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. New admittees are encouraged to apply.
Primary Responsibilities:
• 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:
o Engage in all forms of litigation preparation, such as evidence collection, lay and expert witness identification and preparation, and settlement negotiations.
o 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.
o 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.
o Knowledge of and compliance with all ethical and legal requirements for attorneys.
• Conduct comprehensive intake interviews and provide legal information, referrals, and advocacy to victims of intimate partner violence.
• Conduct lethality assessments and create safety plans with all clients.
• Inform clients about and register them for notification from VINE Protective Order.
• Promptly serve walk-in clients and return phone calls within 24 hours.
• Promptly accept or reject clients requesting representation and give referrals to clients who are rejected for representation.
• Provide legal consultation and referrals regarding matters tangentially related to intimate partner violence, including criminal charges, immigration, landlord-tenant, and unemployment.
• 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.
• Acquire and maintain knowledge of the resources and services available to clients and how clients can access them.
• Perform conflicts checks and input client data into computer database.
• Create and maintain client files, including regular data entries in each client’s database file on services rendered.
• Meet representation goals as set by Clinic Director and all requirements of grant(s) funding position.
• Coordinate with other programs that provide representation to victims of intimate partner violence.
• 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.
• Establish and maintain cordial and professional relationships with all courthouse personnel.
• Liaise with the legal community to improve the legal community’s and the courts’ responses to victims of intimate partner violence.
• Recruit and maintain relationships with private attorneys to perform pro bono legal services on behalf of Clinic clients.
• 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.
• Publicize and educate the legal community about the needs of victims of intimate partner violence.
• Pursue and deliver speaking engagements on behalf of the agency.
• Create and maintain clean and efficient walk-in courthouse offices.
• Insure that offices have working office equipment, supplies and resource materials for clients.
• Recruit, train and supervise students, interns and volunteers to provide client advocacy services and office support.
• Complete requirements of all grants, including written reports in a timely manner.
• Provide timely data for all reports required by all funding sources, including regular written reports.
• Conduct follow-up surveys and research inquiries regarding the efficacy of representation services.
• Other duties as assigned.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.