Deputy Attorney General I-V Child Protection Unit/Family Division

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

11d

About The Position

Delaware's Attorney General, the State's chief law enforcement officer, has a broad responsibility to combat crime, uphold civil rights, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Kathy Jennings is supported by teams of talented lawyers and staff in the Criminal, Civil, Family, Fraud and Consumer Protection, and Civil Rights and Public Trust Divisions. Each of the more than 500 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are dedicated to serving all Delawareans with integrity and passion. Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal special investigators, victim service specialists, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff, prosecute criminal cases, enforce consumer laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more. The Department of Justice is seeking two Deputy Attorneys General to join the Family Division’s Child Protection Unit, with one position in Sussex County and one in New Castle County. These Deputy Attorneys General primarily represent the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) in complex Dependency and Neglect Custody hearings, Termination of Parental Rights hearings, and Child Protection Registry Substantiation hearings before the Family Court. They also handle Supreme Court appeals arising from these matters, attend hearings, draft and respond to pleadings, participate in case planning meetings with DFS, and prepare appellate briefs. This work plays a vital role in protecting Delaware’s abused, dependent, and neglected children.

Requirements

Ability to work independently
Ability to evaluate cases
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to anticipate legal issues
Ability to research accurately and effectively
Ability to learn and apply relevant laws, rules of evidence, and court rules
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Membership in the Delaware Bar is not required, but applicant must be eligible for limited admission pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 55
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Related experience in Family Court

Responsibilities

Represent the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) in complex Dependency and Neglect Custody hearings
Represent the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) in Termination of Parental Rights hearings
Represent the Division of Family Services (“DFS”) in Child Protection Registry Substantiation hearings before the Family Court
Handle Supreme Court appeals arising from these matters
Attend hearings
Draft and respond to pleadings
Participate in case planning meetings with DFS
Prepare appellate briefs