Attorney

The Office of Mental Health Advocacy Service has a vacancy. Our mission is to ensure that our clients’ voices are heard and that they receive every right and remedy afforded to them under the law.

Our goal is to provide high-quality legal counsel and representation to our clients, address systemic issues that affect the rights of more than one client and require a remedy, act as a clearinghouse for information relative to adults and children with mental health diagnoses and children in need of care, and provide training to various individuals/agencies.

This position is responsible for providing legal representation for abused and neglected children and also for children and/or adults with mental disabilities and substance abuse disorders in the Baton Rouge Region and surrounding area. Establishing or continuing an outside practice is prohibited while being employed in this agency. Experience working with juveniles and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities will be considered.

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice law is required.

• Provides competent, loyal, and confidential legal representation, ensuring advocacy consistent with ethical and professional standards.
• Advises and counsels clients—including children and individuals with mental illness—on their rights, case progress, and legal options in a culturally and developmentally appropriate manner.
• Conducts continuous study of applicable laws, judicial decisions, and best practices in child advocacy and mental health representation.
• Prepares, files, and responds to pleadings, motions, petitions, and other legal documents; participates in discovery, hearings, conferences, mediations, and settlement negotiations.
• Performs thorough, ongoing investigations by reviewing records, interviewing involved parties, and attending relevant administrative, treatment, or placement meetings.
• Advocates for timely permanency and the best interests of children in CINC proceedings, ensuring consistent communication and presence at significant hearings.
• Represents clients in judicial commitment and administrative review proceedings, identifies and addresses violations of patient rights, and provides legal counsel on treatment and confinement matters.
• Coordinates with support staff and other agency offices; ensures accurate client data reporting, timely travel documentation, and submission of required reports.
• Provides guidance and training to staff and lower-level attorneys; contributes to system improvements in client rights protection and legal service delivery.
• Maintains compliance with all Louisiana Supreme Court and professional education requirements and stays current on evolving laws and practices in client advocacy.

• Appointment Type: Full-time. This position may be filled by a temporary job appointment not to exceed 48 months. If filled as a job appointment, the position may be converted to a probationary appointment provided a vacant position becomes available and funding is available.
• Career Progression: This vacancy participates in a career progression group and may be filled from this recruitment as an Attorney 1, 2, or 3.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license. Travel is required.
• Louisiana is a “State as a Model Employer” for People with Disabilities.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application. Applicants must check the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

A criminal history check may be conducted on all new hires as well as employees changing positions including promotions, demotions, details, reassignments and transfers. Prospective employees may be subject to pre-employment drug testing. New hires will be subject to employment eligibility verification via the federal government’s E-verify system.

For further information about this posting, please contact Erica R. Gay, HR Specialist, Division of Administration/Office of Human Resources. Email:
Erica.

Gay