Staff Attorney - Guardianship

About the Organization

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) provides life-changing civil legal assistance to eligible residents in every part of the State. Since 1911, MLA has provided high-quality legal services to low-income and marginalized individuals and communities—helping them remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and an overall better life. MLA is dedicated to preserving the basic human needs and basic human rights of clients, particularly as they navigate the justice system.

About the Role

MLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time Guardianship staff attorney-floater position in the Statewide Advocacy Support located in Baltimore, Maryland. This position handles all functions related to legal advocacy with a focus on adult guardianship cases. Responsibilities include representing indigent adults involved in petitions for guardianship and the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board (APGRB) in various Circuit Courts, reviewing hearings, appeals, and other related matters.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients as assigned by the court.
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews/visits with clients.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis and 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 supervisors and chiefs.
• Continue professional development and education by attending trainings and other programs sponsored by the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• Attend required training for the APS practice and participate in outreach activities and clinics.
• Participate in APS workgroup court meetings, Legal Aid Task Forces, and other internal Maryland Legal Aid committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position's essential functions.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or admitted in another jurisdiction 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.
• 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 a low-income, diverse client base.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.

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

Staff Attorneys will be paid in accordance with MLA’s Workers Union current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. The current salary range for the staff attorney classification is $74,575.00 - $115,112.00. Examples of salary based on experience:

• One (1) year of experience: $75,695
• Five (5) years of experience: $80,175
• Ten (10) years of experience: $85,009

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions
• 2 weeks paid time off
• Sick leave
• 14 annual paid holidays
• Standard 35-hour work week
• Hybrid work arrangement
• Eligibility to apply for the Maryland Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program (LARP)