SPVR ATTORNEY, JUVENILE DIVISION: ANNE ARUNDEL CO (DISTRICT VII) (ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER SUPERVISOR)

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) seeks an experienced,\r\nzealous, dedicated,�and demonstrated leader to serve as the Supervising\r\nAttorney for the Juvenile Division for�District VII (Anne Arundel County).\r\nMOPD is committed to building a culturally diverse staff�and strongly\r\nencourages people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to\r\napply.\r\n\r\nThe Anne Arundel County office is a busy public defender office with\r\napproximately 50�attorneys and staff. MOPD’s vision is for Justice,\r\nFairness, and Dignity for All. We are�committed to our core values of a\r\nculture of excellence, client-centered representation, and�tenacious\r\nadvocacy, and remain united as a team in achieving our mission. At MOPD we use\r\nour�legal education and experience to fight for justice and fairness, no\r\nmatter what and we refuse to remain silent in the midst of human suffering. Our\r\nunique talents, identities, educational�backgrounds, and perspectives\r\nguide us in representing our clients. We stand up against�prejudice,\r\nsystemic racism, and inequity in all of the spaces we occupy. Learn more about our�mission\r\nand commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.\r\n

GRADE

23\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

1700 Margaret Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION\r\nMOPD Juvenile Defenders provide consistent client-centered\r\nrepresentation to their clients from their first court appearance through their\r\nentire case. This vertical representation model leads to deep and lasting\r\nclient relationships and continuity of representation across years and cases.\r\nAttorneys work in conjunction with social workers and core\r\nstaff in a team-oriented environment. Attorneys must be able to balance a\r\nclient-centered approach to representation with advocacy to address systemic\r\ninequity and the collateral consequences that lead to deeper system involvement.�\r\nThe Supervising Attorney, working with the leadership team\r\nof District VII, coordinates the day-to-day operations of Juvenile attorneys,\r\nsocial workers, and core staff. The position reports to the District Public\r\nDefender and is located at 1700 Margaret Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.\r\n\r\n\r\nPRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES\r\n● Works closely with the Anne Arundel County (District VII)\r\nleadership team to maintain the highest standards of representation by ensuring\r\naccountability, fostering mentorship, and developing District-wide strategy.\r\n● Maintain an active caseload.\r\n● Identify, assess, and cultivate talent and litigation\r\nskills amongst Juvenile attorneys and staff.\r\n● Organize and conduct regular in-house training programs.\r\n● Ensures accountability, resourcefulness, and excellence\r\nthrough regular observation and evaluation.\r\n● Model a culture of excellence, resourcefulness, and\r\nzealous advocacy.\r\n● Handle administrative matters including but not limited\r\nto managing outside contractors and conflict case matters.\r\n● Develop strategies and means for advancing litigation and\r\nadvocacy practices in the office.\r\n● Work to identify and advocate for solutions to systemic\r\nissues – including but not limited to reducing the use of incarceration,\r\naddressing discriminatory disproportionate contact with the criminal legal\r\nsystem, unconstitutional police practices, the school-to-prison pipeline, and\r\nthe immigration consequences of a juvenile arrest.\r\n● Works to develop legislative initiatives and shape\r\nstatewide positions on issues of youth defense.\r\n● Develop collaborative strategies with social workers and\r\ncore staff to assist clients and their families in matters related to housing,\r\neducation, school discipline, mental health, and other collateral matters.\r\n● Investigate, develop, and litigate novel and cutting-edge\r\nConstitutional arguments to advance and expand the rights of young people in\r\ncontact with the juvenile legal system.\r\n● Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS\r\n● Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, communication,\r\nclient advocacy, supervisory, and management abilities.\r\n● Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.\r\n● Substantial criminal litigation experience and strong\r\ntrial skills.\r\n● Commitment to zealous and comprehensive defense practice,\r\nincluding the ability to represent clients in juvenile, criminal, and\r\nadministrative hearings.\r\n● Knowledge, training, and experience related to adolescent\r\ndevelopment, neuroscience, education, mental health treatment, and best\r\npractices for juvenile rehabilitation.\r\n● Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented\r\nenvironment.\r\n● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills,\r\nincluding the cultural competence to collaborate with diverse stakeholder\r\ngroups. Proven expertise in communicating with children and adolescents is\r\nstrongly preferred.\r\n● Comfort working within prisons and jails.\r\n● Must have an active membership in good standing in the\r\nMaryland Bar or Bar of another State. \r\nIndividuals who are members of the Bar of another State\r\nmust be admitted to the Maryland Bar within 18 months of the start date.\r\n

BENEFITS

SALARY\r\nSalary is dependent on experience and the State of Maryland\r\nsalary rules will apply to any offer made. This is a promotion opportunity for\r\ncurrent MOPD attorneys at Grade 22 or below. \r\nThis would be a lateral transfer for MOPD attorneys\r\ncurrently at Grade 23.\r\nAssistant Public Defender Supervisor: starting at\r\n$121,603.00 (Grade 23, Step 13).\r\n\r\n\r\nBENEFITS\r\nThe Maryland Office of the Public Defender offers a\r\ngenerous benefits package that includes excellent medical, dental, and vision\r\ninsurance. Benefits also include retirement savings, life insurance, and the\r\noption to participate in supplemental retirement options. MOPD Employees receive\r\n6 days of personal leave, 15 days of sick leave, and at least 10 days of annual\r\nleave each calendar year in addition to paid holidays, and parental leave.\r\nFor more details and a full list of benefits as an employee\r\nwith the Maryland Office of the Public Defender click here.\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO APPLY\r\nTo be considered, you must complete the online application\r\nAND submit the required documents.\r\nWhen you get to the tab labeled resume, you should INCLUDE\r\nALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS in the resume upload. The required documents for this\r\nposition are listed below.\r\n1. A current resume.\r\n2. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the\r\nposition.\r\n3. A list of four professional references, please include\r\nyour relationship to the reference.\r\nIncomplete applications will not be considered.\r\nIndividuals selected for an interview will receive an\r\ninvitation for a Spark Hire interview invitation. Assistant Public Defenders\r\nare full-time employees and cannot engage in the private practice of law while\r\nin this position. MD Code, Criminal Procedure Art., Section 16-203(d)(2).\r\nAs a State agency, the Maryland Office of the Public\r\nDefender (MMOPD) is an affirmative action and qual opportunity employer. MMOPD\r\nis committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard\r\nto race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual\r\norientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.\r\nAll applicants must be able to communicate with clients and\r\nvisitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work\r\nenvironment. Applicants must be able to work in various positions and travel to\r\nvarious courtrooms and office environments throughout the state. MMOPD is\r\nfurther committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation\r\nfor individuals with disabilities in �employment,\r\nits services, programs, and activities by modifying or adjusting the job\r\napplication process or the job or work environment to make reasonable\r\naccommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or\r\nemployee be considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential\r\nfunctions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and\r\nprivileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees\r\nwithout disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship.\r\nApplicants must be able to operate a computer and other\r\noffice equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to\r\nnavigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please\r\ncontact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, at 410-767-8503 or\r\ntawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n