Deputy Advocacy Director for Public Benefits

Job Description:

Deputy Advocacy Director for Public Benefits

Description

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. 

Salary:

$96,000 - $115,000