Staff Attorney
About The Position
The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship (OPG) is seeking a Staff Attorney to provide legal consultation, analysis, representation, and advocacy for OPG client matters following appointment, including guardianship, fiduciary, probate, benefits, mental health, housing, and related legal matters. You will work under the direction of the Supervising Staff Attorney, handling assigned legal matters, appearing in court and administrative proceedings, and providing legal guidance to Guardians, Senior Guardians, and other agency staff regarding the administration of guardianships. The Staff Attorney provides legal consultation, analysis, representation, and advocacy for OPG client matters following appointment, including guardianship, fiduciary, probate, benefits, mental health, housing, and related legal matters. This position handles assigned legal matters, prepares and files pleadings, appears in court and administrative proceedings, and provides legal guidance to agency staff regarding the administration of guardianships. The Staff Attorney works under the direction of the Supervising Staff Attorney and escalates complex, novel, high-risk, or policy-sensitive legal issues as appropriate. The role supports OPG's fiduciary responsibilities and helps ensure legal services are provided in accordance with applicable law, ethical standards, and agency expectations.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, an active license to practice law in Colorado, and membership in good standing with the Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation (must be licensed to practice law in Colorado)
- Two (2) to four (4) years of legal experience in public-sector legal practice or in fields related to but not limited to probate, guardianship, conservatorship, fiduciary responsibility, mental health law, public benefits, administrative law, civil law, and litigation.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in probate, guardianship, conservatorship, fiduciary responsibility, civil law, mental health law, public benefits, administrative law, or related practice areas
- Experience appearing in court or administrative proceedings
- Experience working with vulnerable adults, individuals with disabilities, older adults, or individuals with complex service needs
- Experience working in a public-sector, nonprofit, legal services, healthcare, human services, or court-connected environment
- Experience drafting pleadings, motions, memoranda, legal correspondence, or policy-related legal analysis
- Familiarity with Colorado probate, guardianship, mental health, or public benefits systems
Responsibilities
- Serve as counsel for assigned OPG client matters in OPG's fiduciary capacity as guardian
- Provide legal guidance to Guardians, Senior Guardians, and other agency staff regarding guardianship administration, fiduciary duties, medical and mental health treatment decisions, public benefits, housing, probate, and related legal matters
- Prepare, review, and file pleadings, petitions, motions, memoranda, and other legal documents related to probate, benefits, mental health, fiduciary, and guardianship matters
- Represent OPG clients in court hearings, administrative proceedings, negotiations, and other legal matters as assigned
- Participate in shared on-call responsibilities and provide legal guidance for urgent or critical incidents as assigned
- Investigate fiduciary, asset, probate, benefits, or liability issues involving OPG clients, including matters involving former fiduciaries
- Coordinate with conservators, public administrators, courts, service providers, and other stakeholders regarding legal matters affecting OPG clients
- Handle assigned administrative hearings, intervention matters, restoration or modification of rights matters, petitions to determine liability, petitions for accounting, and related legal proceedings
- Conduct legal research and analysis and provide recommendations to the Supervising Staff Attorney and OPG leadership as appropriate
- Support analysis of proposed legislation, legal trends, or policy issues as assigned
- Maintain accurate legal records, documentation, deadlines, and case-related information
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Benefits
- medical and dental coverage
- paid leave and holidays
- retirement through Colorado PERA
- eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
