Guardianship Staff Attorney-Floater

Konare Law; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Konare Law seeks a Guardianship staff attorney-floater for the Statewide Advocacy Support in Baltimore, Maryland. The role focuses on defending and representing indigent adults in guardianship petitions and APGRB reviews across county and circuit courts.

Responsibilities include interviews, legal research, drafting pleadings, preparing for hearings and appeals, and outreach with community groups. A J.D. and Maryland eligibility to practice are required; hybrid work is available.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice in Maryland or eligible to sit for the bar in MD.
• Knowledge of civil law, procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Proficient with Office 365 applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Self-starter able to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients as assigned by the court.
• Conduct client interviews and visits.
• Conduct fact-finding, research, and analysis.
• Counsel clients on options and results of investigations.
• Draft pleadings, memoranda, and briefs.
• Develop case theory and strategy for representation.
• Prepare cases for negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Collaborate with community groups and participate in outreach.
• Attend trainings and maintain case records in LegalServer.
• Perform other duties within the essential scope of the position.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication

Critical thinking

Multitasking

Time management

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree

Tools

Office 365

LegalServer

Job description

Job Summary

MLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time Guardianship staff attorney-floater position in the Statewide Advocacy Support located in Baltimore, Maryland. This position handles all functions related to legal advocacy with a focus on adult guardianship cases. The staff attorneys’ responsibilities include representing Indigent Adults involved in Petitions for Guardianship and the Adult Public Guardianship Review Board (APGRB) in various Circuit Courts, and reviewing hearings, appeals, and other related matters. The staff attorney must attend the required training for the APS practice and participate in outreach activities and clinics. Participation in APS workgroup court meetings, Legal Aid Task Forces, and other internal Maryland Legal Aid committees is required. Tasks assigned to staff attorneys may include any or all of, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Represent clients as assigned by the court.
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews/visits with clients.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis and legal research.
• Advise clients of the 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, hearings, trials, and appeals.
• Work with various community groups and accept speaking engagements as assigned by supervisors and chiefs.
• Continue professional development and education by attending trainings and other programs sponsored by the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position's essential functions.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• 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.
• 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 who can 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.

Salary & Benefits

The current salary range for staff attorneys is $79,116 - $122,122, paid in accordance with MLA’s Workers Union's current salary scale, which is subject to annual revision through collective bargaining negotiations. For example:

• one (1) year of experience is $80,305.
• three (3) years of experience is $82,681.
• five (5) years of experience is $85,057.

In addition, MLA offers employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer contributions; three weeks of paid time off; sick leave; 14 paid annual holidays; a hybrid work arrangement; and more.

Additional Requirements

• Current resume
• Legal writing sample
• Cover letter explaining your skills and interest in the position
• References will be required at the time of the final interview

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.