Staff Attorney
About the role
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 identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers.
This full-time housing attorney position works primarily under the Access to Counsel (ACE) / Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) in the Baltimore County office in Towson, Maryland. Staff attorneys collaborate with other attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, paralegals, social workers, and students on cases or projects, litigate before all state courts and administrative bodies, and handle housing-related legal matters from intake through representation in all relevant courts and proceedings. Housing attorneys also participate in the Housing Law Task Force and work with other housing-focused legal services organizations on issues affecting low-income Marylanders.
Responsibilities
- Screen clients for case acceptance and make referrals, as appropriate.
- Represent and defend clients in Baltimore County District and Circuit Courts.
- Handle housing law matters, including conducting interviews, factual investigation, legal research, and advising clients of their options.
- Draft pleadings such as complaints, answers, motions, memoranda of law, and briefs.
- Maintain case records in the Legal Server case management system.
- Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals.
- Engage in professional development through trainings and other programs.
- Participate in community outreach activities as appropriate.
- Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions.
Requirements
- Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or eligible for admission (out-of-state attorneys must take the next scheduled bar exam following employment).
- Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
- Knowledge of civil law principles, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
- Proficiency with computers, web-based applications, and Office 365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and balance a full workload in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to provide quality legal advocacy 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).
- One to three years of post-bar admission legal experience (preferred but not required).
- Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation or non-profit legal services (preferred).
- Spanish language proficiency (desirable).
Work Environment
Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting, with regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, instant messaging, email, and in-person, as well as in courtrooms. Hybrid in-person and remote work is available. Certain duties may be performed in community settings.
Benefits
- Salary range: $79,116 - $121,122, based on Maryland Legal Aid’s Workers Union salary scale (subject to annual revision through collective bargaining). Placement determined by date of admission to a U.S. state bar and continuous full-time legal work experience.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
- 401(k)-retirement plan.
- Three weeks paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays.
- Potential for future hybrid work arrangements after onboarding.
To apply, submit a resume, legal writing sample, and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications. References will be required at the time of the final interview.