POSITION TITLE: Family Representation Unit Staff Attorney - Full-time
LOCATION: Kent County, Sussex County, New Castle County
REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney, Managing Attorney
SALARY: Bargaining Unit Scale - starting scale is $75,000
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CONTEXT OF POSITION:
The Family Representation Unit Staff Attorney will help launch a parent representation program. The Family Representation Unit will aim to ensure a fair and equitable child welfare system, by leading, administering, and supporting the effective delivery of multidisciplinary counsel/representation and services to indigent parents facing child welfare intervention in the parent-child relationship, including dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination of parental rights matters. Through zealous, creative, and persistent advocacy the Unit will protect, advocate, and advance the rights of parents facing the removal of their children by the Division of Family Services. The Staff Attorney will handle a caseload of 60-80 active open cases representing parents facing state intervention, including termination of parental rights. Under the supervision of the Managing Attorney and Supervising Attorney, the staff attorney will assist clients throughout the state of Delaware (but with a focus on their home County) and collaborate with/supervise social workers, peer mentors, and engage in systemic advocacy. The Staff Attorney will report to the Supervising Attorney and Managing Attorney for the Parent Representation Unit. The Staff Attorney will be in the Union bargaining unit.
DUTIES:
1. Handle a full caseload, 60-80 cases, of dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination of parental rights cases.
2. Collaborate with/supervise and support social workers and parent peer mentors.
3. Develop legal strategies to best serve clients.
4. Provide direct representation in impact matters and co-counseling support to other attorneys as appropriate, with the understanding that a large portion of this position will be devoted to day-to-day representation of parents in child dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination of parental rights matters.
5. Represent CLASI on boards councils, and committees with overlapping constituents and advocacy interests to the extent compatible with the efforts and goals of the Family Representation Unit.
6. Engage in Systemic Advocacy including affirmative litigation as appropriate, legislative and administrative advocacy, with the understanding that a large portion of this position will be devoted to day-to-day representation of parents in child dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination of parental rights matters
7. Create and present effective public trainings on topics relevant to parent representation, including presentations to peer advocates, social workers, and impacted parents / potential clients.
8. Remote work will be permitted as the attorney’s in-person litigation, preparation, supervision, and schedule allows.
9. Fulfill any other reasonably related program duties.
The following qualifications are required:
1. A demonstrated commitment to parents' rights, indigent defense, and social justice issues.
2. Experience or interest in how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals and families experiencing state intervention in their lives and a willingness to challenge the state when it exists.
3. Experience and/or ability to provide representation with energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to trauma-informed, anti-racist, intersectional, non-judgmental, and holistic advocacy throughout the case.
4. Delaware Bar Admission or eligible for Rule 55.
5. Strong Interest in family court litigation and commitment to parents’ rights required.
6. Experience with or demonstrated interest in vulnerable populations required.
7. Ability to effectively communicate in a second language, preferably Spanish or Haitian Creole, strongly preferred.
8. Must be able and willing to travel across counties as needed and be prepared to handle cases in person in the Family Courts multiple times per week.
CLASI strongly encourages interested candidates with lived experience with marginalization and diverse backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people who identify as LGBTQ, veterans, people with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups. CLASI is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace. Candidates with experience in criminal defense, child welfare/family regulation, social work, and social justice advocacy are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to Daniel Atkins, at [email protected]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
