Staff Attorney - Child in Need of Assistance

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, and securing public benefits, access to healthcare, MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy.

Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide. 

Job Summary:

MLA announces a full-time, Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) staff attorney position in the Prince George’s County office located in Landover, Maryland. This position handles a wide array of legal advocacy for children in the juvenile courts and foster care system. CINA Attorneys represent children in cases where the local Department of Social Services (DSS) agency has determined that the child has been abused or neglected and needs to come into the care of the agency. Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) case handling includes providing competent legal representation of the child in child welfare proceedings before the juvenile and appellate courts, as well as all other ancillary proceedings such as Family Team Decision meetings, Termination of Parental Rights proceedings and Individualized Education Plan meetings.

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, counter-complaints, memoranda of law, and briefs.
• Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
• Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations and in hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Work with various community groups as assigned by the supervisor.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at Maryland Legal Aid sponsored training and other programs.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.

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 immediately eligible for admission in the State of Maryland.
• 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 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 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 and email, and in-person. Certain work duties may be performed in community setting or remotely, in consultation with the Chief Attorney and Supervising Attorney.

Salary and Benefits

Staff attorneys will be paid by MLA’s Workers Union’s current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. For example:

• The salary for an attorney with one (1) year of experience is $75, 695. 
• The salary for an attorney with three (3) years of experience is $77, 935. 
• The salary for an attorney with five (5) years of experience is $80, 175. 

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, two weeks paid time off, sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, a hybrid work arrangement, and more.

Additional Requirements:

• Cover letter and writing sample required of all applicants.
• References will be required at the time of the final interview. 

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.

Anyone interested in applying must apply via the online application.