Supervising Attorney - and Consumer Law

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 staff, pro bono attorneys, community partners, and general supporters all play important roles in ensuring that the legal playing field is leveled so that the most in need achieve equal access to justice. It is because of this diverse support that MLA is able to be a voice to tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders every year.

MLA announces an immediate opening for a full-time Supervising Attorney position for the Housing and Consumer Law Unit of the Baltimore City office of Maryland Legal Aid. The Baltimore Housing Consumer Law Unit is an extremely busy unit and the applicants must realize the demands of this position are significant. The unit handles a wide range of housing and consumer law matters with a strong emphasis on litigation in State Courts and the Federal Bankruptcy Court.

The Supervising Attorney is responsible for planning the unit’s work, implementing the priorities, assigning work, hiring, supervising, and evaluating staff to assure quality legal representation. The Supervising Attorney will also carry a case load. The supervisor will supervise, oversee, and support the work of the staff and advocates in the Housing and Consumer Law unit in the delivery of legal services including advice and representation, outreach and advocacy in the areas of landlord tenant, real property, public and subsidized housing, bankruptcy, federal and state lending statutes, foreclosure, debt collection, and tax sale in an efficient, client centered, and compassionate manner.

• Plan and assign the legal work of the unit in coordination with the chief. In addition, determine case assignments and referrals for extended or pro bono representation.
• Help identify systemic issues within the unit and help develop strategies to address them to accomplish the work of the unit.
• Provide positive leadership, guidance and supervision to a staff that currently consists of staff attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and administrative staff to include the following in coordination with the chief:
  • Monitor and supervise case handling of staff to ensure quality representation.
  • Evaluate the performance of staff and make recommendations for improvement, if appropriate.
  • 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, caseloads, and productivity; and working on appellate litigation. Identify and address staff training needs.
  • Assist and assure staff comply with required timekeeping and grant-reporting obligations.
  • Encourage staff engagement with the community by doing outreach and education.
  • Handle personnel matters in consultation with Executive staff, including, but not limited to, grievances and employee disciplinary matters.
• Support hiring efforts to attract talented staff who are committed to the mission and work of Maryland Legal Aid.
• Assist the Chief with data collection and grant reporting and writing and with ensuring that administrative and regulatory requirements are met.
• Fill in for the chief and assume their duties when they are absent from the office for an extended period and perform other managerial/supervisory duties not specifically listed above as determined from time to time by the chief.
• Support local implementation of the Access to Counsel in Evictions efforts in Baltimore City.
• Participate and lead client intake in person, online, or by phone to screen clients for case acceptance and make referrals, as appropriate.
• Attend client and community outreach initiatives.
• Represent and defend clients in Baltimore City District and Circuit Court and the Federal Bankruptcy Court in landlord tenant and consumer law matters to include the following:
  • 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.
  • Draft pleadings to include complaints, answers, memoranda of law, briefs, etc., as assigned by supervisors and chiefs.
  • Develop case theory and strategy for the representation of clients.
  • Prepare cases and represent clients during negotiations and in hearings, trials, and appeals.
  • Maintain case records for clients in the Legal Server case management system.
• Continue professional development and education through attendance at…