Child Abuse & Neglect Attorney

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.

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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 Required: 3+ Years in Child Abuse & Neglect Law

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.

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.

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.

• 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 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. xhyhwjd

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

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 with up to 4% match

• 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