Staff Attorney
HopeWorks of Howard County
Location
Columbia, MD
Category
Attorney
Posted
August 29, 2023
Type
Full-Time
Description/Duties
The Staff Attorney is a member of the agency’s legal team, responsible for assisting the Director of Legal Services and providing support and representation to our clients. HopeWorks’ staff are invested and engaged in altering the systems and imbalances of power that maintain the status quo and are root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence – including racism, transphobia, poverty, xenophobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression. The successful candidate will have a commitment to social justice.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide support to the Director of Legal Services as needed
Assist with discovery as directed by the Director of Legal Services
Represent Clients in Peace and Protective Order hearings finals, rescissions, modifications, shieldings, and contempt
Provide Clients with Consultations/Advice as to their rights and options regarding divorce, custody, child support, modifications, peace and protective orders, and criminal cases
Draft ghost pleadings for family law cases, review paperwork for clients in family law cases, draft and review separation and custody agreements
Limited family law representation
Criminal advocacy work with SAO, defense attorneys, police officers, and other agencies to make sure Client is informed of what is going on, her voice is being heard, and her/his rights are being upheld
Accompany clients to criminal trials to provide support and advocacy. Limited victim rights
Civil accompaniment as needed
Form assistance
Civil Legal Advocacy
Maintain accurate and up-to-date contact logs and statistical information for electronic files, grants and departmental reports
Compile team stat reports and complete all grant reports
Assist in the writing and completion of grant applications
Audit Files for accuracy
Maintain accurate databases
Assist with quarterly VLAP meetings/trainings
Attended trainings as needed/directed
Maintain accurate list of trainings and up to date training manual
Assist in recruiting, training, and supervising interns
Maintain and develop relationships with community partners
Administrative tasks as assigned
Pro se prep
Attend local bar association functions and meetings
Assist with advocate duties as necessary
Technical assistance to attorneys, Judges, and community partners
Maintains best practices for trauma informed legal practices
Stay up to date on current laws and proposed amendments
Ensure legal departments licensures and fees are up to date
Present to other departments and agencies as needed
Skills/Qualifications
Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school
Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland
Passionate about and committed to the mission, vision and values of HopeWorks
One year of experience involving protective order and peace order law, intimate partner violence and sexual assault law (civil and criminal), and family law
Awareness and understanding of the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence
Understanding of the impact of intersectional oppressions on survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence
Ability to advocate for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in the community, with state leaders and decision makers
Excellent oral and written communication skills; outstanding interpersonal and supervisory skills
Experience providing survivor-centered and trauma-informed services
Experience with outcomes and evaluation, grant compliance, and program development
Proficiency in data collection and reporting
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Oral and written fluency in one or more languages in addition to English (strongly preferred but not required)
Current, valid driver’s license and insurance and/or reliable transportation to travel between office and court
Competencies
An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position successfully:
Strategic Thinking: Incumbent offers advice and creates plans based on analysis of issues and trends, and how these link to the responsibilities, capabilities, and potential of the organization. Scans an ever-changing, complex environment in anticipation of emerging crises and opportunities. Develops well-informed advice and strategies that are sensitive to the various needs of multiple stakeholders and partners, reflects the strategic direction of the department and position the organization for success.
Judgment: Makes sound decisions; bases decisions on fact rather than emotion; analyzes problems skillfully; uses logic to reach solutions; makes timely decisions; displays strong ability to prioritize.
Problem Solving: Anticipates problems; sees how a problem and its solution will affect other units; gathers information before making decisions; weighs alternatives against objectives and arrives at reasonable decisions; adapts well to changing priorities, deadlines and directions; works to eliminate all processes which do not add value; is willing to take action, even under pressure, criticism or tight deadlines; takes informed risks; recognizes and accurately evaluates the signs of a problem; analyzes current procedures for possible improvements; notifies supervisor of problems in a timely manner.
Organization: Able to manage multiple projects; able to determine project urgency in a practical way; uses goals to guide actions; creates detailed action plans; organizes and schedules people and tasks effectively.
Cooperation and Teamwork: Works harmoniously with others to get a job done; responds positively to instructions and procedures; able to work well with staff, co-workers, peers and managers; timely shares critical information with everyone involved in a project; works effectively on projects that cross functional lines; helps to set a tone of cooperation within the work group and across groups; coordinates own work with others; seeks opinions; values working relationships; when appropriate facilitates discussion before decision-making process is complete.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards despite pressing deadlines; does work right the first time; corrects own errors; regularly produces accurate, thorough, professional work.
Reliability: Personally responsible; completes work in a timely, consistent manner; works hours necessary to complete assigned work; is regularly present and punctual; arrives prepared for work; is committed to doing the best job possible; keeps commitments.
Support of Diversity: Treats all people with respect; values diverse perspectives; participates in diversity training opportunities; provides a supportive work environment for a multicultural staff; applies the HopeWorks commitment to social justice & racial equity; shows sensitivity to individual differences; treats others fairly without regard to race, sex, color, religion, mental or physical ability, health status, nation of origin, gender identity or expression or sexual orientation; recognizes differences opportunities to learn and gain by working together; values and encourages unique skills and talents; seeks and considers diverse perspectives and ideas.
Commitment to Social Change and Social Justice: Willing and able to approach their work with an understanding and appreciation of social change and social justice issues
Delegation: Delegates work assignments, gives authority to work independently, sets expectations, and monitors delegated activities.
Leadership: Inspires and motivates others to perform well, and accepts feedback from others.
Management Skills: Delivers results by maximizing organizational effectiveness and sustainability. Ensures that people have the support and tools they need and that the department as a whole has the capacity and diversity to meet current and longer-term organizational objectives. Align people, work, and systems with the business strategy to harmonize how they work and what they do. Conscientiously assign performance goals, offer year-round performance feedback, and conduct timely performance discussions and reviews.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, communicate and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Compensation
Position Title: Staff Attorney
Supervisor: Director of Legal Services
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time (40 hours per week)
Department: Legal
Compensation: $66,950
To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at-will relationship.
Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.
How To Apply
Applicants must complete an online application and submit a complete resume and cover letter. Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only respond to applicants whose candidacy is being considered.
Online Application Link: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=69514&clientkey=57F0B2A019C74484C2E21C815D921A34
HopeWorks is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.