Managing Attorney: Mental Health Team

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) seeks a civil rights attorney to promote and advance the human and legal rights of people with disabilities as the leader of our Mental Health team.

This position is part of DRM’s management team and directly supervises the legal work of staff attorneys, paralegals and advocates. Responsibilities include mentoring, supervising and supporting the professional development of staff attorneys, paralegals and advocates. Managing Attorneys also support reporting and compliance requirements for DRM’s programs, including preparation and submission of grant reports with other members of the leadership team.

This managing attorney will supervise our team of two attorneys and one advocate, engaging in a variety of mental health advocacy activities. The team monitors and investigates allegations of abuse and neglect in Maryland’s mental health facilities, seeking redress for violations of people’s legal rights. Additionally, the team represents selected clients in individual cases and addresses systemic issues through administrative and legislative policy activities and litigation.

The managing attorney will maintain a small caseload, and will conduct weekly team meetings, conduct case review and supervision meetings with team members, and coordinate the team’s legislative policy work in coordination with team members, and DRM’s Policy Counsel and Director of Advocacy. Additionally, the managing attorney will represent DRM, or delegate to team members, participation on mental health task forces, committees and coalitions, and manage the overall program functioning, including budgeting and reporting. Possibility of some remote work if desired. Some evening and weekend hours are required.

Responsibilities Include:
Team Management
• Work closely with team members, stakeholders, and DRM directors to identify priorities for systemic change, and develop and implement advocacy strategies, systemic legal cases, and public policy initiatives;
• Direct the work of one of DRM’s legal teams;
• Represent DRM on coalitions and commissions working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Programmatic Management & Administration
• Participate as part of the DRM management team in the planning and execution of DRM goals and objectives, including long-range planning, legislative and administrative education and technical assistance, public and media relations, budgetary planning, and staffing;
• Collaborate with external coalitions, organizations, associations, etc., to advance DRM’s advocacy initiatives;
• Maintain program information necessary for grant reports, audits, applications, etc., and have first and primary responsibility for writing and submitting all required grant applications and program performance reports within the team, and as may be designated by the Executive Director;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or her designee.
Supervision of Legal Work:
• Provide direct day-to-day supervision for attorneys, advocates and paralegals;
• Monitor and review the team’s work on a regular basis to ensure it is conducted pursuant to DRM program priorities and in conformity with DRM policies, client wishes, applicable professional standards, best practices, legal and other requirements;
• Provide substantive guidance, consultation, and technical assistance to staff as needed;
• Evaluate performance of staff pursuant to DRM personnel policies to ensure an adequate and professional standard of work within the team. Recommend action as may be required to the Executive Director; and;
• In collaboration with the DRM management team and team members, ensure the development and implementation of individual workplans.
Individual Casework
• Managing Attorneys are expected to handle individual cases and perform advocacy work.

Salary and Benefits:
Competitive, depending on experience. The annual salary range for a Managing Attorney with 5-7 years’ experience is between $78,265 and $80,604 and depends on experience.

DRM offers a generous benefits package which includes excellent medical insurance, employer-paid dental, prescription, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as pre-tax savings plans, a retirement savings opportunity with generous employer contributions, and opportunities for telecommuting policy. DRM offers employee reimbursement for some or all of the cost of spouse or partner-paid health insurance premiums up to an established maximum amount. DRM also offers generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, sick time, and more.

While DRM can offer some flexibility in hours, days and location of work, generally work hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Occasional evenings and weekend work may be required. This announcement can also be found at https://disabilityrightsmd.org/careers/ .

About Us:
Disability Rights Maryland (DRM), a private, non-profit law firm, is a leader in disability rights and the Congressionally mandated Protection and Advocacy organization for individuals with disabilities in Maryland. We provide free legal services and advocacy to persons with disabilities in Maryland. DRM envisions a world where people with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of community life.

Our staff are collaborative, collegial and committed to the well-being of the communities we serve and one another. Our workplace is flexible and we place a high value on diversity and inclusion, both as an organization and individually.