Staff Attorney

Columbia, MD, United States

Silver Spring, Maryland, Columbia, Maryland, Remote

Category Attorney

Posted November 9, 2023

Type Full-Time

Description/Duties Summary Reporting to the Legal Director or the Deputy Legal Director, the Staff Attorney will assist with all legal matters under the legal directors’ purview, including intake, assessment and litigation of those cases where Child Justice, Inc. (CJI) has taken on direct representation of legal clients. The Staff Attorney will provide comprehensive legal services to CJI clients, from intake through post-trial motions and appeals, in protective order cases, family law matters and related complex litigation in Maryland courts or before administrative bodies. The Staff Attorney is expected to maintain a reasonable caseload and independently litigate protective order, custody, child support, divorce, and related cases, as assigned. In addition, the Staff Attorney will work as part of a collaborative legal team to engage in systemic advocacy and policy work and to provide legal advice, consultations, and technical assistance, as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provides client-centered representation to a full caseload of clients in family law cases, including protective order, child custody, divorce, as well as related matters such as contempt, modification, appeal, and shielding hearings in the Circuit and District Courts throughout Maryland.

Conducts in-depth client intake interviews as part of the case assessment process and for consultation and/or trial preparation.

Prepares opening, closing, and case status memoranda, including an articulation factual background, legal theory of the case, and proposed litigation strategy.

Updates, contemporaneously, client management systems, and client files.

Collects and prepares evidence to be presented in Court.

Identifies lay and expert witnesses to support the theory of the case.

Engages in effective litigation techniques, such as persuasive oral argument, witness preparation, expert witness presentation, presentation of physical, documentary and other types of evidence.

Drafts legal documents including, but not limited to discovery, memoranda of law, motions, orders, answers, complaints, counter-complaints, and correspondence.

Maintains knowledge of, and compliance with, all ethical and legal requirements of attorneys to practice law.

Maintains and organizes case files and coordinates/copies the Deputy Legal Director’s Case Manager/Paralegal to ensure electronic files are complete.

Locates additional resources and referrals to address clients’ non-litigation related needs.

Coordinates trial calendar, schedules interviews, performs administrative duties, develops and provides follow-up services and referrals for clients or prospective clients.

Assists with recruiting, training, supervising the legal work of legal interns, paralegals and CJI staff.

Provides technical assistance and consultation to external attorneys and individuals seeking information about family law, interpersonal violence and child protection, as assigned.

Attends regular staff meetings, team meetings, in-house training and continuing legal education.

Maintains case statistics and develops regular reports of project achievements for inclusion in grant reports, and other CJI products.

Provides occasional staffing for events, participates in project and membership development, attends and participates, as time permits, and as directed by supervisor, in committees and policy-making bodies concerned with child protection and interpersonal violence.

Maintains detailed log of all clients and cases on which Staff Attorney works and completes all necessary paperwork and memoranda to track case work for grant funding and other purposes.

Other duties as assigned.

Skills/Qualifications Degree from an ABA accredited law school and an earned Juris Doctor.

Knowledge of, and experience practicing, Maryland family law and applying laws related to child protection and interpersonal violence.

Licensed and in good standing to practice law in Maryland.

Experience working in a family law practice or legal services programs serving victims of interpersonal violence/abuse or child abuse is preferred.

Degree from an ABA accredited law school and an earned Juris Doctor.

Knowledge of, and experience practicing, Maryland family law and applying laws related to child protection and interpersonal violence.

Licensed and in good standing to practice law in Maryland.

Experience working in a family law practice or legal services programs serving victims of interpersonal violence/abuse or child abuse is preferred.

Demonstrated ability to handle multiple professional projects, and to prioritize workload and assignments.

Ability to maintain work deadlines and follow directions.

Ability to work Monday through Friday, during normal business hours (typically, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and occasional evenings or weekends when necessary.

Strong interpersonal skills and excellent judgment. Must be empathic, creative and people oriented.

Flexible, team player.

Completes tasks promptly and thoroughly without close supervision.

Ability to maintain a detailed log of all clients and cases on which Staff Attorney works and complete all necessary paperwork and memoranda to track case work for grant funding and other purposes.

Ability to prepare a case from the initial intake, through discovery, and trial.

Ability to review court case files and concisely identify and summarize legal issues.

Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, MDEC, CLIO or other case management systems, Adobe Pro, DropBox, etc.

Commitment to the mission of CJI.

Must satisfactorily complete and pass a background check.

Must work a minimum of forty (40) hours per week.

Must successfully complete a three (3) month probationary period.

Must abide by all CJI policies and reasonable requests or directions of supervisor within the scope of employment.

Must have reliable transportation, and any necessary license or insurance, to ensure ability to travel to complete case work and employment tasks throughout the State of Maryland.

Must maintain accurate timesheets rendered on a regular basis.

Must meet expectations of job performance as a satisfactory level.

Compensation Salary Range: $75,000 – 95,000, depending on experience

How To Apply Please send resume, writing sample, names/contacts for three (3) references via email to [email protected]. Please place “Staff Attorney” in the subject line. We will review applications as received.

Submissions sent after 11/28/2023 may not be reviewed.

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