Attorney 1,2,3

State of Louisiana•Baton Rouge, LA

41d

About The Position

The Office of Mental Health Advocacy Service has a vacancy. Our mission is to ensure that our clients' voices are heard and that they receive every right and remedy afforded them under law. This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also for children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders in the Baton Rouge Region and surrounding area. 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. Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law. The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Requirements

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.
Candidate must posses a valid driver's license.
Travel is required.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to applicants with experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities.

Responsibilities

Advises clients about their rights.
Identifies and seeks to obtain appropriate resources for clients.
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.
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.
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.
Attends and participates in all hearings and conferences with the court relevant to the child.
Seeks to ensure continued representation of the child at all child-related conferences and hearings.
Provides mental patients with legal representation at all stages of their confinement.
Advises and confers with hospital staff on patient rights and violation of these rights.
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.
Provides guidance, assistance, supervision and lead worker responsibilities to support staff and attorneys of lower rank, as directed.
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.