Staff Attorney

Legal Aid Bureau•Rockville, MD

just now

About The Position

Maryland Center for Legal Assistance (MCLA) seeks to close the gap in legal services in Maryland by providing brief legal advice from lawyers to unrepresented litigants with civil legal issues. MCLA, through a contract with the Maryland Judiciary, operates Court Help Centers throughout Maryland to provide legal advice to civil litigants in person and over the phone, chat, email, and videoconference. The Help Centers deal with a wide range of civil legal matters, including landlord-tenant, consumer matters such as debt collection and credit card cases, child support, and criminal record expungements to remove barriers to obtaining housing, employment, and child custody. MCLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time Staff Attorney position in the District Court Help Center in Rockville, MD. Successful candidates will demonstrate an ability to handle a broad range of duties in a timely manner.

Requirements

Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland.
One year or more of civil litigation experience and clinical or clerkship experience will be considered.
Ability to conduct rapid legal research using Westlaw.
Strong customer service skills, including the ability to empathize and assist people who are distressed.
Ability to communicate complex legal concepts in simple terms.
Ability to travel to different offices on short notice.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish & American Sign Language is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide brief legal advice and information to self-represented litigants in connection with civil legal issues, including Divorce, Custody, Visitation, Guardianship, Domestic Violence/Peace Orders, and other Family Law related subjects.
Assist self-represented litigants in drafting their pleadings and motions, preparing for trial, completing court forms, and understanding court documents and the law.
Provide referrals to appropriate legal service organizations, agencies, and lawyer referral services wherever appropriate.
Local travel as needed between our various offices.
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position's essential functions.