CHILD ATTORNEY II

Fulton County; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Fulton County in Georgia seeks an experienced attorney to serve as a lead counsel for juvenile clients, providing legal representation and strategic guidance across hearings, motions, and appeals. You will supervise junior lawyers and interns, coordinate with various stakeholders, and ensure compliance with county procedures and professional standards.

The role requires a Juris Doctorate and at least three years of legal experience, along with a Georgia driver’s license and State Bar

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate required.
• Three years of experience as a lawyer.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license and certification from the State Bar of Georgia.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance and direction to junior lawyers and interns; supervises workloads and evaluations.
• Lead counsel representing juvenile clients in court hearings and related proceedings.
• Develops case theories; investigates allegations, interviews witnesses, and reviews evidence.
• Maintains client communications, counsels youths and documents case status.
• Attends multidisciplinary meetings; coordinates with DFACS, foster parents, educators and health professionals.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable laws, policies, and procedures; participates in training and meetings.

Skills

Policy application

Legal research

Courtroom advocacy

Leadership of junior lawyers

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Georgia driver's license

State Bar of Georgia certification

Job description

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT

Minimum Qualifications

Juris Doctorate Degree required; supplemented by three years of experience as a lawyer.

Specific License or Certification Required

Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license. Must possess and maintain certification from the State Bar of Georgia.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Examination

The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

Purpose of Classification

The purpose of this classification is to provide legal representation, advice and counsel to juveniles during court and related proceedings, including motions, hearings, mediations, and appeals. This classification is distinguished from Child Attorney I, in that incumbents in this class provide guidance and direction to junior lawyers and interns, and have at least three years of previous law experience.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provides guidance and direction to junior lawyers and interns as assigned: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with junior lawyers and interns, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise; trains and instructs junior lawyers and interns regarding operational procedures, juvenile and child welfare law, courtroom techniques, etc.; assists with supervision of junior lawyers and interns by reporting employee problems and providing input on employee performance evaluations.
• Serves as lead counsel in representing the legal interest of juvenile clients in accordance with state laws and rules of professional conduct: attends all court hearings and related proceedings in juvenile court, tribunals, state court, appellate court, and superior court; argues client's position; makes and responds to legal arguments; presents and examines witnesses; introduces and/or opposes to evidence; researches and drafts motions and petitions; issues subpoenas; files appeals; communicates with clients, opposing counsel, and adverse parties; maintains related documentation and files.
• Develops theory of the case and investigates case specifics: investigates allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect; interview and prepares witnesses; researches and reviews physical evidence, medical records, psychological evaluations and assessments, and legal documents; utilizes experts; researches case law and writes legal research memorandums, briefs and notes; maintains related documentation and files.
• Maintains communications with clients: visits with child clients in their placements and educational settings; interviews clients to discuss problems, options and consequences; counsels and advises child client regarding case specifics, nature of proceedings, and legal strategies; maintains related documentation and files.
• Attends multidisciplinary meetings: addresses child client services and case status: communicates with DFACS case managers and attorneys to ensure services for child clients; communicates with foster parents, educators, medical and mental health professionals, etc. to address client needs; maintains related documentation and files.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures: maintains an awareness of new procedures, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in training and continuing education activities; attends and conducts meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including court records, educational records, medical records and case law updates; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate; prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including motions, legal briefs, responsive pleadings and permanency and case closure forms; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
• Operates and maintains a motor vehicle; operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
• Communicates with supervisor, other employees, clients, judges, court staff, witnesses, third party service contractors, medical professionals, educators, parents, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Additional Functions

Performs other related duties as required.

Performance Aptitudes

• Data Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine the necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.
• Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide formal instruction through explanation, demonstration, and/or examination in a structured setting.
• Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information, as well as reference, descriptive and/or design data and information as applicable.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
• Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.
• Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving broader aspects of organizational programs and operations, moderately unstable situations, or the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee, and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.