The Vendor is required to provide for temporary, with the opportunity for ongoing professional legal services.
- This work includes all necessary work including, but not limited to, case conferencing and consultation with staff and in-house legal staff, review and signoff of required documents, review of petitions on behalf of the department, preparation of witnesses and related paperwork, participation in the blind review process to maximize family unification where possible, presenting/arguing on behalf of the department before the following courts and completion of docket sheets for all court appearances:
• Supreme Court to cover article 78 hearings from persons disputing a fair hearing decision, and guardianship proceedings.
• Surrogates court- to cover estate settlements, guardianship proceedings, and integrated domestic violence cases that the department is party to.
• Appellate division/court of appeals – bringing and defending cases on appeal.
• Legal consultant to the commissioner on policy, process or matters related to responsibilities of the office of commissioner.
• Review and coordinate any work that may be filed with the court.
• Legal advisor to staff on legal sufficiency of bringing a case to petition.
• Review of prepared petitions.
• Assist agency staff in establishing compliance standards under new or existing laws (e.g. title iv-e, pursuant to the adoption and safe families act (ASFA).
• Review, prepare and appear where required at fair hearings/expungement hearings for due process related to programs such as public assistance determinations or child neglect/abuse determinations.
• Participate in policy development on key issues related to compliance/legal operations of the department.
• Be an active participant in formal court collaborations and other identified venues that require legal participation as determined by the department.
• Coordinate, advice and review activities with the district attorney’s office on article 10 or fraud investigations with related criminal charges.
• Be available for consultation during business hours and court hours and as needs demand; limited after hours contact may be necessary in emergent situations.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: April 25, 2025