Independent Contractor Opportunity CLSSD PANEL ATTORNEY

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CLSSD, located in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego, is seeking attorneys for our Conflict Attorney Panel.

The Panel Attorney is an independent contractor subject to a legal agreement between the Panel Attorney and CLSSD. The Panel Attorney is responsible for representing clients who range between the ages of 0-21 years old who are dependents of the juvenile courts in San Diego County when there is a conflict within CLSSD’s internal firms. For children and youth under age 18, Panel Attorneys serve as their attorney and Guardian Ad Litem. Panel Attorneys are required to visit and to communicate with clients. Panel Attorneys may be required to appear on cases in any of the courtrooms throughout San Diego County. Dependency cases are heard in the following courthouses: El Cajon, Vista and Meadowlark (located in Kearny Mesa). Panel Attorneys must meet the competency/training requirements outlined in San Diego Local Rule of Court 6.3.3 and must meet the standards of representation described in San Diego Local Rule of Court 6.3.4.

The primary services of the Panel Attorney include, but are not limited to:

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1. Maintain attorney-client relationship and confidentiality;

2. Maintain client contact and communication and assist the child in understanding the proceedings. Ensure the child’s wishes are considered by the court and advocate for the child’s interest(s).

3. Visit the child in each of the child’s placements within a reasonable time of the child moving and as frequently as needed based on the circumstances of the case. CLSSD recommends at least one in-person visit at the client’s placement every 12 months.

4. Conduct thorough, continuing, and independent investigations and interviews at every stage of the proceedings. Attorney may use an investigator to assist with these investigations when necessary to preserve witness testimony. If CLSSD has an investigator on staff who does not have a conflict on the case, a CLSSD investigator may be used subject to the firm’s approval;)

5. Maintain communication with caregivers and collateral service providers including CASAs, therapists and teachers;

6. Request appropriate services (by court order if necessary) and attend meetings related to the child, as practical and appropriate;

7. Monitor compliance with court orders, including provision of and effectiveness of court-ordered services;

8. File pleadings, motions, responses, or objections as necessary to represent client;

9. Prepare for and participate in all dependency court hearings and WIC 241.1 hearings. Panel Attorney should attend court in person whenever the client is present.;

10. Investigate interests of child clients beyond the scope of the juvenile dependency proceeding and notify the Court of issues on behalf of the child pursuant to San Diego Local Rule of Court 6.5.1;

11. Assess and take appropriate action regarding any appeals and writs;

12. Arrange for substitute representation, where necessary, to avoid court delay;

13. Maintain accurate up to date electronic records in CLSSD’s electronic case file system;

14. Sign monthly activity log and submit monthly invoices in timely manner.

Qualifications:

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• Juris Doctor Degree and a member in good standing of the State Bar Association of California.

• Prior experience in juvenile law or trial experience required.

• Certification in Juvenile Dependency: CLSSD will provide training to meet the certification requirement at no cost to the Panel Attorney.

• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, automobile insurance as required by California law, is required at all times while working for Children’s Legal Services of San Diego.

• Ability to communicate in a trauma-informed and culturally appropriate manner with persons of diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, SOGIE, socioeconomic status, culture, etc.

• Carry professional liability insurance in the amount of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, $1,00,000 annual aggregate.

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CLSSD Conflict Panel Fee Schedule Per Child:

• $225 for initial appearance/substituting in to represent the minor

• $200 per hearing. "Hearing" refers to uncontested matters or document trials. "Trials" refer to complex matters involving witness testimony. Ex-parte hearings and 15 Day Review hearings on the non-appearance calendar are not considered “hearings” for CLSSD invoicing.

• $100 per case for attendance at a Child Family Team (CFT) meeting

• $75 per month to be available for consultation with client, client visits outside the home, check in with caregivers, assess for 388 needs, sign releases, consult with CASAs etc.

• $100 for each client visit that occurs in the client’s home

• $350 per ½ day of trial

• Panel attorneys are not compensated for attending dependency-related trainings.

• As an Independent Contractor, the Conflict Panel Attorney is not entitled to and is not covered by any of CLSSD’s employee benefit plans.

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TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO
CAROL.LEON@CLSSANDIEGO.ORG