Job Opening: Assistant Director of Advocacy-Public Benefits

Job Opening:  Assistant Director of Advocacy-Public Benefits 

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The Assistant Director of Advocacy ("ADA") will provide leadership,

support, and mentoring to Legal Aid staff on direct representation of

low-income clients and will spearhead systemic, statewide advocacy

related to public benefits and employment. The ADA will work closely

with advocates in Legal Aid's 13 offices, providing consultation and

support on casework and keeping staff apprised of relevant changes in

policy and law relative to public benefits and employment.

The ADA will identify systemic barriers experienced by clients across

the state, develop strategies to address those barriers (litigation,

policy, other), and work in collaboration with Legal Aid staff and other

organizations to implement those strategies and monitor the outcomes.

Systemic advocacy undertaken by the ADA includes serving as lead and

co-counsel on complex litigation, appellate advocacy, permissible

legislative work, community education, and collaborative work with

community organizations and other legal services providers. The ADA

also will supervise Legal Aid's Migrant Farmworker Program.

The ADA must be familiar with legal services practice, the

legal needs of low income persons, have in-depth knowledge of publicly

funded cash and in-kind assistance programs and law (such as SSI, SSD,

UI, SNAP, TCA and TDAP), have substantial litigation or administrative

law practice experience, and have demonstrated an aggressive and

innovative approach to advocacy. A working knowledge of employment law

and issues facing low-income workers is highly desirable. The ADA must

also have a commitment to staff development, including hands-on

involvement in formal and informal training. The ADA must demonstrate

an ability to supervise staff and otherwise meet all of the

qualifications of a Chief Attorney for Legal Aid.

The ADA must have a law degree, plus a minimum of 5 years

experience as an attorney. Prior supervisory experience in a legal

services or similar program is highly desirable. Excellent

interpersonal, mentoring and communication skills (oral and written) are

required, as is a mastery of basic computer skills. The ADA must be

admitted to the Maryland Bar or eligible and willing to take the first

available Maryland Bar examination. Salary shall be based on a Chief

Attorney scale ($68,150+, depending on experience.)

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"Norton, Nathaniel" nnorton@mdlab.org natcnorton