Attorney - Child Abuse & Neglect

BEN HALL LAW

East Lansing, Michigan

Child Abuse & Neglect Attorney

Position: Child Abuse & Neglect Attorney (DHHS Representation)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Location: Primarily Remote—reliable commute to court required; occasional in-person firm attendance required

Service Area: Multiple Michigan Counties

Practice Group: Child Abuse & Neglect

Experience Preferred: 3+ Years in Child Abuse & Neglect Law

About Ben Hall Law

Ben Hall Law is reinventing what it means to practice child abuse and neglect law in Michigan. We are committed to representing DHHS in a professional manner while providing excellent legal representation and service to our client—and we hold ourselves to that standard every single day.

We live by six core values that define how we work and who we are: Fun, Accountability, Service, Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence. These are not words on a wall. They are the lens through which we make decisions, evaluate performance, and build our culture. If those values resonate with you, keep reading.

The Practice Group

This position is part of a growing child abuse and neglect practice group dedicated exclusively to DHHS representation. The current team consists of a team lead, an associate attorney, a case manager, and a dedicated paralegal. You will not be working in isolation—you will be part of a cohesive, purpose-driven unit where collaboration is the norm and everyone is invested in each other’s success and the success of the client.

Position Overview

The Child Abuse & Neglect Attorney will serve as legal counsel to DHHS in child protective proceedings across multiple Michigan counties. This role is designed for an attorney who is passionate about the welfare of children and driven by the belief that high-quality legal representation is one of the most powerful tools available to improve how the child welfare system functions in practice.

This is not a 9-to-5. Child welfare does not keep business hours, and neither does this role. The position requires the ability to respond to after-hours, weekend, and holiday calls for emergencies. If that is a problem, this is not the right fit. If that is the kind of work that energizes you, read on.

The position is primarily remote. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to court appearances across their assigned counties as needed. In-person attendance at firm meetings, trainings, and events is required on an occasional basis. This position is also eligible—and actively encouraged—to attend state and national conferences related to child welfare law and policy.

This Job Is Not For You If…

We believe in being direct. This position is an exceptional opportunity—but only for the right person. Please do not apply if:

You are looking for a strict 9-to-5. Emergencies happen. Children cannot wait. This role requires availability outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

You prefer to work alone. This is a team environment. Collaboration is not optional—it is how we operate. Lone wolves will not thrive here.

You are uncomfortable with accountability. We hold ourselves and each other to a high standard. Mistakes are learning opportunities, but deflection and avoidance have no place on our team.

You are satisfied with the status quo. The child welfare system has real problems. We are here to make it better through the quality of our work, one case at a time. If you have made peace with “good enough,” this is not the right place for you.

You have a "not my job" mentality. We aim to provide unreasonable hospitality—not just to our clients, but to everyone we interact with. That means we help each other, we get the job done, and we do not look the other way when something needs doing. Sometimes that means extra time on a night or weekend. Sometimes it means handling something that is not technically in your job description. If you are keeping score on what is and is not your responsibility, this is not the right environment for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent DHHS in child abuse and neglect proceedings across multiple Michigan counties, including hearings, trials, and appellate matters.

• Develop and maintain deep expertise in DHHS policies, procedures, and operational realities, keeping current as policies evolve.

• Evaluate facts and applicable law to provide sound, candid legal advice to the client while clearly communicating that final decisions rest with the client, not counsel.

• Draft pleadings, motions, orders, and other legal documents with precision and attention to detail.

• Conduct legal research and stay current on developments in Michigan child welfare law, relevant case law, and statutory changes.

• Collaborate with DHHS caseworkers, supervisors, and agency personnel to understand case facts, gather evidence, and develop litigation strategy.

• Provide training and legal guidance to DHHS staff, building the agency’s understanding of legal standards, procedures, and best practices.

• Respond to after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergency calls as required.

• Engage constructively with judges, opposing counsel, guardians ad litem, and other professionals in a manner that reflects the integrity of the firm and the importance of the work.

• Participate actively as a member of the practice group and the broader firm—sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and contributing to firm-wide goals and culture.

• Represent the firm and client at state and national child welfare conferences and remain engaged with the broader professional community.

• Manage a multi-county caseload efficiently, including calendaring, deadlines, and court scheduling across jurisdictions.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Active Michigan law license in good standing.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in child abuse and neglect law, with substantial courtroom experience in child protective proceedings.

• Expert-level knowledge of Michigan child welfare statutes, including the Juvenile Code, the Child Protection Law, and relevant case law.

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex fact patterns, synthesize applicable law, and deliver clear, actionable legal advice.

• Strong understanding of—or demonstrated ability to rapidly develop expertise in—DHHS policies and procedures.

• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.

• Proven ability to manage a multi-county caseload with competing deadlines.

• Ability to reliably commute to court appearances across assigned Michigan counties as required.

• People-oriented professional with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with agency staff, colleagues, and members of the public.

• Willingness and demonstrated ability to provide training and legal education to DHHS staff.

• Availability to respond to after-hours, weekend, and holiday emergency calls.

• Commitment to client-centered representation: fully advising the client while honoring the client’s authority over final decisions.

• Genuine alignment with the firm’s core values: Fun, Accountability, Service, Teamwork, Integrity, and Excellence.

• Self-directed work habits and professional reliability suitable for a primarily remote position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience representing DHHS in child protective proceedings.

• Familiarity with DHHS systems, casework processes, and multi-disciplinary team dynamics.

• Experience practicing across multiple Michigan counties or circuits.

• Experience in formal or informal legal training roles—presentations to agency staff, CLEs, or similar.

• Active engagement with state or national child welfare professional organizations.

What We’re Looking For

The right candidate brings more than legal skill—they bring conviction. We are looking for someone who:

• Is genuinely passionate about the welfare of children and approaches this work as a calling, not just a career.

• Is driven by the opportunity to create systemic change through the quality of their daily practice—one case, one hearing, one well-trained caseworker at a time.

• Puts client satisfaction at the top of their priority list and treats the attorney-client relationship as foundational, not transactional.

• Is people-oriented: someone who builds trust with agency staff, collaborates naturally with colleagues, and brings genuine warmth and professionalism to every interaction.

• Holds themselves accountable, welcomes feedback, and is always looking for ways to improve.

• Exercises mature, independent judgment while remaining fully accountable to the client’s authority over strategic and case decisions.

• Embraces the full scope of the role—including the after-hours moments that remind us why this work matters.

Compensation & Benefits

Ben Hall Law offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including:

• Salary: Dependent upon experience

• Paid Time Off: 4 weeks of paid vacation annually

• Sick Leave: 1 week of paid sick time annually

• Retirement: 401(k) plan

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Disability Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage

• Life Insurance: Firm-provided life insurance

• Professional Development: Eligibility and encouragement to attend state and national child welfare conferences

How to Apply

To be considered, submit a cover letter and resume to View email address on click.appcast.io.

In your cover letter, please describe why this position appeals to you and how you see yourself fitting into our culture. Include your salary requirements. Cover letters or candidates that do not follow these instructions will not be considered.

Salary/Compensation: $85,000 - $130,000 per year plus commission