Supervising Attorney - Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP)

Duties And Responsibilities

• Plan and assign the legal work of the unit in coordination with the chief.
• Determine case assignments and referrals for extended or pro bono representation.
• Identify and address systemic issues within the unit and develop strategies to address them.
• Provide positive leadership, guidance, and supervision to a staff that currently consists of staff attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and administrative staff.
• Monitor and supervise case handling of staff to ensure quality representation.
• Evaluate the performance of staff and make recommendations for improvement, if appropriate.
• Guide the professional development of staff, including co-counseling of cases; reviewing substantive legal work; providing meaningful assessments and evaluations of staff and their advocacy efforts, caseloads, and productivity; and working on appellate litigation.
• Identify and address staff training needs.
• Absorb and ensure staff comply with required timekeeping and grant-reporting obligations.
• Encourage staff engagement with the community by doing outreach and education.
• Handle personnel matters in consultation with Executive staff, including, but not limited to, grievances and employee disciplinary matters.
• Support hiring efforts to attract talented staff who are committed to the mission and work of Maryland Legal Aid.
• Assist the Chief with data collection, grant reporting, and ensuring that administrative and regulatory requirements are met.
• Fill in for the chief and assume their duties when they are absent from the office for an extended period and perform other managerial/supervisory duties not specifically listed above as determined from time to time by the chief.
• Support local implementation of the Access to Counsel in Evictions efforts in Frederick, Washington and Carroll counties.
• Attend client and community outreach initiatives.
• Represent and defend clients in Washington, Frederick and Carroll County District Courts.
• Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at trainings and other programs sponsored by the MLA.
• Support MLA’s strategic plan to all aspects of the office’s work, including litigation and advocacy, communications, and community education.
• Represent MLA in inter-agency workgroups, task forces, and other ad hoc bodies.
• 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 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 date of employment.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Two years or more supervisory or leadership experience (formal or informal), preferred.
• Interest in leading and developing a team of lawyers and paralegals and supporting Chief Attorney in management of staff, programs, and compliance.
• Five or more years of extensive litigation experience, with a preference for demonstrated experience in the areas of landlord-tenant, public and subsidized housing, and consumer law.
• 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 with the 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 low-income, diverse client base.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.
• Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation or providing nonprofit legal services is a plus.