Law Graduate
Maryland Legal Aid
Location
Salisbury, MD
Category
Other Staff
Posted
February 9, 2024
Type
Full-Time
Description/Duties
Law Graduate: 3L Hiring for 2024
Closing date March 1, 2024
(Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester)
Maryland Legal Aid’s Lower Eastern Shore office will be extending a limited number of offers to current third-year law students to join MLA in staff attorney positions upon admission to the Maryland Bar. Third-year law students will be hired as Law Graduates initially and promoted to Staff Attorney contingent admission to the bar in the State of Maryland by December 2024.
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) provides life-changing civil legal assistance to eligible residents in every part of the State. Since 1911, MLA has provided high-quality legal services to low-income and marginalized individuals and communities–helping them remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and an overall better life.
MLA is dedicated to preserving the basic human needs and basic human rights of clients, particularly as they navigate the justice system. MLA’s team of over 100 attorneys strives to level the legal playing field so that those most in need can access equal justice. Because of our attorneys’ drive, expertise, and commitment to serving communities across the state, MLA is able to uplift the experiences of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders every year before judges, legislators, and government officials.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Law Graduate position offers recent JDs a welcoming place to gain valuable legal skills in a fast-paced, rigorous, and compassionate work environment. MLA announces a full-time law graduate position opening for the Lower Eastern Shore office in Salisbury, MD. This position handles all functions related to casework, from initial intake through representation of clients in all relevant courts and proceedings. Law Graduates may be expected to work on cases or projects with other attorneys, law graduates, law clerks, legal assistants, paralegals, social workers, and students.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Screen clients for eligibility and make referrals, as appropriate. Perform administrative duties as needed by the office.
- Conduct preliminary and subsequent interviews with clients.
- Conduct factual investigation and analysis as well as legal research.
- Advise clients of the results of investigation and research and counsel clients regarding their options. Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system.
- Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, counter-complaints, memoranda of law, briefs, etc.
- Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
- Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations, hearings, trials, appeals, and administrative proceedings.
- Work with various community groups, accept speaking engagements, attend outreaches, and draft outreach materials as assigned by the supervisor.
- Continue professional development and education through attendance at Legal Aid-sponsored training and other programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the position’s essential functions.
Skills/Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate
- Knowledge of principles of civil law, judicial procedures, and rules of evidence.
- Ability to use a computer, web-based applications, and computer programs such as Office 365, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent research, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills.
- Self-starter who can juggle multiple priorities and meet regular deadlines in a fast-paced environment while balancing a full workload.
- Ability to provide quality legal advocacy and representation for a low-income, diverse client base.
- Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.
- Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software is a plus.
- Prior experience and/or interest in public-interest litigation or non-profit legal services is a plus.
- Spanish language proficiency is desirable.
Compensation
Law Graduates will be paid in accordance with MLA’s Workers Union current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations.
The current salary range for the law graduate classification is $60,212.00 – $61,112.00.
The current salary range for the staff attorney classification is $74,575.00 – $115,112.00.
In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan that includes employer contributions, 2 weeks paid time off (after 1 year 3 weeks, and after 2 years 4 weeks), sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, a standard 35-hour work week, a hybrid work arrangement, and more.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Please submit a resume, legal writing sample, and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.
- References will be required at the time of the final interview.
- No telephone calls, please. The position will remain open until filled.
Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting with regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, instant messaging, and email, in-person, and in a courtroom. Certain work duties may be performed in community settings.
Maryland Legal Aid is committed to equity, justice, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, MLA seeks to hire individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives that are reflective of the communities we serve, including people with disabilities, people of color, women, and members of traditionally underrepresented groups.
How To Apply
- Please submit a resume, legal writing sample, and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.
- References will be required at the time of the final interview.
- No telephone calls, please. The position will remain open until filled.