Attorney 1,2,3

State of Louisiana•Lake Charles, LA

5d•Onsite

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. 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.

Requirements

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.
Candidate must possess a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Applicants with experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Provide competent, confidential, and ethical representation for all clients including but not limited to children, mental patients, disabled adults.
Assisting with obtaining appropriate resources and advising clients of their rights.
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current law and judicial decisions to aid in providing timely assistance to clients in need.
Attends and participates in hearings for treatment, placement, administration, as needed.
Filing petitions, motions, answers, responses or objections as necessary.
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.
Provides mental patients with legal representation at all stages of their confinement.
Identifying and addressing violation of patient rights.
Provides guidance, assistance, supervision and lead worker responsibilities to support staff and attorneys of lower rank, as directed.
Develops strategy for implementation of systems improvements in the protection of patient rights and the rights of children.
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.