Staff Attorney - Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP)

Salary Range: $76,812.00 To $118,565.00 Annually

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

MLA is committed to ensuring legal representation for all Marylanders facing eviction or forced displacement. Since its inception in October 2022, MLA’s Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) has represented over 1,600 households. Now, operating across the state, TRCP seeks to hire (2) two Staff Attorneys in the Midwestern Maryland office, located in Frederick, MD, for admitted attorneys, recent bar-exam takers, or law school graduates who will be taking the bar exam who are passionate about public interest law and social justice and want to work closely with communities burdened by systemic socioeconomic barriers to prevent eviction and homelessness.

Housing insecurity was endemic in Maryland even before the massive economic and social disruptions that marked the COVID-19 pandemic. As the uneven economic recovery disparately impacts the communities MLA represents, our legal services are as critical now as ever to preventing evictions, fighting unfair rental practices, and preserving affordable housing. TRCP staff attorneys work at the front line of Maryland’s housing justice movement as we serve renters at court on their day of trial and engage them through grassroots outreach. TRCP is building a committed, collegial, and hard-working team to lead multi-faceted advocacy focused on trial representation, appeals, community outreach, and policy work. The Tenant Right to Counsel Project also prioritizes training, professional development, and mentorship. The Staff Attorney positions offer both new and experienced attorneys a welcoming place to gain an array of valuable legal skills in a fast-paced, rigorous, and compassionate work environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Handle a full caseload of full representation and same-day representation in court proceedings for Failure to Pay Rent, Tenant Holding Over, and Breach of Lease eviction cases. This work involves routine trial practice, communication with clients, communication with administrative agencies on behalf of clients, negotiations, frequent writing for litigation, and occasional discovery and depositions.
• Advocate before administrative agencies, including local housing authorities and the state Department of Housing and Community Development. This includes representation of clients in “Section 8” terminations of assistance.
• Participate in client intake in person, by phone, and at community outreach initiatives.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• Continue professional development and education through participation in trainings and other programs sponsored by Maryland Legal Aid.
• Assist with broader advocacy efforts, as needed, including through policy advocacy, print media, broadcast media, social media, public speaking, and participation in coalitions and strategic partnerships.
• 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.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• 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 the 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.
• Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software is a plus.
• One (1) to seven (7) years of post-bar admission legal experience is preferred but not required.
• Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation, or non-profit legal services is a plus.
• Spanish language proficiency is desirable.

Work Environment

Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting, with regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, instant messaging, and email, in person and in a courtroom. Certain work duties may be performed in community settings.