Associate Attorney

Mecklenburg County•Charlotte, NC

20h

About The Position

Provide legal advice and representation to the Department of Social Services, Office of Youth and Family Services (YFS). Under direct supervision, the Associate Attorney provides basic formal and informal legal opinions and drafts legal documents of varying complexity. The role represents the department in court proceedings, mediations, and appellate matters, and provides legal guidance and training to YFS staff on child abuse and neglect laws and processes.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited school of law.
Licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
Valid North Carolina or South Carolina driver's license.
Must obtain and maintain a Mecklenburg County Operator's Permit.
Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Knowledge of rules of evidence, civil procedures, and appellate procedures; applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations; general court rules; criminal law principles; research methods; current case law and court decisions; mediation techniques; and the applicable substantive area of law.
Skills in active listening, communicating information effectively, reasoning through alternative solutions, understanding written work-related materials, and analyzing complex problems to develop and evaluate solutions.
Abilities in building strategic work relationships and trust, collaborating, communicating clearly, making decisions, delivering formal presentations, and negotiating effectively.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of abuse and neglect law, process, and procedures.
Litigation skills.

Responsibilities

Meet with staff to discuss case history and assess case strengths and weaknesses.
Review information and provide feedback as appropriate.
Provide legal guidance and direction, and determine what information constitutes admissible evidence.
Prepare legal pleadings and other trial documents.
Determine which witnesses are needed for court and issue appropriate subpoenas.
Review court documents and recommend revisions as appropriate.
Represent the department in all phases of court proceedings, mediations, and appellate matters.
Advocate for the department by applying known facts and rules of evidence to seek favorable case outcomes.
Complete and submit court orders within the required time frame.
Communicate with the court clerk, staff, and other attorneys about case scheduling.
Refer more complex issues through the chain of command to a more senior attorney, up to the department director.
Provide legal guidance and opinions to the YFS agency.
Train agency staff on child abuse and neglect laws and processes.