Intake Staff Attorney - Housing & Consumer Law

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. 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:

The Baltimore City Housing and Consumer Law Unit (“HCLU”) is hiring an Intake Attorney responsible for reviewing and advising housing and consumer online, telephone, and walk in intakes, in consultation with the Chief Attorney and Supervising Attorney. The Intake Attorney handles initial client contact, completion of all required compliance documentation, initial investigation and advisement of client legal matters, and would also assist in the completion of bankruptcy petitions. This position would work in close consultation with the Chief Attorney and Supervising Attorney to determine next steps in all intakes, including potential full representation, referrals, or limited actions. HCLU is one of the busiest units at MLA and conducts online and telephone intakes Monday – Friday, and walk in intakes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This position is ideal for someone looking to advance the human rights of low-income Marylanders and learn about advising and investigating landlord-tenant and consumer law cases in an intake only setting. Depending on the staffing needs of the HCLU, and the performance of the Intake Attorney, this position may be required to engage other duties, including direct representation in housing and consumer cases.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals as appropriate. 
• Perform duties as needed by the HCLU and MLA, including compliance documentation, preparing bankruptcy petitions, and gathering of relevant client documentation.
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients over the telephone, internet and in person.
• Conduct initial factual investigation and analysis as well as quick legal research.
• Advise clients of results of initial investigation and research and counsel clients regarding their options. Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system.
• Work in consultation with Chief Attorney and Supervising Attorney on suggested next steps, including potential full representation, referrals, or limited actions.
• Engage in other duties assigned by supervisors, including potential direct representation in housing and consumer cases.
• Work hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm, although earlier hours may occasionally be required.

Qualifications: 

• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland. 
• One-year or more of civil litigation experience, clinical or clerkship experience will be considered.
• Ability to conduct rapid legal research using Westlaw. 
• Strong customer service skills, including the ability to empathize and assist people who are distressed. 
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts in simple terms.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure compliance with all internal and external rules, and in documenting legal advice provided and suggested next steps.
• Ability to prioritize multiple legal issues under short deadlines.
• Ability to work in close consultation with Chief Attorney and Supervising Attorney to advise clients of next steps regarding their legal issues.

Work Environment:

Position is required to be in-person at MLA Baltimore City Office 3-4 days a week. 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 in accordance with MLA’s Workers Union current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. For example:

• one (1) year of experience is $77,966.
• five (5) years of experience is $82,580.
• ten (10) years of experience is $87,559.

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 19 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 $76,812.00 - $118,565.00.

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.  

Additional Requirements:

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