CHF INVOLNTARY INST SER PUB DEF

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The involuntary civil commitment of an indigent client to a psychiatric hospital is a massive curtailment of liberty that cannot be accomplished without due process of law. To protect a client’s constitutional and statutory rights, the Chief Attorney of the Mental Health Division is responsible for ensuring client-centered and zealous representation at every stage of civil commitment proceedings, supervising personnel and operations of the Mental Health Division, playing a key role in directing OPD’s policy and best practices surrounding the treatment of the mentally ill in confinement, and participating in the Office of the Public Defender’s management team. The Chief Attorney of the Mental Health Division will oversee the Mental Health Division’s implementation of OPD’s strategic plan. The Chief Attorney is supported by the Deputy Division Chief and reports to the Public Defender and Deputy Public Defender for the State of Maryland. This position will be located in Towson, Maryland with supervision responsibilities across the State of Maryland.

Advance systemic reform and impact litigation to protect the constitutional and statutory rights of individuals with mental illness against erroneous deprivation by the State.

Assume a leadership role in developing and implementing internal policies and practices regarding a meaningful judicial process to protect the rights of individual with mental illness. 

Collaborate efforts with the litigation support team, training division, Administration and others to challenge systemic issues such as commitment criteria, predications of dangerousness, availability of appropriate voluntary health services in the community, and possible coercion of clients to participate in inadequate treatment programs. 

Oversee the Mental Health Division’s organization and operations. 

Supervise all Mental Health Division personnel (approximately 7 attorneys; 6 support staff; and 1 investigator). 

Oversee the development and training of all division staff. 

Effective communication with courts, administrative law judges, correctional institutions, state and local public health agencies, and other organizations to ensure justice, fairness, and humanity for individuals with  mental illness.

Develop and provide training to OPD personnel, hospital staff, outpatient providers, law enforcement…etc. on systemic and legal issues that infringe upon the constitutional or statutory rights of individuals with mental illness. 

Provide direct representation to clients in involuntary commitment proceedings as needed.

Must have membership in good standing in the Maryland Bar or Bar of another State.

In addition to submitting this electronic application, please submit a: (1) current resume or curriculum vitae, (2) cover letter addressing the above qualifications, (3) list of references, and (4) recent writing sample.  Cover letters should be addressed to:  Johanna Cohen Leshner, Director of Recruitment, 6 St. Paul Street, Suite 1400, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.

Items (1)-(4) must be submitted electronically.  Please email all materials in one email to attorneyjobs@opd.state.md.us.  In the subject line of the email please indicate “Chief Attorney: Mental Health Division.”  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

TTY Users:  call via Maryland Relay, 1-800-925-4434 

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Chief Attorneys are full-time employees who serve at the pleasure of the Public Defender.  Criminal Procedure Art., Section 16-203(d).  Chief Attorneys cannot engage in the private practice of law while in this position.