Equal Justice Works Fellow – Financial Stabilization

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) is hiring for a 24-month, full-time attorney position as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Financial Stabilization Team to begin September 2026. The Fellow will work on various legal issues related to financial stabilization, including estate planning, estate administration, property, and housing.

MVLS has been competitively selected by Equal Justice Works as an implementing partner of Equal Justice Works’ Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) program. The Fellow will provide direct legal services to clients referred from the Baltimore Financial Empowerment Center (FEC). The FEC provides nonlegal financial services and counseling to Baltimore residents. In addition to providing direct legal services, Fellows will conduct outreach and training to legal and allied professionals and help increase multidisciplinary, coordinated responses.

An Equal Justice Works fellowship is an opportunity to transform your passion for equal justice into a career. As a Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious cohort of Equal Justice Works attorneys hosted by legal services organizations across the United States. You will develop experience and skills to be a leader in social justice while contributing to a broader community of practice serving Baltimore residents. Fellows in the cohort are required to actively participate in peer-to-peer learning and trainings delivered by Equal Justice Works and training partners throughout the year. In addition, Fellows have individual access to on-demand technical assistance from subject matter experts and are required to participate in Equal Justice Works trainings and conferences.

The Financial Stabilization Fellow will primarily support our Tangled Title Project, which provides representation to clients and removes barriers to clean title and effective accumulation of intergenerational wealth through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws. The position will handle a caseload of estate planning, probate, and property matters, provide support and mentorship to MVLS volunteer attorney pool, organize and conduct trainings on legal topics, recruit attorneys and support the Tangled Title Project at MVLS.

Job Responsibilities:
• Screen clients for eligibility, conduct intake, and make referrals where appropriate.
• Build out referral pipeline with the Baltimore Financial Empowerment Center.
• Provide estate planning, probate, and property legal services to clients referred from the Baltimore Financial Empowerment Center.
• Assist with placing cases with volunteer attorneys.
• Provide direct representation to Maryland residents with estate administration, estate planning, deed, or other property related matters, including both brief advice and full representation.
• Organize Homeowner clinics to help Baltimore City residents stabilize their homes and secure important resources for the long-term ability to remain in their homes.
• Participate in advocacy – including legislative advocacy, working with community partners, agencies and other organizations – to address barriers to housing stabilization.
• Work with clients to resolve potential estate issues prior to placement with volunteer attorneys.
• Perform case reviews and workups for cases before they are placed with volunteers.
• Assess clients to determine if they have a clear path to title so that they may qualify for program assistance.
• Provide mentoring support to volunteer attorneys accepting estate and deed cases, including answering questions, reviewing documents, assisting with draft pleadings, conducting legal research on specific topics, attending hearings with attorneys when requested, and providing knowledge and experience to newer attorneys.
• Develop trainings and resource materials for volunteer attorneys.
• Explore additional legal remedy options for tangled estates including quiet title and partition actions and develop related legal templates and other legal resources.
• Coordinate with fellow MVLS staff to conduct presentations, trainings, and community and client outreach activities.
• Meet intake and representation goals as set by the Tangled Title Project Manager.
• Develop self-help materials for pro se litigants.
• Other duties as assigned by the Tangled Title Project Manager.