Assigned Counsel - Family Law (3971-47)
Hamilton County, Ohio See More Job Openings by This Employer
Job Description
Assigned Counsel
The Law Office of the Hamilton County Public Defender maintains and administers a panel rotation of attorneys for the assignment of counsel and guardians ad litem for child welfare cases before the Dependency Division of the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. The Court makes specific appointments, based upon this panel rotation, for counsel for parents/parties, guardians ad litem for parents, conflict counsel for youth and guardians ad litem for children. Applicants for this panel may select the type of assignments they are willing to accept. They are not required to accept all types of assignments. Attorneys who practice on this panel have an opportunity to practice law in the traditional sense through litigation, research, and writing, but also have a unique opportunity to act as part of a team that works to reunify children and families. A brief description of each type of appointment follows:
- Counsel for Parents/Parties – Attorneys will be appointed by Hamilton County Juvenile Court to represent parents or legal custodians whose child(ren) are subject to a complaint filed by Hamilton County Job and Family Services as required under O.R.C. 2151.352 and Juv. R. 4. Traditional legal research, writing, and litigation are part of this representation. If a case is adjudicated, and children remain in substitute care, the attorney has the opportunity to advocate for their client and support their client in the reunification process.
- Guardian ad Litem for Parents – A parent requires the appointment of a guardian ad litem when they appear mentally incompetent or under the age of 18 per O.R.C.
2151.281(B)(2)(a) and Juv. R. 4.An attorney appointed by the juvenile court in this capacity will make recommendations in the best interest of their ward and assist them in understanding the court process.
- Conflict Counsel for Youth – An attorney appointed to represent youth acts as a traditional attorney for that youth, advocating for the youth’s stated wishes as required by O.R.C. 2151.352, Juv. R. 4, and Rule 48.03(D) of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. Conflict counsel is needed when the wishes of the youth conflict with the best interest recommendation of the guardian ad litem.
- Guardians ad Litem for Youth – An attorney appointed to serve as a guardian ad litem for a youth will act as a best interest advocate for the youth through all stages of the dependency action as required by O.R.C. 2151.281 and Juv. R. 4. It is their responsibility to investigate the child’s circumstances and assist the court in its determination of the best interest of the child (If a case involves more than one child, most often one guardian ad litem will represent the best interest of all the children, absent a conflict). Rule 48 – 48.07 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio ( Rule 48) set forth the minimum requirements of the guardian ad litem. Some of these duties include, but are not limited to, interviewing the parties, meeting with the child(ren) in-person, observing them in their home environment, with their parents, reviewing records, filing any necessary motions, etc. Appointments from this panel will occur when the Guardian ad Litem Division of the Public Defender’s Office lacks capacity or is unable to serve due to a conflict.
The Law Office of the Public Defender seeks applications for this panel on a continuous basis. Attorneys that want to participate on the dependency or guardian ad litem panels must submit the appropriate registration form(s) with supporting documentation. This registration will be reviewed, and a determination made as to whether placement on the panel will be made. Submission of a registration does not guarantee placement on a panel. Applicants accepted to the panel are not employees of the Law Office of the Hamilton County Public Defender.
Panel participants will be paid hourly based upon the submission of a voucher detailing time spent on the case, with caps specified in the on-line materials. The current rate of pay is $75.00 per hour. The panel will be reviewed on an annual basis to determine whether additions, deletions, or alterations to the panel are necessary and appropriate.
Those wishing to apply should visit www.hamiltoncountypd.org
A mentoring program is available for attorneys with limited experience. Complete the appropriate registration(s) and indicate a desire to participate as a mentee.
Applications must be submitted electronically to Panel@hamiltoncountypd.org.
Questions regarding panel participation should be directed to Kim Helfrich at Khelfrich@hamiltoncountypd.org or 513-946-8267.
