Deputy Advocacy Director for Public Benefits

Salary Range: $96,000.00 To $115,000.00 Annually

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change.

Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aid has provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities – helping to remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy.

Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide.

JOB SUMMARY

MLA seeks an experienced attorney with expertise in Maryland and federal law to serve as its Deputy Advocacy Director for Public Benefits. Working closely with the Advocacy Director for Administrative Law, this position will help lead and support litigation and policy advocacy, provide training and substantive guidance for legal staff in MLA’s 12 offices across the State, ensure compliance, and help craft impactful strategies to significantly benefit low-income Marylanders and combat poverty.  

The Deputy Advocacy Director for Public Benefits is part of MLA’s Statewide Advocacy Support (SAS) Unit, made up of Advocacy Directors who have deep expertise in their areas of practice. Like those Directors, the Deputy Advocacy Director will work in close collaboration with MLA’s local office staff and will provide supervision and support for staff working in the SAS Unit. The Deputy Advocacy Director will also work closely with the Advocacy Director for Community Lawyering and Development, to support community-driven efforts to improve and address systemic challenges and promote economic justice. The Deputy Advocacy Director will have experience with multiple advocacy tools, including litigation, policy advocacy, and community education. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Litigation & Policy Advocacy

• Develop, lead, and ensure high quality and high impact litigation and advocacy on behalf of low-income Marylanders to support their ability to access public benefits and promote economic justice and empowerment. 
• Co-counsel on complex, difficult, or novel individual representation cases and appeals.
• Identify systemic issues and lead strategies to address them through affirmative litigation, appeals, or policy or rule reform.
• Create or advise on litigation best practices and template documents to systematize those best practices and provide consistency in MLA’s approach to public benefits cases.
• Identify situations for which pro bono counsel may be needed to provide specialized or technical assistance in areas of practice outside of MLA’s expertise or to bolster capacity, and coordinate with appropriate MLA staff to secure such assistance. 
• Expand and elevate MLA’s advocacy around public benefits by working closely with partners, stakeholders, decisionmakers, bar committees, advocacy coalitions, the public, and the national legal services community.
• Advise senior leadership and all advocates concerning proposed changes in federal or state law or policies that may affect MLA clients.
• Work with communities to develop strategies that accomplish their goals and MLA’s strategic goals around economic justice.

Leadership, Supervision, Training, & Mentoring

• Working closely with the Advocacy Director for Administrative Law, provide direction, consultation, and guidance to increase the effectiveness and impact of MLA’s public benefits practice.
• Coordinate with other legal services organizations, community-based partners, the Judiciary, federal, state, and local agencies, providers, and others to ensure the success and effectiveness of MLA’s advocacy. 
• Provide substantive guidance and support to legal staff to ensure they have critical updates in statutory, regulatory, and procedural changes in related law and to assist in staff members’ professional growth.
• Mentor staff and respond to difficult litigation questions from around the state that may arise in public benefits cases, including developing future leaders and subject matter experts. 
• Recommend and participate in training and task forces that enable MLA staff to provide effective representation to its clients.
• Assist with the strategic use of data and technology to monitor trends and ensure effective advocacy strategies.
• Ensure that MLA meets its administrative or other programmatic requirements, including timekeeping deadlines and grants and compliance requests. 
• Directly supervise staff, including interns and/or fellows, working on related public benefits law projects in the Statewide Advocacy Support Unit.
• Participate in hiring, as requested by the Executive Team or colleagues.
• Upon request by Executive Team members, advise and participate in committees regarding MLA-wide institutional projects such as strategic planning implementation, fundraising/grant opportunities, and Board meetings.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief Legal Director, Deputy Legal and Advocacy Directors, Advocacy Director, or Executive Director. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• JD from an accredited law school. 
• Current Bar membership in good standing to practice law in any state, Maryland preferred. If licensed to practice in another state, a commitment to obtain licensure in Maryland within 2 years of hire.
• 7+ years of legal experience, preferably in a legal aid or similar program. Experience must include public benefits policy advocacy (federal, state, and/or local) and litigation as well as deep and current knowledge of federal and Maryland law, policies, and regulatory agencies that affect low-income Marylanders. 
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, advise, coach, and give constructive feedback to legal staff at all levels.
• Experience supervising staff, including those who are not lawyers.
• Significant experience effectively using current technology and remote communications to lead, supervise, and co-counsel, as needed, with staff located in multiple offices. 
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to partner with a team of professionals across offices.
• Willingness to spend time in our offices across the state as needed and to travel to conferences.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with communities and community-based organizations, including community-led organizations. 
• Passion and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Maryland Legal Aid.

Application Process 

Anyone interested in applying must send an updated resume, cover letter, and writing sample via the online application. Candidates are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline of Friday, July 25, 2025, to ensure their applications receive early consideration. However, the application period will remain open until the position is filled. 

Schedule, Travel, Salary, and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $96,000 - $115,000, based on experience. In addition, MLA provides employees with a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k)retirement plan, 3 weeks paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more!

MLA has a flexible approach to hybrid work that recognizes the benefits of both remote work and the importance of in-office work for managers and supervisors. The specific schedule can be discussed during the hiring process.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.

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• Maryland Legal Aid

• 443-991-4338