Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change.

Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aid has provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities, helping to remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy.

Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide. 

Job Summary: MLA seeks an experienced, highly organized, collaborative, mission-driven individual to serve as a full-time Staff Attorney in the Workers’ Rights Unit in Baltimore City, Maryland. This new unit is part of the MLA’s efforts to promote economic security by protecting and advancing the rights of Maryland’s low-wage and vulnerable workers. The Staff Attorney will provide direct representation, community advocacy, and systemic impact work, with a particular initial focus on combatting wage theft and independent contractor misclassification. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to handle a broad range of duties in a timely manner. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply via Paylocity. Links to the posting are noted below, and a copy of the announcement is also attached. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews/visits with clients.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis and legal research. 
• Advise clients of the results of investigation and research and counsel clients regarding their options. 
• Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, and counter-complaints, etc.
• Draft memoranda of law, briefs, etc.
• Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
• Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Work with various community groups and accept speaking engagements as assigned by supervisors and chiefs.
• Continue professional development and education by attending trainings and other programs sponsored by the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau.
• Participate in community outreach and coalitions.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system. 
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position's essential functions. 

Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in the State of Maryland. Out-of-state attorneys must be able and available to take the next scheduled bar exam following the date of employment.
• At least three (3) years of experience practicing as a lawyer.
• Knowledge of principles of civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Ability to use a computer, web-based applications, and computer programs such as Office 365, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
• Self-starter who can juggle multiple priorities and meet regular deadlines in a fast-paced environment while balancing a full workload.
• Ability to provide quality legal advocacy and representation for a low-income, diverse client base. 
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed. 

Salary & Benefits

The current salary range for staff attorneys is $79,116 - $122,122, paid in accordance with MLA’s Workers Union's current salary scale, which is subject to annual revision through collective bargaining negotiations. For example:

• one (1) year of experience is $80,305.
• three (3) years of experience is $82,681.
• five (5) years of experience is $85,057.

In addition, MLA offers employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions; three weeks of paid time off; sick leave; 14 paid annual holidays; a hybrid work arrangement; and more. 

Additional Requirements:

• Current Resume
• Legal Writing Sample
• Cover letter explaining your skills and interest in the position
• References will be required at the time of the final interview

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.

Anyone interested in applying must apply via the online application.