Senior Attorney & Attorney (Children's Authority)

Our Client, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (CATT), is seeking candidates for the following Legal positions: 1. Senior Attorney 2. Attorney These positions are offered as three (3) year renewable contracts.

Our Client, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (CATT), is seeking candidates for the following Legal positions:

1. Senior Attorney
2. Attorney

These positions are offered as three (3) year renewable contracts. More information on each position is provided below.

SENIOR ATTORNEY

Summary of Position:

The Senior Attorney works in association with the Attorneys in providing sound legal advice and opinions in the effective management of the Children’s Authority. The incumbent will have a deep understanding of the legal needs of children, as well as, a strong track record of delivering high-quality legal services.  He/ she will provide legal representation in court in matters regarding children under the care and protection of the Authority.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Assist in the implementation and maintenance of the case management and administration systems required to support the effective conduct of court matters, follow-up and secure the welfare of ‘at risk’ and abused children. 
• Undertake legal and social science research on public policy issues that have implications for the effective operation of the Children’s Authority and advises managers on relevant legal issues, strategies and solutions that will help the Authority meet its mandate and improve its customer service delivery systems.
• Work closely with the Attorneys in interpreting and recommending appropriate action on the laws that impact the operations of the Children’s Authority.
• Work in association with the Attorneys to ensure that the operations of the Children’s Authority follow all appropriate legal rules, regulations and procedures.
• Provide legal advice, guidance and representation on matters relating to family services matters, adoption matters and foster care matters as required.
• Work closely with the Attorneys to review complaints, prepare assessments of validity and assists the appropriate section in making recommendations for follow-up action.
• Research legal documents to provide supporting evidence for a particular argument in a case; drafts legal documents, including motions or briefs, pleadings, affidavits, orders and relevant correspondence on the basis of generally accepted legal guidelines and procedures; locates and interviews expert witnesses and other witnesses and files motions or other documents with the court; all in pursuing cases on behalf of the Authority.
• Represent the Authority at hearings and other judicial proceedings, identifies and analyses any legal problems/issues, and makes recommendations for appropriate action.
• Prepare and maintain case files and documents for court appearances and ensures the timely filing of documents with the court.
• Review relevant case laws and regulations to support legal opinions for the Children’s Authority and prepares both written and oral opinions and presentations.
• Participate in the implementation and management of the Authority’s Alternative Dispute Resolution system and mechanisms; including providing technical support in the delivery of its mediation services.  
• Review and provide opinions on contracts, memoranda of understanding and policies.
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programmes for stakeholders and staff of the Authority.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop and implement effective legal strategies.
• Stay up-to-date on changes in laws and regulations that may impact clients/children/families.
• Provide coaching and guidance to junior attorneys and support staff.
• Maintain and improve professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, participating in professional societies, maintaining affiliations with legal networks and reporting on trends in child protection matters.
• Perform other related duties

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in law
• Legal Education Certificate (to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago)
• Minimum of 8 years of legal experience required, with a minimum of 3 years of concentration in one or more of the specialized practice areas of family law, commercial, property or employment law.

ATTORNEY

Summary of Position:

The Attorney works in association with the Senior Attorney in providing high quality, sound, legal advice to the Children’s Authority.  He/ she will provide effective legal representation at the Court in matters concerning children under the care and protection of the Authority. The incumbent assists and appears in court proceedings as he/she collects data, researches cases and legal precedents.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Represent the Authority at hearings and other judicial proceedings, identifies and analyses any legal problems/issues, and makes recommendations for appropriate action.
• Draft, review and manage court documents, contracts, deeds and others legal documents.
• Provide representation on matters concerning CHINs and CRIMs as required.
• Negotiate settlements.
• Provide legal advice and solutions to the management of the Authority based on the local laws, legal precedents, court procedures and practice direction guidelines.
• Provide representation on matters relating to family services matters, adoption matters and foster care matters as required
• Draft Board Notes, Cabinet Notes, memoranda, letters and other legal documents.
• Work closely with the Senior Attorney to review complaints, prepare assessments of validity and assists the appropriate section in making recommendations for follow-up action.
• Assist in performing court case preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and preparing pre-trial briefs and draft pleadings for filing.
• Research legal documents to provide supporting evidence for a particular argument in a case; drafts legal documents, including motions or briefs, pleadings, affidavits, orders and relevant correspondence on the basis of generally accepted legal guidelines and procedures; locates and interviews expert witnesses and other witnesses and files motions or other documents with the court; all in pursuing cases on behalf of the Authority.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of an up to date repository of laws, judgments, contract precedents and related materials in respect of CATT’s operations.
• Assist in reviewing existing legislation, rules and regulations related to the CATT's operations and recommending appropriate amendments.
• Undertake legal and social science research on public policy issues that have implications for the effective operation of the Children’s Authority and advise managers on relevant legal issues, strategies and solutions that will help the Authority meet its mandate and improve its customer service delivery systems.
• Prepare and maintain case files and documents for court appearances and ensures the timely filing of documents with the court.
• Review relevant case laws and regulations to support legal opinions for the Children’s Authority and prepare both written and oral opinions and presentations.
• Participate in the implementation and management of the Authority’s ADR system and mechanisms; including providing technical support in the delivery of its mediation services.
• Provide technical assistance and support in the implementation of an effective system of record-keeping, filing and retrieval to ensure best practices in matters handled by the Legal Services Section. 
• Maintain and improve professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, participating in professional societies, maintaining affiliations with legal networks and reporting on trends in child protection matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in law
• Legal Education Certificate (to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago)
• Minimum of 3-4 years as a practicing attorney with the specialized practice areas of commercial, property or employment law.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those favourably considered will be contacted.

Closing Date: November 5, 2023