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Senior Attorney Position

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Job Description for Senior Attorney - L11E106

The Center on Children and the Law is seeking two full-time Senior Attorneys to work with our Court Projects team. The Senior Attorneys will engage in legal system reform efforts with child welfare stakeholders throughout the country, including agencies, judges, attorneys, court improvement programs, and tribes. The Senior Attorneys will provide training and technical assistance on substantive child welfare topics, including safety, permanency, legal representation, education, adoption, health, and kin caregiving. Senior Attorneys may also work on grant development and often have opportunities over time to cultivate a portfolio of their own projects in the child welfare legal field based on individual interest and expertise.

If you are dedicated to promoting access to justice for children and families, the Center provides an excellent platform to develop national leadership skills, and we look forward to learning more about how you could contribute to our mission and our team. To apply please include a cover letter and resume in one document when uploading on the ABA site.

Principal Job Duties

  • Serve as principal ABA expert on substantive areas of child welfare law.
  • Guide legal system reforms and collaborative approaches to improving child welfare outcomes.
  • Collaborate with child welfare leaders in government and nonprofits throughout the country.
  • Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies and propose improvements or identify and build upon model approaches.
  • Work closely with child welfare system stakeholders on a regional and state basis.
  • Deliver presentations and trainings on child welfare legal and public policy issues, including implementation of federal law.
  • Design substantive content for convenings, develop model documents, and conduct workshops. 
  • Write memoranda and articles, frequently for publication. 
  • Coordinate or support sub-groups and coordinate with external constituencies.
  • Manage consultants, attorneys and interns on staff.
  • Assist with ABA policy adoption and dissemination process.
  • Support Center efforts to secure funding; write grants; work collaboratively with funders.

Job Requirements

EDUCATION:   Juris Doctorate Degree (JD) and admission to the bar in at least one jurisdiction. 

LOCATION: Location in or relocation to the Washington DC Area is a requirement of these positions.

EXPERIENCE:  At least 8 years working in relevant specialized area of law. High level of skills at legal writing and research, oral and written communications, and organizational skills. Substantial experience in child welfare law and policy analysis. Grant administration and supplemental subject matter experience may be required.

Some travel required up to 30%.

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