Legal Advocate – Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project

Position Summary: The House of Ruth Maryland Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (the Clinic) provides free legal services to survivors of intimate partner violence in order to help them gain safety and independence from their abusive partners. The Clinic seeks applicants who are passionate about ending domestic violence and public service. This is an entry-level position which offers extensive training in working with survivors of domestic violence, the dynamics of domestic violence, and interviewing techniques.

Position Description: The Legal Advocate – Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project (POARP) is the first point of contact for survivors of domestic violence who are seeking legal services for protective order and family law cases. Legal advocates conduct detailed interviews with potential clients to assess their legal needs, determine their history of abuse, and provide lethality assessment, safety planning and referrals. Legal advocates work with the Clinic’s attorneys to provide legal information to clients and connect clients with the attorneys for representation in protective order and family law cases. The Legal Advocate works on-site in the Clinic’s offices located in the Baltimore City and Baltimore County courthouses, which enables the Legal Advocate to provide immediate legal intervention to clients on a walk-in basis and to develop meaningful connections to courthouse personnel.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide high-quality, trauma-informed services to survivors of intimate partner violence.
• Conduct comprehensive consultations with potential clients, which include a thorough interview about recent and past incidents of abuse, safety planning, lethality assessment, and referrals to appropriate community and legal resources.
• Provide prompt, compassionate services to clients on a walk-in basis and via phone.
• Maintain the Clinic’s client database and systems used for tracking clients’ cases.
• Other duties as assigned.