utilize DAL'.s computerized case management system and telephonic and video conferencing technologies.
 
The maximum amount listed for the salary range is the amount a person can make throughout their career in the position and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay at the time of hire.
 
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.
 
Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
 
Louisiana is a State as Model Employer (SAME) for individuals with disabilities.
 
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Ms. Jasmine Worley
Human Resources
P.O BOX 94111
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Jasmine.Worley@la.gov

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Possession of a license to practice law in the state of Louisiana, plus four years of experience as a practicing attorney.

ATTORNEY:
Represent a department in highly complex and high profile litigation before trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals.
 
Represent the agency in complex procedural and substantive legal and regulatory proceedings involving multiple scientific, technical, regulatory, and legal issues combined.
 
To independently conduct evidentiary public hearings on issues pertaining to major program areas.
 
May serve as lead-worker over attorneys of lower rank. May supervise a lower ranking attorney or an administrative law judge.
 
Prepares and reviews the preparation and negotiation of contracts, requests for proposal, and other legal documents.
 
Drafts and reviews the drafting of new legislation.
 
Advise department officials on their highest profile and complex legal problems.
 
Serves as chief regional/district legal counsel for a state department/agency/office having program offices, in an assigned geographic region, and is responsible for independently providing highly technical legal direction, advice, assistance, consultation, representation and having a direct influence on the operations of the regional/district program offices.
 
ATTORNEY/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES/REFEREES:
Conducts public, adversarial, evidentiary hearings throughout the state involving a constitutionally protected property right and involving various, highly complex legal issues in which cases, there is no opportunity for another evidentiary hearing; examines or cross examines witnesses as necessary to fully develop the facts; rules on the admissibility of evidence; rules on procedural matters; administers the oath to witnesses and maintains decorum.
 
Independently weighs the testimonial and documentary evidence presented, assesses the credibility of witnesses, and determines the facts.
 
Researches and interprets the applicable law and jurisprudence; applies the law to the facts found and independently reaches a decision; prepares and issues a formal written opinion containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, the rationale for the decision and the judgment, which judgment is binding on the parties unless judicial review is sought.
 
Develops an accurate record of the proceedings by insuring: that the proceedings are recorded; that the exhibits offered, proffered or introduced into evidence are adequately marked for identification and are physically placed in the record; that the sound recordings are accurately labeled; and that an index of testimony is prepared indicating at what point on what tape each witness testified and the nature of the examination. Decides whether, as a matter of law, the case should be disposed of without a hearing on the merits and orders limitations on the scope of the hearing; decides whether requested subpoenas are relevant and orders/declines the issuance of subpoenas; decides whether there is good cause shown and grants/denies requests for continuance.
 
Determines nature and scope of hearing by reading the file and researching the applicable law; estimates length of hearing; schedules cases for hearing.
 
Conducts a continuous study of applicable law and judicial decisions.