Supervising Attorney - Family Law

Overview

Under the direction of the Managing Attorney/Family Law Facilitator, the Supervising Attorney oversees day-to-day operations for the family law unit at the Legal Self-Help Center. This position provides general family law and limited probate services to litigants not represented by counsel. It provides legal information, procedural assistance and help with forms for a variety of case types without representing any party or creating an attorney-client relationship.

Case types include, but are not limited to, divorce, legal separation and nullity; parentage;
Title IV-D child support; domestic violence restraining orders; stepparent adoptions; guardian ships; and limited conservatorships. The Supervising Attorney also helps design and conduct workshops and clinics and provides other program support as directed. The Supervising Attorney plans, directs and reviews the work of staff; schedules assignments for and supervises paraprofessional and other clerical staff, interns and volunteers. May oversee the work of staff attorneys, as directed.

Receives general direction and legal guidance from the Managing Attorney/Family Law Facilitator. The Staff Attorney directly supervises paraprofessional and administrative support staff and oversees interns and volunteers.

• Federal and state laws, case law and procedural rules and regulations applicable to area of assigned responsibility, including, but not limited to:
  Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, California Family Code, California Probate Code, California Code of Civil Procedure, California Evidence Code, California Rules of Court and Sonoma County Local Rules of Court.
• Case flow, hearing and trial procedures applicable to family law, guardianship and limited conservatorship cases, including divorce, legal separation, nullity, parentage, Title IV-D child support, domestic violence restraining orders, stepparent adoptions, guardian ships and limited conservatorships.
• Principles and practices of supervision applicable to paraprofessional and clerical staff, interns and volunteers.
• General functions and organization of the judicial system, including areas of litigation and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies.
• Principles and practices of case and calendar management.
• Psychological aspects of domestic violence cases.
• Trauma-informed communication skills.
• Program and policy development and implementation.
• Use of Essential Forms software and online document assembly programs, such as Odyssey Guide & File and Law Help Interactive.
• Use of support calculation programs, including Xspouse and the Department of Child Support Services online guideline calculator.
• Law-related resources and community-based organizations and referral services for litigants with family law, guardianship and limited conservatorship issues.

• Supervise, train and review the work of others;
• Exercise judgment to choose among possible options often without clear precedents;
• Train staff in applying professional principles within the court system;
• Establish rapport with litigants and effectively assist litigants under stressful circumstances;
• Identify and utilize support services and community resources;
• Prepare concise reports and records, develop and conduct independent research projects;
• Review and synthesize literature, codes, laws, records as related to relevant area of law;
• Understand and interpret the effect of legislative changes on family law and probate self-help services;
• Work and communicate effectively with people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and temperaments;
• Utilize research methods and statistical analysis techniques;
• Analyze, interpret and explain legal principles and issues;
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal policy, laws and regulations applicable to the family law and probate self-help program;
• Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive studies, reports, correspondence and other written materials;
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to different audiences and facilitate understanding/agreement;
• Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively;
• Operate a computer and use standard business and case management software;
• Use tact and diplomacy dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work, including judicial officers and staff, members of the bar, other governmental and community agencies, and program customers.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law with emphasis in family law matters; proficiency in family law support and forms software programs; and a basic understanding of the law and psychological issues related to domestic violence.

• Ability to speak, read and write in…