Attorney Senior
Date Posted: Sep 29, 2025
Requisition ID: 465937
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
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.
About the Department of Child Services:
Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana's most critical missions!
The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon our MVP foundation:
Mission: Champion Indiana's future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.
Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.
Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.
Role Overview:
The Attorney Senior consults and provides legal guidance to Central Office, County Offices, and staff on matters of administrative law. You will respond to inquiries by Administative Law Judges in the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings and defend agency actions when called before an Administrative Law Judge. You will manage an administrative case load in preparation for hearings. You will also assist with adoption, guarianship, child abuse, and preparing witnesses.
We seek a detail-oriented attorney with strong time management skills and a desire to be a skilled litigator.
This position will support DCS offices in Northwest Indiana. Residency in the service area is highly preferred.
Salary:
This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $85,020 but may be commensurate with education and job experience.
Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
Responsibilities include:
Defend agency actions in administrative hearings before an administrative law judge (ALJ) from the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings (OALP).
Defend the agency in a wide area of subject matters, including substantiations of child abuse/neglect (CAPTA), adoption assistance (AAP/SAS), guardianship assistance (GAP/SGAP), foster care licensing, rate setting, and collaborate care (Chafee) cases.
Organize and manage an administrative caseload in preparation for hearings.
Identify and prepare witnesses to testify.
Anticipate and prepare for cross-examination of witnesses.
Prepare and mark exhibits.
Anticipate and prepare offers to prove when essential evidence may be excluded.
Prepare and provide discovery and exhibits.
Draft legal documents such as, but not limited to, motions to dismiss, motions to stay, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and briefs in response to an ALJ's recommended decision.
Conduct legal research to stay current on changes in administrative law and to prepare for the above-mentioned administrative bench hearings.
Negotiate settlements with opposing parties to resolve disputes and/or cases.
Increase the Legal Team's effectiveness through agency alignment.
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 that 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:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have:
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.
Able 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 benefits package for full-time employees that 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 in 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. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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