Juvenile Attorney District X (Carroll and Howard Counties)

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks a zealous anddedicated litigator to represent young people in both delinquency and criminalmatters in our Howard County office. We are committed to building aculturally diverse staff and strongly encourage people historicallyunderrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

ASTD22

Ellicott City - 3451 Courthouse Dr

Overview of the Position

MOPD Juvenile Defenders provide consistent client-centered representationto their clients from their first court appearance through their entire vertical representation model leads to deep and lasting clientrelationships and continuity of representation across years and work in conjunction with social workers and core staff in ateam-oriented environment. Attorneys must be able to balance a client-centeredapproach to representation with advocacy to address systemic inequity and thecollateral consequences that lead to deeper system involvement. This positionwill be located at 3451 Courthouse Drive Ellicott City Maryland 21043. Theposition requires travel throughout the city of Baltimore as well asfamiliarity with the challenges and joys working with young people in a majorAmerican city.

Primary Responsibilities

Represent youth at arraignment adjudication disposition andpost-disposition hearings.

Represent clients in administrative matters related to conditions ofconfinement and access otreatment.

Work to identify and advocate for solutions to systemic issues.

Work collaboratively with social workers and core staff to assistclients and their families inmatters related to housing educationschool discipline mental health and other collateralmatters thatcontribute to deepening system involvement.

Investigate develop and litigate novel and cutting-edgeConstitutional arguments in order toadvance and expand the rights ofyoung people in contact with the juvenile justice system.

Competently and resourcefully prepare for and manage an activecaseload.

Effectively proactively and compassionately communicate with clientsfamily membersteam members colleagues community resources and serviceproviders to ensure optimaloutcomes and resolve challenges in an openconstructive and professional manner.

Continuously seek professional and personal development throughtraining CLEs and trialskills courses.

Other duties as assigned by the State Public Defender.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated commitment to zealous and comprehensive defense practiceincluding the ability to represent clients in juvenile criminal andadministrative hearings.

Excellent research writing and oral advocacy skills.

Knowledge training and experience related to adolescent developmentneuroscience education mental health treatment and best practices forjuvenile rehabilitation.

Ability to communicate effectively with people of different backgroundsand lived experiences. Proven expertise in communicating with children andadolescents is preferred.

Ability to work in a fast-paced diverse team-oriented environment.

Exceptional organizational legal and administrative skills necessaryto handle a high caseload.

Criminal trial and/or experience representing juveniles preferred.

Active membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar ofanother State by start date.

Attorneys barred in another state must become members of the Maryland Barwithin 18months of the start date.

How to Apply

If you wish to be considered please click here to fill out theapplication and submit the following items in one PDF attachment throughthe Resume tab of the Maryland State Government Job Openings Page: (1) currentresume (2) cover letter (3) list of four professional references (4) writingsample and (5) transcript (if graduated from law school within the past 3years).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Assistant Public Defendersare full-time employees and cannot engage in the private practice of law whilein this position. MD Code Criminal Procedure Art. Section 16-203(d)(2).

As a State agency theMaryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an affirmative action andequal opportunity employer. MOPD is committed to the full inclusion of allqualified individuals without regard to race color religion sex physical ormental disability age sexual orientation gender identity national originveteran status or genetic information.

All applicants must beable to communicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability tocomplete tasks in a fast-paced work environment. Applicants must be ableto work in various positions and travel to various courtrooms and office environmentsthroughout the state. MOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunityand reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employmentits services programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the jobapplication process or the job or work environment to make reasonableaccommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant oremployee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essentialfunctions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits andprivileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employeeswithout disabilities unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.

Applicants must be able tooperate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to amotor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonableaccommodation is needed please contact Tawanda Jackson Human ResourcesSupervisor at or