FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 2, 2003 CONTACT: Janet S. Eveleth, (410) 685-7878 or (800) 492-1964 STATE BAR OFFERS 24 FREE LEGAL BROCHURES TO GIVE CONSUMERS BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAW

Maryland consumers seeking information on bankruptcy, wills, divorce, nursing home admissions, automobile accidents and other legal issues should contact the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) for assistance. MSBA offers a series of 24 legal information pamphlets to the public free of charge as a public service. These legal guides give consumers basic information about common legal problems so they may be better informed when dealing with issues affecting their families.

This brochure series, prepared by volunteer attorneys who are MSBA members, helps people buy homes, file for workers’ compensation, understand complex health benefit issues and deal with domestic violence. The pamphlets also help consumers know what to do when they receive a traffic ticket, know their legal rights if they are arrested and know what to do in the event of a car accident. Information on when a lawyer is needed is available, too.

MSBA gives these free brochures to Maryland consumers as a public service to help educate the public about the law and promote a better public understanding of our legal system. The series of 24 brochures is available on MSBA’s website, www.msba.org, by clicking on public resources. Any member of the public interested in the brochure series may also contact Jason J. Zeisloft at MSBA: email – JZeisloft@msba.org or phone (410) 685-7878 extension 3028.