CINC Staff Attorney

Mielegalaid; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bilingual benefit

Relocation assistance

Health, vision, dental, and disability

403(b) retirement plan

Continuing legal education paid

Bar association dues paid

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRP

PSLF program

Job summary

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) seeks a licensed, CINC-certified staff attorney to represent children in abuse and neglect cases. This full-time position is based in Lafayette with opportunities to serve in Monroe and Lake Charles, under the mentorship of a Senior Attorney.

Responsibilities include interviewing clients, researching, drafting pleadings, negotiating resolutions, and appearing in court and administrative hearings while adhering to funding rules and professional standards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of judicial and civil procedures, substantive law, appellate practice, and rules of evidence.
• Litigation skills/trial practice at city and district court levels.
• Proficiency in legal research methods, particularly web-based resources.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to interpret and apply legal principles to complex problems.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, proficiency in computer usage, and the ability to use a case management system.
• Knowledge of LSC regulations, CSR requirements, ALSC policies and related practices.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients, conduct research, prepare pleadings, negotiate case resolutions, and represent clients in court and hearings.
• Provide counseling, brief services, and referrals as appropriate.
• Represent clients and client groups in litigation and advocacy; co-counsel with senior/supervising attorneys.
• Develop and implement litigation/advocacy strategies for systemic problems.
• Comply with funding rules and professional responsibility standards.

Skills

Judicial procedures

Litigation

Legal research

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Computer literacy

Case management

Education

J.D. or LLM

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC), Child in Need of Care Unit (CINC), seeks a licensed, CINC-certified, full-time staff attorney to represent children in abuse and neglect cases. ALSC has CINC openings in our Monroe, Lafayette, and Lake Charles offices. Excellent fringe benefits.

NATURE OF WORK

This position provides high-quality legal services to low-income clients under the mentorship and consultation of a Senior Attorney. This position is expected to use professional judgement and skill in carrying work to completion.

Note: According to Legal Services Corporation regulations, 45 CFR Part 1604: Outside practice of law, prohibits an outside practice of law while employed full-time at ALSC.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high-quality legal representation to individuals in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility. This includes interviewing clients, conducting research, factual investigation, preparing pleadings, negotiating case resolutions, discovery and motion practice, and representing clients in court and administrative hearings
• Provide counseling, advice, and other brief services such as pro se forms and referrals, as appropriate
• Represent clients and client groups in litigation, administrative advocacy, as well as other advocacy.
• Co-counsel with Senior and/or Supervising Attorneys
• Develop and implement litigation and/or advocacy strategies to address systemic legal problems
• Analyze and comment on pending legislation and regulations consistent with the requirements of all funding sources
• Participate in task forces, work groups, and bar activities, and establish effective working relationships with the bar and community partners
• Comply with LSC and other funding agencies’ rules and regulations
• Participate in training activities as a trainee or trainer for professional growth as well as required CLE credits
• Keep abreast of legal trends, pending litigation, and regulations consistent with the requirements of all funding sources
• Shall work closely with the clerical staff in their substantive unit under the guidance established by the Unit Managing Attorney
• Other duties as assigned

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of judicial and civil procedures, substantive law, appellate practice, and rules of evidence within their substantive Unit’s practice field
• Litigation skills/trial practice at city and district court levels
• Proficiency in legal research methods, particularly web-based resources
• Strong organizational skills and ability to interpret and apply legal principles to complex problems
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, courts, public officials, community representatives, and the general public
• Effective written and oral communication skills, proficiency in computer usage, and the ability to effectively utilize a case management system
• Knowledge of LSC federal regulations, Case Service Report (CSR) requirements, ALSC policies, Unit policies, and other practices necessary for ensuring compliance

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a J.D. or LLM degree from an accredited law school
• Current licensure to practice, including membership in the Louisiana State Bar
• Experience in the substantive area of the Unit’s practice, encompassing civil trial and appellate practice, is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to meet job expectations with limited supervision
• A professional, courteous demeanor, with a strong commitment to serving low-income clients

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Bilingual benefit – $2000 for proficiency in Spanish-speaking and writing to support our Spanish-speaking clients.
• Relocation expenses assistance may be available. Must be able to relocate within 90 days to the job location where the vacancy exists.
• Great fringe benefits that include paid employee health, vision, dental, and disability plans, as well as a generous 403(b) retirement contribution plan.
• Professional development, continuing legal education, and bar association dues paid by ALSC.
• Liberal leave policies including vacation, sick, and holiday pay.
• Staff attorneys may be eligible to participate in the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program. This program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 annually to attorneys carrying law school debt.
• Additionally, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program through the U.S. Department of Education currently forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments are made under a qualifying repayment plan.
• Staff attorneys are directly mentored by the Senior Attorney under the direction of the Unit Managing Attorney up to twelve months from the date of employment or as determined by the Unit Managing Attorney.

To Apply:

Visit www.la-law.org/open-positions to apply.

Department:

Litigation/Advocacy

Submission Deadline:

8/31/26

Job Location:

Louisiana - Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe