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 announces an immediate opening for a housing attorney working primarily under the Access to Counsel -Tenant Right to Counsel grant, located in Rockville, MD. Staff attorneys will be expected to work with other attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, paralegals, social workers, and students on cases or projects. They must maintain all case files in accordance with MLA standards. Staff attorneys will need to litigate before all state courts and administrative bodies. This position handles housing-related legal matters, including all casework functions, from initial intake through representation of clients in all relevant courts and proceedings. 

In addition, Housing Attorneys throughout MLA meet regularly through the Housing Law Task Force and with other housing-focused legal services organizations to learn and work on housing issues that affect low-income Marylanders. Tasks assigned to staff attorneys may include any or all of, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Screen clients for case acceptance and make referrals, as appropriate. 
• Represent and defend clients in Montgomery District and Circuit Courts. 
• Represent clients in Housing Law matters. 
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients. 
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis as well as legal research. 
• Advise clients of the results of the investigation and research, and counsel clients regarding their options. 
• Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, memoranda of law, briefs, etc., as assigned by supervisors and chiefs. 
• Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients. 
• Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system. 
• Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations and in hearings, trials, and appeals. 
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at trainings and other programs sponsored by the MLA. 
• Participate in outreach activities in the community as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position. 

Requirements:

 

Qualifications 

• 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. 
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 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 with the ability to 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. 
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed. 
• Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software is a plus.
• One (1) to three (3) years of post-bar admission legal experience is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation, or non-profit legal services is a plus.
• Spanish language proficiency is desirable. 

Work Environment

Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting, with regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, instant messaging, email, in person, and in a courtroom. Hybrid in-person and remote work is also available. Certain work duties may be performed in community settings. 

Benefits

The current salary range for the staff attorney position is $79,116 - $122,122. Staff attorneys will be paid under MLA’s Workers Union’s current salary scale, which is subject to annual revision through collective bargaining negotiations. For example:

• The salary for an attorney with one (1) year of experience is $80,305
• The salary for an attorney with three (3) years of experience is $82,681.
• The salary for an attorney with five (5) years of experience is $85,057.

Salary placements for attorneys are on the earliest date of admission to a U.S. state bar, assuming eligibility to practice (either under the Maryland bar or under Rule 15 if another state bar) and continuous full-time legal work experience following the date of admission. In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, three weeks paid time off, sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more. Future flexibility regarding a hybrid work arrangement is a possibility after the onboarding period.

Additional Requirements

• Please submit a resume, legal writing sample, and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application. 
• References will be required at the time of the final interview. 
• Position will remain open until filled. 

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.