Externs will assist Child Attorneys in preparing for all stages of litigation and follow up on behalf of children who are the subject of dependency proceedings brought by the Fulton County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or by private individuals. Externs will work on both new and ongoing cases at various stages, including probable cause hearings, adjudications, permanency reviews, termination of parental rights (TPR) hearings, and post-TPR reviews.
Duties and responsibilities will include: (1) interviewing clients, parents, case managers and other persons with relevant case information; (2) assisting with the drafting of pleadings, motions, appeal briefs and other trial and post trial documents; (3) initiating and following up on investigation requests; (4) reviewing case files, Citizen Review Panel reports, CASA reports, medical records and other relevant documents and summarizing pertinent information from said documents; (5) conducting legal research and keeping up with the latest case law applicable to dependency issues; (6) locating and recommending appropriate support services to children and their families; (7) performing child placement visits; (8) attending specialized meetings and reviews including, but not limited to, Child Fatality Review, Child Abuse Intervention Team (CAIT), Family Treatment Court, Panel Reviews and School Staffing; (9) assisting administrative staff with pre-court file preparation and management including, but not limited to inputting case and hearing information into the Office's case management reporting system (JCATS); and (10) observing and documenting dependency proceedings at Fulton County Juvenile Court.
Externs who have met the requirements of Georgia's student practice rule will be assigned a small caseload and make court appearances under the supervision of a Child Attorney.
Demonstrated interest or experience in juvenile or child welfare law; JD/MSW joint degree externships may be available.
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