Supervising Attorney - Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP)

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.

About the role

The Supervising Attorney for the Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) in the Southern Maryland office in Hughesville, MD is responsible for planning the unit’s work, implementing priorities, assigning work, hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff to assure quality legal representation. The Supervising Attorney will also carry a case load and support the work of staff and advocates in delivering legal services, including advice and representation, outreach, and advocacy in landlord-tenant, real property, public and subsidized housing.

Responsibilities

• Plan and assign the legal work of the unit in coordination with the chief, including case assignments and referrals for extended or pro bono representation.
• Identify systemic issues within the unit and develop strategies to address them.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to staff attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and administrative staff.
• Monitor and supervise case handling to ensure quality representation.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Guide professional development of staff, including co-counseling cases, reviewing substantive legal work, and providing assessments of advocacy efforts.
• Identify and address staff training needs.
• Ensure staff compliance with timekeeping and grant-reporting obligations.
• Encourage staff engagement with the community through outreach and education.
• Handle personnel matters, including grievances and disciplinary actions, in consultation with Executive staff.
• Support hiring efforts to attract mission-aligned staff.
• Assist the Chief with data collection, grant reporting, and ensuring administrative and regulatory compliance.
• Fill in for the Chief during extended absences and perform other managerial duties as assigned.
• Support local implementation of Access to Counsel in Evictions efforts in Frederick, Washington, and Carroll counties.
• Conduct client intake in person, online, or by phone to screen clients for case acceptance and make referrals.
• Attend client and community outreach initiatives.
• Represent and defend clients in Washington, Frederick, and Carroll County District Courts.
• Maintain case records in the Legal Server case management system.
• Pursue professional development through trainings and programs sponsored by MLA.
• Support MLA’s strategic plan in litigation, advocacy, communications, and community education.
• Represent MLA in inter-agency workgroups, task forces, and other ad hoc bodies.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the position’s 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 accredited law school.
• Five or more years of extensive litigation experience, preferably in landlord-tenant, public and subsidized housing, and consumer law.
• Knowledge of civil law principles, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Proficiency in using computers, web-based applications, and Office 365 (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience providing quality legal advocacy for a low-income, diverse client base.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of supervisory or leadership experience (formal or informal), preferred.
• Interest in leading and developing a team of lawyers and paralegals.
• Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software is a plus.
• Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation or nonprofit legal services is a plus.

Work Environment

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

Benefits

• Salary range: $96,000.00 - $110,000.00.
• Generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k)-retirement plan.
• 2 weeks paid time off, paid sick leave, and 14 annual paid holidays.
• Future flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement after the onboarding period.