Baltimore County Legal Advocate, Protection Order Advocacy and Representation Project

Women's Law Center of Maryland

Location

Baltimore County Circuit Courthouse - 401 Bosley Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, Full Time, In-person

Category

Other Staff, Paralegal

Posted

January 13, 2026

Type

Full-Time

Description/Duties

The Women’s Law Center of Maryland (WLC) is a dynamic nonprofit law firm whose mission is to ensure the physical safety, economic security, and bodily autonomy of women in Maryland. Established in 1971, the WLC has a rich history of advocating for gender equality, women’s rights, and social justice. We provide legal services, education, and advocacy to empower women and families to navigate the legal system effectively.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Act as first contact for callers seeking information about and representation in domestic
    violence peace and protective orders.
  2. Assist petitioners with completing Petitions for Protective Orders, Petitions to
    Extend/Modify Protective Orders, and Petitions for Peace Orders as appropriate.
  3. Staff our courthouse office to assist walk-in clients with domestic-violence-related issues.
  4. Provide information to survivors of domestic violence about the legal process.
  5. Assist attorneys with duties related to representing clients in court hearings. Duties include:
    • Conducting in-depth client intake interviews;
    • Maintaining contact with clients and serving as primary contact with clients for non-legal issues;
    • Collecting evidence and other documentation from clients;
    • Obtaining relevant reports and documentation from external agencies;
    • Coordinating trial calendar, scheduling interviews, and performing other administrative
      duties as necessary;
    • Conducting follow-up interviews with clients;
    • Maintaining project and client files utilizing our case management system, Legal Server;
    • Assisting with grant and data reporting.
  6. Provide safety planning and other assistance to survivors, including providing relevant
    referrals to internal and external resources.
  7. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with courthouse personnel and service
    providers of all types within the community.
  8. Advocate on behalf of clients with representatives of the criminal justice system and
    accompany clients to criminal proceedings when requested.
  9. Participate in development of statistical and programmatic reports to grantors.
  10. Maintain project and client files.
  11. Work with and support interns.
  12. As part of the WLC, provide occasional staffing for fundraising events.
  13. Attend and participate in committees, task forces, trainings, and policy-making bodies
    concerned with domestic violence as time permits.
  14. Other related duties as assigned.

 

Skills/Qualifications

  1. Experience working with survivors of domestic violence preferred. Sensitivity to issues
    facing survivors of domestic and sexual violence required.
  2. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. Education requirements may be substituted with
    relevant work experience.
  3. Committed to public service and to providing excellent legal services to all clients.
  4. Excellent judgment and strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze situations,
    identify options, and implement effective solutions.
  5. Well-organized, creative, empathetic, and people-oriented.
  6. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  7. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple competing tasks and deadlines in a
    dynamic environment.
  8. Demonstrated ability to work independently without close supervision.
  9. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
  10. Must be flexible and a team player.
  11. Prior experience working in a legal setting preferred.
  12. Must have ability to travel to work locations and different courthouses. Primary location will
    be at the Baltimore County Circuit Courthouse.
  13. Must have computer/technology competency, including but not limited to Office365.
  14. Spanish or other second-language proficiency is very 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.

Compensation

Compensation and Benefits:

The budgeted salary is $56,650 with a generous benefits package that includes health insurance, matched retirement savings (Simple IRA), unlimited PTO (after probationary period), paid family leave, option to work one day per week remotely (after probationary period), and parking (or travel) subsidy.

How To Apply

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit, via email, a resume and a detailed cover letter that describes their interest in the position and relevant experience, no later than January 20, 2026. Please write “Baltimore County POARP Legal Advocate Application” in the subject line, and address all applications to:

 

Sara Powel, Esq. (she/her)

Family Law Director

Women’s Law Center of Maryland

102 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 100

Towson, MD 21204

spowel@wlcmd.org

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