Supervising Attorney - Farmworker 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.

JOB SUMMARY

MLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time Supervising Attorney position in the Farmworker Unit, Statewide Advocacy Support Unit. The Supervising Attorney focuses on employment and migrant farmworker law in all jurisdictions in the State where growers and employers utilize H2A and agricultural workers. This is a state-wide position with significant state-wide and regional outreach, and which focuses on employment and farmworker law. This is a highly responsible position. Successful candidate will also work with other Farmworker Unit staff, including two paralegals.

Advocacy related duties include outreach to agricultural workers employed by growers in Maryland and Delaware. Maryland Legal Aid expects the attorney to pursue advocacy such as community economic development projects to address the unmet needs of seasonal and migrant workers, legislative and policy work. Connections with community-based groups and social service organizations that serve seasonal and migrant workers are encouraged. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to handle a broad range of duties in a timely manner, including assisting the Advocacy Director in managing, planning, implementing priorities, assigning work, hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff to ensure high-quality legal representation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and assign the legal work of the office/unit in consultation with the Advocacy Director.
• Develop and evaluate strategies to accomplish the work of the office/unit.
• Represent clients by maintaining a caseload and co-counseling, as appropriate.
• Assign cases and tasks to the attorney(s)/paralegal(s). Supervise attorneys and paralegals.
• Implement a case management system for the people supervised.
• Develop a leadership role in legal services organizations, bar associations, and community groups.
• Identify, develop, and implement advocacy strategies for systemic legal problems.
• Ensure grant compliance and prepare and draft required grant funder reports.
• Screen and interview candidates for employment and effectively recommend hiring decisions.
• Train, coach, and develop staff.
• Network with Farmworker Justice, other Farmworker Advocacy Organizations and other Farmworker staff Nationwide.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis as well as legal research, advise clients and counsel clients their options. Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
• Draft pleadings, memoranda, briefs, complaints, answers, and counter-complaints, etc.
• 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 supervisor and chief.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position's essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or admitted in another jurisdiction and eligible for admission in the State of Maryland. Out-of-State attorneys must be able and available to take the next scheduled bar exam following the date of employment. Federally Barred Attorneys are desirable. Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Knowledge of principles of civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
• Experience in Employment and Farmworker Law is desired.
• Ability to provide quality legal advocacy and representation for low-income, diverse client base.
• Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation or providing nonprofit legal services is a plus.