Managing Attorney Protective Order Program

House of Ruth Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

House of Ruth Maryland is seeking a Managing Attorney – Protective Orders (PO Manager) to lead staff attorneys, advocates, and volunteers across Baltimore City and Baltimore County courthouses. You will carry a direct caseload representing victims in protective/peace order proceedings and related matters, emphasizing safety planning and client-centered service.

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

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Maryland; able to pass a criminal background check.
• At least two years' experience in IPV, domestic relations, or criminal law with strong courtroom advocacy.
• Litigation experience in civil protective orders, contempts, modifications, and appeals.
• Experience supervising attorneys and staff; managing courthouse office operations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support staff attorneys, legal advocates, and volunteers in courthouse and other offices; provide training and feedback.
• Represent victims of IPV in protective and peace order proceedings, including preparation, advocacy, appellate work, intake, and safety planning.
• Maintain knowledge of family and domestic violence law; ensure ethical and legal compliance for attorneys.
• Manage courthouse office operations, client intake flow, timely client responses, and referrals for related needs.

Skills

Family law

Criminal law

Court procedure

Writing

Time management

Spanish (preferred)

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Brief Description 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.

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.