Job Description
The Clinical Law Program at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law seeks a Clinical Law Instructor to develop and direct a new Eviction Prevention Clinic with a core mission of promoting housing stability and preventing eviction for low-income renters. The position offers a unique opportunity to join the Law School faculty to develop and direct a clinic representing tenants facing eviction, work as part of an interdisciplinary team with law and social work faculty, students, and community partners, and train law students to contribute to meeting the rising need for housing-related legal services. The Clinical Law Instructor will supervise law students certified under Maryland Rule 19-220 in their direct representation of clients; teach weekly class sessions for Clinic students focusing on the lawyering, litigation, and other substantive skills necessary to provide quality representation to tenants; and supervise the EPP staff attorney, who will manage an independent caseload and assist with law student supervision.

Initially, the Clinical Law Instructor will focus on designing the clinic, developing the syllabus, assessing community and client need for legal services, developing relationships with community partners, developing criteria for client intake and case acceptance, and litigating eviction defense cases including same-day representation cases.  Beginning in the Spring of 2023, the Eviction Prevention Clinic will enroll law students to represent low-income renters in cases prioritized by the Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions statute and Baltimore City Right to Counsel in Evictions Ordinance, including failure to pay rent, breach of lease, tenant holding over, constructive eviction, rent escrow, retaliatory eviction, illegal eviction, willful diminution of services, and subsidy termination hearings.  

 

Primary duties of the Clinical Law Instructor: 

The position will require both legal and programmatic work including:

Teaching and supervising clinical law students enrolled in the Eviction Prevention Clinic in their representation of clients in eviction defense and related cases and develop and implement effective clinical pedagogy to ensure quality representation of clients and a rich learning opportunity for students through weekly supervision meetings, case planning, reviewing and providing detailed comments on students’ written work, and mooting students in advance of hearings and court appearances. Creating a syllabus and teaching weekly two-hour class sessions to Clinic students to complement students’ direct client representation and explore broader issues of access to justice and conduct case rounds. Developing criteria for and overseeing case acceptance to ensure fulfillment of grant obligations, meet community need, and provide a rich and varied learning opportunity for law students.

Nurturing existing community partnerships and developing new partnerships to facilitate client referrals and coordinate necessary resources and services for low-income tenants in Baltimore City and other counties. Supervising the EPP staff attorney, who will continue to manage an independent caseload of housing-related cases, oversee the EPP’s collaboration with community partners, and assist with law student supervision. Handling cases during law school breaks and the summer, including cases that have not concluded by the end of each semester as well as same-day representation. Fulfilling grant reporting obligations required by funder(s). Participating in short-term and long-term planning for the Eviction Prevention Clinic; identifying strategic opportunities to respond to community need and evaluating the scope and extent of housing-related need in Baltimore City and other counties. Other duties as required.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

J.D. from an ABA accredited school. Must be admitted to practice law in Maryland, or eligible as an out-of-state, experienced attorney for admission under Rules 19-215 and 19-216, and must be in good standing. Minimum of five (5) years of combined relevant legal experience in litigation and housing/landlord-tenant law.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in housing advocacy/litigation and/or eviction defense.
• Passion for teaching and mentoring; experience with or an interest in clinical education.
• Experience supervising and mentoring law students or lawyers.
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to network as well as support effective partnerships with key groups and individuals.
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial spirit with ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple ongoing tasks that require daily or weekly updating and attention.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary work and collaborating with professionals from other fields as well as ability to work with a wide range of people, including law students, social workers, tenant clients, community organizations, and court personnel.
• Dedication to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Experience with project management and development, knowledge of the Baltimore City or other Maryland eviction defense landscape, and grant writing experience are a plus.
• Spanish proficiency preferred.

Salary: Up to $102,600 depending on experience. This is a full-time, one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent on performance and availability of funding.

UMB offers a generous benefits package, which includes 22 vacation days, 14 floating and holidays, 15 sick days; comprehensive health insurance and retirement options; and tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any of the University System of Maryland schools.
 

To apply: Interested applicants should submit (a) a cover letter, (b) resume, (c) the names and telephone numbers of at least three references by September 18, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

UMB employees are strongly encouraged to follow all CDC recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses.  For additional information on protocols and exemptions, please visit the COVID-19 website.

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu.  

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Job: Faculty
Organization: Francis King Carey School of Law - Instruction
Job Posting: Aug 29, 2022