Job Description
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), founded in 1981, is the oldest and largest volunteer legal services organization in Maryland. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) removes barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws. Our vision is for a fair legal system that is free of injustice and equitably serves underrepresented Marylanders. We achieve this goal primarily through our core pro bono program and more targeted programs that serve specialized legal needs. For more program information, visit our website: www.mvlslaw.org.
MVLS’ core values are teamwork, passion for MVLS’ mission, commitment to clients, volunteers, and community partners, initiative and commitment to eliminate systemic barriers to justice based on race and economic disparities. MVLS is committed to fostering an inclusive culture in the workplace. Our work to end barriers to justice starts with increasing the racial diversity of our staff to better reflect the communities we serve.
As a result of the cannabis legalization referendum, MVLS has received one-time funding to implement a statewide outreach, education, and referral network to help expunge the records of Marylanders charged with cannabis-related violations. This position will focus on providing community education and outreach in Baltimore City and promoting and connecting residents with MVLS’ legal services to stabilize housing, remove barriers to employment, and build legal knowledge in Baltimore communities.
The position is partially remote with three days per week in-person at our downtown Baltimore office and two days of remote work per week. Travel throughout Maryland may be required. Mileage is reimbursed. This is a one-year temporary position and MVLS does not expect to receive renewal funding at the end of the grant period.
Job Responsibilities:
- Coordinate the delivery of legal services to clients seeking criminal record expungement.
- Support four community legal advocates located throughout Maryland.
- Perform legal analysis and prepare paperwork under the supervision of staff attorneys.
- Conduct research through police and case records as necessary to determine expungement eligibility.
- Meet with clients for consultations.
- Pitch cases to volunteer attorneys for expungement representation.
- Steward relationships with volunteer attorneys throughout Maryland.
Qualifications
- Strong research abilities
- Experience with legal research and preparation of legal documents a plus
- Candidate does not need to have substantive legal knowledge but will need to learn the basics of Maryland expungement law
- Excellent computer, data entry, and organization skills
- Detail oriented, organized, and able to manage a high volume of documents
- Works well with others; team player
Education –
- At least 2 years of administrative, customer service, or legal experience is preferred
- A paralegal certificate from accredited institution is a plus
- Computer and data entry experience required
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of programs, i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel.
- Demonstrated commitment through work experience, lived experience or volunteer experience to communities, such as:
- Children, Domestic workers, Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and refugees, Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, LGBTQ people, People of color, People with disabilities, People with HIV/AIDS, Sex workers, Victims of crime and abuse, and Women and girls.
MVLS is an equal opportunity employer. MVLS does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, age, religion, disability status, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, or immigration status.