Entry-Level Attorney *Hybrid*

OCR Mission and Vision

The Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR)'s mission is to give children and youth a voice in Colorado legal proceedings through high-quality legal representation that protects and promotes their safety, interests, and rights.  

Our Vision: Justice, opportunity, and healthy families for all court-involved children and youth.

OCR VALUES

• Accountability: Colorado’s children, attorneys, families, and communities can count on OCR to ensure that each decision we make and action we take advances our mission in a fair, equitable, inclusive, and transparent manner.

• Efficiency: OCR strives to accomplish its mission and conserve resources by streamlining efforts, adhering to deadlines, resolving conflict constructively, and honoring well-defined projects, processes, and roles. We balance our drive to achieve with thoughtful planning and implementation.

• Empowerment: OCR cultivates an environment of respect, honesty, and equity. We value the diverse experiences and expertise of the children we serve, our attorneys, and our staff. We invest time to reflect and connect, focus on strengths, value feedback, and recognize success. We stand for justice and support each other in our mission to empower children.

OCR Overview

The OCR is an independent agency within the State of Colorado Judicial Branch that provides attorney guardian ad litem (GAL), child's legal representative (CLR), and counsel for youth services to children and youth in dependency and neglect (D&N), delinquency, and other proceedings throughout Colorado.  The OCR’s El Paso County Office is responsible for providing GAL services in D&N and delinquency cases and counsel services for youth accessing Colorado’s Transition Age Youth program.  THIS POSTING IS FOR A POSITION AT THE EL PASO COUNTY OFFICE.

The OCR’s El Paso County Office currently constitutes the OCR’s only office providing these services through state employees (12 FTE attorneys, 5 case consultants, and 2 administrative staff) rather than independent contracts.  As such, this office provides a unique opportunity to protect the interests and advance the rights of individual children through high-quality multidisciplinary legal representation, to influence systemic change through coordinated and strategic advocacy, and to incubate and implement best practices in legal representation.   

Information About the Position: 

OCR seeks to hire a full-time entry-level attorney.  The El Paso County Office provides legal representation for children and youth in delinquency and dependency & neglect cases.  Attorneys are expected to prepare and conduct all aspects of assigned cases at the trial court level.

The Entry-Level Attorney position is exempt from overtime under the Federal Labor Standards Act, serving at the pleasure of the Executive Director of the Office of the Child’s Representative. All prospective employees of the Colorado Judicial Branch are subject to background investigation prior to hiring.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Provide legal representation as Guardian ad Litem and/or Counsel for Youth in assigned Dependency & Neglect, Delinquency, and Foster Youth in Transition cases

• Visit and consult with children and youth and present their positions at each court appearance;

• Be proactive in locating family/kin connections for children;

• Perform ongoing independent investigations in every case.

Utilize a multidisciplinary model to provide legal representation to children who are the subject of dependency and neglect (“D&N”) and delinquency cases

• Use Case Coordinators in a team approach to case management;

• Create a forward-thinking, effective model and office culture by leveraging the education, expertise, and experience of the Case Coordinators;

• Utilize Case Coordinators to strengthen representation and advocacy of the child/youth in meetings; to help ensure efforts are made to find possible relatives, kin, and community resources; and to assist with completing a thorough independent investigation.

Ensure best practices are being utilized, including developing a meaningful attorney-client relationship with CFY clients and an appropriate and meaningful connection to GAL clients.

• Engage in regular and meaningful communication with child/youth/client, recognizing when face-to-face contact is necessary;

• Encourage the participation of the child or youth in their case, including at court proceedings and staffings;

• Consult with children and youth and present their positions at each court appearance;

• Ensure that the best interest is at the center of practice for all GAL clients and the child's expressed interest is at the center of practice for all CFY clients.

Encourage meaningful engagement in an ongoing investigation to advocate on behalf of the client’s best interests or expressed interest – depending on assigned role.

• Evaluate who the child/youth’s meaningful connections are; and whether they should be considered for placement, if needed;

• Advocate to increase the frequency and length of visits with parents, guardians, siblings and kin, when appropriate; and encourage use of visitation settings that most closely mimic family life, when appropriate;

• Evaluate placement’s connections to the child/youth and ability to support needs; what services may be appropriate to meet child/youth's immediate and ongoing needs; and evaluate what can be done to support the placement in order to increase their ability to meet child or youth's needs;

• Ensure appropriate strength-based treatment plans for the respondent parents are specifically tailored to each child and family;

• Assist in formulating and implementing plans to address educational needs which support school stability;

• Assist with transition planning and advocate for independent living skills for youth up to the age of 21, when needed;

• Advocate for the least restrictive placement setting possible, including preparing plans for release from detention for youth in Delinquency cases.

Provide legal advocacy that gives children and youth a voice in Colorado legal proceedings through high-quality legal representation that protects and promotes their safety, interests, and rights.

• Strive to protect all legal rights and entitlements of the child or youth;

• Address issues affecting the child’s well-being through all appropriate proceedings;

• Advocate for legal position of CFY clients both in and outside of court;

• Assist in identifying and advocating for appropriate resources and community-based services to meet the child/youth’s needs and improve case outcomes (in accordance with appropriate role);

• Advocate for prompt implementation of court orders and agreements;

• Develop strategies to meet goals in each case, including use of informal negotiation, mediation, and litigation;

• Demonstrate proficiency in litigation skills, including persuasive argumentation;

• Follow all laws in addition to Chief Justice Directive 04-06 that direct standards for legal representation of children and youth in the relevant case type;

• May be assigned to a specialty court docket.

Utilize OCR’s case management and billing system (CARES). 

• Ensure all data is accurately and timely entered into CARES, including opening appointments, and closing cases, placement information, all contacts with child(ren)/youth; child/youth attendance at court hearings, etc.

• Enter all CARES activities following OCR policies and procedures, and utilize Administrative Staff when assistance is needed to meet the standards.

Conduct yourself professionally inside and outside the office

• Attend monthly staff and professional development meetings and meaningfully participate in office-wide discussions that improve our legal practice as individuals and as a group; 

• Join internal or external committee and attend committee meetings and complete designated tasks as needed;

• Maintain mandatory continuing legal education requirements in accordance with Attorney regulations, the CJD, and OCR’s policies and procedures;

• Demonstrate collegiality with all other members of the office;

• Communicate regularly with Respondent Attorneys, CASAs, DHS Caseworkers, County Attorneys and Community Providers in a professional and respectful manner;

• Provide adequate information and time to complete tasks delegated to Case Coordinators and Operations staff;

• Follow Employee Handbook.

Minimal Educational / Professional Qualifications: 

• J.D. from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Colorado or another state and eligible for transfer of license to Colorado.  Must also be a member in good standing of the Colorado State Bar or other state equivalent.

• No history of disciplinary action by any state bar licensing authority.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to make good decisions, maintain confidentiality, establish effective working relationships, and thoroughly document work.

• Strong dedication to representing children and youth.

• Solid computer skills are essential.

This position is currently working as a hybrid of in-office and remotely from home.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This position routinely handles emergency or crisis situations and may be frequently subject to interruptions, multiple calls and inquiries. 

Other Duties/Travel

The OCR El Paso County Office of the GAL’s primary work takes place in El Paso County; however, special projects or duties outside the primary scope of the position may require travel to events outside of the Front Range, including meetings, trainings, and conferences (state and national). The estimated amount of work time related to travel outside of the Front Range for this position is less than 10 percent.

HOW TO APPLY:  

Application packet must include the following:

1. Cover letter 

2. Resume (Please note that per C.R.S. 8-2-121 Job Application Fairness Act, you may redact information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.)

3. Minimum of three professional references 

4. Legal Writing Sample

Email application packet to [email protected].

Applications will not be considered that are late, or that contain documents that are illegible, incomplete or are in a file format OCR cannot open or read (PDF preferred, Microsoft Word is acceptable).  Be sure your application materials specifically address your experience and qualifications for the position described in this document.  Successful applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.