Staff Attorney

Maryland Center for Legal Assistance (MCLA)seeks to close the gap in legal services in Maryland by providing brief legal advice from lawyers to unrepresented litigants with civil legal issues. MCLA, through a contract with the Maryland Judiciary, operates Court Help Centers throughout Maryland to provide legal advice to civil litigants in person and over the phone, chat, email, and via videoconference.

The Help Centers deal with a wide range of civil legal matters, including landlord-tenant, consumer matters such as debt collection and credit card cases, child support, and criminal record expungements to remove barriers to obtaining housing, employment, and child custody.

MCLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time Staff Attorney position in the Charles County Family Law Self-Help Center in La Plata, MD. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to handle a broad range of duties in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide brief legal advice and information to self-represented litigants in connection with civil legal issues, including Landlord and Tenant Matters, Civil Claims, Expungement and Shielding of Records, Consumer Matters, Return of Property, Domestic Violence/Peace Orders, Family Law, and Foreclosure.
• Assist self-represented litigants in drafting their pleadings and motions, preparing for trial, completing court forms, and understanding court documents and the law.
• Provide referrals to appropriate legal service organizations, agencies, and lawyer referral services wherever appropriate.
• Local travel as needed between our various offices.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.

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.
• Ability to travel to different offices on short notice.
• Fluency in Spanish and American Sign Language is strongly preferred.

Work Environment

Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting with regular telephone interaction, videoconferencing, instant messaging and email, and in-person. Certain work duties may be performed in a community setting or remotely.

Benefits

The current salary range for the staff attorney position is $74,575.00 - $115,112.00.

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 five (5) years of experience is $80, 175.
• The salary for an attorney with ten (10) years of experience is $85, 009.

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

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 standard 35-hour work week, a hybrid work arrangement, and more.

Additional Requirements

• References will be required at the time of the final interview.
• No telephone calls, please. The position will remain open until filled.

MCLA is committed to equity, justice, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, MCLA 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.