Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

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’s team of over 90 paralegals strives to level the legal playing field so that those most in need achieve equal access to justice. Because of our staff’s drive, expertise, and commitment to serve communities across the state, MLA is able to uplift the experiences of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders every year before judges, legislators, and government officials.

JOB SUMMARY:

MLA is committed to ensuring legal representation for all Marylanders facing eviction or forced displacement. Since its inception in October 2022, MLA’s Tenants’ Right to Counsel Project (TRCP) has represented over 1,600 households. Now, operating across the state, TRCP seeks to hire one paralegal in the Upper Eastern Shore office, located in Easton, MD, who are passionate about public interest law and social justice and want to work closely with communities burdened by systemic socioeconomic barriers to prevent eviction and homelessness.

Housing insecurity was endemic in Maryland even before the massive economic and social disruptions that marked the COVID-19 pandemic. As the uneven economic recovery disparately impacts the communities MLA represents, our legal services are as critical now as ever to preventing evictions, fighting unfair rental practices, and preserving affordable housing.

TRCP staff attorneys work at the front line of Maryland’s housing justice movement as we interview renters by phone and at court on their day of trial and engage them through grassroots outreach. TRCP is building a committed, collegial, and hard-working team to lead multi-faceted advocacy focused on trial representation, appeals, community outreach, and policy work. Our paralegals provide both support and leadership in these efforts.

The Tenants’ Right to Counsel Project prioritizes training, professional development, and mentorship. The Paralegal position offers potential advancement to case-handling responsibilities, including representation of clients in certain proceedings before Maryland’s district courts (as permitted by Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. art. § 10-206(b)). For both new and experienced paralegals, TRCP offers a welcoming place to gain valuable skills in a fast-paced, rigorous, and compassionate work environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist attorneys in all aspects of representation in Failure to Pay Rent , Tenant Holding Over , and Breach of Lease eviction cases.
• Assist attorneys in all aspects of representation in administrative hearings regarding the retention or recovery of housing subsidies.
• Participate in client intake in person, online, by phone, and in community outreach initiatives.
• Continue professional development and education by attending trainings and other programs sponsored by Maryland Legal Aid.
• Maintain case records for clients in the LegalServer case management system.
• All the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to use a computer, web-based applications, and computer programs such as Office 365 including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication, research, critical thinking, and writing skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet regular deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide quality legal advocacy and representation for low-income, diverse client base.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally in Maryland as needed.
• Knowledge of Westlaw Edge or other legal research software is a plus.
• Prior experience and/or interest in providing nonprofit legal services is a plus.
• Spanish language proficiency is desirable.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work duties are typically performed in a general office setting with regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, instant messaging, and email, in-person, and in a courtroom. Certain work duties may be performed in community settings.

BENEFITS

Paralegals will be paid in accordance with MLA’s Workers Union current salary scale, which is subject to revision annually through collective bargaining negotiations. Relevant professional experience counts toward salary determination. Paralegals are eligible for additional compensation for conferred degrees and certificates ranging from ($500 - $4000). For example:

• one (1) year of experience is $50, 965.
• five (5) years of experience is $54, 825.
• ten (10) years of experience is $59, 650.

The current salary range for the paralegal classification is $50,000.00 - $88,600.00.

In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, two weeks paid time off, sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, a hybrid work arrangement, and more.

To Apply, Please Submit:

• Current Resume
• Cover Letter explaining your skills and interest in the position

Maryland Legal Aid is committed to equity, justice, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, MLA seeks to hire individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives that are reflective of the communities we serve, including people with disabilities, people of color, women, and members of traditionally underrepresented groups.

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