Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) is the designated protection and advocacy organization for the State of Indiana. We provide direct legal advocacy to people with disabilities across the state, covering a wide range of civil rights including access to education, health care, employment, community living, public access, self-determination, and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Role Overview: The Associate Attorney is a generalist position designed to expose newer attorneys to a wide variety of legal subjects, all in support of the agency's mission. Associate Attorneys handle real and interesting cases from day one, with the supportive mentoring and leadership of the Legal Director and four Senior Attorneys who serve as subject-matter experts in Civil Rights, Health Care, Employment and Vocational Rehabilitation, and Education and Self-Determination. Over time, the Associate Attorney develops subject-matter expertise in one or more practice areas while maintaining the breadth of experience that defines the role. This is mission-driven legal work that combines the meaningful representation of people whose rights have been violated with genuine opportunities for professional growth, and it is well suited to attorneys who want their daily work to matter. Recent law school graduates and attorneys early in their careers are encouraged to apply.

Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 with 1-4 years of experience, or $85,020.00 with 5+ years of experience while admitted to a state bar association but may be greater commensurate with education or work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• May train, manage, delegate to, and/or provide support for any legal support staff
• Advises and provides legal support to agency staff on various program and legal areas
• May oversee, draft, review, or provide legal advice relating to contracts
• Researches, interprets, and provides legal advice in relation to laws, rules, policies, and legal opinions pertaining to agency operations
• May draft and review legislation and administrative rules
• Utilizes legal resources, dockets, legal files, and official records relating to legal procedures
• Creates, prepares, and distributes documents related to hearings, including orders and decisions
• Recruits, selects, onboards, and trains employees to ensure role responsibilities and expectations are clearly understood while providing opportunities to continue professional development
• Sets expectations, measure progress, provide ongoing feedback, and evaluate the performance of employees. Ensure work adheres to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures
• May handle administrative matters and hearings while maintaining appropriate decorum, hear evidence, rule on the admissibility of evidence, and/or make reasoned decisions supported by evidence
• May be required to utilize litigation skills and experience relating to agency operations
• Organizes and manages caseload in the preparation of hearings and/or litigation
• May review pleadings, motions, and discovery
• May draft appeals or briefs, or perform legal writing assignments

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success: Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney
• Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to apply relevant statutes, case law, and rules
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing
• Ability to successfully utilize a case management system to manage a docket, case information, party information, and serve orders
• Strong legal research, writing, and litigation skills

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may serve as a team lead for an assigned work group. This role provides direct supervision for two or more attorneys.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity: The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.