Staff Attorney - Victim's Assistance Project

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

The Statewide Advocacy Support Unit announces a full-time staff attorney position available in our Victim’s Assistance Project (VAP). The VAP team is comprised of three staff attorneys, two paralegals, and one supervising attorney. VAP’s mission is to provide holistic legal services, advocacy, and support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. VAP seeks attorneys with a minimum of 1 to 3 years’ experience to represent survivors in protective order and family law cases, and possibly in housing and consumer law matters stemming from their victimization. Attorneys must be committed to pursuing social justice and have experience working with survivors of abuse.

The attorney will be based out of MLA’s Baltimore City office but will provide legal services to survivors in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Carroll, and Howard Counties. In addition to litigating cases at the trial level, the attorney will also be involved in appellate work, community outreach efforts, policy discussions and impact litigation, as well as professional training. The attorney will report directly to the Supervising Attorney for this project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Zealously represent clients in court in protective order, divorce, and custody cases, and advocate for clients involved in the criminal legal system as victim-witnesses.
• Conduct client interviews and provide clear legal advice.
• Develop case strategy for representation at trial through legal research and factual investigation.
• Draft complaints, answers, counter-complaints, memoranda of law, and legal briefs.
• Maintain relationships with community anti-violence groups and accept local speaking engagements.
• Continue professional development and education through trainings sponsored by the Maryland Legal Aid.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.

Qualifications:

• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in the State of Maryland.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• One (1) to three (3) years of legal experience, which can include clerkships or fellowships.
• 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 leadership skills. Must be willing to work collaboratively to meet client needs.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet regular deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland, with access to reliable transportation.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and serving marginalized communities.
• Prior experience working with survivors of abuse.

Work Environment

Staff attorneys are permitted to work from home at least two (2) days per week, as permitted by their court schedule and case needs. When not working from home, staff attorneys will work from the Baltimore City office of MLA, or from Court.

Benefits

Staff attorneys will be paid in accordance with MLA’s current salary range $76,812 - $118,565, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. For 2024, for example:

• The salary for an attorney with one (1) year of experience is $76, 812.
• The salary for an attorney with three (3) years of experience is $80, 273.
• The salary for an attorney with five (5) years of experience is $82, 580.

In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, 3 weeks paid time off, sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, a hybrid work arrangement, and more.

Additional Requirements:

• Current Resume
• 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 submit their application online.