Attorney Senior

About the Department of Child Services

The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood.

Our culture is built upon our MVP Foundation:

• Mission: Champion Indiana’s future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.
• Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.
• Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.

About the Role

The Attorney Senior for Legal Research assists with Central Office Legal Research needs. You will research and advise on complex legal issues and questions, and provide guidance for alignment across federal requirements, Indiana Code, Indiana Administrative Code, and DCS policy. Additionally, you will work directly with the Deputy General Counsel of Legal Operations to facilitate division-wide communications. This role involves drafting guidance and quick-reference checklists/guides, requiring strong skills in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and Canva. Demonstrated experience with utilizing research software is desired.

Responsibilities

• Draft guidance and quick-reference checklists/guides for frontline staff attorneys.
• Maintain awareness of evolving case law and draft summaries for staff.
• Help draft memorandums of law in response to key issues facing the agency.
• Understand and analyze legal issues through a big-picture, agency-impact lens.
• Obtain and analyze guidance on issues affecting child welfare law.
• Assess and analyze confidentiality issues facing the department and advise on best-practice responses.
• Work directly with the agency's Legal Training Team to provide training in necessary areas and aid attorneys in understanding research technologies.
• May train, manage, delegate to, or provide support for legal support staff.
• Advise and provide legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas.
• May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts.
• Research, interpret, and provide legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations.
• May draft and review legislation and administrative rules.
• Utilize legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures.
• Create, prepare, and distribute documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions.
• Recruit, select, onboard, and train employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities for professional development.
• Set expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees.
• Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
• May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and make reasoned decisions supported by evidence.
• May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations.
• Organize and manage caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation.
• May review pleadings, motions, and discovery.
• May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments.

This position is located in the Central DCS Offices at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Requirements

• A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
• Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders.
• Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills.
• Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group and provides direct supervision for two or more attorneys.

Pay

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $85,020.00.

Benefits

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Three medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two fully-funded pension plan options.
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
  • Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Referral Bonus program.
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits.
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Free parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.