Staff Attorney – Economic Justice

Homeless Persons Representation Project

Location

Baltimore, MD

Category

Attorney

Posted

January 31, 2024

Type

Full-Time

Description/Duties

Are you passionate about economic justice? Do you want to use your legal skills to help individuals and families with children access food and income to prevent or end homelessness?  We invite you to apply to join our team of dedicated advocates at the Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) as a staff attorney in our Economic Justice Program.
 
Who We Are: HPRP is an organization that advances housing and economic justice and works towards ending homelessness in Maryland. Our services include outreach, education, and free civil legal services to the unhoused or unstably housed. We also work to eliminate barriers to housing and employment posed by criminal records. HPRP values collaboration with persons who have lived experience of homelessness, recognizing that they have the power and expertise to determine solutions to systemic issues affecting their lives.
 
The Staff Attorney Position: HPRP’s Economic Justice Program embraces access to food, health, and housing as basic human rights and seeks to ensure justice for and with persons who have not been able to access critical food and cash assistance programs in Maryland.  This position will focus on providing free direct legal services to clients who have been wrongly denied or terminated from public benefit programs, including: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP).  The staff attorney will assist the Director where needed with state administrative and legislative advocacy.
The Staff Attorney will:

Represent clients in administrative hearings before the Office of Administrative Hearings and judicial review appeals in Circuit Court related to application denial or termination of public benefits including SNAP, TCA, TDAP, and Medicaid; Coordinate with service providers to provide regular on-site legal clinics at shelters in Baltimore City; Create client and community education materials and conduct regular outreach to distribute written materials and identify clients in need of legal services; Conduct “knows your rights” workshops at shelters and other community-based locations on public benefit laws and appeal rights; and Engage in policy advocacy with relevant government agencies, the Maryland General Assembly, and participate in relevant coalitions and task forces.

Skills/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

J.D. from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Maryland or licensed in another state and eligible for admission to the Maryland bar;

One to three years of legal experience;

Demonstrated commitment to equity, racial and social justice, and personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences;

Demonstrated ability to listen and communicate with people who are in crisis and/or have experienced trauma and oppression;

Excellent written and oral advocacy skills, strong organizational skills, and ability to set priorities and handle multiple tasks;.

Ability to travel within Baltimore City to meet with clients, conduct intake and follow-up, and attend community outreach events; and

Ability to work occasional evening or weekend hours to accommodate clients who are unavailable during HPRP’s standard work week (Monday to Friday from 9AM to 5PM) and/or to attend community education or outreach events.

Preferred qualifications: 

Experience with Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings practice (or equivalent forum in another state);

Knowledge of administrative law and federal and state public benefit programs;

Fluency in Spanish.

Compensation

The minimum starting salary for this position is $76,001. This figure represents the base threshold, and HPRP enthusiastically recognizes and rewards experience. Accordingly, your final starting salary may be adjusted upwards to reflect the depth and relevance of your professional experience.

HPRP has a 35-hour workweek and flexible scheduling when not required to appear in court or at other program locations.

Benefits:
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Training & development
  • Vision insurance

Joining the team at HPRP comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. In addition, there are personal incentives, including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. HPRP’s package of benefits includes full health coverage (medical, prescription, dental) and a contribution toward family coverage; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 403(b) plan (employer supplemental salary contribution determined annually); and paid vacation, sick, and personal leave.

Vaccination Requirement: All HPRP staff members must stay up to date on their COVID vaccinations, including receiving additional booster doses that currently are or may subsequently be recommended by the CDC. Vaccine exemptions may be granted on a case-by- case basis on religious grounds and in accordance with the reasonable accommodations guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

 

How To Apply

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit: 1) a cover letter describing interest and qualifications for the position, 2) a resume, 3) a short writing sample (no more than five pages), and 4) the names and contact information of three professional references. These items should be sent (preferably as PDF attachments) to jobs@hprplaw.org. The subject line should specify “Staff Attorney – Economic Justice.”

HPRP is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We believe that having a staff, board, and volunteers with diverse personal and professional backgrounds and lived experience enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all community members can thrive. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from Black people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, immigrants, persons with disabilities, members of the TLGBQIA+ (Trans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more) community, people with lived experience of poverty or homelessness, and people from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
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