Attorney Senior

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Attorney Senior for Legal Research assists with Central Office Legal Research needs. You will research and advise on complex legal issues and questions, and provide guidance for alignment across federal requirements, Indiana Code, Indiana Administrative Code, and DCS policy. Additionally, you will work directly with the Deputy General Counsel of Legal Operations to facilitate division-wide communications. Because this role involves drafting guidance and quick-reference checklists/guides, you will need strong skills in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and Canva. Demonstrated experience with utilizing research software is desired. Key outcomes for this role are: Drafting guidance and quick reference checklists/guides for frontline staff attorneys. Maintaining awareness of evolving case law and drafting summaries for staff. Helping draft memorandums of law in response to key issues facing the agency. Understanding and analyzing legal issues through a big picture, agency impact lens. Obtaining and analyzing guidance on issues affecting child welfare law. Assessing and analyzing confidentiality issues facing the department and advising on best practice responses. Working directly with the agency's Legal Training Team to provide training in necessary areas and aid attorneys in understanding research technologies. This position is located in the Central DCS Offices at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Requirements

A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing.
Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules.
Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders.
Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience with utilizing research software is desired.
Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and Canva.

Responsibilities

May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff.
Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas.
May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts.
Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations.
May draft and review legislation and administrative rules.
Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures.
Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions.
Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development.
Sets expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence.
May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations.
Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation.
May review pleadings, motions, and discovery.
May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments.

Benefits

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
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