CASA Attorney I

The purpose of the class is to provide legal representation to CASA volunteers and staff providing advocacy for children in abuse / neglect proceedings in Richland County Family Court, and to perform related professional and administrative work as required. This class works within broad policy and organizational guidelines and does independent planning and implementation, reporting progress of major activities through periodic conferences and meetings.

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class.  Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Provides legal advice to and represents Guardians ad Litem and Volunteers Supervisors in court proceedings.

Interprets complex legal and policy issues and maintains detailed knowledge of changes in pertinent legal doctrine.

Prepares cases for Family Court; diagnoses cases and determines best case strategies; interviews clients, family members and others involved in assigned cases; researches legal issues affecting cases; applies the law to cases; determines outcome desired; negotiates with other attorneys; evaluates and prepares witnesses for court.

Prepares written and oral arguments to persuade the court; presents cases before court. Prepares legal briefs, motions, pleadings, and other legal documents.

Meets periodically with department staff to discuss particular cases, legal issues or problems.

Receives and responds to difficult and sensitive client or public inquiries, concerns and complaints.

Assists in providing training of Guardians ad Litem as necessary.

Assists in coordinating department activities and functions with those of other County departments, municipalities and outside agencies as appropriate.

Plans and gives presentations to various community/ civic organizations as requested.

Participates in special events, fundraisers, awards ceremonies and other activities sponsored by the department as required or appropriate.

Maintains files; compiles data for and prepares various reports and statistics as required by the department, County and/or other agencies.

Attends professional conferences, training, seminars, workshops, etc., as necessary to maintain job knowledge and skills.

All other duties as assigned.

Requires synthesizing or integrating analysis of data or information to discover facts or develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge or interpretations.

Requires handling or using machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner.

Requires performing work involving the application of principles of logical thinking or legal practice to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organizational impact.

Requires using addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages.

Requires reading and interpreting professional materials involving advanced bodies of knowledge related to law and other complex disciplines; writing extremely complex papers and reports; speaking to high-level political, legal, or other such groups.

Requires doing professional-level work requiring the application of scientific, engineering, accounting or legal methods in the solution of technical, administrative or legal problems; requires extensive understanding of operating policies and procedures and ability to apply these to complex problems; or the coordination of sub professional work in these disciplines; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results and frequent exposure to unusual pressures.

Two years of relevant professional experience.

Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

The job requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing and speaking abilities, color perception.

Requires Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

Requires employee to be a licensed member of the South Carolina Bar, in good standing.

The job may risk exposure to violence.

Responsible for actions of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, clients, defendants or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.

Richland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.