ENTRY LEVEL ATTORNEY: PARENTAL DEFENSE DIVISION (Montgomery Co.)

State of Maryland•Montgomery, MD

About The Position

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks a zealous and dedicated advocate to serve as an Assistant Public Defender in our Parental Defense Division (PDD). The Parental Defense Division protects and advances the rights of parents and/or legal guardians in Child in Need of Assistance/Termination of Parental Rights (CINA/TPR) proceedings. MOPD is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply. The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is committed to advancing Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. Our work is guided by core institutional values that promote a culture of excellence, client-centered representation, principled and tenacious advocacy, and unity of purpose in fulfilling our constitutional mission. MOPD attorneys and staff apply rigorous legal training, professional judgment, and practical experience to safeguard the rights of individuals and families across Maryland. The strength of our representation is enhanced by the diverse talents, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our workforce, which deepen our capacity to serve the full breadth of the communities we represent. Learn more about our mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Assistant Public Defenders in the Parental Defense Division are critical thinkers with a demonstrated ability to apply legal analysis in an area of the law that is still evolving. Attorneys must be willing to challenge the system with a healthy sense of outrage and be persistent in the face of ambiguity or outright resistance to their position. Assistant Public Defenders must be able to handle crises and various personalities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Our attorneys represent parents and/or legal guardians whose children have been removed or are at risk of being removed from their care and custody by the State. The attorney in this position will represent clients in adversarial proceedings from the initial Emergency Shelter Care Hearing to the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) trial.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to serving communities who have been pushed to the margins.
Clear dedication to upending systemic racism, prejudice, and unfairness.
Compassion and empathy.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse, team-oriented environment.
Ability to use technology in order to telework and participate in virtual court hearings as necessary.
Strong organizational, legal, and administrative skills necessary to handle a high caseload with short deadlines.
Prior experience in litigation including CINA/TPR, Criminal, Civil, Juvenile, or Family Law (experience may include internships, law school clinical programs, or any other relevant experience).
Strong communication and client advocacy skills.
Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another state is required. Attorneys barred in another state must become a member of the Maryland Bar within 18 months of their start date.

Responsibilities

Protect clients’ Constitutional rights to raise and rear their children.
Defend clients against allegations of neglect and/or abuse.
Zealously and compassionately advocate on behalf of clients at every stage of the proceeding.
Engage in motions practice, legal research, and writing.
Obtain, organize, and review voluminous records and documents in preparing a defense.
Develop and maintain client relationships over the extended life of the case.
Collaborate with PDD social workers, criminal defense attorneys, parent advocates, and others as part of a multidisciplinary defense team.
Provide client-centered representation, ensuring clients are heard and respected.
Be non-judgmental and empathetic of clients who present with challenges and/or barriers.
Effectively and compassionately communicate with clients, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.
Continuously seek professional and personal development through training, continuing legal education, and trial skills courses.
Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.