Legal Counsel - CINC

Overview Johnson County and the 10th Judicial District Court maintain contracts of service for attorneys to serve as both Guardians ad litem and parent attorneys in Child in Need of Care (CINC) proceedings. A “full” contract is meant to constitute no more than a half-time law practice and pays $48,400 annually. A “half” contract is meant to constitute no more than a quarter-time law practice and pays $24,200 annually. The current opening is for a “full” contract – or- in the alternative, two “half” contracts. Job Description Other information: Contracts for two years in length, beginning on the date of hire, with half of the contracts turning over each year. Attorneys are independent contractors, subject only to Supreme Court Rule 226, the Rules Relating to Discipline of Attorneys, and Supreme Court Rule 110A relating to Guardians ad Litem. However, attorneys must agree to accept scheduling and caseload decisions of the Managing Attorney, as described below. Caseloads and workloads are assigned and adjusted by the Managing Attorney, who is responsible for fairly dividing the cases and the work among attorneys and ensuring that caseloads are consistent with the attorneys’ full or half contract status. Further, the managing attorney serves as the point of communication for the courts, is responsible for making sure dockets are covered, and for assigning “non-docket” case appointments referred by the courts. Appeals are compensated at a flat-fee rate of $1,900. Requests for additional compensation under exceptional circumstances may be made by motion, to be reviewed by a District Court judge who is not being appealed. The contract trial attorney must protect a litigant’s right to appeal even if he/she does not plan to handle the appeal. However, if the contract attorney does handle the appeal, it will be considered part of that attorney’s private practice. A contract attorney may refer an appeal to other counsel, or request that the court appoint other counsel. Attorneys that apply must agree to represent parents and serve as a Guardian ad litem or child advocate. The Managing Attorney will have discretion to distribute different types of representation unevenly if the overall workload is shared fairly and consistent with the attorney’s contract status. However, an exclusive docket or a docket heavily weighted toward parents or children cannot be an expectation. The courts will endeavor to diligently means-test parents for appointed representation so that contract attorneys are not unduly burdened and retained cases will be appropriately available to the general bar. Further, the courts will maintain a list of attorneys to be distributed to non-qualifying parents who need retained representation. The list will also be the source for appointments if the contract attorneys have conflicts or are otherwise unable to take a case. The contract attorneys will be selected by a systematic process administered by the Chief Judge, the presiding Child in Need of Care Judge, and the Court Administrator. Other magistrate or district court judges may also be involved in this process. The goal of this contract system is to maintain a diverse group of attorneys in terms of background, perspectives, and styles. Overall legal/professional qualifications will be emphasized. Extensive experience or background in CINC representation is not required, although obviously helpful. The 10th Judicial District Court reserves the right to modify or adjust any of the terms of the attorney contracts at the expiration of each group of contracts and offer different terms going forward. #J-18808-Ljbffr Jocogov