Staff Attorney

Maryland Legal Aid Inc; Cumberland (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Legal Aid Inc. seeks a staff attorney to handle full casework from intake through court representation, collaborating with attorneys, graduates, paralegals, and social workers. The role emphasizes client advocacy, case management, and ongoing professional development within MLA standards.

The attorney will handle screening, interviews, research, pleadings, and courtroom appearances, with travel across Maryland as needed, contributing to access to justice for low-income clients.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals as appropriate.
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients.
• Perform factual investigation and legal research.
• Advise clients of results and counsel on options.
• Draft pleadings, memoranda, briefs, and related filings.
• Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations, hearings, trials, and appeals.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Tools

Office 365

Job description

Description

Staff attorneys handle all functions related to casework, from initial intake through representation of clients in all relevant courts and proceedings. Staff attorneys may be expected to work on cases or projects with other attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, paralegals, social workers, and students. Staff attorneys must maintain all case files in accordance with MLA standards and may be required to participate in community outreach and education, which will include collaborations with other attorneys at community outreach sites with the goal of identifying clients who need representation in court. Tasks assigned to staff attorneys may include any or all but are not necessarily limited to the following:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals as appropriate.
• Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients.
• Conduct factual investigation and analysis as well as legal research.
• Advise clients of 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 and in hearings, trials, appeals, and administrative proceedings.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at Legal Aid sponsored training and other programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the essential functions of the position

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 with 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 low-income, diverse client base.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.