Managing Attorney & Legal Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Managing Attorney & Legal Director

FreeState Justice

Baltimore, MD 

FreeState Justice seeks an experienced Managing Attorney & Legal Director, who cares deeply about LGBTQ+ people, to lead our legal services team in providing direct representation to LGBTQ+ Marylanders with low and limited incomes. The Managing Attorney & Legal Director will work directly under the supervision of the Executive Director.  They will lead all aspects of FreeState’s legal services program, including managing the legal team, representing clients in our most complex cases, and overseeing case selection and docket management. We seek a candidate with a deep passion for social justice, a commitment to empowering clients, and enthusiasm for joining our small team of dedicated, engaged, and energetic individuals working to bring lived equality to Maryland’s LGBTQ+ population with low or limited incomes.

Position Summary: The Managing Attorney & Legal Director will provide direction, and leadership to our legal services program. They will support a small team of two attorneys and an administrative assistant to ensure excellent service to clients in both in-house and pro bono representation. They will supervise and monitor the provision of legal services to clients as well as manage a focused caseload of our most complex legal matters.  Additionally, the Managing Attorney & Legal Director will support FreeState’s public policy advocacy. This position is partially funded through grants from Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC) and the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP).

About FreeState:  FreeState Justice is a 501(c)(3) social justice organization that envisions a Maryland where people across the spectrum of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities are free to live authentically, with safety and dignity, in all communities throughout our state. Our work brings to the forefront the experiences of those of us at greater risk for discrimination, such as youth, communities of color, individuals with low and limited incomes, and transgender and gender non-conforming people.  FreeState Justice provides free legal representation and policy advocacy in areas arising from a person’s LGBTQ status, such as health care discrimination, safe and equal access to school services, family law matters, name and gender changes, and discrimination in places of public accommodation.  More information about the organization can be found at www.freestate-justice.org.

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervises: Staff Attorneys (2), Administrative Coordinator, Legal Interns/Fellows

Responsibilities:

Strategic & Programmatic Leadership

  • Provide vision, leadership, supervision, and strategic thinking to the short-term and long-term development plans for FreeState Justice’s Legal Services Program in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors
  • Lead the legal team through annual strategic planning and goal-setting activities, including the development of the organization’s short- and long-term litigation strategy.

Legal Services Program

  • Maintain and increase key partnerships with other legal service nonprofits, private counsel, local and national LGBTQ+ organizations
  • Lead the development of written resources, presentations, and other educational materials for clients and attorneys on various LGBTQ+ legal issues, including presenting at conferences, meetings, and webinars
  • Identify and pursue opportunities for filing amicus briefs on issues of concern to Maryland’s LGBTQ+ community                   
  • Manage a caseload of cutting edge LGBTQ+ civil rights litigation, including direct services and impact litigation                    
  • Represent LGBTQ+ clients with low incomes in a variety of legal venues, including judicial and administrative settings

Policy Advocacy

  • Support FreeState’s public policy advocacy                                                                                                               
  • Work closely with the Executive Director and Policy Director to support legislative and administrative public policy advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community in Maryland

General Management

  • Meet all staff requirements for the legal team in reporting, goal setting, and professional development.
  • Supervise and manage the professional development of the legal team consisting of two staff attorneys, an administrative assistant, and interns                                                                                          
  • Ensure a positive, collaborative culture on the legal team
  • Assist with grant reporting, public education, and the development of other written materials 
  • Participate in and support FreeState’s annual fundraising efforts

Qualifications:  An ideal candidate will possess the following qualities:

  • 5+ years of legal experience
  • Familiarity with and commitment to advocacy regarding legal issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community nationally and/or in Maryland
  • Commitment to serving communities with low incomes, including experience working with transgender people, people of color, and other marginalized populations
  • Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar (or active membership in good standing in the bar of another state, and ability to achieve admission to the Maryland Bar at the next feasible opportunity within a year after hire and to practice under supervision until admission)
  • Ability to manage a team, including an ability to clarify roles and responsibilities, delegate work, promote collaboration, and hold others and themselves accountable
  • Ability to coach and develop others toward goals, recognize accomplishments, provide and receive feedback that is timely, relevant, and constructive
  • Problem-solving skills and ability to identify areas for improvement within processes and implement solutions
  • Experience in civil litigation affecting the LGBTQ+ community, such as housing issues, civil rights, family law, employment discrimination, education discrimination, access to healthcare, prisoners’ rights, or other civil legal aid for low-income individuals
  • Ability in written and oral communications, public speaking, and interpersonal relations
  • Well-developed time management skills and strong attention to detail
  • Flexibility in work schedule
  • Ability to travel throughout the state of Maryland

Additional Helpful Qualifications:

  • Experience in legislative and/or regulatory policy advocacy in Maryland, or in the federal government, or another U.S. state.
  • Active membership in good standing in the Bar of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland or another federal court.
  • Experience with case management or customer-relationship management software, such as Salesforce.

Salary:  The salary range for this position is $72,000-$84,000 annually. Salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule:  The Managing Attorney & Legal Director will have flexible work hours between 9AM-5PM. Occasionally evening and weekend hours may be required. 

Location: Office is located in Baltimore, Maryland with a hybrid work environment. A minimum of one workday per week in the office is desired but not required.

Benefits:  FreeState Justice offers a competitive benefits package.  Benefits include: medical, dental, and vision benefits; 403(b) retirement savings account; 41 paid leave days (11 paid holidays, 20 days of paid time off annually, and 10 days of paid sick leave).

How to Apply:  Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, legal writing sample, and list of 3 references utilizing our online form found at www.freestate-justice.org/careers.  If necessary, questions may be directed via email to info@freestate-justice.org. No calls, please.  More information about the organization can be found at www.freestate-justice.org.

Target Timeline: Applications will be accepted until November 22nd. Candidates will receive an email confirming receipt of their application.  Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. We hope to make an offer with the earliest start date of December 6th.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: FreeState Justice is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, HIV status, pregnancy status, parental status, or any other status protected by applicable law.  Transgender people, people of color, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

About FreeState:  FreeState Justice is a 501(c)(3) social justice organization that envisions a Maryland where people across the spectrum of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities are free to live authentically, with safety and dignity, in all communities throughout our state. Our work brings to the forefront the experiences of those of us at greater risk for discrimination, such as youth, communities of color, individuals with low incomes, and transgender and gender non-conforming people.

FreeState Justice provides free legal representation and policy advocacy in areas arising from a person’s LGBTQ status, such as health care discrimination, safe and equal access to school services, family law matters, name, and gender changes, and discrimination in places of public accommodation.  Services, both legal and policy-focused, are provided by staff attorneys, as well as by volunteer attorneys who serve on FreeState’s pro bono panel, and student interns.

More information about the organization can be found at www.freestate-justice.org.  

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