Attorney

Applications must be received by Human Resources no later than 05:00 PM on 12/31/2023 Earliest closing date on: 01/01/2024; Job will remain posted until filled POSITION PURPOSE AND EXAMPLES OF WORK: To litigate cases filed by the Juvenile Officer, pursuant to state statutes, and to provide legal research, assistance, and counsel to staff.
MAJOR TASK STATEMENTS & REPRESENTATIVE ACTIVITIES (Percentage of Time): (The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities of the job; other tasks may be assigned.
The area to which the job is assigned will govern which duties apply.
Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities, work shift/schedule, facility, or department to meet business and organizational needs as necessary, including, but not limited to the re-assignment of employees and positions, elimination of positions, and opening, moving, or closing of facilities and units.
) 50% Prepare for trials and hearings; confer with and/or interview all appropriate parties, compile, review, and research all relative information.
· Consult with and interview involved parties such as attorneys, victims, law enforcement personnel, court staff, social service personnel and medical and mental health professionals and witnesses.
· Study case history files and gather and examine other relevant documents and information.
· Review all evidence and conduct research of statutory and case law as applicable to individual cases.
· Determine and isolate critical facts and relevant law and formulate effective legal theories, strategies, arguments and testimony on which to present case.
· Plan the use of witnesses, which may include expert witnesses.
· Request investigations of significant occurrences or individuals involved with juveniles.
· Perform related work as required to include but not limited to serve on teams/committees as assigned, cross-training for other jobs as assigned, and special projects as assigned.
30% Represent Juvenile Officer in all phases of litigation, which include court appearances for pre-trial hearings, trials, dispositional hearings, and appellate advocacy.
· Present cases in Court to establish Family Court jurisdiction over juveniles and recommend, seek and achieve an appropriate disposition to meet the juveniles’ needs and best interests.
· File initial pleadings.
· Represent the Juvenile Officer before the Court of Appeals.
10% Draft legal briefs and memoranda for cases.
· Compose legal briefs, appeals for termination of parental rights and various other legal documents which must be legally sufficient and enforceable.
· Prepare other legal documents which must be legally sufficient and enforceable.
10% Provide legal assistance to staff; answer current knowledge of juvenile law and legislation, and perform related duties.
· Operate computer to access information pertaining to status of cases.
· Answer juvenile law and procedural related questions from law enforcement personnel, which may require legal research.
· Handle requests for information related to juvenile cases by reviewing file and obtaining court order to release information, as deemed necessary.
· Attend meetings, training and seminars.
· Maintain and increase knowledge and skill of juvenile law by reviewing trends and case law on a state and federal level and by attending educational seminars and conferences.
· Provide public and community presentations.
SUPERVISION OF: Assignment of work to departmental investigators and secretarial staff.
SUPERVISION BY: Managing Attorney provides general supervision in regard to daily tasks.
Director of Legal Services may assign special projects.
SERVICE RESPONSIBILITY: INTERNAL: Judiciary and staff; Division of Family Services to include Deputy Juvenile Officers.
EXTERNAL: Public and Social Service agencies, Legal Aid staff, medical and mental health professionals, law enforcement personnel, crime victims and witnesses, and private attorneys.
Responds to wide variety of requests for services or products; Responsible to ensure quality and timely delivery.
Ensures cases are filed according to state statues.
PRIMARY EQUIPMENT, TOOLS & MATERIALS USED: Telephone, computer, copier/printer/scanner/fax, state juvenile code statutes and various other forms of legal reference material, case history files, various legal forms, and documents.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Education above the minimum stated may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required general experience; experience above the minimum stated may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education.
) EDUCATION: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
EXPERIENCE: Some family law or domestic law trial/litigation experience is beneficial.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: · Must possess and maintain current license to practice law by the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri, with membership in good standing in the Missouri Bar, and provide proof of such.
· Must submit to and pass criminal background check as prescribed by the Court.
· Must submit to and pass sex offender registry, and MO/KS child abuse & neglect checks.
· All applicants for this position are subject to testing for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
· Employees in this position are subject to random and reasonable suspicion testing for illegal drug use.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: (This job description does not include specific physical requirements necessary to perform the job, such as, carrying, standing and lifting.
Such requirements vary from position to position and may be determined by the appointing authority) · Knowledge of modern principles, practices, methods and techniques of law.
· Knowledge of general law, state law, and sources of established precedent of legal reference as required by assigned duties.
· Knowledge of legal/judicial systems, and the practice/procedure in state trial and appellate courts.
· Knowledge of the rules of evidence.
· Knowledge and strict observance of ethics and professional responsibility incumbent upon lawyers.
· Knowledge of and ability to work with a diverse workforce.
· Ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
· Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
· Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in work assignments and to prepare written recommendations and/or opinions.
· Ability to prepare for hearings and trials, and to effectively speak publicly in court.
· Ability to make sound decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies and procedures.
· Ability to maintain a variety of complex records and prepare reports from such records.
· Ability to operate a personal computer.
· Ability to relate in a positive fashion to individuals from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.