ATTORNEY 1

Franklin County, OH•Columbus, OH

44d

About The Position

Employee is under general supervision of the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel; works within the Legal Department to assist casework staff in reaching well-informed and plausible decisions regarding future actions on legal aspects of child welfare cases; prepares and presents cases for court; conducts legal research and offers legal advice, particularly in the areas of intake and service; creates and supports communication with the Franklin County Juvenile Court; regularly acts as liaison with the Prosecutor's office, Public Defender's office and other practicing attorneys, casework staff, agency administration and the Legal Department. Meets with casework staff to discuss legal issues in child welfare case; develops pleadings, motions and other legal documents for filing in court based upon legal knowledge and research as well as information learned Assists in filing and ensuring accurate service of process on all parties and interested persons Assists in the exchange of information between all parties Assists in maintaining legal files for all cases Represents agency on all post dispositional motions, including permanent custody hearings, by attending all hearings and completing reports for the department and direct services and staffing cases with regional staff Prepares for and handles trial with support of the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel. Regularly meets with administrators to discuss trends in legally involved child welfare cases; Works to resolve issues which cause children to remain in placement Reviews and assists in policy development for the client-agency Develops and regularly provides training to agency staff on working with the court. Works with regional and department staff to prepare contested cases for trail; interviews and prepares witnesses, seeks out documentary evidence Regularly meets with supervisor and other Legal Department staff, and maintains statistics regarding caseload to be submitted monthly or as otherwise required by department policy. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Admission to Ohio Bar pursuant to Section 4705.01 of Revised Code
Code plus: 3 months experience as a licensed attorney in any state
Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills
Knowledge of law and related experience with abuse, neglect, dependency cases
Must demonstrate cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence throughout all aspects of job duties
Current Licensure to practice law in the State of Ohio
A valid Ohio Driver's License and automobile insurance that is in compliance with Franklin County Children Services policy is required for travel
Travel can occasionally include out of state travel which may require airline travel

Responsibilities

Meets with casework staff to discuss legal issues in child welfare case
Develops pleadings, motions and other legal documents for filing in court based upon legal knowledge and research as well as information learned
Assists in filing and ensuring accurate service of process on all parties and interested persons
Assists in the exchange of information between all parties
Assists in maintaining legal files for all cases
Represents agency on all post dispositional motions, including permanent custody hearings, by attending all hearings and completing reports for the department and direct services and staffing cases with regional staff
Prepares for and handles trial with support of the Deputy Chief Legal Counsel
Regularly meets with administrators to discuss trends in legally involved child welfare cases
Works to resolve issues which cause children to remain in placement
Reviews and assists in policy development for the client-agency
Develops and regularly provides training to agency staff on working with the court
Works with regional and department staff to prepare contested cases for trail
Interviews and prepares witnesses, seeks out documentary evidence
Regularly meets with supervisor and other Legal Department staff, and maintains statistics regarding caseload to be submitted monthly or as otherwise required by department policy
Performs other related duties as assigned