Supervising Attorney (Protective Orders and Emergency Matters), MCASA’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is Maryland’s sexual assault coalition and includes the State’s rape crisis centers and others concerned with ending sexual violence. Our mission is to help prevent sexual assault, advocate for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual violence, and work to hold offenders accountable. Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is an organization devoted to ending sexual violence, equity, and justice.

The Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI), a program within MCASA, provides comprehensive legal services to survivors of sexual violence, and technical assistance and training to professionals working with survivors. SALI is part of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and contributes to the overall mission of the agency, working on training, outreach, and systems advocacy as well as helping individual survivors.

We believe we cannot successfully serve others if we do not take care of ourselves. MCASA staff are encouraged to practice self-care and are supported in finding a positive work-life balance. This position, along with the rest of the agency, will entail significant virtual work and allows for flexible scheduling.

Most MCASA staff work remotely, with MCASA provided laptops and office supplies. Employees need to be available to travel to the MCASA office in Silver Spring within 90 minutes or live within the State of Maryland, for job duties that require an in-person presence. These duties may include on-site meetings, meetings with stakeholders or community members, training, court proceedings, or other in- person events. MCASA employees have the option of working in office space in Silver Spring, Maryland, subject to COVID restrictions and available workspace. Staff may also be required to go to agency offices or other locations in Maryland for in person training or collaboration or to obtain client files, supplies, and the like.

Position Overview

The Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI), a program within MCASA, provides a range of direct legal services for survivors. Cases range from protective orders, which are typically handled within a month or two, to longer term cases such as custody litigation or petitions for U-visas.

SALI is seeking a Supervising Attorney to manage the placement and litigation of protective orders, peace orders, and other emergency cases; train attorneys and advocates to handle these cases; and collaborate with advocates tasked with supporting attorneys and survivors. Successful applicants may have significant management experience, however, this is also a good position for an attorney with litigation experience but new to supervision duties. A keen sense of how to support attorneys balancing a range of cases and responsibilities is vital, and all supervisory staff at SALI are committed to ensuring staff have training and resources to provide high quality legal services. This position reports to the Legal Services Director.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES ADMISSION TO PRACTICE LAW IN MARYLAND.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Promote SALI’s culture of supporting provision of high-quality legal services, including strong trial skills and fierce advocacy.
• Supervise provision of protective orders, peace orders, and other emergency legal services to survivors of sexual assault. This includes assessment and referral, legal consultation, and representation.
• Lead development and provision of training regarding POs and emergency remedies.
• Assist the Legal Services Director in efforts to ensure all legal staff know the importance of helping survivors create safety plans and that all staff assist survivors create and refresh their plans.
• Maintain systems to review and evaluate requests for PO and other emergency representation, taking into account the needs of survivors, reasonable caseloads, attorney skill and capacity, and funding requirements.
• Provide direct supervision to 2-3 staff attorneys or law clerks.Coordinate supervision of cases with the Legal Services Director, including through sharing case review responsibilities.
• Maintain appropriate caseload in compliance with grant requirements, needs of the office, and other duties. The Supervising Attorney's caseload includes POs and emergency cases as well as a small number of other types of longer term cases.
• Develop and utilize skills to provide high quality and sensitive legal services that reflect a thorough assessment and awareness of clients’ social and cultural needs
• Review cases with SALI Legal Services Director and seek assistance when needed
• Conduct legal research
• Provide community outreach, technical assistance, and training
• Assist in production of training and technical assistance materials
• Assist in coordination and development of low bono/pro bono attorney network
• Collect data needed for grant reports or other reasons; assist in grant report preparation
• Assist in recruiting and supervision of legal interns and other SALI staff
• Prioritize and fulfill responsibilities in accordance with available funding and grant requirements
• Comply with Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct
• Such other duties as assigned by the Legal Services Director or Executive Director

Qualifications

• J.D. from accredited law school
• Must be admitted to Maryland bar--Attorneys currently licensed in another State may be eligible for admission under Maryland Rule 19-218 (temporary admission for public interest attorneys licensed out of state) and must promptly seek permanent admission. Experience in Maryland is preferred. Do not apply for this position if you are not licensed to practice law anywhere.
• Access to a car and valid driver’s license; this position requires some travel within the State of Maryland
• 5 years litigation experience and/or judicial clerkship preferred
• Management experience or significant experience litigating protective orders preferred
• Performing arts or debating experience preferred
• Knowledge and/or previous work experience with sexual assault related issues preferred
• Background check is required (this is mandated by federal funding regulations)

Classification: Exempt

Salary: Individuals holding a comparable position at the time of this posting receive compensation ranging from $75,000-$85,000 and the salary for this position is expected to fall within this range if the person hired has similar experience. Salary reflects current grant funding but MCASA continues to advocate with funders for increased compensation and is committed to continuing to do so.

MCASA is committed to transparency, fairness, and equity in the hiring process. Compensation is determined based on education and work experience, victim services experience, and language skills. For attorneys, admission to practice law in Maryland is also considered. MCASA values a range of life and work experiences and encourages people to apply for positions they believe they are a good fit for even if there are aspects of the job that they will have to learn.

MCASA sets salary ranges being attentive to compensation levels throughout the agency, equity, and skill levels. The agency is mindful of the need to use objective criteria to ensure that new employees and current staff with similar credentials are paid fairly and the agency does not negotiate salaries with individual employees or applicants. MCASA does not consider prior salary history of applicants and requests that applicants omit this information from application materials.

MCASA’s current benefits include:

• 80% of health insurance premium (3 plans to choose from)
• 100% of vision and dental insurance premiums
• Flexible work environment, including hybrid work, flexible hours, and supportive colleagues
• 40 hour work week including paid one hour lunches
• Paid sick and safe leave
• Twelve paid holidays
• Paid vacation beginning at 10 days the first 12 months, increasing to 15 days the following year, with additional set increases over time
• Three additional floating holidays during the winter holiday season (12/15-1/7)
• Two personal days annually
• Compensatory time

Other reasons you will love working at MCASA:

• Organizational commitment to survivor justice, sexual assault prevention, and offender accountability
• Organizational culture that is inclusive, supportive, and purposeful
• Balance between individual and collaborative work
• Professional development opportunities inside and outside the agency

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

This job requires the ability to travel to and from different locations within the State of Maryland.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Most MCASA staff work remotely, with MCASA provided laptops and office supplies. In-person attendance for external meetings and court appearances may be required, and occasional in-person MCASA meetings are possible. MCASA employees have the option of working in office space in Silver Spring, Maryland, subject to COVID restrictions and available workspace. Staff may also be required to go to agency offices or other locations in Maryland to obtain client files, supplies, and the like.

Commitment to Diversity

MCASA is an equal opportunity employer. Its policy of nondiscrimination means that all employment decisions will be based on merit and without regard to factors unrelated to job performance, such as ethnicity, creed, marital status, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical, emotional or mental capacity.

Note to Potential Applicants: Applicants do not need to possess all of the listed qualifications. Research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they do not meet all of the listed qualifications. If you don't meet all qualifications but think you would be a good fit for the position, please apply.

MCASA values diverse life experience and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, people with disabilities, and/or people who identify as LGBTQI are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our ideal candidate will share our passion and commitment to believing and supporting survivors, holding people who cause harm accountable, and taking action to end sexual assault in Maryland. We also expect that all members of our organization recognize that sexual violence and oppression are intricately linked, and are dedicated to grappling with the complexities of societal power and privilege in order to create an inclusive movement to end sexual violence. Candidates must be able to recognize personal biases and address them productively, as well as communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, groups, and organizations.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume and writing sample to jobs@mcasa.org. Please include your name and position title in the subject.