Parental Defenders represent parents and/or legal guardians whose children have been removed or are at risk of being removed from their care and custody by the State. The attorney in this position will represent clients in adversarial proceedings from the initial Emergency Shelter Care Hearing to the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) trial. Our attorneys are critical thinkers with a demonstrated ability to apply legal analysis in an area of the law that may be unsettled. Attorneys must be willing to challenge the system with a healthy sense of outrage and be persistent in the face of ambiguity or outright resistance to their position. Parental Defenders must be able to handle case-related emergencies and various personalities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, and follow office procedures and processes. This position is for our Baltimore City office.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Protect clients’ Constitutional rights to raise and rear their children.
● Defend clients against allegations of neglect and/or abuse.
● Utilize excellent litigation and oral advocacy skills.
● Zealously and compassionately advocate on behalf of clients at every stage of the proceeding.
● Engage in motion practice, legal research, and writing.
● Obtain, organize, and review records and documents necessary for preparing a defense.
● Develop and maintain client relationships over the extended life of the case.
● Collaborate with PDD social workers, criminal defense attorneys, parent advocates, and others as part of a multidisciplinary defense team.
● Ensure clients are consistently heard and respected. Be non-judgmental and empathetic towards clients experiencing socio-economic challenges and/or barriers.
● Effectively and compassionately communicate with clients, colleagues, and service providers to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.
● Continuously seek professional and personal development through training, continuing legal education, and trial skills courses.
● Other duties as assigned by the Public Defender.