Director of Legal Services

HopeWorks of Howard County Inc•Columbia, MD

About The Position

The Director of Legal Services is a member of the agency’s management team, responsible for the administration of legal services and supervision of legal staff, legal interns/externs, and legal volunteers. HopeWorks staff, Board, and volunteers are invested and engaged in altering the systems and imbalances of power that maintain the status quo including racism, poverty, and gendered violence. The successful candidate will have an understanding of the root causes of sexual and intimate partner violence and a commitment to social justice, as well as the skills necessary to lead the Legal Department and provide legal services.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school
Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland
Passionate about and committed to the mission, vision and values of HopeWorks
Two (2) years supervisory or program management experience
Two (2) years of experience involving protective order and peace order law, intimate partner violence and sexual assault law (civil and criminal), and family law
Awareness and understanding of the dynamics of sexual and intimate partner violence
Understanding of the impact of intersectional oppressions on survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence
Ability to advocate for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence in the community, with state leaders and decision makers
Excellent oral and written communication skills; outstanding interpersonal and supervisory skills
Experience providing survivor-centered and trauma-informed services
Experience with outcomes and evaluation, grant compliance, and program development
Proficiency in data collection and reporting
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Current, valid driver’s license and insurance and/or reliable transportation to travel between office and court

Nice To Haves

Oral and written fluency in one or more languages in addition to English (strongly preferred but not required)
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Represent Clients in Peace and Protective Order hearings
Represent Clients in Divorce and Custody hearings on a limited basis
Provide Clients with Consultations/Advice as to their rights and options regarding divorce, custody, child support, modifications, peace and protective orders, and criminal cases
Assists Clients with pro se preparation and assistance in filling out court forms/pleadings
Assist with legal advocate and staff attorney responsibilities as needed
Offer civil and criminal accompaniment and civil legal advocacy to clients
Recruits, hires, and trains legal staff, legal interns/externs, and volunteers
Evaluates performance of legal staff, legal interns/externs, and volunteers
Provides individual and group supervision for legal staff, legal interns/externs, and volunteers
Assists staff, legal interns/externs and volunteers in developing the use of a social justice lens in their work
Assists staff in developing professional development goals and objectives
Trains and supports staff to provide legal resources, referrals, representation, accompaniment and consultation services to clients
Develops policies and procedures to ensure quality services for clients and accountability for staff, legal interns/externs, and volunteers
Provides ongoing assessment and evaluation of legal programs to ensure that client needs, agency standards and funding requirements are met
Collaborates with administrative staff in grant writing and reporting
Reviews client files to ensure that agency and funding standards are met
Identifies client resources through the development of community partnerships
Prioritizes the use of best and evidence-based practices, including researching programming trends and current practices being used in other jurisdictions
Actively participates and advocates on behalf of clients in multi-disciplinary teams in the county and state
Identifies and reports trends in client needs, system responses and other factors relating to client outcomes
Maintain/complete paperwork for attorney’s malpractice insurance
Maintain accurate and up-to-date contact logs and statistical information for electronic files, grants and departmental reports
Participates on the agency’s management team
Conducts regular legal team meetings
Works closely with the clinical, residential, anti-trafficking, and advocacy department to coordinate services
Maintains a working relationship with outside agencies, including the Howard County Police Department, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, and the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Attend and participate on the Howard County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team
Attend Howard County Bar Association functions and network
Provide technical assistance to attorneys, Judges, and community partners
Meets with the Executive Director for regular supervision
Works with the Community Engagement Department to coordinate volunteer recruitment and assists with community presentations, as needed