Career Opportunities

Our staff include some of the best trained and most experienced dependency lawyers in the country, constantly updating their skills and knowledge of the rapidly changing Appellate arena. In addition, LADL provides its clients with an interdisciplinary team consisting of the staff attorney, a supervising attorney, LADL social workers and investigators, paralegals, and parent partners, all supported by a top notch secretarial, clerical and administrative staff.

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Staff Attorney

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is NOT currently seeking applications for Staff Attorney Position. (2024)

Staff Attorneys provide legal representation to parents in all phases of juvenile dependency proceedings within the Los Angeles County Juvenile Dependency Court. Staff Attorneys are driven and compassionate individuals who are committed to the fight for social justice and defending the constitutionally protected relationship between parents and their children.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be licensed and in good standing with the California State Bar to practice law in the state of California.

  • Provide legal representation of parents in juvenile dependency proceedings in the Los Angeles County Juvenile Dependency Court. This duty includes in-court and out of court representation of parents at all phases of dependency case proceedings.

  • Able to establish and maintain an attorney-client relationship with their client. Staff Attorneys are to determine their client’s interests and desires and advocate for those interest and desires whenever ethically possible.

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to assist clients as well as work with and utilize the services of fellow LADL attorneys, supervisors, social workers, investigators, parent partners.

  • Able to file pleadings, motions, responses, or objections as necessary on behalf of clients.

  • Able to maintain proper record keeping, including timekeeping, case file records, JCATS entries, and other records.

Cover letter and resume are required. If your resume contains little by the way of non-profit, public interest or social justice experience, please explain in your cover letter your interest in, and qualifications for, employment in the specific area of Parents’ Representation in Dependency Court.

About This Job:
LADL have frequent client contact and litigate contested matters daily, protecting and reunifying L.A. County's most vulnerable families. LADL offers competitive salary and benefits based on experience. Starting salary for first year lawyers is $93,000.


Writ Attorney

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is NOT currently seeking applications for Writ Attorney Position.

Writ attorneys provide appellate court work to parents in Juvenile Dependency Court proceedings in the Courts of Appeal, and the California Supreme Court.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be licensed by the California State Bar to practice law in the state of California.

  • Able to evaluate, prepare and file Statutory and Extraordinary writs, Letters to Publish/Depublish opinions, Amicus Briefs, Responses, Replies, Re-hearings and Reviews in both California Appellate Courts and the California Supreme Court.

  • Possess excellent public speaking skills. Able to argue before the Appellate Courts whenever appropriate, as well as large groups of people.

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to assist clients as well as work with fellow LADL writ attorneys, the DCFS Appellate Division, County Counsel, CLC writ attorneys and Courts of Appeal staff.

  • Possess proficient analytical, research, and writing skills.

  • Able to maintain proper record keeping, including timekeeping, case file records, JCATS entries, and other records.

Cover letter, resume, and writing sample are required. If your resume contains little by the way of non-profit, public interest or social justice experience, please explain in your cover letter your interest in, and qualifications for, employment in the specific area of Parents’ Representation in Dependency Court.

About This Job:
LADL writ attorneys have frequent client and trial attorney contact, reviewing records and drafting writs daily, to protect and reunify L.A. County's most vulnerable families. LADL offers competitive salary and benefits based on experience. Starting salary for first year lawyers is $104,000


Social Worker / Investigator Position

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is not currently seeking any applications for Social Worker / Investigator Position.

Social Worker Investigators are paraprofessionals who investigate and evaluate circumstances related to, and parties involved in cases relating to dependent children under the guidance of the Law Firm Director and Law Firm Supervisors. Social Workers will work with the attorneys assigned to the cases handled by the Law Firm.  Specifically, Social Workers will work with attorneys to develop the defense to be used in court, and to develop the evidence necessary to prove that defense.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Have a Bachelor’s in Social Work or related fields of study.

  • Possess a valid California class C driver’s license and car insurance which must be maintained throughout employment. Possession of this license is required at time of hire.

  • Possess excellent interviewing skills and able to implement investigation methodology and techniques.

  • Knowledgeable of laws, regulations, and court procedures related to juvenile dependency matters.

  • Knowledgeable of child development and adolescence, parenting techniques, substance abuse causes and treatment of child abuse and family violence, and the effects of abuse on children.

  • Have excellent writing skills. Able to prepare clear, accurate, and detailed written reports.

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to assist clients as well as work with and utilize the services of LADL attorneys, supervisors, fellow social workers, investigators, and parent partners.


Paralegal

 

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is not currently seeking any applications for Paralegals.

Paralegals assist attorneys with day-to-day case preparation and management.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Have a paralegal certificate, degree from an accredited school, or approved ABA program. May also have training or experience as an intern and/or volunteer performing juvenile dependency casework.

  • Experience with and/or ability to draft 388 petitions, custody orders, and restraining orders.

  • Experience with and/or ability to draft Points & Authorities with specific direction and supervision on specific legal issues such as parentage, as well as Ansley and trial briefs.

  • Able to assist attorneys in gathering documentation from clients and providers for 388 petitions.

  • Possess proficient analytical, research, and writing skills.


Parent Partner

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is not currently seeking any applications for Parent Partners.

Parent Partners are parents with firsthand experience having a child detained by the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).  Appropriate candidates have reunited with their child(ren) and their case must have been closed for at least a year. Parent Partners must possess the abilities to empathize with a wide variety of clients, the willingness to understand a client’s unique needs, the tenacity to assist a parent in achieving reunification.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Have past history with DCFS and successful family reunification.  Other lived life experiences may satisfy this qualification in exceptional circumstances.

  • Must have DFCS case closed for at least a year with no new case opened (Family still intact).

  • Must be clear of probation or parole.

  • Must have proper documentation of driver’s license, proof of insurance and access to an automobile.

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to assist clients, as well as work with and utilize the services of LADL attorneys, supervisors, social workers, investigators, and fellow parent partners.

  • Knowledgeable of computer software including Microsoft, Outlook, Excel.


Legal Secretary

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is not currently seeking any applications for legal secretaries.

Legal Secretaries provide clerical support to attorneys within their respective Law Firm.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must have 3+ years of administrative experience in a law office setting.

  • Able to communicate telephonically with clients as directed by the attorneys, including but not limited to translating. Direct telephone calls to the appropriate attorney or staff person.

  • Able to prepare proofs of service, pleadings, and correspondence at the direction of the attorneys.

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to assist clients, as well as work with LADL attorneys, supervisors, social workers, investigators, secretaries, and parent partners.


Data Entry Clerk

Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers is not currently seeking any applications for data entry positions.

Data Entry Clerk will perform entry tasks for their respective Law Firm.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must have at least a high school diploma. Additional computer training or certification is preferred.

  • Excellent grammar, writing, and typing skills. Able to enter numerical data and text.

  • Able to review data for errors and make corrections.

  • Able to generate reports when needed.


To See Available Positions and Apply: Click Here