Staff Attorney - Administrative Law Unit

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.

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) announces a full-time administrative law staff attorney position in the Administrative Law Unit located in Baltimore, Maryland. This position handles all functions related to casework in cases involving programs and benefits through agencies including, but not limited to, the Social Security Administration, Maryland Department of Labor, and Maryland Department of Human Services, and Maryland Department of Health, from initial intake through representation of clients in all relevant administrative proceedings and courts. 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. They must maintain all case files in accordance with MLA and LSC standards. They will 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. Many administrative law hearings are remote, facilitating flexibility for attorneys in the Unit to practice both at home and in the office environment. Tasks assigned to staff attorneys may include any or all of 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, and appeals.
• Work with various community groups and accept speaking engagements as assigned by the supervisor.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at 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:

• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in the State of Maryland.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• One (1) to three (3) years of legal experience, which can include clerkships or fellowships.
• 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 leadership skills. Must be willing to work collaboratively to meet client needs.

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.

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. Position will remain open until filled.

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.