Parent Advocate

Carolina Parent Defenders (CPD) is seeking a passionate and client-centered attorney to join our growing interdisciplinary team in the Triangle area of North Carolina.

CPD is a nonprofit defender office committed to providing creative, high-quality, holistic representation to parents involved in abuse, neglect, dependency, and termination of parental rights proceedings. Our work is rooted in client-centered advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to keeping families together.

This is a fast-paced, collaborative position that requires initiative, compassion, attention to detail, and a commitment to fierce advocacy for family unification.

The ideal candidate is someone who combines strong relationship-building and advocacy skills with curiosity, critical thinking, and an understanding of how socio-legal systems impact families. This role requires both direct client support and investigative work in furtherance of the client’s legal goals. The Parent Advocate will work closely with attorneys and other team members to advance case strategy, support clients through complex systems, and help build strong, holistic defenses for families.

• Work collaboratively with attorneys and interdisciplinary team members to develop and support case strategy and theory of the case

• Build trusting relationships with clients and their families through trauma-informed, dignity-centered advocacy

• Maintain regular communication with clients and support them throughout all stages of their case

• Assist clients in navigating barriers related to housing, treatment, transportation, education, reunification services, and other issues impacting family stability

• Advocate for parents during Child and Family Team meetings, Permanency Planning Review meetings, and other DSS or foster agency meetings

• Support clients in communications with DSS, service providers, schools, and other system actors

• Connect clients with community resources and advocate for them with service providers when appropriate

• Assist with releases, subpoenas, and the collection of collateral information

• Assist attorneys and investigators with records collection and review, documentation, witnesses, and evidence gathering

• Participate in legal strategy meetings, client meetings, court preparation, and interdisciplinary case conferences

• Document work in the office case management system

• Engage in strategic advocacy that recognizes the impact of race, poverty, surveillance, and family regulation systems on clients and communities

• Help build and strengthen CPD’s collaborative defense model and office practices

• Candidates should possess

• Commitment to defending the rights and dignity of parents involved in the child family regulation system

• Strong understanding of how race, poverty, and systemic inequities shape families’ experiences within the family regulation system

• Experience working in and with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills

• Ability to build trust with clients experiencing crisis, trauma, and system involvement

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to multitask and manage deadlines in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality in sensitive matters

• Commitment to fierce advocacy and willingness to strategically challenge authority in defense of our clients

• Ability to receive feedback, reflect, and adapt

Preferred but not required:

• Experience in advocacy, social work, investigation, mitigation, organizing, or public defense

• Familiarity with family court, child protection agencies, and/or the foster system

• Lived experience navigating family regulation or related systems

• Spanish language fluency

Salary is commensurate with experience. CPD offers a supportive and collaborative work environment committed to sustainability in public interest practice. Additional information regarding benefits, leave, and workplace flexibility will be discussed during the hiring process.

Please submit:

• Resume

• Cover letter describing your interest in joining Carolina Parent Defenders

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit your application materials in one PDF to contact@carolinaparentdefenders.org.

CPD is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applicants from historically marginalized communities and individuals directly impacted by family regulation systems to apply.