Qs Flashcards
What questions do you have for us about this position or the department?
-what needs are you looking for(appeals, trial, training etc)
-how big is the unit?
-do most people live close to the office?
-one dependency court for the whole county?
-trainings
How do you stay updated on changes in juvenile law and child welfare legislation?
-coconet listserv
-coconet case updates
-go to trainings
What role does County Counsel play in juvenile dependency cases?
-drive the bus
-adhere to the law (emergency placement)
Describe a time when you had to interpret a complex legal statute in a dependency case.
Relative placement
How do you prepare for a contested hearing?
-prepare even before I know that it will be contested (availability, have dates available)
-make a plan (better to prep too early than too late) (briefing, staffing, preparation)
What are the most significant challenges in juvenile dependency law?
-Rarely have entirely “good” options
-emotionally charged cases
How do you manage a high caseload and prioritize your cases?
-every morning I rewrite my list of priorities
-learn to triage (it’s just not wise to treat each case exactly equally)
How do you handle cases involving multiple children?
-identify possible conflicts
-identify how these kids have different needs
What steps do you take to ensure that all parties are properly represented and heard in court?
-keep channels of communication open (exchange contact info with opposing counsel)
Describe a time when you successfully argued for the removal of a child from a home.
17 yo with limited nexis despite parents substance abuse
How do you collaborate with social workers and other agencies involved in dependency cases?
-listen rather than question their decisions
-work as a team [show respect (goes a long way to ask qs [SLP]]
How would you handle a case where the Agency wants a different outcome than what you believe is in their best interest?
-duty to my client to provide the law
-Ex: Salomon rec at SMR to terminate services
How do you ensure ethical conduct in your practice of juvenile dependency law?
-trust your instincts
-ask others when you have a red flag
Describe a time when you had to navigate a difficult ethical dilemma in a case.
judge called me to have an ex parte discussion
-Discussed my ethical concerns with the judge shortly after
How do you deal with situations where you personally disagree with your client’s position or the court’s decision?
My job is to advocate within the bounds of the law
So long as the position or decision is legal, I generally have to respect it.
How do you maintain professionalism when dealing with emotionally charged cases?
-No case is worth losing my reputation for professionalism
-It may be tempting to say something petty etc. BUT the collaborative spirit of dependency court is essential
-Also acknowledge that these are emotionally charged cases, so give counsel for parents/child room to work with
How do you handle cases involving non-English-speaking families or families with cultural differences?
There needs to be a balance
-some understanding that cultural differences lead to different approaches to raising kids
-but some actions are just not acceptable, even with an open-mind
[Ex: Father from India who wrapped his daughter in saran wrap and held a bb gun to her head]
Why are you interested in working for the County Counsel in San Bernardino’s Juvenile Dependency department?
-return home
-learn in a more structured environment
What strengths do you bring to this role?
-overview of a dependency case at all stages
-passionate
Describe a time when you had to handle a particularly difficult dependency case. How did you manage it?
SB
Break it down into pieces
What challenges have you faced in your legal career, and how have you overcome them?
Not wanting to say “IDK”
-As a new attorney I am at my worst when I have to mke a guess
-lawyers are not expected to know everything
-“I’m not certain. Let me look into this and send you a follow up email”
How do you prepare your witnesses to testify in court?
-be accommodating
-try to make it as unstressful as possible
How do you handle objections in court during a dependency hearing?
*
What is your strategy for delivering opening and closing arguments in a dependency trial?
-start with the law
-use the most compelling points, not everything
How do you prepare for an appeal in a dependency case?
-Make a plan (review the record, review the opening brief, statement of facts, argument)
-just do it
Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision in court. How did you handle it?
Whether to proceed when father in prison was not present for .26 terminating parental rights
How do you think the legal system can improve to better serve children in the dependency system?
-on a granular level: oppose treating timeline differently depending on age
-big picture: better resources to avoid continuances
Why do you believe you are the best candidate for this position?
-already have a very strong baseline of dependency experience
-know what I’m getting myself into (both for burnout and passionate)
What do you think are the key qualities of a successful attorney in the juvenile dependency field?
-understand my role as an attorney (making the best of a bad situation, not fix things)
-don’t take these cases home (figuratively)
What interests you most about juvenile dependency law?
I understand how monumentally important these decisions will be on this individual’s life
-terminating parental rights
=deciding who the child will be placed with
-removing a child from their home
What is your experience with writing legal briefs or other court documents related to juvenile dependency cases?
I prepare briefs often
-when I foresee this issue coming up
-particularly when I expect the judge to be unfamiliar with the law
What are your weaknesses?
-work-life balance
Can you give me an example of taking constructive criticism?
Supervisor took issue with ways I did things such as:
-critiquing reports after they were written
Describe a time you went above and beyond for a client?
-preparing one pagers with key qs when considering terminating services
How would you deal with a child who does not want to speak with you?
-First, be patient and understanding. These kids are going through really difficult moments
-At a certain point, the best thing I can do is tell them we can talk another day
Tell me about a time that you had to learn something new quickly
Relative placement
Have you ever had to deal with a difficult coworker? How did you deal with it?
Remember that we are on the same team
Would happen on campaigns, where we could not be more on the same team
Have you ever had to provide bad news to a client? How did you do it?
Recent situation where I had to explain to my client that we did not have the evidence to seek an (a) allegation
Why do you want to work for CLC?
-I’d like to return home.
-see dependency from a different perspective
-I think minor’s counsel may be better fit as I see myself as less adversarial and more of a peacemaker, thoughtful
