Responsibilities:
Staff Supervision and Development
• Provide positive leadership, guidance, and supervision to an office of 25 staff, including supervising attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, law graduates, and administrative staff, plus periodic law clerk and volunteer support;
• Guide the professional development of staff, including co-counseling of cases; reviewing substantive legal work; providing meaningful assessments and evaluation of staff and their advocacy efforts, compliance, caseloads, and productivity.;
• Conduct case reviews and assign cases to staff consistent with Maryland Legal Aid’s case acceptance guidelines;
• Oversee the administrative needs of the office, including scheduling, maintenance, and other ad hoc projects;
• Lead hiring efforts to attract talented staff who are committed to the mission and work of MLA;
• Build a cohesive, supportive team that works well with one another, develops objectives and priorities for the office, and maintains open communication;
• Ensure that effective, culturally responsive legal assistance is provided to low-income clients in an efficient, zealous, client-centered, and compassionate manner;
• Conduct impactful advocacy designed to address systemic problems affecting individuals and communities living in poverty;
• Encourage staff engagement with the community through outreach and education;
• Identify and address staff training needs;
• Ensure that staff comply with required timekeeping and grant-reporting obligations;
• Likely carry a limited caseload commensurate with the Chief’s expertise and that accounts for managerial responsibilities for the office; and
Strategy and Leadership
• Participate in officewide, statewide, and potentially national task forces and advocacy efforts;
• Develop relationships and deep knowledge of the communities served by the office and the resources available to address client needs;
• Engage community leaders to create connections and enhance MLA’s reputation in the communities served;
• Cultivate effective relationships with the judiciary and private bar;
• Contribute to efforts to increase pro bono representation of clients;
• Participate in and further MLA’s strategic plan, including developing the office’s own plans that align with the plan;
• Ensure administrative and regulatory requirements are met;
• Serve on a statewide management team and strive to improve the overall quality of MLA’s service delivery throughout the state;
• Assist with the MLA’s resource development efforts, including but not limited to identifying possible funding sources, making presentations to funders, and drafting grant applications and progress reports;
• Address client grievances.
Qualifications:
• A law degree and admission to the Maryland Bar, either upon hire or soon after, per the requirements of Maryland’s Rule 19;
• At least five years’ experience in legal services and/or legal management required, seven plus years’ experience preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Seven years’ experience in legal services and/or legal management;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Command of technology, especially Microsoft Office and case management systems;
• Time management and organizational skills;
• Supervision skills, including giving and receiving feedback;
• Well-developed legal issue spotting;
• Demonstrated commitment to working with the populations served by MLA; direct experience working in MLA's core issue areas a plus;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging;
• Appellate experience, involvement in the community, and leadership experience preferred.
Apply for Chief Attorney using the link below:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment....