Closing Date: 12th August, 2026
Description:
Position Information:General Statement of Duties and Essential Functions of The Position
The Youth Empowerment and Trial Strategies Attorney Will Advance Children's Rights and Promote Equity and Justice for Children and Youth in All Ocr Case Types. They Will Ensure Excellence in Representation and Engage in Policy Advocacy at The State and Local Level.
The Youth Empowerment and Trial Strategies Attorney Will Serve as An Ocr Liaison to Select Judicial Districts, and Support Effective Litigation as A Statewide Resource to Attorneys on Key Legal and Practice Issues. the Attorney Will Develop Strategies, Training, and Resources to Support Ocr Attorneys in Providing Excellent Legal Representation for Children and Youth.
The Youth Empowerment and Trial Strategies Attorney Is Exempt from Overtime Under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Serving at The Pleasure of The Executive Director of The Office of The Child's Representative. All Prospective Employees of The Colorado Judicial Branch Are Subject to Background Investigation Prior to Hiring.
Mission Statement
Ocr Mission
The Office of The Child's Representative (ocr)'s (http://www.coloradochildrep.org/) Mission Is to Give Children and Youth a Voice in Colorado Legal Proceedings Through High-Quality Legal Representation that Protects and Promotes Their Safety, Interests, and Rights.
Ocr Vision
Justice, Opportunity, and Healthy Families for All Court-Involved Children and Youth.
Ocr Values
- Accountability: Colorado's Children, Attorneys, Families, and Communities Can Count on Ocr to Ensure that Each Decision We Make and Action We Take Advances Our Mission in A Fair, Equitable, Inclusive, and Transparent Manner.
- Efficiency: Ocr Strives to Accomplish Its Mission and Conserve Resources by Streamlining Efforts, Adhering to Deadlines, Resolving Conflict Constructively, and Honoring Well-Defined Projects, Processes, and Roles. We Balance Our Drive to Achieve with Thoughtful Planning and Implementation.
- Empowerment: Ocr Cultivates an Environment of Respect, Honesty, and Equity. We Value the Diverse Experiences and Expertise of The Children We Serve, Our Attorneys, and Our Staff. We Invest Time to Reflect and Connect, Focus on Strengths, Value Feedback, and Recognize Success. We Stand for Justice and Support Each Other in Our Mission to Empower Children.
Ocr Is an Independent Agency Within the State of Colorado Judicial Branch that Supports and Oversees Attorney Guardians Ad Litem (gal), Child's Legal Representatives (clr), and Counsel for Youth Throughout the State. Ocr Contracts with Approximately 275 Attorneys to Provide These Services and Employs 12 Attorneys and Five Case Consultants in Its Colorado Springs Office. Ocr Is Responsible for Payment and Oversight of Attorney Services in 11 Case Types, Including but Not Limited to Dependency and Neglect (d&n), Delinquency and Direct File, Domestic Relations, Probate, Paternity, and Truancy.
Statement of Duties
General Statement of Duties and Essential Functions of The Position
The Youth Empowerment and Trial Strategies Attorney Will Advance Children's Rights and Promote Equity and Justice for Children and Youth in All Ocr Case Types. They Will Ensure Excellence in Representation and Engage in Policy Advocacy at The State and Local Level.
The Youth Empowerment and Trial Strategies Attorney Will Serve as An Ocr Liaison to Select Judicial Districts, and Support Effective Litigation as A Statewide Resource to Attorneys on Key Legal and Practice Issues. the Attorney Will Develop Strategies, Training, and Resources to Support Ocr Attorneys in Providing Excellent Legal Representation for Children and Youth.
The Youth Empowerment and Trial Strategies Attorney Is Exempt from Overtime Under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Serving at The Pleasure of The Executive Director of The Office of The Child's Representative. All Prospective Employees of The Colorado Judicial Branch Are Subject to Background Investigation Prior to Hiring
Additional Comments:
How to Apply:
- Application Packet Must Include the Following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume (please Note that Per R.S. 8-2-121 Job Application Fairness Act (https://drive.google.com/file/d/15076xNB3q-yg5CDV6VOry2jznBhkTe78/view), You May Redact Information that Identifies Age, Date of Birth, or Dates of Attendance at Or Graduation from An Educational Institution.)
- Minimum of Three Professional References
- A Writing Sample Demonstrating Your Aptitude for Advocating for The Rights of Children and Youth at The Trial Level
- In a Separate Document, Please Provide a Written Response to The Following Prompts:
- Please Describe Your Trial Skills and Experience Relevant to This Position.
- What Do You Think Are the Two Most Pressing Issues Impacting Children and Youth in Ocr's Cases?
Email the Application Packet to Ghella@coloradochildrep.Org by The Closing Date.
Applications Will Not Be Considered that Are Late, Contain Documents that Are Illegible, Incomplete or Are in A File Format We Cannot Open or Read (pdf Preferred, Microsoft Word Is Acceptable). Be Sure Your Application Materials Specifically Address Your Experience and Qualifications for The Position Described in This Document. Successful Applicants Will Be Contacted to Schedule a Virtual or In Person Interview. Applications Received After the Closing Date/time Will Not Be Considered.
The Office of The Child's Representative Is Committed to Providing an Environment Free from Discrimination and Harassment Based on Race, Age, Creed, Color, Religion, National Origin or Ancestry, Sex, Gender, Disability, Veteran Status, Genetic Information, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Pregnancy. the Ocr Is an Equal Opportunity/affirmative Action Employer Fully Committed to Achieving a Diverse Work Force. the Ocr Invites All Applicants to Include in Their Cover Letter a Statement About how Your Unique Background And/or Experiences Might Contribute to The Diversity, Cultural Vitality and Perspective of Gal, Cfy and Clr Practice.
Essential Functions:
Specific Responsibilities Include, but Are Not Limited To:
Oversee and Support Ocr Contract Attorneys and Staff for All Twelve of Ocr's Case Types as Liaison with Judicial Districts
- Serve as Primary Point of Contact for Ocr Attorneys on All Legal and Practice Issues
- Serve as Primary Point of Contact for Court Personnel and Other Professionals in The Judicial District
- Investigate Complaints
- Assess Sufficiency of Pool of Attorneys
- Identify Performance Concerns and Training Needs
- Monitor Compliance with Relevant Attorney Performance Standards, Case Filings and Billing Activity
Support Ocr Attorneys and Staff Through the Development and Implementation of Youth Engagement and Empowerment Protocols and Initiatives
- Monitor State and Federal Trends.
- Implement Strategies to Increase Youth Attendance and Participation in Hearings and Other Processes
- Serve as Content Lead for Ocr's Youth Center, Ensuring that Page Contains Up-To-Date and Relevant Materials
- Engage Stakeholders to Promote Youth Engagement/empowerment Through Increased Participation and Voice.
- Identify Shortcomings and Recommend Changes to Current Practice Regarding Youth Engagement, Empowerment, and Rights.
Develop, Implement, and Advance Legal and Other Strategies for Advancing Children's and Youth's Interests and Rights at The Trial Level
- Identify Opportunities and Implement Strategies to Advance the Rights of Children and Youth Through Attorneys' Case Strategy, Courtroom Litigation, Motions Practice, and Out of Court Advocacy
- Identify Practice Implications of Case Law, Legislation, and Rules (state, Federal, and Other States as Relevant); Proactively Monitor as Appropriate
- Track Cdhs Rulemaking Activities Related to Gal/cfy Trial Level Advocacy, Update and Involve Staff and Contractors as Indicated
- Serve as Key Staff Attorney/content Lead on Ocr's Trial Skills Training and Develop and Deliver Training for Attorneys on Relevant Issues
- Keep Apprised of Effective Advocacy Practices Nationally and In Colorado, Communicate Research and Resources with Program Staff
- Identify Opportunities and Implement Strategies to Advance the Rights of Children and Youth Through Attorneys' Case Strategy, Courtroom Litigation, Motions Practice, and Out of Court Advocacy
- Coordinate Ocr's Second Chair Program and Other Trial Level Litigation Supports
Litigation Toolkit Coordinator and Manager
- Manage Ocr's Litigation Toolkit to Ensure Relevance, Accuracy, and Access to Its Hundreds of Pleadings and Litigation Tools
- Collaborate with Ocr's Appellate and Legal Strategies Attorney in Assessing Need for Updates and New Materials
- Serve as One of Ocr's Key Content Contributors to Ocr's Litigation Toolkit
- Identify Appropriate Staff and Contractor Specialists for Litigation Tools as Applicable, Assign Drafting and Updates, Coordinate Content Creation and Revision Efforts.
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