Attorney 1,2,3

Grambling State University; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Mental Health Advocacy Service in Louisiana seeks a licensed attorney to provide legal representation for children and adults with mental health needs. You will stay current on laws, attend hearings, file petitions, and advocate for clients’ rights and best interests.

The role requires handling investigations, reviewing diverse records, and guiding staff to protect patient rights within legal frameworks.

Qualifications

• Current Louisiana license to practice law required.
• Experience representing clients in hearings and appeals preferred.
• Ability to review complex social and health-related records.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent, confidential, and ethical legal representation for clients including children and adults with mental health needs.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of laws and judicial decisions to aid clients.
• Attend hearings and file necessary petitions or motions as needed.
• Advocate for a child’s best interests and preferred outcomes when necessary.
• Conduct investigations and review records across multiple agencies.

Skills

Louisiana attorney license

Legal research

Hearing representation

Client advocacy

Case management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent

Job description

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.

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

Official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• 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.

Position-Specific Details

• Appointment Type: This vacancy will be filled by new hire or by promotion of a current permanent status classified employee.
• Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.
• This position is full-time. Establishing or continuing an outside practice is prohibited while being employed in this agency.
• Applicants with experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver's license. Travel is required.
• Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, 2, or 3.

For further information about thisposting, please contact:

Erica R. Gay

HR Specialist

Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources

email: [e-mail]