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Pro Bono From A to Z With the revision of Rule 6.1 of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, lawyers have been encouraged to render 50 hours of pro bono service annually, with a substantial portion of those hours devoted to representing the indigent or organizations that advance the needs of the poor, without expectation of fee or with the expectation of a substantially reduced fee. Although pro bono service is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged. The Pro Bono Resource Center (hereinafter “PBRC”) works closely with legal services providers and local bar association pro bono projects throughout the state to help recruit pro bono attorneys. PBRC’s mission is to promote equal access to justice by coordinating and supporting volunteer civil legal services, providing resources and support for legal advocates for the poor, and promoting cooperation within the legal community. Volunteers are referred to pro bono programs according to the needs of the provider and the interest or expertise of the attorney. PRBC has compiled a list of pro bono programs offering a variety of opportunities for lawyers interested in providing pro bono services. Most programs provide malpractice insurance. General Statewide Programs include: Legal Aid Bureau Works closely with Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and other bar affiliated projects by referring low-income clients to programs and making direct referrals to attorneys. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Refers cases in the following areas: family law, bankruptcy, consumer, tort defense, wills, guardianship, landlord-tenant, deed change, name change, tax disputes and tax returns. MVLS does NOT refer cases to Allegany, Montgomery or Prince George’s counties. MVLS also operates reduced fee programs, and pro se clinics for divorce and bankruptcy. The Women’s Law Center of Maryland, Inc. Experienced family law attorneys staff the Family Law Hotline to provide free advice and counsel to callers (1-800-845-8550); and the Legal Forms Helpline to assist callers in completing the pro se domestic forms (1-800-818-9888). Also operates Protection Order Advocacy & Representation Projects (POARP) in Baltimore City, and Baltimore and Montgomery counties in conjunction with the House of Ruth of Maryland. These Projects provide representation to victims of domestic violence in civil protective order hearings. Specialized Statewide Programs include: Homeless Persons Representation Project Provides legal advice and/or direct representation for homeless persons and families in shelters and soup kitchens in civil matters. House of Ruth of Maryland, Domestic Violence Legal Clinic Provides counseling and direct representation to battered spouses in civil protection order proceedings, divorce and child custody cases. The Lawyers Clearinghouse Works with non-profit organizations that are MANO members on legal issues. Public Justice Center Engages in systemic litigation and legislative work to correct abuses and ensure protection of the unrepresented, including victims of domestic violence, the disabled, children and migrant workers. Other Specialized Programs include: Alternative Directions Assists families separated due to incarceration deal with domestic relations, housing and other issues. Also provides educational seminars in prisons and jails and refers cases to pro bono counsel. American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland Focuses on the civil rights and civil liberties of Maryland residents. Associated Catholic Charities of Baltimore – Immigration
Legal Services Provides counseling and legal representation for low-income people with immigration-related problems. Bar Association of Baltimore City Legal Services to the
Elderly Program Volunteer attorneys and program staff provide advice and consultation, direct representation and education/outreach services to the elderly. Volunteers speak to senior groups about legal issues affecting them. Volunteers and staff also handle pro bono, non-fee generating civil cases involving public benefits and pension, in addition to consumer, health care, housing, guardianship and credit-related problems. Community Law Center Provides advice and direct representation involving tax issues and incorporation to non-profit organizations in Baltimore. Works with community associations in rebuilding neighborhoods and initiating nuisance and drug abatement suits with a focus on community economic development. Civil Justice, Inc. – First Time Home Buyer Project Assists first time home buyers in Baltimore City in reviewing documents involved in the purchase of a home, to protect them against fraud and predatory lending. Health Education Resource Organization (HERO) Assists those infected with HIV or AIDS with Social Security and SSI disability appeals. Also assists with estate planning, permanency planning for children, debtor/creditor bankruptcy, and domestic and discrimination issues. Jewish Legal Services Clinic Provides free brief legal consultation and advice on any non-fee generating legal matter through an evening walk-in clinic. May also refer clients to attorneys for further representation. Russian translators available. Maryland Disability Law Center Uses volunteers to represent children in special education cases and in school disciplinary proceedings. Assists people with developmental disabilities, mental illness and ADA compliance issues. Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence Provides assistance to victims of domestic violence, primarily with ex parte protective orders/peace orders. Also refers clients to of reduced fee attorneys. The Stephanie Roper Foundation, Inc. Assists Maryland crime victims with protection, compensation, victims’ rights, and provides advice and support through the criminal justice process. Saint Ambrose Legal Services Handles cases involving improper predatory refinancing of home loans; fraudulent flipping of homes; home improvement fraud; and land installment agreements contracted fraudulently. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program For lawyer Recruitment and Training Matches low-income veterans who need legal representation before the Court of Veterans Appeals on benefit issues with attorneys. Local Projects include: Allegany Law Direct representation and pro se assistance. Charles County Volunteer Legal Services Program Direct representation and community education. Harford County Bar Foundation – Lawyer Referral Service Direct representation and community outreach. Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program Direct representation; brief advice and counsel at community clinics; pro se assistance. The Law Foundation of Prince George’s County Direct representation; brief advice and counsel at homeless shelters; pro se assistance; community education. YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Legal Services Provides counseling and direct representation to battered spouses in civil protection order proceedings, divorce and child custody projects. Also places contested custody cases for low-income clients with private attorneys in reduced-fee program. Women’s Center of Southern Maryland Reduced fee referrals for protective orders and domestic cases. PBRC also coordinates a series of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs specifically for pro bono attorneys. PBRC sponsors and maintains a calendar of trainings, conferences, and seminars throughout Maryland. In addition to co-sponsoring classes with other providers, PBRC sponsors its own classes. Topics include family law, bankruptcy, wills, guardianship, Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), housing, employment, special education, domestic violence and community development. The Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (MICPEL) and PBRC have joined forces for the MICPEL Pro Bono Partnership Program (MPP), which enables volunteer attorneys to participate in select MICPEL seminars for free or at a reduced cost. To qualify, an attorney must agree to accept one or two pro bono cases from an affiliated pro bono program. Registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis and are handled by PBRC. For more information, go to www.probonomd.org, or call PBRC @ 410-837-9379 or 800-492-1964 ext. 257. PBRC and MICPEL are also sponsoring “The Bridge the Gap Series.” The next training is scheduled for April 9, 2003 from 2:00p.m. until 5:00p.m. at the Maryland Bar Center in Baltimore. This training is entitled “Lawyering for Community Economic Development Programs & Agencies.” The cost is $20 for pro bono lawyers. Attendees are asked to take a pro bono case in exchange for the training. Register Early – enrollment is limited to 35 seats per program. In addition to the numerous training and CLE courses offered through PBRC, there are other support services for pro bono attorneys. Mentors are available in some programs. They are usually experienced practitioners who have handled similar pro bono cases. Litigation Funds are available in several programs to cover costs which neither the client nor the attorney can pay. The MVLS currently operates a statewide fund for pro bono attorneys affiliated with any Maryland Legal Services Corporation funded program and reimburse volunteers for some cash expenditures such as mileage, extensive copying, faxes, registered mail, and reasonable expert witness fees. For information on reimbursement of costs, contact your program or MVLS at (410) 547-6537 or (800) 510-0050. In state court, pro bono attorneys working with MLSC funded legal services programs may use a memorandum provided by the program to obtain an automatic waiver of initial filing fees and court costs. In the Baltimore metropolitan area, some programs have already made arrangements with process service companies which will not charge a fee. The Maryland Association of Court Reporters has volunteered to do their share for the low-income community by providing services on a pro bono basis. The PBRC may be able to assist volunteers whose client needs a private investigator and cannot afford one. LEXIS/NEXIS Computer Research is available for free to pro bono attorneys. Check with your pro bono program or the PBRC for access to LEXIS/NEXIS. There are a number of paralegals who are willing to provide their services on a pro bono basis. Contact PBRC for more information. The PBRC may also be able to assist attorneys whose pro bono activities bring them to federal court. The Pro Bono Resource Center has an extensive amount of information and volunteer opportunities for pro bono attorneys. It only takes a phone call or a click of the mouse to get educated, gather information and choose a volunteer program. For more information, call 410-837-9379 or 800-492-1964, ext. 257 or log on to www.probonomd.org. Attorneys interested in volunteering can also join a list-serve on the website which provides specific case scenarios. This information is provided every two weeks to members of the list-serve. |