Associate Attorney

Description:

Job Overview:
Duties of Associate Attorney
The Associate Attorney must be equipped to diverse legal disciplines ranging from employment law to regulatory compliance to general civil litigation to contract negotiations and review. The incumbent will work closely with the Chief Counsel to provide sound legal advice to senior management, implement best practices, and mitigate risks while upholding the highest ethical standards. The role requires exceptional analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate complex legal landscapes adeptly. Specifically, the Associate Attorney will be equipped to handle the following:

• Hearing Officer Child Support Matters: Represent the Agency by making appearances before Child Support Hearing Officers conducting hearings on Child Support Cases, typically in matters in which a customer receiving Agency-directed benefits has assigned rights to child support to this Agency and the only issues in dispute are paternity and the amount of child support.
• Superior Court Judge Child Support Matters: Represent the Agency (or another state in UISFA matters) before Judges in Child Support matters where: 1) MCBOSS filed the modification; 2) the case involves the Department of Children and Families (DCF); 3) the case is a UIFSA filing; 4) if there is a DNA exclusion; or 5) if a Judge specifically requests a MCBOSS Attorney be present.
• Fair Hearings: Represent the Agency at Fair Hearings before Administrative Law Judges hearing appeals by customers who have received an adverse action related to the Benefit programs administered by this Agency to determine if the Agency's action was appropriate pursuant to Program rules and regulations. Attorneys make appearances in all matters in which the client is represented by counsel or when there are more than five hearings scheduled for any one day. Fair Hearing appearances require the review all of the relevant information, talking to the caseworker and supervisor, and preparing exhibits and letters to the Court, and the FHL/Attorney, caseworker, and supervisor testifying about the matter, before the Judge.
• NJ Division of Civil Rights/EEOC Complaints against the Agency- Represent the Agency before government offices bringing charges against the Agency as an employer. Attorneys will investigate the events underlying the charges, do legal research, file answers and position statements, lead mediation and settlement efforts where desired.
• Special Civil (under $15,000) and Law Division (over $15,000) Court Filings- Represent the Agency regarding Complaints brought against customers seeking repayment of overpayments or other unwarranted benefits—referrals come from the Fraud Department.
• Guardianships- Represent the Agency in seeking Guardianships in Superior Court for customers referred to or identified by this Agency (approximately 2-3 a year).

Other Duties

• Investigate Allegations referred by HR - includes complaints alleging hostile work environment, harassment, intimidation, etc., reviewing all the documents, interviewing the complainant, interviewing all parties involved, research the applicable law, write an internal investigative memo to HR determining whether the allegations/charges are substantiated or not, and whether the Agency is exposed to any liability.
• Disciplinary Hearings- Discuss with Administrators whether alleged employee misconduct arises to a violation of law or employee handbook policies; prosecute on behalf of new Administrators or assist experienced Administrators in bringing discipline cases against employees at departmental hearings. Tasks include working with HR to assure the charges (Minors, Majors 31A, etc.) are proper, complete, supported by evidence, etc.; reviewing exhibits with administrators; helping administrators prepare for departmental hearing; help prepare questions for witnesses, following proper disciplinary steps, complying with union contracts, employee handbook, etc.
• OPRA Requests- Handle requests from the public for Agency documents made via the Open Public Records Act procedures.
• Procurement of Public Contracts- handle the Public Contracting Process- Request for Proposals, Evaluating and Choosing Bid, Drafting Memo Recommendation, Contract Drafting, Negotiation, and Review (formerly done by the Chief of Administrative Services-COAS).
• Security Services Contract (currently Arrow Security- every 2 years)
• Auditor Contract (currently Mercadien Accountants- every year)
• Substance Abuse Initiative-Behavioral Health Initiative SAI/BHI Contract (every year)

Contract review- Review all contracts (roughly 15-20) referred to the legal department to ensure documentation is in order and approved as to legal sufficiency and form

Research, provide legal guidance, and/or help draft/update MCBOSS Board of Director Polices-

Research, help draft and/or update, and/or oversee revision of MCBOSS Legal Department Procedures- Fair Hearing Process, detailed Warrant to Satisfy process, Funeral and Burial procedures, etc.

If you are a motivated attorney looking to further develop your career in a dynamic legal environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

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