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Court Improvement Program' a may have training money available that the agency <br />attorney manager may be able to access to defray costs of agency attorney <br />training. Similarly, the agency attorney manager should reach out to the state and <br />local bar associations, area law schools or local Child Law Institutes to learn <br />about available education opportunities. Further, the agency attorney manager <br />should ensure the attorneys have access to professional publications to stay <br />current on the law and promising practices in child welfare. <br />5. Create a brief and forms bank <br />Action: Develop standard briefs, memoranda of law and forms that attorneys can <br />use, so they do not "reinvent the wheel" for each new project. For example, there <br />could be sample discovery request forms, motions, notice of appeal, and even <br />petitions. Similarly, memoranda of law and appellate briefs follow certain <br />patterns that the attorney could copy and only have to fill in the specific facts of a <br />case. These forms and briefs should be available on the computer and hard copy <br />and should be maintained in a central location. <br />6. Ensure the office has quality technical and support staff <br />Action: The agency attorney manager should advocate for high quality technical <br />and staff support. The agency attorney must have adequate and operational <br />equipment to do the high level job described in these standards. Additionally, <br />quality staff support is essential. The office should employ qualified legal <br />assistants and administrative assistants to help the agency attorney. The agency <br />attorney manager should create detailed job descriptions for these staff members <br />to be sure they are providing necessary assistance. For instance, a qualified legal <br />assistant can do research, help draft petitions, schedule and help prepare witnesses <br />and more. <br />Commentary: The agency attorney cannot do a good job when he or she spends a <br />lot of time trying to get the copy machine to work. The attorney must at least have <br />access to a good quality computer, voice mail, fax machine and copier to get the <br />work done efficiently and with as little stress as possible. Also, by employing <br />qualified staff, the attorney will be free to perform tasks essential to quality <br />representation. <br />6. Develop and follow a hiring practice focused on hiring highly qualified <br />candidates <br />Action: The agency attorney manager should give a great deal of attention to <br />hiring the best attorney possible. The agency attorney manager should form a <br />hiring committee made up of managing and line agency attorneys and possibly an <br />agency representative. Desired qualities of a new agency attorney should be <br />determined, focusing on educational and professional achievements; experience <br />and commitment to the child welfare field; interpersonal skills; diversity and the <br />22 <br />-~ <br />a ~ ={, <br />