Contract Attorney

Location: Tulsa, OK
Job Type: Contract - Independent

About the role

The independent contract attorney will represent parents at all stages of child welfare court proceedings. The position requires court appearances and direct client contact.

• Client interviews
• Providing ongoing assessments of the merits of cases
• Conferring with social workers, opposing counsel, and other service providers
• Appearing at all court hearings
• Preparing witnesses for trial
• Participating in mediations
• Presenting clients’ cases to the court during hearings, non-jury trials, and jury termination trials

The attorney will have access to resources to build legal knowledge, strengthen courtroom skills, and develop a deeper understanding of relevant systemic and social issues.

Responsibilities

• Represent parents in child welfare court proceedings
• Conduct client interviews and ongoing case assessments
• Collaborate with social workers, opposing counsel, and service providers
• Appear at all court hearings and prepare witnesses for trial
• Participate in mediations and present cases in hearings, non-jury trials, and jury termination trials

Requirements

• Member in good standing of the State Bar of Oklahoma
• Knowledge and experience of juvenile deprived law preferred but not required
• Experience in courtroom advocacy including trial work preferred
• Ability to work compassionately and respectfully with clients in crisis
• High degree of professionalism
• Ability to interact respectfully with judicial officers
• Ability to multi-task and be a productive team player
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team of social workers and parent mentor
• Ability to balance contract responsibilities with private practice

Qualifications

• J.D. required
• Juvenile law experience preferred but not required
• Work experience: less than 1 year