Staff Attorney

About the role

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) announces a full-time, hybrid Family Law/Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) staff attorney position in the Montgomery County office. MLA provides representation to children in CINA matters pursuant to a contract with the state of Maryland. This position handles legal advocacy for children in juvenile courts and the foster care system, as well as adult litigants in family law cases including custody and divorce matters. The attorney represents child clients in CINA cases of all ages and adult family law clients primarily before the Maryland Circuit and Appellate Courts, and engages in advocacy in other forums such as family meetings, mediations, and IEP meetings.

In CINA proceedings, the staff attorney advocates to ensure the child’s perspective, opinions, and needs are centered before the court and pursues legal outcomes consistent with the child’s wishes or best interests. The attorney also participates in MLA task forces, internal and external committees, and outreach activities and clinics as directed.

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 results of investigation and research and counsel clients regarding their options.
• Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, counter-complaints, motions, memoranda of law, and briefs.
• Request and respond to discovery requests.
• Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
• Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations and in hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Work with various community groups as assigned by the supervisor.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at Maryland 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.

Requirements

• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland, admitted in another jurisdiction, or a graduate of an ABA-approved law school 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.
• A minimum of one (1) year of prior legal experience in child welfare, juvenile, or related family law proceedings. Maryland-specific experience is preferred but not required.
• 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, litigation, and communication skills.
• Self-starter with 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.
• Experience working with children preferred.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland and outside of the state as needed.
• Access to a vehicle to complete required visits with child clients in the community.
• Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency 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. Certain work duties may be performed in community settings.

Pay

The current salary range for the staff attorney position is $79,116 - $122,122. Staff attorneys will be paid according to Maryland Legal Aid’s Workers Union’s current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. Salary placements are based on the earliest date of admission to a U.S. state bar (assuming eligibility to practice in Maryland) and continuous full-time legal work experience following the date of admission. Examples:

• One (1) year of experience: $80,305
• Three (3) years of experience: $82,681
• Five (5) years of experience: $85,057

Benefits

Maryland Legal Aid provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k)-retirement plan
• Three weeks of paid time off
• Sick leave
• 14 annual paid holidays
• Hybrid work arrangement