Description
Role: ATTORNEY
Position Title: Child Welfare Attorney
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Reports to: Chief Legal Officer
Company: DePelchin Family Services
Location: Houston, TX
DePelchin is currently hiring two (2) Child Welfare Attorneys to represent the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) team serving DFPS Region 6A/6B, which includes Harris County and 12 surrounding counties. This position represents the SSCC in court hearings and legal proceedings throughout Stage I and Stage II of Texas’ Community-Based Care transition. The Attorney will also be responsible for supervising the Court Liaison Paralegal. This role involves frequent travel across the 13-county Region 6 for court hearings and client meetings.
Primary Responsibilities:
During Stage I, the SSCC is responsible for foster care placements and services for children in DFPS custody, including overseeing adoptions and meeting children’s day-to-day needs. However, DFPS retains primary case management responsibility and legal oversight.
During Stage II, the SSCC assumes primary case management responsibilities for children in care, significantly expanding its role. Responsibilities will include developing and managing service plans, conducting required visits, and managing court-related activities and key permanency decisions (e.g., reunification versus termination) that were previously handled by DFPS. Accordingly, the attorney’s role will expand to take the lead on legal matters.
In addition to courtroom responsibilities, the attorney will support broader organizational and educational initiatives and will supervise the Court Liaison Paralegal.
Required Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
- Active Texas State Bar membership required.
- Five (5) years’ experience in family law, child welfare litigation, CPS legal cases, or related courtroom experience.
- Prior experience with Child Protective Services (CPS) cases, foster care/adoption law, or representing DFPS/parents/children in CPS proceedings a strong plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- In-depth knowledge of Texas Family Code (particularly Chapters 262, 263, 264) and child welfare regulations.
- Familiarity with DFPS practices, court procedures in child protection cases, and the Community-Based Care (CBC) model including Stage I and II responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to litigate or appear in court, negotiate, and advocate effectively.
- Comfortable preparing witnesses, presenting evidence, and handling high-stakes hearings (e.g. termination of parental rights trials).
- Excellent legal writing abilities for drafting motions, court reports, and legal guidance documents.
- Strong verbal communication to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers (caseworkers, stakeholders) and to collaborate with multiple parties (judges, opposing counsel, DFPS personnel).
- Passion for child welfare and improving outcomes for children and families.
- Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team (caseworkers, program staff, leadership) and adapt as the SSCC expands its role.
- Proven ethical judgment, confidentiality, and commitment to the best interests of children in the foster care system.
- Willingness to travel regularly within Region 6A/6B (a 13-county area) for court hearings, meetings, and trainings.
Work Conditions:
- Environment: Hybrid – Combination of on-site (court appearances, in-office meetings) and remote work (up to two days per week when court is not in session). Must be accessible and responsive during business hours even on remote days.
- Range of Schedule: Mon – Fri, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Flexibility to manage a schedule that includes in-court days, in-office work, and remote work.
- Travel: Frequent, with travel throughout Harris County and 12 surrounding counties for court and client meetings. May require some statewide travel for training or meetings with DFPS as needed. Must have reliable personal transportation, valid Texas Driver License and current Auto Insurance.
