Court Liaison Paralegal

Position: Court Liaison Paralegal
Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt
Reports to: Child Welfare Attorney
Company: DePelchin Family Services
Location: Houston, TX

Position Description:
The Court Liaison Paralegal will be an integral member of the legal team representing the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) serving DFPS Region 6A/6B, which includes Harris County and 12 surrounding counties. The Paralegal will report directly to a Child Welfare Attorney and provide critical support in both in-court and out-of-court settings during Texas’ Community-Based Care transition (Stage I and Stage II). This role involves frequent travel across the 13-county Region 6 for court hearings and client meetings.

Primary Responsibilities:
Stage I – Initial Implementation (Placement & Services)
During Stage I, the SSCC is responsible for foster care placement and service provision while DFPS retains case management and legal oversight. In this phase, the Court Liaison Paralegal focuses on supporting the SSCC attorney and SSCC programs in collaboration with DFPS:

1. Court Hearings Coordination & Support: Track and calendar all court hearings (e.g. emergency removals, status hearings, permanency reviews) involving children placed by the SSCC. Prepare case files and documents for each hearing, ensuring the Child Welfare Attorney has necessary reports, placement updates, and exhibits. Attend hearings alongside the attorney to manage exhibits, take notes on rulings, and ensure any court directives are documented for follow-up.
2. Compliance Monitoring & Communication: Support Stage I compliance by monitoring adherence to court orders and DFPS policies. Keep detailed logs of required actions (visitation schedules, services ordered by the court, deadlines) and remind SSCC staff of upcoming obligations. Facilitate communication with DFPS case workers and attorneys to share information and case updates, ensuring the SSCC’s efforts align with legal requirements set by DFPS and the courts.
3. Adoption and Permanency Support: Assist with legal documentation and coordination for adoptions and permanency plans overseen by the SSCC. Gather and organize necessary paperwork (e.g. adoption agreements, termination of parental rights (TPR) documents, court forms) for attorney review and filing. Work with adoption specialists, DFPS personnel, and external attorneys to ensure all adoption cases are filed correctly and that permanency outcomes meet all legal and procedural standards.
4. Records Management & Issue Escalation: Maintain organized case files and records of Stage I legal activities, including court filings, orders, and correspondence. Identify and elevate any potential legal or compliance issues to the Child Welfare Attorney – for example, noticing patterns of foster home concerns, missing documentation, or liability risks. Assist in preparing incident reports or memos when issues arise, so that the SSCC attorney and SSCC leadership can address and resolve them.

Stage II – Full Case Management (Expanded Role)
In Stage II, the SSCC assumes all case management duties from DFPS, significantly expanding its role in each case. The Court Liaison Paralegal’s responsibilities likewise grow as the SSCC plays a greater role in court proceedings and case decisions:

1. Court Filings & Docket Management: Prepare and organize all court documents on behalf of the SSCC in Stage II. Draft or format motions, orders, affidavits, and hearing notices under the SSCC attorney’s direction, and file them with the appropriate courts in a timely manner. Maintain a master docket of all cases under SSCC management – tracking court dates, report deadlines, and ensuring that no hearing or required filing is missed.
2. Case Preparation & Witness Support: Work closely with SSCC case managers to prepare for court hearings and trials. Compile evidence and exhibits (e.g. medical records, school records, service provider reports) and create exhibit binders or electronic files for use in court. Schedule and coordinate witness preparation meetings; assist the attorney in readying SSCC staff and other witnesses for testimony by providing them with key documents and a briefing on court procedures. On hearing days, ensure all witnesses and necessary case files are present or readily accessible, enabling proceedings to run smoothly.
3. Document Drafting & Review: Under the supervision of the SSCC Child Welfare Attorney, help draft Stage II case documents such as permanency progress reports, family service plans, and court reports. Review drafts for accuracy and completeness – cross-checking details against case records and DFPS guidelines. Ensure that each document clearly reflects the SSCC’s case recommendations and meets all legal requirements (formatting, content, and timelines) before the SSCC attorney’s final approval and submission to the court.
4. Liaison with Courts and Parties: Serve as a key administrative liaison between the SSCC’s legal team and external stakeholders during Stage II. Coordinate with court clerks on scheduling matters, submit agreed orders or respond to court requests promptly, and circulate filed orders and documents to all parties (e.g. DFPS attorneys, attorneys ad litem, CASAs) as needed. Maintain open lines of communication with opposing counsel, guardians ad litem, and other parties to facilitate information sharing (for example, providing the SSCC’s court reports to all attorneys before a hearing). Ensure that any court instructions or changes (e.g. schedule updates, new procedural requirements) are communicated to the SSCC team in a timely manner.
5. Compliance Tracking & Internal Support: Keep an active checklist of all court-imposed deadlines and post-hearing tasks. After each hearing, summarize outcomes and requirements (such as services ordered, visitation changes, upcoming review dates) and distribute this information to the relevant SSCC staff. Track the SSCC’s fulfillment of all court orders and regulatory obligations in Stage II, flagging any compliance issues to the attorney. Assist with developing internal legal administrative processes (e.g. case tracking databases, template forms) to support the growing Stage II caseload, and help build the SSCC’s legal capacity by mentoring any junior legal staff or interns as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in paralegal studies, legal studies, or a related field.
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience as a paralegal or legal assistant required, ideally with a focus in family law, child welfare, or litigation involving CPS cases.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Paralegal certification from an ABA-approved program strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting attorneys in court proceedings and managing high-volume dockets a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Familiarity with the Texas Family Code and child welfare legal procedures preferred.
• Understanding of Texas court filing systems (including e-filing) and family court processes.
• Knowledge of the Community-Based Care model and the respective roles of SSCC vs. DFPS in Stage I and II highly beneficial.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail for managing multiple cases and deadlines.
• Strong written communication skills for drafting correspondence and court documents, and clear verbal communication to coordinate with attorneys, caseworkers, and court personnel.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency in standard office software and legal research tools; ability to quickly learn internal case management systems.
• Passion for child welfare and improving outcomes for children and families.
• Comfortable working on a multidisciplinary team (with case managers, social workers, external agencies) and able to adapt as the SSCC’s role expands from Stage I to Stage II.
• High ethical standards, professionalism in court settings, and a strong commitment to the best interests of children in foster care.
• Willingness to travel regularly within Region 6A/6B (a 13-county area) for court hearings, meetings, and trainings.

Work Conditions:

• Environment: Hybrid – When court is in session or on designated in-office days, the paralegal will be on-site (at court or in the office as required). When court is not in session, up to two days per week may be worked remotely, with flexibility as needed. Must remain accessible and responsive during standard business hours, including 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, Must be able to travel throughout Harris County and surrounding counties in the region for court appearances and stakeholder meetings. Occasional statewide travel for training or meetings with DFPS and partner agencies may be required. Must have reliable personal transportation. (Reliable personal transportation, valid Texas Driver License and current Auto Insurance required).

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.