CONTRACT ATTORNEY

About the position

Our CLC Attorney will have a deeply demonstrated commitment to the legal representation of clients in dependency proceedings in court. This includes in court & out of court representation of clients at all phases of dependency case proceedings. This position will run from May 1st, 2025 - November 28th, 2025, and will be centered in Placer County.

Responsibilities

• Assess the critical issues of each assigned case and advocate for each client.
• Maintain professional effective working relationships with bench officers, courtroom personnel, social workers, case management, attorneys, CASAs & service providers.
• Independently investigate & appropriately direct social work investigators to obtain facts needed to properly assess each case.
• Effectively apply dependency case law, statutes & court rules; Use effective trial & courtroom presentation skills.
• Use sound case analysis & judgment; Effectively negotiate with other counsel.
• Prepare witnesses & apply evidentiary rules & objections.
• Prepare clear, concise and persuasive motions, pleadings, briefs and memorandums of law, as well as correspondence & reports as needed by thoroughly researching applicable law.
• Engage available resources to properly represent & advocate for our client’s best interest.
• Demonstrate sensitivity & awareness of cultural differences to effectively communicate & advocate for clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Develop professional relationships with and provide sound advice to clients using frequent age-appropriate interviews that adhere to ethical standards.
• Follow up on client requests & court orders to ensure that clients receive services in a timely manner.
• Treat clients’ caregivers and family members respectfully.
• Engage in ongoing education & training to stay informed about evolving issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal field & child welfare system.

Requirements

• Maintains professional relationships with all CLC coworkers through collaboration with attorneys, supervisors and CLC leadership.
• Demonstrates respect for support staff.
• Expresses flexibility and willingness to assist with coverage in other courtrooms.
• Mentorship and being a role model for less experienced attorneys.
• Ability to seek assistance from supervisors when prudent or required.
• Can effectively manage multiple caseloads by opening & closing files in a timely manner and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to complete all appropriate office reports in a timely manner, including timesheets, case counts and conflict reports.
• Maintaining files in an orderly manner according to office policy.
• Properly documenting court proceedings, contacts and case developments.
• Maintaining an accurate calendar of upcoming hearings for each case.
• Can prioritize & allocate time and resources effectively.
• Can follow office policies and procedures.
• Prior experience in dependency law or trial experience preferred.
• Interest & proficiency in working with children & youth in diverse communities.
• Juris Doctor Degree & a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, and auto insurance are required while working for Children’s Law Center.

Benefits

• Health + Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program, Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance)
• Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan
• Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options
• Fitness/Wellness Program
• Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA
• Transit + Parking Benefits
• Durfee Professional Development funds available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.
• Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
• Paid vacation/sick/holiday time
• CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys employed as of January 31st or any new admittee who has not yet paid bar dues.