GAL Attorney Advocate

State of North Carolina; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of North Carolina is seeking a GAL attorney advocate in Greensboro, NC, to represent abused and neglected children in juvenile court. The role involves advocating for children's rights, drafting legal motions, and maintaining relevant legal knowledge. The ideal candidate will possess a Juris Doctor degree and have experience in juvenile law, with skills in legal analysis and effective communication.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including medical and retirement

Qualifications

• Must have an active license to practice law in North Carolina.
• Two years of legal or trial experience in juvenile court preferred.
• Understanding of NC Juvenile Code and relevant case law valuable.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for GAL child clients in court to protect legal rights.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant law and draft court orders.
• Facilitate settlements and analyze evidence.

Skills

written and oral communication

legal analysis

negotiating skills

research using Lexis

maintaining effective working relationships

Education

Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school

Job description

Description of Work

SALARY GRADE: Grade 23

THIS POSITION IS BEING REPOSTED. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY.

The statewide Guardian ad Litem Program (GAL) provides legal representation of abused, neglected and dependent child clients in juvenile court proceedings. Once a juvenile petition is filed by a division of social services, a GAL attorney advocate is appointed to protect the child's legal rights and represent the juvenile's best interest throughout the court proceedings, through the presentation of evidence and facilitation of settlements, when appropriate. The attorney advocate also advises GAL program supervisory staff and volunteers regarding the legal interests of child clients to promote their safety, well-being, and permanency. This position will be in Greensboro, NC.

• Advocate for the best interests of the GAL child clients and assure protection of their legal rights in abuse, neglect and dependency cases.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant law, including case opinions, statutory amendments, and relevant rules of court.
• Review, draft, issue, and serve court orders when entered.
• File appropriate motions, including staff case, drafting, filing, serving and scheduling motions for hearing.
• Facilitate the settlement of disputed issues including entering stipulations or negotiating consent orders.
• Analyze documentary evidence in the form of Department of Social Services, Mental Health, medial and substance abuse records.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities / Competencies

Knowledge of: GAL Program policies and procedures, child neglect and abuse law, NC Juvenile Code and relevant case law; trial and appellate court processes, GAL training materials, word processing, and computer systems to support duties and responsibilities.

Skill in: written and oral communication; research using Lexis, internet, and the NC Courts website; organizing and expressing ideas and legal concepts orally and in writing; legal analysis; and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with GAL program staff and volunteer advocates.

Ability to: effectively advocate in court; employ strong negotiating skills; draft any necessary motions or memoranda of law; advocate for the best interests of juveniles and for the best practice policies and procedures of the GAL Program.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Juris Doctor Degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and an active license to practice law in North Carolina.

Management prefers candidates with two (2) years of legal or trial experience in juvenile court and a thorough understanding of the NC Juvenile Code and relevant case law. Experience working with volunteers or experience volunteering at other organizations is a plus.

Attach cover letter and résumé.

No phone calls. Applicants who are no longer being considered will be notified by mail or e-mail sometime after the closing date.

Supplemental and Contact Information

Instructions

Applicants must complete an on-line application by clicking the above APPLY link. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Before applying, please read the Online Employment Application Guide for instructions on creating your profile and applying for specific postings.

It is important your application includes all of your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application to receive proper credit. Résumés are not accepted in lieu of fully completed applications.

• NOTE* Many job postings require certain documents be attached to an application. Verify your application is complete and uploaded documents are attached to your application before submitting it. Applications may not be altered after they have been submitted.
  
  

Carefully review the FAQs if you experience difficulty with the application process or attaching documents. For technical issues with applications or attachments, call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.

All NC Judicial Branch agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch Participates In E-Verify, An Internet-based System That Compares Information From An Employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, To Data From The US Department Of Homeland Security And Social Security Administration Records To Confirm Employment Eligibility. To Learn More, Click On These Links

E-Verify Participation

E-Verify Participation (Spanish)

Right to Work

Right to Work (Spanish)

Charmaine J. Leeks

NC Administrative Office of the Courts

Human Resources Division

https://www.nccourts.gov/about/about-judicial-branch/careers

Judicial Branch employees are eligible for the North Carolina State Government benefits package. The package consists of a comprehensive collection of benefit options including medical coverage, defined benefit retirement, supplemental retirement, flexible benefits, supplemental insurance, and other miscellaneous benefits.

Employees of the North Carolina Judicial Department have the opportunity to participate in an array of benefit offerings depending on employment status. The Benefits Eligibility Chart describes benefit eligibility by employment status.

01

The North Carolina Judicial Branch requires applications to include all relevant education and work experience and for applicants to follow instructions associated with any requested attachments. Applications with "see attached" or "see résumé" in lieu of complete applications will NOT be considered. If you have not completed the application requirements, return to your application and verify it is complete before submitting it. Additionally, new employees must declare and receive approval for secondary employment prior to the time of hire. This practice helps to ensure that any supplemental employment outside the Judicial Branch does not have an adverse effect on an employee's Judicial Branch employment and it does not create a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest.

• I understand my application will not be considered for employment if it is incomplete or if I have not included all requested attachments. I acknowledge it is my responsibility to disclose any supplemental employment to my supervisor and that if I am selected for this position, I will submit the required documentation.
  
  

02

Do you possess a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Do you possess an active license to practice law in North Carolina?

• Yes
• No
  
  

04

How many years of legal experience do you possess?

05

How many years of experience in Abuse, Neglect and Dependency court do you have?

06

Have you worked with volunteers or as a volunteer? If so, please describe.

07

This position requires travel to counties in the Judicial district, as well as other counties where child clients may be placed. Are you able to meet this job requirement?

• Yes
• No
  
  

08

Where did you originally learn about this position/posting?

• North Carolina state government careers website
• Nccourts.gov
• NC Bar Association
• Indeed
• Monster
• NCSC (National Center for State Courts)
• NASCIO (National Association of State Chief Information Officers)
• Other job board/website
• Employment Security Commission
• Friend/Colleague
• Professional Association
• Social Media
• Other
• Required Question