Legal Career Center

The Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland School of Law (C-DRUM) seeks to hire a Staff Attorney-Mediator (payroll title - Research Assistant) to support the overall mission of the Center. The staff attorney-mediator will support the Mediation Clinic by mediating civil cases, supervising and mentoring students in mediation, overseeing case management, and coordinating with court and agency referral partners. The Mediation Clinic is a practice-based clinical course in which students gain intensive experience as a mediator in civil, non-family cases, including civil small claims cases in Baltimore City District Court and employment and housing discrimination cases referred from the Baltimore Office of Civil Rights.

The Staff Attorney-Mediator reports to Toby Guerin, Associate Director of C-DRUM and faculty director of the Mediation Clinic. The Staff Attorney-Mediator collaborates with other C-DRUM staff and coordinates activities with a variety of stakeholder groups including government agencies, courts, communities, practitioner organizations, and educational institutions. The position requires experience with mediation and mediation intake and the application of a high degree of technical skill, knowledge, and judgment in the use of fundamental dispute resolution principles, concepts, ethics, techniques, standards, and guides.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work in support of the law school's dispute resolution program and the C-DRUM's broader efforts in the areas of education, restorative approaches, violence reduction, community engagement, and public policy. Preferred applicants will also possess knowledge of other dispute resolution process such as restorative approaches, peer mediation, or public policy facilitation. This position supports all aspects of the dispute resolution program including promotional and informational materials, training, and center events.

Primary Duties

• Support the Mediation Clinic by conducting mediation (and co-mediation) managing cases and conducting intake, and observing mediations.
• Supervise and mentor students in case intake, case management, and mediation.
• Provide some clinical instruction and conduct research in furtherance of clinical activities and projects.
• Engage in feedback discussions with students and faculty.
• Coordinate with program partners in the courts, state agencies, and community and university-based organizations including initiating correspondence, responding to requests for information, and collecting data and reporting.
• Write, edit, and/or oversee production of C-DRUM promotional and informational materials, including website content, newsletter articles, and conference and event materials.
• Support training, events, and programs associated with the law school's dispute resolution program.

Minimum Qualifications:

• JD or LLM from an ABA Accredited Law School.
• A member in good standing of the bar of any U.S. state or territory, with a preference for admission to the Maryland bar.
• 2 to 4 years of mediation experience, with a basic knowledge of other dispute resolution processes.
• Experience working with program/project management or clinical instruction preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent strategic and analytical thinking skills with an ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• High level skills necessary to conduct mediation and intake.
• Knowledge of attorney and mediator standards of conduct, professionalism, ethics, and best practices in the alternative dispute resolution field.
• Ability to provide effective feedback to students and peers to further learning objectives and quality practice.
• Ability to network and cultivate relationships, as well as support effective partnerships with key groups and individuals.
• Ability to prioritize ongoing and new projects, as well as conduct research and gather information.
• Excellent writing and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate with others.

Salary: The salary range is between $60,000 - $75,000 (depending upon experience and years of practice); full benefits are available. This is a full-time, one-year funded position, with potential for renewal based upon available funding and performance.

Applications accepted online only at https://www.umaryland.edu/jobs/. Interested applicants should submit electronically: (a) cover letter, (b) resume, (c) the names and telephone numbers of at least three references (one which can speak to the applicant's mediation skills), and (d) one short writing sample (maximum of 1-2 pages that illustrate the applicant's ability to convey a position or analysis.

Application deadline: May 30, 2022

Start date: Summer 2022

UMB requires all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be processed through Human Resources.

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.