DSS Agency Attorney Information Sheet.pdf

Dept. of Social Services Agency Attorney Information Sheet

The Local Social Services Board (LSSB) of Appomattox County, which in this case is the County Administrator and the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors, is seeking to fill the position of Agency Attorney, and therefore is searching for a qualified, licensed and insured attorney to provide a full range of legal services to the LSSB and the employees of the Appomattox County Department of Social Services (DSS).

Section 1 – Status and Tenure

The DSS Agency Attorney is a contract position appointed by the LSSB, which in this case is the County Administrator and Board of Supervisors. As such, the County Attorney serves strictly at the pleasure of the LSSB.

Section 2 – Size of Legal Firm

The Board of Supervisors will consider interested firms of all sizes when filling the vacant DSS Agency Attorney position. However, firms with multiple attorneys must appoint a lead attorney to serve both as the named DSS Agency Attorney and as the point of contact for County and DSS officials.

Section 3 – Duties of DSS Agency Attorney

• Providing a full range of legal services including, but not limited to, advising on Social Services-related matters, State and Federal regulations and laws, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and new legislation.

• Conducting legal research and gathering evidence to form a defense or to initiate legal action.

• Evaluating findings and developing strategies and arguments for the presentation of cases.

• Analyzing and interpreting laws, rulings, and regulations with probable cause outcomes for local

Social Services Board members, County DSS employees, and the local DSS agency.

• Writing and filing briefs and memoranda of law.

• Preparing and filing pleadings.

• Initiating and responding to discovery petitions.

• Representing and litigating on behalf of the local DSS before State and Federal trial and appellate courts, government agencies, and administrative tribunals.

• Presenting and summarizing cases before judges.

• Preparing and filing appeals.

• Reviewing and drafting legal opinions.

• Conducting training programs on applicable laws and liability.

Section 4 -- Minimum Requirements

• The chosen DSS Agency Attorney shall possess a Juris Doctorate degree and shall have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.

• The chosen DSS Agency Attorney shall also be a member, in good standing, of the Virginia Bar Association, and shall not have experienced any form of disciplinary action against them by the Virginia Bar Association in the past ten (10) years.

• The chosen DSS Agency Attorney shall have at least two (2) years of experience working within the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court realm

• The chosen DSS Agency Attorney shall also have a demonstrated working knowledge of both Child Services and Adult Services, including knowledge of policy, procedure, and process.

Section 5 – Minimum Expectations

• Upon award of the contract, the new DSS Agency Attorney shall provide the DSS Director and County Administrator with an emergency contact list that includes the all the pertinent personnel assigned to this contract. Included shall be their names, phone numbers (office, home, and cellular) and e-mail addresses.

• The DSS Agency Attorney shall conduct research and provide legal counsel, advice and opinions in a timely manner.

• The DSS Agency Attorney shall be accessible by telephone, fax and email and shall be responsive to calls from the DSS Director, County Administrator, and others authorized to contact the DSS Agency Attorney.

• The DSS Agency Attorney shall keep abreast of proposed and codified legislative actions on a local, state, and federal level which have or could have a potential bearing on the operation of the Appomattox County DSS.

• The DSS Agency Attorney shall also provide information, when requested, on precedent cases related to County DSS matters.

• All attorneys working on behalf of Appomattox County shall adhere to the Virginia Professional Code of Conduct or such other professional code of conduct in the jurisdiction where representation may occur.

AREA IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK

Section 6 -- Letter of Interest

Attorneys meeting the qualifications established herein are encouraged to send a letter of interest to:

DSS Agency Attorney Search c/o Susan M. Adams

County Administrator PO Box 863

Appomattox, VA 24522 DSSAttorneySearch@AppomattoxCountyVA.gov

The following should be included in all letters:

• Information on firm (name, address, main phone number, years in business, number of attorneys)

• Information on contact person (name, phone, email)

• Name and resume of proposed Lead Attorney. Please include fields of expertise.

• Names and resumes of other attorneys that would be available to assist the Lead Attorney. Please include fields of expertise.

• Itemized fee structure. Also note whether an annual lump sum financial arrangement would be considered.

• A minimum of five (5) references from clients your firm provided similar services to over the past 10

(ten) years. Please include a contact name, phone number and email for each reference.

Section 7 – Deadline

Deadline for receipt of letters of interest is 5:00 PM on Friday, September 13, 2024.

mailto:DSSAttorneySearch@AppomattoxCountyVA.gov