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About The Position
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) is seeking a housing attorney for its Tenant Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) in Rockville, MD. This role involves representing low-income clients in housing-related legal matters, including eviction and foreclosure prevention. The attorney will work collaboratively with a team of legal professionals and engage in all aspects of casework, from intake to court representation. The position also involves participation in housing-focused task forces and outreach activities to address systemic issues affecting low-income Marylanders. MLA is dedicated to achieving equity and social justice through high-quality legal services and systemic change.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software is a plus.
- One (1) to three (3) 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.
Responsibilities
- Screen clients for case acceptance and make referrals, as appropriate.
- Represent and defend clients in Montgomery District and Circuit Courts.
- Represent clients in Housing Law matters.
- Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients.
- Conduct factual investigation and analysis as well as legal research.
- Advise clients of the results of the investigation and research, and counsel clients regarding their options.
- Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, memoranda of law, briefs, etc., as assigned by supervisors and chiefs.
- Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
- Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system.
- Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations and in hearings, trials, and appeals.
- Continue professional development and education through attendance at trainings and other programs sponsored by the MLA.
- Participate in outreach activities in the community as appropriate.
- Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position.
Benefits
- health, dental, vision, life insurance
- a 401(k)-retirement plan
- three weeks paid time off
- sick leave
- 14 annual paid holidays