AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
CENTER ON CHILDREN AND THE LAW

STAFF ATTORNEY

The American Bar Association Washington Office is seeking a Staff Attorney for its Center on Children and the Law. This full time position (37.5 hours/week-#E5-C1155) provides substantive child welfare legal work for the Improving Representation for Parents in the Child Welfare System Project at the ABA Center on Children and the Law.  The job involves providing training and technical assistance (TTA) for parents' attorneys, parent attorney law offices, courts and others to improve the quality of representation parents receive; creating and moderating a listserv, writing regular e-newsletters and developing a new website; planning a national conference for parents' attorneys; researching and writing articles and a publication about parent advocates; participating in national discussions about child welfare policy lending the parent's voice to the discussion and advocating for the inclusion of parents and parents' attorneys at state and local child welfare improvement committees; transitioning the project to a stand alone organization; and, coordinating efforts with members of the National Steering Committee.

Position requires substantial travel.

Applicant must have: J.D. and at least eight to ten years of legal experience as an attorney in child welfare law, experience representing parents in the child welfare system, excellent writing skills, and expertise in public speaking and training.  Job requires advanced litigation skills as well as vision to create a stand alone organization. Must have a social justice vision with experience in bringing about systems change. Must be willing to focus on improving practice and policy. Must have the ability to work with and coordinate a variety of child welfare and other professionals.  Experience with family or juvenile court procedures, rules and functions as well as standards of practice preferred. Must be able to work independently and exercise independent judgment in work but also be a strong team player. Must have a demonstrated ability to write for legal and non-legal audiences. 

Staff attorney position is located in Washington, DC. Salary level for full-time is low to mid 60's. Please apply directly online at www.abanet.org/hr (find C1155); or send cover letter, resume to abajobsdc@abanet.org (include position C1155 in subject line); or mail to American Bar Association, HR-C1155, 740 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005; or fax to (202) 662-1998.