Attorney 1,2,3

State of Louisiana; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of Mental Health Advocacy Service seeks an attorney to provide legal representation for abused and neglected children and for adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders in the New Orleans region and surrounding area.

Candidate must hold a valid Louisiana license to practice law and be prepared for travel. The role supports advocacy, training, and collaboration with hospitals and service providers while contributing to rights protection for vulnerable clients.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice law in Louisiana.
• Experience with juvenile and mental health cases encouraged.
• Ability to manage investigations and coordinate with multiple agencies.

Responsibilities

• Advise children and mental health patients of their legal rights and options.
• Advocate for the child’s best interests throughout the case.
• Conduct investigations and review records and interviews.
• Provide continuous legal representation in court hearings and related proceedings.
• Collaborate with hospital staff and providers; train staff on legal rights and duties.
• Oversee data collection and supervise staff as assigned.

Skills

Legal advocacy

Courtroom representation

Client counseling

Legal research

Education

Licensed to practice law in Louisiana

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 to them under the 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.

This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also for children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders in the New Orleans Region and surrounding area.

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law.

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

Job Duties

• Advises children and mental health patients of their legal rights, the court process, counsel’s role, and available options in a developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive manner, while determining and honoring client preferences.

• Advocates for the expressed wishes of the child throughout the case and, when necessary, determines and advances the child’s best interests.

• Conducts thorough, ongoing investigations and discovery, including review of medical, mental health, social service, educational, law enforcement, and court records, and interviews relevant individuals.

• Provides continuous legal representation by attending and participating in all court hearings, treatment and placement reviews, administrative proceedings, and school conferences relevant to the client.

• Collaborates with hospital staff, service providers, and community partners; advises on patient rights and violations; and delivers training on legal rights and provider responsibilities.

• Oversees IV‑E data collection and reporting, ensures timely and accurate documentation of client status changes, supervises and supports staff as assigned, and provides guidance and training to lower‑rank attorneys and support personnel.

Position‑Specific Details

Appointment Type: This vacancy may be filled by job appointment, which is temporary in nature, not to exceed 48 months. If filled as a job appointment, the position may be converted to a probational appointment, provided a vacant position becomes available, and funding is available.

Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, 2, or 3.

Compensation: The Salary range listed on the job posting reflects the pay grade minimum and maximum for the Attorney 1 job title. The salary range pay grade minimum and maximum for the other levels of the career progression group can be viewed using the links below: Attorney 2 Attorney 3

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.

Louisiana is a "State as a Model Employer" for People with Disabilities.

For further information about this posting, please contact: Erica R. Gay, HR Specialist, Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources, email: [e-mail]