Category: Pro Bono

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Expungement Clinic Wrap-up

The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) sponsored an Expungement Clinic at the Glen Burnie Regional Library on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in the evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:45 p.m.  There were 5 volunteer attorneys who were able to help 19 people complete expungement petitions for filing.  Matthew Stubenberg of MVLS coordinated the program. Matthew is known for developing MDexpungement.com, an APP that can determine if a case is eligible for expungement and then populate the form with the information needed for filing.

More information on expungement can be found on the library’s FAQs wiki page under “expungement.”  The page provides access to the Judiciary’s Access to Justice Department’s self-help video on expungement with tip sheet, articles on the Maryland People’s Law Library of Maryland, and the brochure published by the District Court of Maryland “Information About Removing Criminal Records from Public Access in Maryland” and many more resources.

The referral section contains links to clinics and APPS that can help with expungement of criminal records.

An additional Expungement Clinic will be held at the Eastport Annapolis-Neck Community Library next Monday on April 17, 2017 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wrap-Up

The Law Library has been busy with the  Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. In addition to the weekly courthouse program held in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library on March 29  and April 5, the monthly evening program at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library was held on March 28.

Carole Brown, Carole BrownSaul McCormick of Lessans, Praley and McCormick, and Jerry Williams of Patel and Williams Jerry and Saulwere the  Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library volunteers on March 28 who helped with contracts, debt collection and leases.  March 29 was one of the few 5th Wednesdays of the month meaning that attorney Richard Ronay 

Richard Ronay

was on hand to help with such issues as garnishment, reverse mortgages, eviction, sale of real property and deeds. And today, Mike Ragland and Jack Paltell, jack-and-mike

both retired, helped with questions on bankruptcy and landlord/tenant.  Librarians, Leah Curtis of the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library and Joan Bellistri of the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library were on hand to coordinate and provide back up research assistance.  
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. In addition to the weekly program, the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is held monthly at two Anne Arundel County Public Library branches in the evening (4:30 pm to 6:30 pm): Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday and Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library. The next program date is Wednesday, April 12 , 2017, in the law library.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

On Wednesday, March 15, the “Ask A Lawyer In The Library” program was held in both  the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library and the Glen Burnie Regional Library. Brian Lyman

Brian Lyman
Brian Lyman

of Hillman, Brown and Darrow helped participants with a dispute with a car dealer and a contract in the morning. Alan Forman of Forman Clothier Law Group with Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney of Holmes and  O’Connor

cliff-and-katelyn
Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney

helped nine people with such issues as divorce,wills, fee disputes, and landlord/tenant. The next program date is Wednesday, March 22 , 2017.

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.

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. In addition to the weekly program, the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is held monthly at two Anne Arundel County Public Library branches: Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday and Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

Do you know that legal help is available from the Maryland Courts Self Help Center from 8:30 am until 8:00 pm during the week, Monday through Friday? This is a virtual service via phone (410-260-1392) or online chat.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono

Pro Bono Opportunities for Anne Arundel Attorneys

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.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Update

The Law Library has been busy with the  Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. In addition to the weekly courthouse program held in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library on March 1 and March 8, the monthly evening program at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library was held on February 28.

John Bailey

We are happy to introduce two new volunteer attorneys: Saul McCormick of Lessans, Praley and McCormick and John Bailey who has a private practice.  Saul McCormick and John Bailey joined Carole Brown

Carole Brown
Carole Brown

in Eastport where they helped 11 people with such issues as wills and probate, judicial review, landlord and tenant, divorce, debt collection, formation of an LLC, and home improvement contracts.

John was on call  the very next day to take on Jack Paltell’s shift if needed at the courthouse.   Mike Ragland

Mike Ragland 20151007 pm
Mike Ragland

helped two people with questions on estates and administrative appeals. This week  was much busier. Mike Valadez was able to help seven people with questions on wills and estates, injunctions, foster care, and procedure in an insurance dispute.

The next program date is Wednesday, March 15, 2017 for 2 locations.  It will be held during the day in the in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library and in the evening at Glen Burnie Regional Library.

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. In addition to the weekly program, the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is held monthly at two Anne Arundel County Public Library branches: Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday and Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

Do you have a family law matter? Family Law matters are best addressed by Family Law Self-Help Center which is located in the back of the law library.  For more information: http://www.circuitcourt.org/legal-help/family-law

Need help with a District Court matter such as landlord/tenant, small claims (less than $5,000), consumer matters, or return of property (replevin and detinue).The District Court Self-Help Resource Center provides limited legal services for people who are not represented by an attorney. Services are provided in-person (in Glen Burnie, Upper Marlboro and Salisbury). More information is available at .http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html

Help with family and civil questions is available by phone and online chat from the Maryland Courts Self Help Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. More information and link for chat can be found here:   http://mdcourts.gov/selfhelp/index.html#maryland

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono

Recognizing Anne Arundel County Pro Bono Volunteers!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Law Library hosted the Annual Pro Bono Recognition Lunch on Tuesday, February 28 2017. This event recognizes and celebrates the attorneys who provide pro bono legal service in Anne Arundel County. Joan Bellistri, Law Librarian and Liaison, Court of Appeals’ Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services, and the Hon. Ronald Silkworth, Circuit Court Judicial member of the Anne Arundel Local Pro Bono Committee, provided opening introductions. Administrative Judge, Hon. Laura Kiessling, thanked the volunteers for their service and introduced special guest, Chief Judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera. It was such an honor to have the Chief Judge recognize the work of Anne Arundel County pro bono attorneys. Hon. Barbera also helped, Tasnima Apol, Anne Arundel County Pro Bono Committee Chair, distribute the pro bono volunteer certificates.

Thank you to the Court Facilitators and attorney volunteers from the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, the Law Library’s Ask a Lawyer in the Library program and Foreclosure Clinic and the annual Anne Arundel County Homeless Resource Day for your pro bono service! Check out our Program  to see the full list of volunteer attorneys and facilitators.

We had a great turnout for the event, and we would like to thank the following judges and magistrates from the Court of Appeals and the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County joining us.

  • Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera
  • Hon. Laura Kiessling
  • Hon. Paul Harris
  • Hon. Michele Jaklitsch
  • Hon. Glenn Klavans
  • Hon. Stacy W. McCormack
  • Hon. Diane O. Leasure
  • Hon. William Mulford
  • Hon. Donna M. Schaeffer
  • Hon. Ronald Silkworth
  • Hon. Michael Wachs
  • Hon. Charles J. Muskin
  • Hon. Timothy P. Thurtle
  • Hon. Jennifer Cassel

Also, we would like to thank Douglas Hofstedt and Nancy Faulkner from Court Administration and Kim Klein, Erin McCarthy and Sarah Adams from Case Management for attending the Recognition Lunch. It was great to see Bonnie Sullivan and Susan Francis from Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. MVLS’ support of Anne Arundel County programs is much appreciated. Special recognition and thanks must also be given to the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office for funding the lunch provided by Main and Market.

Last, but not least, thank you to the Anne Arundel Local Pro Bono Committee for its leadership in providing pro bono service to Anne Arundel County! Chair, Tasnima Apol, Joan Bellistri, Anita Bailey, Nancy Faulkner, Kim Klein, Lisa Sarro,and Hon. Ronald Silkworth, all members of the committee, were present for the event.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wrap-Up

Since the last Ask a Lawyer program on January 25, the library has offered the program at the two offsite, public library locations, in addition to the weekly Circuit Court location.  

Carole Brown and Nathan Volke covered the Eastport-Annapolis Neck location on January 31. Jack Paltell, Mike Ragland, Chris Boucher, and Crighton Chase all volunteered for the law library program, held in the courthouse. Alan Forman, Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney provided the service at the Glen Burnie Regional Library on February 15.

Crighton Chase
Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney
Nathan Volke
Alan Forman
Carole Brown
Chris Boucher

Pictured Crighton Chase,  Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney, Jack Paltell and Mike Ragland, Nathan Volke, Alan Forman, Carole Brown and Chris Boucher.

These volunteer attorneys helped 40 people with such issues as child custody, estates, homeowner association fees, landlord and tenant, tax foreclosure and guardianship.

The next Ask a Lawyer Program will held on February 22, 2017 in the law library in the courthouse at 8 Church Circle.

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. In addition to the weekly program, the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is held monthly at two Anne Arundel County Public Library branches: Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday and Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

Do you have a family law matter? Family Law matters are best addressed by Family Law Self-Help Center which is located in the back of the law library.  For more information: http://www.circuitcourt.org/legal-help/family-law

Do you have a criminal case? The Office of the Public Defender provides legal services to eligible individuals. Information about the Office of the Public Defender is available at http://www.opd.state.md.us/.

Need help with a District Court matter such as landlord/tenant, small claims (less than $5,000), consumer matters, or return of property (replevin and detinue).The District Court Self-Help Resource Center provides limited legal services for people who are not represented by an attorney. Services are provided in-person (in Glen Burnie, Upper Marlboro and Salisbury). More information is available at .http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html

Help with family and civil questions is available by phone and online chat from the Maryland Courts Self Help Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. More information and link for chat can be found here:   http://mdcourts.gov/selfhelp/index.html#maryland

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

joe-gormley

On Wednesday, January 25, 2017, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you, Joe Gormley from Gormley Bowman Jarashow, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Five people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as procedure, lease  termination, judgment enforcement and marital property distribution. The next program date is Wednesday, February 1, 2017. However, the evening program will be held at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on Tuesday, January 30, 2017 the night before.

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. In addition to the weekly program, the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is held monthly at two Anne Arundel County Public Library branches: Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday and Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

Need help with a District Court matter such as landlord/tenant, small claims (less than $5,000), consumer matters, or return of property (replevin and detinue).The District Court Self-Help Resource Center provides limited legal services for people who are not represented by an attorney. Services are provided in-person (in Glen Burnie, Upper Marlboro and Salisbury). More information is available at .http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html

Help with family and civil questions is available by phone and online chat from the Maryland Courts Self Help Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. More information and link for chat can be found here:   http://mdcourts.gov/selfhelp/index.html#maryland

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.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

On Wednesday, January 18, 2017, the Law Library hosted two Ask A Lawyer In The Library programs in the Circuit Court in Annapolis and at the Glen Burnie Regional Library.  

m_darrow_lilMichael Darrow of Hillman, Brown and Darrow was able to assist 3 people with their questions on worker’s compensation, foreclosure, and sale in lieu of partition. The next program date, for the weekly program held at 11:00 in the law library,  is Wednesday, January 25, 2017.

adam-and-jerry-2017In the evening, Adam McCormick of Lessans, Praley & McCormick and Jerry Comeau volunteered in the evening at the Glen Burnie Regional Library. Eight people were assisted with such issues as ground rent, expungement, students loans, bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce, contracts and estate planning. The next program date for Glen Burnie will be  Wednesday, February 15, 2017 beginning at 4:30.
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. In addition to the weekly program, the Ask A Lawyer In The Library program is held monthly at two Anne Arundel County Public Library branches: Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday and Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

Categories
lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

ValadezOn Wednesday, January 11, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Mike Valadez, for volunteering and providing this service to the public.  Five people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as district court appeals to the circuit court, foreclosure sales, and  protective orders.

The next program date is Wednesday, January 18, 2017.

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.  On the 3rd Wednesday of the month the MVLS Brief Limited Advice Foreclosure Clinic is hosted by the library.  participants are encouraged to register for the clinic by calling 410-547-6537, but pre-registration is not required. The Ask a Lawyer program is also held monthly in the evening at two Anne Arundel County Public Library locations – at the Glen Burnie Regional Library on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and at the  Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library on the last Tuesday of the month. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.