Children and the Law - Senior Attorney

The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

The ABA is committed to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession. ABA staff are provided multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities. Your work will help eliminate bias, enhance diversity, and advance the rule of law throughout the US and around the world.

The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security.  The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.

Flexible/hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of CA, DC, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MN, TX, VA, and WI.  Residency requirements may apply. ABA employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
 

Job Summary

The ABA Center on Children and the Law is seeking two full-time Senior Attorneys to work with our Court Projects Team. Each Senior Attorney will engage in legal system reform efforts with child welfare stakeholders throughout the country, including Court Improvement Projects (CIP), agencies, judges, attorneys, federal and state partners, and tribes.

The Senior Attorneys will work primarily on the Capacity Building Center for Courts, a federally funded grant program to support CIPs in designing, developing, and evaluating court reform efforts.  Senior Attorneys may also work on grant development and often have opportunities over time to cultivate a portfolio of their own projects in the child welfare legal field based on individual interest and expertise.

If you are dedicated to promoting access to justice for children, parents and families, the Center provides an excellent platform to develop national leadership skills. We look forward to learning more about how you could contribute to our mission and our team.

All applications must be submitted online. Please include a cover letter and resume in one document when uploading on the ABA site.  

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal ABA expert on substantive areas of child welfare law.  
• Collaborate with legal system leaders in state courts, government agencies, tribes, and legal services organizations throughout the country. 
• Work as part of a highly collaborative team to design and deliver innovative learning experiences for the legal community. 
• Guide reforms and approaches to improving outcomes for families involved in the child welfare legal system, including through prevention of system involvement.  
• Support courts, judges, and attorneys in analyzing data, developing theories of change, and implementing and evaluating interventions designed to facilitate improvements and reforms in legal service delivery and court processes in the child welfare legal system. 
• Deliver presentations and trainings on child welfare legal and public policy issues both in person and remotely.   
• Design substantive content for convenings, develop model documents, and conduct workshops and training academies.  
• Facilitate online Communities of Practice around child welfare topical areas.   
• Commit to promoting racial justice, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity in projects, training, writings, and policies. 
• Support Center efforts to secure funding; write grants; work collaboratively with funders. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

JD and admission to the bar in at least one jurisdiction. At least 6 years working in relevant specialized area of law, primarily child welfare law and policy analysis. Experience working with tribal community members will be prioritized. Applicants with lived expertise from personal legal system impact will be prioritized. Experience with court evaluation and court data is a plus.