Staff Attorney

Job Description

Job Description

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. MLA’s team of over 90 paralegals strives to level the legal playing field so that those most in need achieve equal access to justice. Because of our staff’s drive, expertise, and commitment to serve communities across the state, MLA is able to uplift the experiences of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders every year before judges, legislators, and government officials.

Job Summary

MLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time general practice staff attorney for our Upper Eastern Shore office located in Easton, MD. Staff attorneys handles all functions related to casework, from initial intake through representation of clients in all relevant courts and proceedings. Staff attorneys may be expected to work with other attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, paralegals, social workers, and students on cases or projects. Staff attorneys must maintain all case files in accordance with MLA standards and may be required to participate in community outreach and education, which will include collaborations with other attorneys at community outreach sites with the goal of identifying clients who need representation in court. Tasks assigned to staff attorneys may include any or all but are not necessarily limited to the following :

Duties and 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, 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 and in hearings, trials, appeals and administrative proceedings.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at Legal Aid sponsored training and other programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.

Qualifications :

Work Environment

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

Benefits

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. For example :

Salary placements for attorneys are on the earliest date of admission to a U.S. state bar, assuming eligibility to practice (either under the Maryland bar or under Rule 15 if another state bar) and continuous full-time legal work experience following the date of admission. The current salary range for the staff attorney classification is $74,575.00 - $115,112.00.

In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan that includes employer contributions, 2 weeks paid time off, sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, a hybrid work arrangement, and more.

To apply please provide :

Additional Requirements

Maryland Legal Aid is committed to equity, justice, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, MLA seeks to hire individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives that are reflective of the communities we serve, including people with disabilities, people of color, women, and members of traditionally underrepresented groups.

Salary : $75,695 - $85,009