Supervising 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. Maryland Legal Aid also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. Maryland Legal Aid’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. Maryland Legal Aid 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

Maryland Legal Aid announces an immediate opening for a full-time Supervising Attorney for the Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) in the Baltimore County office in Towson, Maryland. The Supervising Attorney is responsible for planning the TRCP unit’s work, implementing its priorities, and supervising and evaluating staff to ensure high-quality legal representation. The Supervising Attorney will also carry a caseload. The Supervising Attorney will supervise, manage, and support the work of advocates in the Baltimore County office in the delivery of legal services, including advice and representation, outreach, and advocacy in the areas of landlord-tenant, real property, and public and subsidized housing, in an efficient, client-centered, and compassionate manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) Leadership

• Plan and assign the legal work of the TRCP unit in coordination with the Chief Attorney, including participating in client intake and determining case assignments and referrals for pro bono representation.
• Help identify and develop strategies to address systemic issues within the TRCP unit.
• Support hiring efforts to attract talented staff who are committed to the mission and work of Maryland Legal Aid.
• Support local implementation of the Access to Counsel in Evictions efforts in Baltimore County.

Staff Supervision, Training, and Professional Development

• Provide positive leadership, guidance, and supervision to a staff that currently consists of staff attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and administrative staff in coordination with the Chief Attorney.
• Monitor and supervise case handling of staff to ensure high-quality legal representation, including reviewing substantive legal work and assisting with appellate litigation.
• Guide the professional development of staff, including co-counseling of cases and providing meaningful assessments and evaluation of staff and their advocacy efforts, caseloads, and productivity.
• Identify and address staff training needs.
• Assist and ensure staff comply with required timekeeping and grant-reporting obligations.
• Handle personnel matters in consultation with the Chief Attorney executive staff, including, but not limited to, grievances and employee disciplinary matters.

Client Representation and Legal Advocacy

• Represent and defend clients in Baltimore County Circuit and District Courts.
• Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system.

Community Engagement, Grant Compliance, and Administrative Responsibilities

• Encourage staff engagement with the community and attend client and community outreach and education initiatives.
• Assist the Chief Attorney with data collection, grant reporting and writing, and ensuring that administrative and regulatory requirements are met.
• Fill in for the Chief Attorney and assume their duties when they are absent from the office for an extended period and perform other managerial/supervisory duties not specifically listed above as determined from time to time by the Chief.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at trainings and other programs sponsored by Maryland Legal Aid.
• Support Maryland Legal Aid’s strategic plan in all aspects of the office’s work, including litigation and advocacy, communications, and community education.
• Represent Maryland Legal Aid in inter-agency workgroups, task forces, and other ad hoc bodies.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.

Requirements:

• 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 date of employment.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Two years or more supervisory or leadership experience (formal or informal), preferred.
• Interest in leading and developing a team of lawyers and paralegals and supporting the Chief Attorney in management of staff, programs, and compliance.
• Five or more years of experience as a practicing attorney, with a preference for demonstrated litigation experience in the areas of landlord-tenant, public and subsidized housing, and consumer law.
• 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 preferred.
• Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation or providing nonprofit legal services preferred.

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 in Baltimore County. Certain work duties may be performed in community settings.

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $96,000.00 - $110,000.00. In addition, Maryland Legal Aid provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, 3 weeks paid time off, paid 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, cover letter, and writing sample describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.
• References will be required at the time of the final interview.
• No telephone calls, please. The 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 send an updated resume, cover letter, and writing sample via the online application.