Description:
A Non-Profit Organization seeks a creative and experienced leader to serve as its Chief Attorney for the Montgomery County office who will supervise, guide, and lead the office in its provision of high-quality legal services to low-income clients, as well as associated outreach and advocacy. In addition to supervising and mentoring valued staff, Chief Attorneys play a vital role in their communities as well MLA's organizational infrastructure, joining the Legal Department's leadership team and guiding MLA's work as a whole.Responsibilities:
Staff Supervision and Development:
- Provide positive leadership, guidance, and supervision to an office of 25 staff, including supervising attorneys, staff attorneys, paralegals, law graduates, and administrative staff, plus periodic law clerk and volunteer support;
- Guide the professional development of staff, including co-counseling of cases; reviewing substantive legal work; providing meaningful assessments and evaluation of staff and their advocacy efforts, compliance, caseloads, and productivity.;
- Conduct case reviews and assign cases to staff consistent with Maryland Legal Aid's case acceptance guidelines;
- Oversee the administrative needs of the office, including scheduling, maintenance, and other ad hoc projects;
- Lead hiring efforts to attract talented staff who are committed to the mission and work of MLA;
- Build a cohesive, supportive team that works well with one another, develops objectives and priorities for the office, and maintains open communication;
- Ensure that effective, culturally responsive legal assistance is provided to low-income clients in an efficient, zealous, client-centered, and compassionate manner;
- Conduct impactful advocacy designed to address systemic problems affecting individuals and communities living in poverty;
- Encourage staff engagement with the community through outreach and education;
- Identify and address staff training needs;
- Ensure that staff comply with required timekeeping and grant-reporting obligations;
- Likely carry a limited caseload commensurate with the Chief's expertise and that accounts for managerial responsibilities for the office; and
Strategy and Leadership:
- Participate in officewide, statewide, and potentially national task forces and advocacy efforts;
- Develop relationships and deep knowledge of the communities served by the office and the resources available to address client needs;
- Engage community leaders to create connections and enhance MLA's reputation in the communities served;
- Cultivate effective relationships with the judiciary and private bar;
- Contribute to efforts to increase pro bono representation of clients;
- Participate in and further MLA's strategic plan, including developing the office's own plans that align with the plan;
- Ensure administrative and regulatory requirements are met;
- Serve on a statewide management team and strive to improve the overall quality of MLA's service delivery throughout the state;
- Assist with the MLA's resource development efforts, including but not limited to identifying possible funding sources, making presentations to funders, and drafting grant applications and progress reports;
- Address client grievances.
Qualifications:
- A law degree and admission to the Maryland Bar, either upon hire or soon after, per the requirements of Maryland's Rule 19;
- At least five years' experience in legal services and/or legal management required, seven plus years' experience preferred;
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
- Seven years' experience in legal services and/or legal management;
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
- Command of technology, especially Microsoft Office and case management systems;
- Time management and organizational skills;
- Supervision skills, including giving and receiving feedback;
- Well-developed legal issue spotting;
- Demonstrated commitment to working with the populations served by MLA; direct experience working in MLA's core issue areas a plus;
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging;
- Appellate experience, involvement in the community, and leadership experience preferred.