Managing Attorney-Conflict Family Defense

Mission

To Provide the Most Compassionate and Expert Defense of Clients and the Constitution

Creating Expert Teams of Advocates for Justice, Bringing Respect and Dignity to our Clients to Achieve Holistic and Equitable Outcomes

Our work changes lives! OPD’s work makes a difference for the people in our communities. Public Defenders work for their clients, protect constitutional rights, and ensure the system remains fair. We are proud of the work we do. To find out more about OPD visit our website.

• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Work/life balance
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Telework (when applicable)
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive public service loan forgiveness. Visit the Federal Student Aid website to learn more.

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References:
  Please provide contact information for (2) current or former supervisors and (1) professional peer.

Managing Attorneys-Family Defense Specialist ensure that effective and efficient legal services are rendered for indigent clients in dependency and neglect civil cases who are entitled by law to assistance of counsel pursuant to Montana Code Annotated Title 41 and Title 47. This position’s responsibilities involve establishing office protocols, ensuring that public defender assignments within the Public Defender Office comply with the provisions of MCA 47-1-202.

In addition to the supervision and management of staff and office procedures this position will also be required to carry a caseload that will requirerepresenting indigent clients in a variety of cases. Public Defenders-Family Defense are expected to exercise professional judgement and render competent legal services representing parents and children in dependent/neglect matters. Public Defenders must have a passion, commitment, and willingness to work collaboratively with underprivileged populations to, not only, ensure that needed services are provided, they continually advocate and strive to improve the level of services OPD provides to its clients.

• Represents clients in court, during hearings or before other legal proceedings and government entities; includes cases at the Montana Supreme Court as necessary.
• Reviews and prepares legal documents including but not limited to opinions, forms, contracts and/or other legal agreements.
• Prepares appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders after appropriate legal proceedings.
• Prepares evidence, exhibits, and legal documents necessary to litigate cases.
• Interprets and applies state and federal laws and administrative rules.
• Identifies and interviews parties, witnesses, and experts involved during the legal proceedings and prepares parties to testify.
• Receives, researches, and responds to questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedure, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Provides consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate legal advice, settlement negotiations, and/or facilitates legal decisions.
• Provides assistance and/or collaborates with other attorneys during trials and hearings.
• Handles cases with substantial legal precedent as well as analyzes, interprets, and advises about new laws that have no case precedent.
• Serves as a legal advisor in dependence and neglect matters; may develop expertise in specific fields of law and provide training and guidance as necessary.

• Implements office standards and procedures and ensures that work and caseloads comply with policy, procedures and/or statute, such as time keeping, case opening and assignment requirements.
• Ensures appropriate and timeliness of pleadings, motions, appeals, case preparation, scheduling, and follow-up by Public Defenders.
• Responsible for directing, coordinating and supervising work and activities; provides leadership, advice and training and evaluates the work and performance of Public Defenders.
• Responsible for…