Senior Staff Attorney, MCASA’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute (Family Law)
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA)
Location
Silver Spring, Maryland + Hybrid
Category
Attorney
Posted
October 30, 2023
Type
Full-Time
Description/Duties
The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is Maryland’s sexual assault coalition and includes the State’s rape crisis centers and others concerned with ending sexual violence. Our mission is to help prevent sexual assault, advocate for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual violence, and work to hold offenders accountable. We would love for you to join our team of wonderful attorneys, who are committed to ending sexual violence.
We believe we cannot successfully serve others if we do not take care of ourselves. MCASA staff are encouraged to practice self-care and are supported in finding a positive work-life balance. This position, along with the rest of the agency, will entail significant virtual work and allows for flexible scheduling.
Most MCASA staff work remotely, with MCASA provided laptops and office supplies. Employees need to be available to travel to the MCASA office in Silver Spring within 90 minutes or live within the State of Maryland, for job duties that require an in-person presence. These duties may include on-site meetings, meetings with stakeholders or community members, training, court proceedings, or other in person events. MCASA employees have the option of working in office space in Silver Spring, Maryland, subject to COVID restrictions and available workspace. Staff may also be required to go to agency offices or other locations in Maryland to obtain client files, supplies, and the like.
Position Overview
The Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI), a program within MCASA, provides comprehensive legal services to survivors of sexual violence, and technical assistance and training to professionals working with survivors. SALI is part of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and contributes to the overall mission of the agency, working on training, outreach, and systems advocacy as well as helping individual survivors.
MCASA’s SALI includes both staff attorneys and senior staff attorneys. Senior staff have substantial experience and may be hired for a specific subject matter area. MCASA is currently seeking a full-time Senior Staff Attorney to assist victims of sexual assault and contribute to the development and administration of SALI services, outreach, and training.
We are currently specifically seeking an attorney with Family Law experience to help mentor and support newer attorneys working on custody, divorce, and related family law issues. This is an excellent position for a staff attorney seeking the next step in their career or for a more experienced attorney. MCASA pays for attorney training and the senior attorney focusing on family law will have priority for family law CLE. This position reports to the Managing Attorney.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES ADMISSION TO PRACTICE LAW IN MARYLAND.
Responsibilities and Duties
Provide legal services to victims of sexual assault, including assessment and referral, legal consultation, and representation in protective and peace order proceedings, family law cases, victim compensation proceedings, victim/witness representation in criminal cases, and other matters
Develop and utilize skills to provide high quality and sensitive legal services that reflect a thorough assessment and awareness of clients’ social and cultural needs
Senior Attorney for Family Law: Assist with mentoring and management of other staff working on family law cases. This includes direct supervision of 1-2 staff attorneys and case coaching for others litigating family law cases.
Provide or assure provision of safety planning for victims
Maintain reasonable caseload in compliance with grant requirements and needs of office
Review cases with SALI Managing Attorney and seek assistance when needed
Conduct legal research
Provide community outreach, technical assistance, and training
Assist in production of training and technical assistance materials
Assist in coordination and development of low bono/pro bono attorney network
Collect data needed for grant reports or other reasons; assist in grant report preparation
Assist in recruiting and supervision of legal interns and other SALI staff
Prioritize and fulfill responsibilities in accordance with available funding and grant requirements
Comply with Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct
Such other duties as assigned by the Managing Attorney or Executive Director
Skills/Qualifications
J.D. from accredited law school
Must be admitted to Maryland bar–Attorneys currently licensed in another State may be eligible for admission under Maryland Rule 19-218 (temporary admission for public interest attorneys licensed out of state) and must promptly seek permanent admission. Experience in Maryland is preferred.
Access to a car and valid driver’s license; this position requires some travel within the State of Maryland
5 years litigation experience and/or judicial clerkship preferred
Management experience preferred
Performing arts or debating experience preferred
Knowledge and/or previous work experience with sexual assault related issues preferred
Experience litigating Family Law cases such as divorce and custody
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 regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. This job requires the ability to travel to and from different locations within the State of Maryland.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Most MCASA staff work remotely, with MCASA provided laptops and office supplies. In-person attendance for external meetings and court appearances may be required, and occasional in-person MCASA meetings are possible. MCASA employees have the option of working in office space in Silver Spring, Maryland, subject to COVID restrictions and available workspace. Staff may also be required to go to agency offices or other locations in Maryland to obtain client files, supplies, and the like.
Commitment to Diversity.
MCASA is an equal opportunity employer. Its policy of nondiscrimination means that all employment decisions will be based on merit and without regard to factors unrelated to job performance, such as
ethnicity, creed, marital status, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical,
emotional or mental capacity.
Note to Potential Applicants: Applicants do not need to possess all of the listed qualifications.
Research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they do not meet all
of the listed qualifications. If you don’t meet all qualifications but think you would be a good fit for the
position, please apply.
MCASA values diverse life experience and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, people
with disabilities, and/or people who identify as LGBTQI are strongly encouraged to apply. Our ideal candidate will share our passion and commitment to believing and supporting survivors, holding people who cause harm accountable, and taking action to end sexual assault in Maryland. We also expect that all members of our organization recognize that sexual violence and oppression are intricately linked, and are dedicated to grappling with the complexities of societal power and privilege in order to create an inclusive movement to end sexual violence. Candidates must be able to recognize personal biases and address them productively, as well as communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, groups, and organizations.
Compensation
$69,000-mid/high 70s, DOE and bar status.
Salary reflects current grant funding but MCASA continues to advocate with funders for increased compensation and is committed to continuing to do so. A part-time schedule is negotiable.
How To Apply
Send cover letter, resume and writing sample to jobs@mcasa.org.
Please include your name and position title in the subject