The Collateral Legal Assistance for Survivors (CLAS) Project at the Women’s Law Center (WLC) provides comprehensive legal support to survivors of domestic violence, focusing primarily on family law matters such as divorce, custody, and protective orders. The CLAS Staff Attorney plays a central role in delivering trauma-informed, client-centered legal representation from initial intake through final resolution.
Working in close collaboration with the CLAS Legal Advocate and a small team of attorneys, the Staff Attorney ensures that survivors receive holistic legal assistance tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to advocate for justice, empower survivors, and contribute to systemic change in how the legal system responds to domestic violence. The attorney will also engage in safety planning, legal strategy development, and courtroom advocacy, all within a supportive and mission-driven environment.
While CLAS currently serves clients in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Carroll County, Harford County, and occasionally Anne Arundel County and other jurisdictions, this position is part of an exciting expansion effort. We are seeking an attorney who can help broaden our geographic reach by taking cases in any of the following jurisdictions: Montgomery County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Frederick County, or other areas in Maryland. The Staff Attorney is not expected to cover all of these jurisdictions, but the ability to serve one or more of them would significantly support our goal of reaching more survivors across the state.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Legal Representation: Provide comprehensive, trauma-informed legal representation to survivors of domestic violence, primarily in family law matters such as divorce, custody, and protective orders. Occasionally handle related civil matters including Title IX, landlord-tenant, replevin, and others.
2. Court Advocacy: Represent clients in in-person and remote court hearings, including trials, motions, and settlement conferences. Provide coverage for the Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project (POARP) as needed, including final protective order hearings, modifications, contempt hearings, and appeals.
3. Case Management: Maintain an active caseload; conduct thorough client intake interviews; gather evidence; draft legal documents (e.g., pleadings, motions, discovery, correspondence); and negotiate settlements.
4. Collaboration & Support: Work closely with the CLAS Legal Advocate and other attorneys to assess eligibility, develop legal strategies, and manage cases. Support and mentor interns as needed.
5. Community Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with courthouse personnel, service providers, and representatives of the criminal justice system. Provide training and educational materials to community groups, courthouse staff, and domestic violence prevention organizations.
6. Grant Compliance & Reporting: Track client data and assist with compiling quarterly reports and grant narratives for funders.
7. Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate client and project files using Office 365 and Legal Server.
8. Organizational Participation: Occasionally staff fundraising events and participate in relevant committees, task forces, trainings, and policy initiatives related to domestic violence and family law.
9. Other Duties: Perform other related tasks as assigned to support the mission of the Women’s Law Center.
1. Licensed Attorney: J.D. from an accredited law school and in good standing with the Maryland Bar.
2. Family Law Experience: 2+ years of family law litigation experience, preferably in Maryland.
3. Client-Centered Approach: Sensitivity to issues facing survivors of domestic and sexual violence is required; prior experience working with survivors is preferred.
4. Strong Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; fluency in English required.
5. Judgment & Interpersonal Skills: Must demonstrate excellent judgment, empathy, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills.
6. Self-Motivated & Organized: Ability to manage multiple professional projects independently and thoroughly, with minimal supervision.
7. Team-Oriented & Flexible: Must be adaptable and collaborative in a team environment.
8. Tech Competency: Proficiency in Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) and basic computer operations; familiarity with Legal Server or willingness to learn.
9. Travel Ability: Must be able to travel to work locations and courthouses throughout Maryland, but primarily in attorney’s jurisdictional focus area.
10. Commitment to Mission: Dedication to public service and providing high-quality legal services to all clients.
11. Language Skills: Spanish or other second-language proficiency is helpful but not required.
***Applicants do not need to possess all of the above qualifications. Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they do not meet all the qualifications. If you meet most of these qualifications, please apply.
Interested applicants should submit, via email, a resume, detailed cover letter that describes their interest in the position and relevant experience, and short (max 5 pages) writing sample. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 20, 2025, and will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Early applications are strongly encouraged, as interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis.
Please write “CLAS Staff Attorney Application” in the subject line, and address all applications to:
Sara Powel, Family Law Director (she/her)
Women’s Law Center of Maryland
102 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 100
Towson, MD 21204
[email protected]
NLADA Mutual Insurance Co., RRG
