The Staff Attorney - POARP advises and represents victims of intimate
partner violence in protective and peace order proceedings, and in related
matters such as contempt, modification, extension and shielding
proceedings. The Staff Attorney delivers
client-focused legal services by working with clients to determine their
objectives and develop realistic strategies for achieving those objectives,
through assessment and awareness of clients’ particular social and cultural
needs, by developing safety plans specific to clients’ particular circumstances,
and by seeking and processing clients’ feedback. This position carries a full caseload of protective/peace
order cases, supports the Clinic’s fundraising efforts, and participates in the
Clinic’s advocacy efforts (appellate work, legislation, training, etc.). The Staff Attorney participates in the
identification of systemic obstacles for victims of intimate partner violence,
and assists in formulating a plan and strategies for the removal of these
obstacles, including innovative legal strategies, community education, and
appellate or legislative advocacy. The
Staff Attorney provides referrals to social services, housing and shelter
assistance, mental health care services, and other crisis intervention
services.
Primary Responsibilities:
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Provide
high-quality, client-centered representation to a full caseload of clients in
in protective and peace order cases, as well as related matters such as
contempt, modification, appeal and shielding hearings. Specific duties include:
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Engage
in all forms of litigation preparation, such as evidence collection, lay and
expert witness identification and preparation, and settlement negotiations.
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Engage
in effective litigation techniques, such as persuasive oral argument, witness
preparation and testimony, expert witness presentation, presentation of physical,
documentary and other types of evidence, cross examination and impeachment.
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Engage
in appellate litigation as needed, including filing of appeals and petitions
for writs of certiorari, researching appellate issues, writing appellate
briefs, conducting moot arguments, and arguing before Maryland in banc panels and appellate courts.
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Knowledge
of and compliance with all ethical and legal requirements for attorneys.
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Conduct
comprehensive intake interviews and provide legal information, referrals, and
advocacy to victims of intimate partner violence.
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Conduct
lethality assessments and create safety plans with all clients.
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Inform
clients about and register them for notification from VINE Protective Order.
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Promptly
serve walk-in clients and return phone calls within 24 hours.
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Promptly
accept or reject clients requesting representation and give referrals to
clients who are rejected for representation.
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Provide
legal consultation and referrals regarding matters tangentially related to
intimate partner violence, including criminal charges, immigration,
landlord-tenant, and unemployment.
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Acquire
and maintain knowledge of family and intimate partner violence law, trial
skills and practice, best practices and regularly review recent court decisions
on family law, intimate partner violence cases, civil litigation and evidence.
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Acquire
and maintain knowledge of the resources and services available to clients and
how clients can access them.
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Perform
conflicts checks and input client data into computer database.
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Create
and maintain client files, including regular data entries in each client’s
database file on services rendered.
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Meet
representation goals as set by Clinic Director and all requirements of grant(s)
funding position.
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Coordinate
with other programs that provide representation to victims of intimate partner
violence.
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Assist
in training and provide technical assistance to staff of criminal justice
agencies, including police, state’s attorneys, probation officers and court
personnel and other agencies as requested.
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Establish
and maintain cordial and professional relationships with all courthouse personnel.
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Liaise
with the legal community to improve the legal community’s and the courts’ responses
to victims of intimate partner violence.
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Recruit
and maintain relationships with private attorneys to perform pro bono legal services on behalf of
Clinic clients.
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Identify
systemic obstacles that impair victims’ access to a fair judicial process, and
work within the Clinic to formulate goals and strategies to remove these
obstacles.
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Publicize
and educate the legal community about the needs of victims of intimate partner
violence.
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Pursue
and deliver speaking engagements on behalf of the agency.
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Create
and maintain clean and efficient walk-in courthouse offices.
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Insure
that offices have working office equipment, supplies and resource materials for
clients.
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Recruit,
train and supervise students, interns and volunteers to provide client advocacy
services and office support.
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Complete
requirements of all grants, including written reports in a timely manner.
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Provide
timely data for all reports required by all funding sources, including regular
written reports.
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Conduct
follow-up surveys and research inquiries regarding the efficacy of
representation services.