Anne Arundel County Pro Bono attorneys were recognized at the Annual Pro Bono Recognition Lunch on February 28. The work of these volunteers is much appreciated. However, the Final Report: Current Status of Pro Bono Service Among Maryland Lawyers, Year 2015 showed that only 17.7% of Anne Arundel attorneys reported more than the recommended 50 hours of pro bono service. Here is a review of the many pro bono opportunities available to Anne Arundel attorneys with the hope that awareness will bring more pro bono to Anne Arundel. And if lack of reporting is the problem, take note of the Local Pro Bono Committee’s reporting tool. The Local Pro Bono Committee will send a report at the end of the year to make reporting easier for attorneys who use the tools and the attorney who reports the most hours will be recognized.
NEW: Maryland Free Legal Answers – (Pro Bono in your PJs)
Provide legal advice via email to low income Marylanders.
Sign-up here: https://maryland.freelegalanswers.org/
More information here:
https://maryland.freelegalanswers.org/Attorneys/Account/Agreement
MVLS – Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service acts as Anne Arundel County’s Pro Bono Referral Service: http://www.mvlslaw.org/lawyers/volunteer/
Volunteers are still needed for the monthly Foreclosure Clinic in the Law Library but there are also many cases that need an attorney for full representation.
Volunteers are supported with:
Malpractice insurance
Mentors
Free training
Use of MVLS offices to meet with clients
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
PBRC – Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland is Maryland’s clearinghouse for pro bono and source of many pro bono opportunities: http://probonomd.org/volunteer-opportunities/
Sign-up to receive the PBRC E-Bulletin for a monthly list of cases needing an attorney.Help with immigration needed now.
YWCA Legal Services: intimate partner peace and protective order petition cases in Anne Arundel County
To register:
Send an email to apotthast@ywcaaac.orgSubject: pro bono peace and protective order representationBody of the email should include your interest/experience etc., as well as your business number, or the phone number where you wish to be contacted.
Lawyer in the Library Programs sponsored by MVLS -Circuit Court and Anne Arundel County Public Library (Eastport and Glen Burnie):
Glen Burnie Regional Library – 3rd Wednesday of the Month
Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library – the last (not the 4th) Tuesday of the month.
Three attorneys are needed for each of the public library events from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. For more information and to volunteer contact Joan Bellistri in the law library: joan.bellistri@aacounty.org or 410-222-1387.
Anne Arundel County Annual Homeless Resource Day
The 10th HRD will be held in the fall of 2017. Attorneys are able to assist the homeless and those in danger of becoming homeless with a variety of legal issues, especially expungement and child support. More information will be available as we get closer to the date. For more information and to volunteer contact Joan Bellistri in the law library: joan.bellistri@aacounty.org or 410-222-1387.
AACPLL Blog: Law Library News 