Senior Attorney for Legal Research
Date Posted: Oct 14, 2026
Requisition ID: 485503
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 Senior Attorney for Legal Research assists with Central Office Legal Research needs. You will research and advise on complex legal issues and questions, and provide guidance for alignment across federal requirements, Indiana Code, Indiana Administrative Code, and DCS policy. Additionally, you will work directly with the Deputy General Counsel of Legal Operations to facilitate division-wide communications.
Because this role involves drafting guidance and quick-reference checklists/guides, you will need strong skills in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and Canva. Demonstrated experience with utilizing research software is desired.
Key outcomes for this role are:
Drafting guidance and quick reference checklists/guides for frontline staff attorneys.
Maintaining awareness of evolving case law and drafting summaries for staff.
Helping draft memorandums of law in response to key issues facing the agency.
Understanding and analyzing legal issues through a big picture, agency impact lens.
Obtaining and analyzing guidance on issues affecting child welfare law.
Assessing and analyzing confidentiality issues facing the department and advising on best practice responses.
Working directly with the agency's Legal Training Team to provide training in necessary areas and aid attorneys in understanding research technologies.
This position is located in the Central DCS Offices at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $85,020.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator (https://in.accessgov.com/spd/Forms/Page/spd/compensation-calculator/0) to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are:
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 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:
Credentials:
A Doctorate of Jurisprudence with 5+ years of legal experience as a practicing attorney.
Indiana Bar Admission license in good standing.
Addtional qualifications:
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.
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 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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