Category: lawlibrary

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

LIL
Thank you, Richard Ronay!

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.  Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes.  No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk.  Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, October 8, 2014, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Richard Ronay,  for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Four people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as landlord/tenant, real estate, foreclosure and expungement.  The next program date is Wednesday, October 15, 2014.

It is helpful to prepare for your session with the attorney.  Here are some helpful tips:

  • Write a list of specific questions for the attorney.
  • Bring any paperwork and information related to the case.
  • Organize any paperwork from most recent on the top to oldest at the bottom.
  • Identify all deadlines.
  • Prepare a timeline of the legal issue.

If you would like to read up on your issue prior to your session with the attorney, please come find us at the Law Library’s information desk.  We are happy to assist you.

Are you an attorney interested in volunteering with the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program?  If so, you must be admitted to the Maryland Bar and be in good standing on the Client Security Trust Fund list.  Interested attorneys should contact the law library.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.  The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service.  The program is not a substitute for representation.  If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Categories
lawlibrary Maryland Law Pro Bono

Maryland Rules on Pro Bono Legal Service

GENERIC_CELEBRATION_LOGO_3(1)“You have to learn the rules of the game.  And then you have to play better than anyone else.” – Albert Einstein

Did you know that there are Maryland Rules on Pro Bono Legal Service?  Rule 16-812 (Rule 6.1 Pro Bono Publico Service) of the Maryland Rules is an aspirational (not mandatory) rule that provides that “[a] lawyer has a professional responsibility to render pro bono publico legal service”* and suggests a minimum 50 hours of pro bono service each year.

There are many ways to provide pro bono legal service.

◙  You can provide legal service (without charging a fee or at a substantially reduced rate) to “(A) people of limited means; (B) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or educational organizations in matters designed primarily to address the needs of people of limited means; (C) individuals, groups, or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties, or public rights; or (D) charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, or educational organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes when the payment of the standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization’s economic resources or would otherwise be inappropriate.”

◙  You can also participate in activities to “improv[e] the law, the legal system, or the legal profession.”

◙  You can provide financial support to organizations providing pro bono legal services.

In addition, Rules 16-901, 16-902 and 16-903 address pro bono standing committees at the state and local level as well as mandatory reporting of pro bono legal service.

Do you have questions about the Maryland Rules on Pro Bono Legal Service?  A great place to start is the FAQ section available on the Maryland Courts website.  The Law Library is also always available to assist.

*All quotations, unless noted otherwise, are attributable to Rule 16-812 of the Maryland Rules, which are available online at https://govt.westlaw.com/mdc/Browse/Home/Maryland/MarylandCodeCourtRules?transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)#N105FF040B79311DBB4ACEAAAE7EB7386.

 

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

October is Pro Bono Month!

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You can find Pro Bono Chocolates, specially wrapped by Joan Bellistri, in the Law Library!

The 2014 National Pro Bono Celebration this year is October 19th through October 25th. This annual celebration of pro bono is organized and sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono to recognize and promote pro bono at the national level, but with a focus on local needs and local projects.  The Law Library is excited to once again be a Celebration Supporter!

In honor of the National Pro Bono Celebration, this blog will be featuring posts focusing on pro bono service for the entire month of October.  Stay tuned as we will highlight ongoing pro bono services and programs available at the Law Library, such as the Ask A Lawyer In The Library Program, as well as opportunities to get involved, such as the Anne Arundel Pro Bono Challenge.  For more information about the National Pro Bono Celebration, including background, events, resources and news, please visit http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: Wednesday Wrap-Up

admin-ajax
Thank you, Mike Ragland (l) and Jack Paltell (r)!

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.  Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes.  No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk.  Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Mike Ragland and Jack Paltell, for volunteering and providing this service to the public.  Three people took part in the program and were able to speak with an attorney to request assistance with issues such as consumer debt, foreclosure and obtaining a car title.  The next program date is Wednesday, October 8, 2014.  

Are you an attorney interested in volunteering with the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program?  If so, you must be admitted to the Maryland Bar and be in good standing on the Client Security Trust Fund list.  Interested attorneys should contact the law library.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.  The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service.  The program is not a substitute for representation.  If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Categories
lawlibrary Maryland Law

New Maryland Laws Take Effect on October 1, 2014 – Spotlight on the Parental Leave Act

Pocket Part
Pocket parts are on their way!

New Maryland laws take effect on October 1, 2014!  We will be publishing a series of posts highlighting a few of the newly enacted laws.  Please note that this series is just a small sampling of the new laws enacted by the 2014 Legislative Session.  To read about more laws resulting from the 2014 session, see the 90 Day Report – A Review of the 2014 Session published by the Department of Legislative Services of the General Assembly of Maryland.

Maryland’s new Parental Leave Act (Senate Bill 737, Ch. 333 /House Bill 1026, Ch. 334) requires employers in the State of Maryland, with 15 to 49 employees, to provide eligible employees with certain unpaid parental leave benefits for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.  Maryland employees may also be eligible for leave pursuant to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). For information about the FMLA, which requires covered employers with 50 or more employees to provide eligible employees with certain specified types of leave, see the United States Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/.

More information about family and medical leave in Maryland is available at http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/maryland-family-medical-leave.html.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: Wednesday Wrap-Up

LIL Photo
Here is the Law Library’s Sign-Up Lottery Basket.

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is a civil, non-family law, self-help program sponsored by The Anne Arundel Bar Association and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.  Every Wednesday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can talk with a volunteer attorney for up to 20 minutes.  No appointment is necessary, but sign-up is required at the law library’s information desk.  Sign-up begins at 10:45 a.m., and time slots are determined by a lottery. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2014, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Baldwin, Kagan & Gormley, LLC, for volunteering and providing this service to the public.  Eight people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as home foreclosure, insurance liability, worker’s compensation and tax liens.  The next program date is Wednesday, October 1, 2014.

The Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is also hosted by the Anne Arundel County Public Library, Glen Burnie Regional Library, on every third Wednesday of the month, August through May, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Sign-up is at 4:15 p.m., and time slots are determined by lottery.  The Glen Burnie Regional Library is located at 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21060.  Their main telephone number is (410) 222 – 6270.

More information about the program is available at http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.  The Ask A Lawyer In The Law Library program is a limited legal advice service.  The program is not a substitute for representation.  If you need an attorney to represent you, you can contact the Anne Arundel Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service.
Categories
lawlibrary Legal Technology

Social Media for Lawyers – Check out these ABA Publications

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All of these titles can be found in the law library.  Find out how social media can be used in the practice of law.

Kimbro, Stephanie L. Virtual Law Practice: How to Deliver Legal Service Online. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 2010. (KF320.A9K56 2010)

Elefant, Carolyn and Nicole Black.  Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 2010. (KF320.A9E44 2010)

Kennedy, Dennis and Allison C. Shields. LinkedIn in One Hour for Lawyers. 2d ed. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 2014. (KF320.I57K46 2014 (in process))

Svenson, Ernie. Blogging in One Hour for Lawyers. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 1012. (KF320.I57S88 2012)

Kennedy, Dennis and Allison C. Shields. Facebook in One Hour for Lawyers. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 2012. (KF320.K47 2012)

Elefant, Carolyn and Nicole Black.  Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 2010. (KF320.A9E44 2010)

Correia, Jared. Twitter in One Hour for Lawyers. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management, 2012. (in process)

 

 

 

 

 

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lawlibrary

Practice of Law – recommended reading

The following list was compiled for the court’s law clerks as they leave the courthouse but thought many of the titles might be of interest to attorneys just starting out or already out there practicing.

Foonberg, Jay G. How to Start & Build a Law Practice. 5th ed. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management Series, 2004. (KF300.F66 2004)

Gibson, K William, ed. A Survival Guide for the Solo and Small Firm Lawyer. 5th ed. Chicago: ABA Law Practice management Section, 2014. (KF300.F59 2014 (in process))

Fees: The Fine Art of Setting, Contracting & Collecting – Without Being Sued.  Baltimore: MICPEL, 2005. (KFM1277.5.F4F44 2005)

Beard, Christopher L., C. Michael Bradshaw, and Richard C. Goodwin. Legal Representation and Fee Agreements for the Maryland Lawyer: Forms. 2d ed. Baltimore: MICPEL, 2009. (KFM1277.5.F4B36 2009)

Kowalski, Mitchell. Avoiding Extinction: Reimagining Legal Services for the 21st Century.  Chicago: ABA, 2012. (in process)

Moore, Desiree. Thrive: A New Lawyer’s Guide To Law Firm Practice. Chicago: ABA Publishing, 2012. (KF297.M66 2012)

Munneke, Gary A. and Wayne, Ellen. The Legal Career Guide: From Law Student to Lawyer. 5th ed. Chicago: ABA Law Practice Management Section, 2008. (KF297.M8619 2008)

Munneke, Gary A., Henslee William D., and Wayne, Ellen. Nonlegal Careers for Lawyers. 5th ed. Chicago: ABA LAw Practice Management, 2006. (KF297.M862 2006)

Rikleen, Lauren Stiller. You Raised Us – Now Work with Us: Millennials, Career Success, and Building Strong Workplace Teams. Chicago: ABA, 2014. (in process)

Furi-Perry, Ursula. The Millennial Lawyer: Making the Most of Generational Differences in the Firm. Chicago: ABA, 2012. (in process)

Hall, J. Wesley Hall, Jr. Professional Responsibility in Criminal Defense Practice.  St. Paul: West, 2005. (KF306.H27 2005)

Hazard, Geoffrey C. The Law of Lawyering. 3rd ed. New York: Wolters Kluwer, 2000. (KF306.H33 2000)

Restatement of the Law Governing Lawyers.  St. Paul: West, 2000.

ABA/BNA Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct.  online Bloomberg BNA publication available in the law library.

Speiser, Stuart M. Lawyers and the American Dream.  New York: M. Evans and Comapny, 1993. (KF300.S66 1993)

 

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EJC2014 lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

SRLN Pre-Conference at EJC 2014: Report of the SCCLL Incoming Chair

Maryruth Storer, the incoming chair of the  State Court and County Law Library Special Interest Section of the American Association of  Law Libraries, wrote an excellent account of the Self Represented Litigation Network (SRLN) pre-conference at the Equal Justice Conference.

Her article, A Newbie at the Equal Justice Conference, was published in the SCCLL News (Vol. 40, #2, Summer 2014) on page 10.

 

 

 

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lawlibrary

Newly Cataloged Materials-National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)

Recently, the Law Library cataloged a new set of valuable resources from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). The Center is described as the “nation’s consumer law expert,” assisting the general public, attorneys, advocates and public policy makers. Books that have been cataloged include Fair Credit Reporting, 8th Edition, Repossessions 8th Edition, Consumer Law Pleadings Website and Index Guide 2013, and Consumer Law on the Web December 2013.

In addition, to print resources NCLC comes with a companion website that patrons have access to. Also, NCLC website has free webinars, information on NCLC legal assistance programs, consulting services for attorneys and legislation/rulemakings on consumer topics.

Check out the website here: National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)

By: Julie Shenk, Law Library Intern

NCLC