Staff Attorneys
Homeless Persons Representation Project
Location
Silver Spring, MD
Category
Attorney
Posted
May 4, 2023
Type
Full-Time
Description/Duties
Who We Are: Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) advances housing justice and
works to end homelessness in Maryland by providing outreach, education, and free civil legal
services to the unhoused or unstably housed and working to eliminate barriers to housing and
employment posed by criminal records. HPRP collaborates with persons with lived experience
of homelessness in recognition that people have the power and expertise to determine
solutions to systemic issues affecting their lives.
HPRP’s legal practice embraces the value of housing as a human right
and seeks to ensure justice for and with persons whose rights have been compromised. The
staff attorney will provide free legal assistance to unhoused and other persons facing housing
and economic insecurity. This position will focus on providing direct service to clients facing
eviction or termination of their housing subsidy and barriers to housing and employment.
HPRP attorneys also play a crucial role in changing systems and achieving justice through
impact advocacy.
The Attorney will:
Provide legal assistance ranging from advice to representation before administrative
agencies and state trial and appellate courts. Full representation includes case investigation
and development, written pleading, discovery, in-person trial, post-judgment motions, and
appeals.
Represent tenants in eviction proceedings and housing subsidy termination cases.
Provide legal representation at one or more Rent Court Dockets in Montgomery County
District Court per week.
Collaborate with pro bono counsel on housing and expungement matters.
Create client and community education materials, conduct regular outreach to identify
clients needing legal services, and conduct Know Your Rights presentations on housing and
related legal matters.
Collaborate with other attorneys and community partners on legislative, regulatory, budget,
and other policy matters relevant to the project area.
Some weekend or evening hours may occasionally be required.
Skills/Qualifications
Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland or admitted to another jurisdiction and
eligible for admission in the State of Maryland. Out-of-State attorneys must be able and
available to take the next scheduled bar exam following the date of employment.
One to three years of prior legal experience – prior litigation experience preferred.
Two semesters of law school clinical experience or a judicial clerkship will be considered
equivalent to one year of legal experience.
Strong knowledge of Maryland civil law.
Demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice, and personal approach that values
all individuals and respects differences.
Excellent analytical and writing skills.
Strong organizational skills and ability to set priorities.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working
relationships and approach and engage tenants in eviction court.
Bilingual skills (in Spanish or another language prevalent in HPRP’s client community) are
strongly preferred but not required.
Compensation
The minimum starting salary for this position is $67,200 for one year of applicable
experience, with increases available for more years of experience after law school, second
language fluency, education, and lived experience. A salary increment will take place at the
beginning of the Fiscal Year 2024.
HPRP has a 35-hour workweek and flexible scheduling when not required to appear in court
or at other program locations.
HPRP’s package of benefits includes full health coverage (medical, prescription, dental) and
a contribution toward family coverage; short- and long-term disability insurance; life
insurance; 403(b) plan (employer supplemental salary contribution determined annually);
paid vacation, sick, and personal leave; and up to 12 weeks of paid Medical and Family
leave
How To Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
1) a cover letter describing interest and qualifications for the position.
2) a resume.
3) a short writing sample (no more than five pages),
4) the names and contact information of three professional references.
These items should be sent (preferably as PDF attachments) to jobs@hprplaw.org. The subject line should specify “Staff Attorney – Montgomery County.”
Vaccination Requirement: All HPRP staff members must stay up to date on their COVID
vaccinations, including receiving additional booster doses that currently are or may
subsequently be recommended by the CDC. Vaccine exemptions may be granted on a case-by-
case basis on religious grounds and in accordance with the reasonable accommodations
guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
HPRP is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture.
We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteers with diverse personal and professional
backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an
environment where all community members can thrive. Therefore, we strongly encourage
applications from Black people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, immigrants, persons with
disabilities, members of the TLGBQIA+ (Trans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexual,
and more) community, people with lived experience of poverty or homelessness, and people
from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.