Managing Attorney Protective Order Program

House Of Ruth Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

House Of Ruth Maryland seeks a Managing Attorney – Protective Orders to lead staff attorneys, advocates, and volunteers across Baltimore City and Baltimore County offices, combining supervision with direct client representation in protective and peace order matters.

The PO Manager will carry a caseload representing survivors of intimate partner violence, focusing on safety planning, appellate work, and courtroom advocacy, while guiding a team toward client-centered outcomes.

Qualifications

• At least two years' experience in IPV, domestic relations, or criminal law.
• Strong courtroom advocacy for survivors.
• Jurisdictional licensure in Maryland required.
• Ability to supervise attorneys and staff while managing office operations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff attorneys, advocates, and volunteers; provide training and feedback.
• Represent IPV survivors in protective/peace order proceedings and related matters.
• Manage courthouse offices, intake flow, referrals, and resources.
• Maintain accurate client files and reporting per director and funders.
• Build relationships with courts, the legal community, and pro bono partners.

Skills

Legal advocacy

Courtroom advocacy

Leadership

Writing skills

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor

Tools

MS Word

Email

Internet

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support staff attorneys, legal advocates, and volunteers in courthouse and other assigned offices, including training, regular check-ins and team meetings, performance feedback, and staff development.
• Provide high-quality, client-centered legal representation to victims of intimate partner violence in protective and peace order proceedings, including litigation preparation and advocacy, appellate work, intake, lethality assessment and safety planning, and case management from acceptance through resolution.
• Maintain current knowledge of family law, domestic violence law, and court procedure, and ensure compliance with all ethical and legal requirements for attorneys.
• Manage courthouse office operations, including client intake flow, timely response to clients, referrals for related legal needs, and office resources.
• Maintain accurate client files and data, and meet representation and reporting requirements set by the Clinic Director and funding sources.
• Build and sustain relationships with courts, criminal justice agencies, the legal community, and pro bono partners to strengthen the response to intimate partner violence and expand services to clients.
• Represent the Clinic through community education, training, and speaking engagements.
• Recruit, train, and supervise interns, students, and volunteers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Managing Attorney – Protective Orders (PO Manager)

The PO Manager leads and supervises staff attorneys, legal advocates, and volunteers across the Baltimore City and Baltimore County courthouse offices. Alongside this leadership role, the PO Manager carries a direct caseload representing victims of intimate partner violence in protective and peace order proceedings and related matters (contempt, modification, extension, and shielding), delivering client-centered representation built on safety planning, cultural awareness, and client feedback.

The role also contributes to the Clinic's broader legal strategy, including appellate work, legislative advocacy, training, and fundraising support.

Certifications/Licenses

Licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland; able to pass a criminal background check.

Experience

At least two years' experience practicing intimate partner violence, domestic relations, or criminal law, with strong courtroom advocacy on behalf of survivors. Demonstrated ability to litigate civil protective orders and related contempts, modifications, and appeals, and to handle increasingly complex family law/IPV cases. Experience supervising attorneys and staff, and managing courthouse office operations.

Education

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.

Skills

Current knowledge of family law, criminal law, and court procedure. Strong writing, time management, and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment. Computer literate (MS Word, email, internet). Ability to build effective working relationships across diverse clients, staff, and community members, and to travel among HRM and courthouses. Spanish language ability preferred but not required.