Staff Attorney

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The HopeWorks Staff Attorney is an integral member of the agency’s Legal Department, providing civil legal representation and consultation to survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence in Howard County, Maryland. This role focuses primarily on peace and protective orders, as well as limited representation and advice related to family law (custody, divorce, child support), crime victims’ rights, and related civil legal matters.

The Staff Attorney works closely with the Director of Legal Services, Paralegal, Legal Advocate, and other team members to offer survivor-centered, trauma-informed legal services. The position combines direct client representation, legal counseling, case preparation, and systems advocacy to support the safety, stability, and self-determination of survivors. The Staff Attorney also contributes to the overall functioning of the Legal Department through data tracking, grant reporting support, and participation in outreach and training.

HopeWorks’ staff are invested and engaged in altering the systems and imbalances of power that maintain the status quo and are root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence - including racism, transphobia, poverty, xenophobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to social justice, a deep understanding of the root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence, and a trauma-informed approach to supporting survivors.

Click here to complete the online application: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=124664&clientkey=57F0B2A019C74484C2E21C815D921A34

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland and in good standing.
• At least two (2) years of experience involving protective and peace order practice, intimate partner violence and sexual assault law (civil and/or criminal), and family law.
• Passionate about and committed to the mission, vision, and values of HopeWorks.
• Awareness and understanding of the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence and trauma.
• Understanding of the impact of intersectional oppressions on survivors (including racism, xenophobia, transphobia, ableism, and poverty).
• Experience providing survivor-centered and trauma-informed services.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience with outcomes and evaluation, grant compliance, and/or program development preferred.
• Proficiency in data collection and reporting, and in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Current, valid driver’s license and insurance and/or reliable transportation to travel between office and court, and to partner agencies as needed.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with Maryland civil and family court procedures.
• Experience working in public interest or nonprofit legal settings.
• Ability to monitor and adapt to legislative and policy changes impacting survivors.
• Oral and written fluency in one or more languages in addition to English (such as Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, or French) is highly valued but not required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Representation & Client Services

• Represent clients in temporary and final Peace and Protective Order hearings, including modifications, rescissions, shielding, and contempt proceedings.
• Provide limited representation in select family law matters (e.g., divorce, custody, child support) consistent with program priorities and grant requirements.
• Provide legal consultations and advice to clients regarding their rights, options, and potential outcomes related to divorce, custody, child support, Peace and Protective Orders, and related criminal and civil legal matters.
• Offer civil and criminal court accompaniment and crime-victim advocacy, including coordination with the State’s Attorney’s Office, defense counsel, law enforcement, and other agencies to help clients understand proceedings and exercise their rights.
• Assist clients with pro se preparation, including reviewing and helping complete court forms and pleadings, and drafting ghost-written pleadings and agreements for client use where appropriate.
• Provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered services that promote safety, self-determination, and empowerment.

Case Preparation, Research & Documentation

• Draft and review legal documents including petitions, motions, discovery requests and responses, correspondence, settlement agreements, and other pleadings.
• Assist with discovery and case preparation at the direction of the Director of Legal Services, including evidence collection, witness preparation, and development of trial/hearing strategies.
• Conduct legal research and stay up to date on changes in Maryland law and relevant federal law affecting survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client files, contact logs, and statistical information in electronic case management systems in accordance with agency protocols and funder requirements.

Collaboration, Systems Advocacy & Community Partnerships

• Work in close collaboration with the Legal Advocate, Paralegal, and other HopeWorks departments (Advocacy, Residential, Clinical, Community Engagement, Anti-Trafficking) to coordinate holistic services for clients.
• Provide technical assistance to attorneys, judges, and community partners about the legal needs and rights of survivors.
• Participate in local bar association events, collaborative workgroups, and task forces as assigned to advance survivor-centered practices and strengthen community partnerships.
• Maintain and develop relationships with courts, law enforcement, social service agencies, and other community partners to support effective referrals and coordinated responses.

Program Support, Grants & Administration

• Support the Director of Legal Services with grant-related activities, including data collection, outcome tracking, and drafting portions of grant reports and applications.
• Assist with auditing files for completeness, quality, and compliance with legal and funder requirements.
• Participate in regular legal team and cross-departmental meetings.
• Assist in recruiting, training, and mentoring legal interns, externs, and volunteers as assigned.
• Maintain a current list of relevant trainings and participate in continuing legal education and professional development related to family law, victims’ rights, and trauma-informed practice.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Legal Services in support of the Legal Department and agency mission.

Competencies: An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Legal System Navigation & Advocacy: Understands Maryland civil, family, and criminal court procedures and how cases move through each system. Develops and executes legal strategies, prepares clients for hearings, and advocates effectively in court and with system partners to protect survivors’ rights.

• Data Management & Confidentiality: Maintains accurate and up-to-date client and case records in physical and electronic formats, including calendars and case management systems. Upholds strict confidentiality under ethical rules, agency policy, VAWA, and trauma-informed best practices when handling sensitive client information.

• Judgment & Ethical Decision-Making: Makes sound, timely decisions grounded in facts, law, and professional rules of conduct. Weighs risks and benefits, analyzes complex situations skillfully, prioritizes competing demands, and seeks supervision or consultation when appropriate.

• Communication: Oral and Written: Communicates clearly and respectfully with clients, courts, opposing counsel, and partner agencies. Explains legal concepts in accessible language, uses a trauma-informed approach with survivors, and produces well-organized, persuasive written work including pleadings, correspondence, and legal memoranda.

• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Works cooperatively with the Director of Legal Services, Paralegal, Legal Advocate, and other HopeWorks departments to resolve issues and improve outcomes for clients. Listens actively, incorporates feedback, and remains flexible when navigating barriers within court and community systems.

• Organization & Time Management: Effectively manages a dynamic caseload, deadlines, and court dates. Prioritizes tasks in a fast-paced environment, keeps detailed and organized records, and follows through consistently on case-related and administrative responsibilities.

• Cooperation and Teamwork: Works harmoniously with colleagues to get work done and support shared goals. Responds positively to instructions and procedures, shares critical information in a timely way, and helps maintain a tone of cooperation within the Legal Department and across the agency.

• Quality of Work: Maintains high standards despite pressing deadlines and intense subject matter. Produces accurate, thorough, and professional work; reviews and corrects own errors; and strives for excellence in legal analysis, written product, and client advocacy.

• Reliability: Personally responsible and dependable. Completes work in a timely and consistent manner, is regularly present and punctual, comes prepared for meetings and court, and follows through on commitments to clients, colleagues, and partners.

• Cultural Competency & Humility: Demonstrates respect and sensitivity for diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Approaches clients and colleagues with openness and a willingness to learn, recognizes the impact of bias and oppression on survivors, and adapts services to meet cultural and linguistic needs.

• Commitment to Social Change and Social Justice: Approaches legal work with an understanding of the broader systems that contribute to intimate partner and sexual violence, including racism, transphobia, xenophobia, poverty, and ableism. Uses a social justice lens in case strategy, advocacy, and engagement with partners and systems.

• Safety and Security: Follows safety and security procedures in the office, in court, and when interacting with clients and partners. Uses equipment and materials properly, and contributes to a safe environment for staff and survivors.

• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, speak, communicate and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

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Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

TO APPLY: Applicants must complete an online application and submit a resume and letter of interest. Incomplete applications and applications submitted without a cover letter and resume will not be reviewed. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we will only respond to applicants whose candidacy is being considered. Phone calls will NOT be accepted.

Click here to complete the online application: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=124664&clientkey=57F0B2A019C74484C2E21C815D921A34

HopeWorks is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.