Senior Attorney for Special Projects

About Lawyers for Children America

Lawyers for Children America (LFCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing pro bono legal representation to indigent children. LFCA focuses on serving as attorneys ad litem for children who have been abused or abandoned and are before the dependency court. Through recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer attorneys, LFCA ensures that vulnerable children and youth have strong legal advocates protecting their rights in dependency court and other legal forums. In addition to direct legal representation in dependency court, LFCA represents children and youth across multiple legal areas (such as health, mental health, education, housing, public benefits, family law matters, etc.). LFCA works collaboratively with the legal community to improve outcomes for children, as well as young adults transitioning out of foster care.

Position Overview

LFCA is seeking a full-time Senior Attorney for Special Projects in Florida. This position is primarily remote but will involve some in-person appearances in Miami-Dade and Broward when necessary for court hearings and trainings. This position focuses on advancing LFCA’s special projects and advocacy for special populations within the dependency and foster care system.

Key Responsibilities

• The Senior Attorney will be responsible for analysis of complex areas of the law involving special populations of dependent and foster youth, including–but not limited to–teen parents in foster care, children and youth with disabilities, and foster youth over the age of 18.
• Responsibilities include conducting legal research and helping draft motions and other pleadings in LFCA cases.
• Responsibilities also include co-counseling cases alongside LFCA’s pro bono and staff lawyers, focusing on co-counseling evidentiary hearings and other complex proceedings.
• The Senior Attorney will help oversee drafting of the LFCA pro bono manual to guide children’s attorneys, involving multiple areas of the law impacting children, including: dependency, foster care, health, mental health, education, disability, housing, family law, etc.
• The attorney also will help with drafting legal rights materials for foster youth.
• The attorney will provide legal guidance and case consultation to staff and volunteer lawyers.
• The attorney also will help recruit, train, and support pro bono lawyers and law students.
• The attorney will help ensure that child clients receive legal advocacy of the highest quality, in accordance with the ethical standards for children’s attorneys.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited university
• Member in good standing of the Florida Bar
• 10 years or more experience as a lawyer
• Experience in child welfare strongly preferred
• Superior legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills
• Demonstrated commitment to child advocacy and social justice
• Ability to work independently at times and also as an effective part of a team, including other attorneys, staff, and volunteers.

LFCA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume to LFCA’s Administrative Assistant, Mikaila Reyes-Clark, at mreyesclark@lawyersforchildrenamerica.org. Please include “Senior Attorney for Special Projects Application – [Your Name]” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Health and dental benefits
• Paid Time Off, holidays, and sick leave
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Meaningful work in a supportive environment dedicated to improving the lives of children