Staff Attorney - Child In Need of Assistance (CINA)

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 one full-time staff attorney position in the Baltimore City office to focus on Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) child welfare cases, and the responsibilities include providing competent legal representation in child welfare proceedings before the juvenile and appellate courts, as well as all other ancillary proceedings such as FIMS, TPR mediations, IEP meetings. The responsibilities include representing clients in general practice cases related to legal advocacy, ranging from intake to representation of clients before administrative tribunals, District, Circuit, appellate, and federal courts, and all relevant agencies. Staff Attorneys are expected to participate in outreach activities and clinics as directed. Participation in Legal Aid Task Forces and other internal/external committees is also required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals as appropriate.
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis as well as 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 the supervisor.
• Continue professional development and education by attending Legal Aid-sponsored training and other programs.
• 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, or graduate of an ABA-approved law school 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 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 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 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.
• Spanish language proficiency desirable.

Work Environment 

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

Benefits

The current salary range for the staff attorney position is $76,812.00 - $118,565.00. Staff attorneys will be paid by MLA’s Workers Union’s current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. For example:

• The salary for an attorney with one (1) year of experience is $77,966.
• 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.

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, two 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 apply online.

Salary : $76,812 - $118,565