The Staff Attorney – Divorce and Custody provides consultation, advice and representation to clients in divorce, custody, child support, or other ancillary civil cases arising out of and related to intimate partner violence.  The Staff Attorney represents clients from the point of referral through ultimate resolution of the case, including, but not limited to, drafting and filing complaints, discovery, preparation for litigation, negotiation, and final litigation.  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 family law 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. 

Primary Responsibilities:

·         Provide high-quality, client-centered representation to a full caseload of clients in divorce, custody, child support, and other ancillary civil cases arising out of and related to intimate partner violence, and in protective and peace order cases, as needed.  Specific duties include:

o   Engage in all forms of litigation preparation, such as evidence collection, written discovery, depositions, 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.

·         Acquire and maintain knowledge of family and intimate partner violence law and best practices.

·         Regularly review recent court decisions on family law, intimate partner violence cases, civil litigation and evidence.

·         Participate in continuing legal education on trial skills and practice.

·         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 clients files, including regular data entries in each client’s database file on services rendered.

·         Provide back-up litigation support to POARP offices, as needed.

·         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.

·         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.

·         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.

Experience/Requirements:

·         Licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland. 

·         At least one year’s experience practicing domestic relations law, with criminal law knowledge.  Experience in intimate partner violence or related field.

·         Ability to learn and litigate civil protective order and family law cases. 

·         Must be able to advocate on behalf of victims of intimate partner violence. 

·         Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including clients, House of Ruth staff, and members of the community. 

·         Demonstrated commitment to the provision of legal services. 

·         Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks at one time. 

·         Ability to write well. 

·         Computer literate (MS Word, internet, email). 

·         Ability to travel among HRM offices and courthouse offices. 

·         Ability and willingness to implement management decisions which s/he has not participated in making.  Interest in litigating appellate cases desired.

·         Ability to handle progressively more complicated family law/intimate partner violence cases.

·         Must be current in knowledge of family law, criminal law, court procedure, and other aspects of the law relevant to practice.

·         Strong advocacy skills on behalf of victims of intimate partner violence in various environments, such as the courtroom, in community meetings, with opposing counsel, in bar association meetings, etc.

·         Ability to identify barriers intimate partner violence victims encounter and develop strategies to overcome these barriers.

·         Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and shift quickly between multiple tasks.

·         Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds, including clients, House of Ruth staff, and members of the community.

·         Ability to effectively use a computer for data entry, work processing, email and other functions.

·         Strong grant reporting skills.

·         Strong outreach skills.

·         Strong interpersonal and interviewing skills.

·         Strong time management and office maintenance skills.

·         Ability to pass a criminal background check.