Jobs - Attorney I - Family Law Self Help Center - Montgomery County Circuit Court (2024)

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CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND

Personnel Class Specification

Attorney I - Family Law Self Help Center (Part-Time)

DEFINITION OF CLASS

An employee in this class performs a variety of legal and administrative duties under the supervision of the Family Law Self Help Center Supervising Attorney. Employee is expected to have a thorough knowledge of Maryland Family Law and Rules of Procedure, federal law as it applies to family matters, uniform interstate laws, local Family Division services, policies and procedures, as well as resources and referrals for self-represented litigants and indigent persons.

Employee is expected to develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the Court as an organization, its policies and procedures, and to make independent decisions consistent with these policies and procedures in dealing with the public and employees. Information obtained in the course of the performance of these duties may be confidential or private in nature. The employee in this position must recognize that visitors to the Court may be under significant stress and ensure that they are treated with dignity and discretion as they obtain court services.

The incumbent of this position reports directly to the Family Law Self Help Center Supervising Attorney, to the Family Division Coordinator, and is ultimately responsible to the Court Administrator.

Circuit Court employees are at-will employees and serve at the discretion of the Administrative Judge. This means that the employee or the Court may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause. The at-will relationship remains in full force and effect notwithstanding any statements to the contrary made by court personnel or set forth in the any documents, including Montgomery County Personnel Regulations.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. This job description shall not be construed to describe an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with the applicable law to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide advice, legal counseling, or general legal information to self-represented litigants and petitioners regarding divorce, separation, annulment, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, marital property, domestic violence, and guardianships, as well as procedural rules.
• Apply Rules of Professional Conduct, including confidentiality, privilege, and conflict of interest rules at all times in the provision of limited legal services to self-represented litigants.
• Assist litigants with the preparation and filing of Domestic Relations Forms approved for use in the Family Division and other pleadings.
• Provide referrals for other services or organizations, as well as other sources of legal assistance, such as the Montgomery County Bar Association Pro Bono Program, Lawyer Referral Service, Legal Aid, as well as internet resources that may assist self-represented litigants.
• Identify domestic violence or child abuse and neglect issues and make referrals where appropriate.
• Review individual intake instruments to determine eligibility, including financial, for services.
• Inform self-represented litigants as to proper courtroom etiquette, what to expect in court, and the flow of their case through the system.
• Provide information to applicants regarding emergency or ex-parte proceedings.
• Communicate effectively with clients from diverse economic, cultural, and educational backgrounds who may be in crisis or under stress.
• Collaborate with colleagues and other court staff to provide a high level of customer service to Self Help Center clients and to the general public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work the part-time standard work schedule of 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday) with flexibility to accommodate any necessary early or late meetings.
• Maintain a regular, punctual, and reliable level of attendance.
• Ability to work independently in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct and established procedures and policies.
• Possess high level interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including drafting of legal complaints, motions, and related documents.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of judgment, tact, diplomacy, and competence in dealing with Judges, attorneys, court personnel, and the public.
• Fluency in Spanish, including legal terminology, strongly desired.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Self Help Center procedures and policies.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks while at all times maintaining a professional demeanor when interacting with court personnel and the public.
• Ability to make decisions based on experience, good judgment, and established policies and procedures.
• Ability to pay attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials; set priorities and simultaneously process multiple duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative and professional working relationships with court personnel and the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maryland with at least two years’ concentration in the practice of Family Law in Maryland.
• Thorough knowledge of Maryland Family Law and Rules of Procedure, federal law as it applies to family matters, uniform interstate laws, local Family Division services, policies and procedures, as well as resources and referrals for self-represented litigants and indigent persons.
• Excellent organizational skills and customer service are of the highest priority as well as competence and temperament to communicate with the legal community, court personnel, and the general public in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, an even temperament, and culturally competent interpersonal skills are high priority considerations for this position.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Superior writing skills and command of English are essential.
• Fluency in Spanish, while not required, is preferred.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person.

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Additional Notes

1. It is a good idea to have your Cover Letter, Resume, and Writing Prompt prepared before you complete the Employment Application.
2. Your Employment Application will not be accepted until it has been fully completed and submitted with all three attachments.
3. If the Employment Application is not complete or the Court has not received all supporting documents, your submission will be returned to you. An email notification will be sent to you requesting further information.
4. You will be required to create an account if you need to save your Employment Application and complete it later.

For assistance or additional information about the Employment Application Process, please contact Court Administration at 240-777-9102 or by email at [emailprotected].