Staff Attorney – Baltimore County and City Courts

House of Ruth Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

House of Ruth Maryland Domestic Violence Legal Clinic seeks an entry-level Staff Attorney to provide trauma-informed representation in protective order proceedings in Maryland’s courts. The role offers intensive training on protective orders, family law issues, and trial skills, with on-site presence in Baltimore County and Baltimore City courthouses to intervene for clients.

The Staff Attorney will conduct client consultations, advocate in protective orders and related matters, and maintain

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice and in good standing with the Maryland Bar.
• Demonstrated commitment to ending domestic violence.
• Successful background check.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, trauma-informed representation to survivors of intimate partner violence in protective order cases and related hearings.
• Conduct comprehensive consultations with potential clients, including interview about abuse, safety planning, lethality assessment, and referrals.
• Provide prompt, compassionate services to clients on a walk-in basis and via phone.
• Maintain the Clinic’s client database and systems used for tracking clients’ cases.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Trauma-informed representation

Client interviews

Walk-in services

Case management

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Admitted to Maryland Bar

Job description

Position Summary

House of Ruth Maryland Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (the Clinic) provides free legal services to survivors of intimate partner violence in order to help them gain safety and independence from their abusive partners. The Clinic seeks applicants who are passionate about ending domestic violence and interested in public interest law. This is an entry-level position which offers intensive training in Maryland’s protective order statute, family law issues, and trial skills and techniques.

Brief Description

Position Summary: House of Ruth Maryland Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (the Clinic) provides free legal services to survivors of intimate partner violence in order to help them gain safety and independence from their abusive partners. The Clinic seeks applicants who are passionate about ending domestic violence and interested in public interest law. This is an entry-level position which offers intensive training in Maryland’s protective order statute, family law issues, and trial skills and techniques. The Staff Attorney – Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project (POARP) advises and represents survivors of intimate partner violence in protective order proceedings in Maryland’s District and circuit courts, as well as in related matters such as contempt, modification, extension and shielding hearings. The Staff Attorney works on‑site in the Clinic’s offices located in the Baltimore County (Catonsville) and Baltimore City (Eastside) courthouses, which enables the Staff Attorney to provide immediate legal intervention to clients on a walk‑in basis and to develop meaningful connections to courthouse personnel.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, trauma-informed representation to survivors of intimate partner violence in protective order cases, and in related contempt, modification, extension and shielding hearings.
• Conduct comprehensive consultations with potential clients, which include a thorough interview about recent and past incidents of abuse, safety planning, lethality assessment, and referrals to appropriate community and legal resources.
• Provide prompt, compassionate services to clients on a walk‑in basis and via phone.
• Maintain the Clinic’s client database and systems used for tracking clients’ cases.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Experience, Education, Certifications/Licenses

• J.D. from accredited law school
• Admitted to practice and in good standing with the Bar of Maryland
• Demonstrated commitment to ending domestic violence
• Successful background check

House of Ruth Maryland offers a comprehensive Total Rewards Package that will include but is not limited to medical insurance, prescription plan, dental insurance, vision insurance, paid time off, life insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, and Employee Assistance Program.

House of Ruth Maryland upholds the mission of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by being an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment and will not be excluded because of color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or age.