Description:
Role Overview:
The Deputy Chief Counsel will assist the Chief Counsel in both the everyday legal case management of the region, as well as all managerial and administrative responsibilities that fall to the legal managers. The Deputy would be responsible for the supervision and management of the legal clerical staff in the region. The Deputy would be responsible for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training all new clerical staff. The Deputy would be responsible for providing case coverage until county vacancies can be filled and would be expected to carry a case load. The Deputy would provide direct training to all new clerical staff and indirect training to the new staff attorneys, including first and second-chairing fact-findings, modeling effective representation, modeling answering client inquiries, training staff attorneys on DCS's databases. The Deputy would assist the Chief in relaying information to the Region, fielding client inquiries from across the Region, addressing personnel issues on the legal team and conflict between social and legal, monitoring employee performance, and tracking permanency data.
A day in the life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
Working Requirements:
Education:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have a Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ experience, Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
The Deputy Chief Counsel will assist the Chief Counsel in both the everyday legal case management of the region, as well as all managerial and administrative responsibilities that fall to the legal managers. The Deputy would be responsible for the supervision and management of the legal clerical staff in the region. The Deputy would be responsible for recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training all new clerical staff. The Deputy would be responsible for providing case coverage until county vacancies can be filled and would be expected to carry a case load. The Deputy would provide direct training to all new clerical staff and indirect training to the new staff attorneys, including first and second-chairing fact-findings, modeling effective representation, modeling answering client inquiries, training staff attorneys on DCS's databases. The Deputy would assist the Chief in relaying information to the Region, fielding client inquiries from across the Region, addressing personnel issues on the legal team and conflict between social and legal, monitoring employee performance, and tracking permanency data.
A day in the life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Train local office counsel on proper trail preparation and presentation – including but not limited to discovery, witness identification, witness preparation, pre-trail pleadings, exhibit identification and preparation, making and meeting objections and case theory.
- Serve as an Administrative Law Judge in hearing evidence, rules on the admissibility of evidence, and makes a reasoned decision supported by evidence for cases involving substantiate abuse or neglect, foster home licensing, child support, and/or adoption/guardianship assistance.
- Participate in committees, groups, and teams.
- Communicate and manage forms for courts, hears evidence, rules on the admissibility of evidence, and makes a reasoned decision supported by evidence.
- Carry a limited caseload of complex or unusual cases.
- Assist as needed with complex litigation needs and provide legal guidance and advice to auditors and Office of General Counsel.
- Delegate, supervise, and provide support for any legal support staff if needed.
What You'll Need for Success:
Working Requirements:
- Indiana Bar Admission; license in good standing.
- Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules.
- Ability to effectively communicate.
- 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.
Education:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have a Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ experience, Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.
