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20. Prepare or help prepare proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, <br />and orders when they will be used in the court's decision <br />Action: Proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and orders can be prepared <br />before a hearing. When the judge is prepared to enter his or her ruling, the judge <br />can use the proposed findings or amend them as appropriate. Once the order is <br />made, the agency attorney should ensure a written order is entered and provided <br />to the agency. <br />Commentary: By preparing the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, <br />the agency attorney has the opportunity to frame the case and ruling for the judge. <br />This may assure accurate orders are entered that meet federally mandated <br />requirements, such as reasonable efforts findings. It may also result in orders that <br />favor the agency, preserve appellate issues, and help the agency attorney clarify <br />desired outcomes before a hearing begins. The agency attorney could provide the <br />judge with the proposed findings and orders on a computer disk or electronically <br />when the judge requests. When a judge prefers not to receive these proposed <br />findings and orders, the agency attorney should not be required to provide them. <br />C-5 Post Hearings/Appeals: <br />21. Follow all court orders pertaining to the attorney for the client/agency <br />Commentary: There may be times the judge orders an agency attorney to do <br />something, such as file a termination of parental rights petition by a certain date. <br />The agency attorney must comply with such orders, or appeal them as <br />appropriate. <br />22. Review court orders to ensure accuracy and clarity and review with <br />agency when necessary <br />Action: After the hearing, the agency attorney and caseworker should each review <br />the written order to ensure it reflects the court's verbal order. If the order is <br />incorrect, the attorney should take whatever steps are necessary to correct it. If the <br />order is correct but controversial, the caseworker is unhappy with it, or the <br />caseworker has trouble understanding what is required, the agency attorney <br />should review it with the caseworker and/or the caseworker's supervisor and <br />potentially the agency's administrator and the attorney's supervisor. Follow <br />whatever conflict resolution system is developed (see D-1 below). The agency <br />attorney should counsel the agency to follow the order until a stay or other relief <br />is secured. <br />23. Take reasonable steps to ensure the agency complies with court orders <br />14 <br />., ; <br />~~ <br />