Category: Pro Bono

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Ask a Lawyer in the Library and MVLS Foreclosure Clinic Wrap-up

On Wednesday, November 16, 2016,  the Ask a Lawyer in the Library program was offered at two different locations and two different times: the circuit court law library from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and the Glen Burnie Regional Library in the evening from 430 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Marietta Warren was on call  in the circuit court and was able to answer questions about malpractice.  At the same time the law  library hosted the MVLS Foreclosure Clinic.  Volunteer attorney Tom McCarthy assisted a couple with their foreclosure questions.

In Glen Burnie, there were five attorneys on hand to provide legal assistance to 11 people:

Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney
Josh Tabor
Alan Forman and Nickola Sybblis

Cliff O’Connor of Holmes and O’Connor assisted by his daughter and associate, Katelyn Maloney; Josh Tabor of the Law Office of Marla Zide; Nickola Sybblis who has a solo practice; and  Alan Forman of Forman Clothier Law Group.  The attorneys provided assistance with  such issues as wills, power of attorney, living wills, procedure, bankruptcy, contracts and family law.

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.  Particpants are encourage to register for the clinic by calling 410-547-6537, but pre-registration is not required. The Ask a Lawyer program is also held in the evening once a month in the Anne Arundel County Public Library – 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.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

Tjack-and-mikehe 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, November 2, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you, Jack Paltell and Mike Ragland 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 discovery, HOA problems, and appeals. The next program date is Wednesday, November 9, 2015.

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

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: Pro Bono Week Wrap-Up

Last week as we celebrated pro bono, we offered two, regularly scheduled, “Ask a Lawyer”

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Michelle Smith and Jerry Williams

programs. On Tuesday evening, October 25, the monthly program was held at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Community Library and on Wednesday, October 26, the Law Library hosted the weekly program in the courthouse law library.  In Eastport, Jerry Williams of Patel and Williams and Michelle Smith of Brassel, Alexander, and Rice provided legal assistance to four people on such issues as wills, deeds and real estate taxes.

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Paul Farmer

On Wednesday, Paul Farmer of Gormley, Jarshow, Bowman, assisted six people with procedure in a federal discrimination case, liens, judgments and guardianship questions.

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. The service is also held in the evening, monthly, at Anne Arundel County Public Libraries. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono

PRO BONO IS NOT SO SCARY

pro-bono-banner-2016As we celebrate Pro Bono during the National Pro Bono Celebration, the Local Pro Bono Committee hopes that Anne Arundel County attorneys will consider the many opportunities for pro bono service in our county.  But before we talk about the how of pro bono, perhaps we should talk about why.  As an attorney you have the power to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in Anne Arundel County – the elderly, children and the poor.  Your help can be the deciding factor as to whether someone has a place to live, custody of their child, or a job.

There are so many ways that attorneys can provide pro bono service in Anne Arundel County – from brief legal advice to full representation.   The many opportunities available to Anne Arundel County Attorneys are included here. 

Continue reading “PRO BONO IS NOT SO SCARY”
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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer in the Library and MVLS Foreclosure Clinic Wrap-up

On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer in the Library program. Thank you, Crighton Chase from Hillman, Brown and Darrow, 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 car insurance, elder law, homeowner associations, and consumer protection. The next program date in the circuit court  is Wednesday, October 26, 2016.

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Susan Mays

Since this was the 3rd Wednesday of the month, the library also hosted the MVLS Foreclosure Clinic at the same time, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as the Ask a Lawyer program.  Susan Mays was able to provide brief legal advice on foreclosure to two people.

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Alan Forman and Nickola Sybblis
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Cliff O’Connor and Katelyn Maloney

And because it was 3rd Wednesday, the Ask a Lawyer in the program was also held at the Glen Burnie Regional Library in the evening from 4:30 until 6:30.  Three attorneys volunteered: Alan Forman of Forman Clothier Law Group; Nickola Sybblis who has a solo practice; and Cliff O’Connor of Holmes and O’Connor.  Tonight Cliff brought the firm’s new associate, Katelyn Maloney, who also happens to be his daughter to observe.  We are  happy  to add Katelyn to our volunteer list.

The attorneys were able to assist 15 people with a variety of issues including landlord and tenant; property damage; taxes; real estate; employment; estates; and housing.

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.  Particpants are encourage to register for the clinic by calling 410-547-6537, but pre-registration is not required. The Ask a Lawyer program is also held in the evening once a month in the Anne Arundel County Public Library – 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.

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Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up with Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher was the “Lawyer in the Library” today. Chris has been volunteering with this program for over nine years – since the first pilot during Law Week of 2009. He now shares the second Wednesday slot with Mike Valadez – with Chris coming in the even months and Mike in the odd numbered months.  Chris’ dedication and service is greatly appreciated by the many he has served.  Today the issues included understanding summary judgment, appeals, and amending a complaint.

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Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher has practiced law for 23 years and now has a solo practice that handles corporate matters, contracts and litigation. He is also half-time general counsel for a tech company.  He is the current president of the Maryland Defense Counsel, an organization for a fair, civil justice system comprised of those who represent defendants in civil cases including in-house counsel and government attorneys. When not practicing law Chris enjoys golf, boating, music and travel.

Chris has stayed with the “Ask a Lawyer” program for so long because he likes to help people and provide access to justice wherever he can.  He enjoys helping program participants learn about legal concepts and procedures in order to orient them in the system that they find themselves in.

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.

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Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Wednesday Wrap-Up

On Wednesday, October 5, 2016 the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. The duo Mike Ragland and Jack Paltell  were, as they have  been for years, the “lawyers in the library.” Jack and Mike have volunteered on the first Wednesday of every month since 2009. Their dedication is truly appreciated by all they have helped.Six people took part in the program and were able to  to request assistance with issues such as trusts, guardianship, tax liens and credit card debt. The next program date is Wednesday,October 12 , 2016.jack-and-mike

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.

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Ask A Lawyer In the Library – Report for August and September

In August and September, 18 attorneys volunteered 31 hours to help 77 people with legal issues such as bankruptcy, protective orders, wills, and family law for the Ask a Lawyer in the Library program .  The Eastport program just began in June and the numbers of those using the service is increasing from 3 at the first to 7 at the program held on September 27.  We are happy to welcome the new volunteers who have helped in this new location: Jerry Williams, Stacy Rice, Michelle Smith, Kelly Kylis, Elizabeth Pfenson, Matthew Chalker, Kathleen McLaughlin and Kurt Karsten.

The MVLS Foreclosure Clinic scheduled on the 3rd Wednesday of the month is now held during the same hours as the Ask A Lawyer in the Law Library program: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lately, only one person has attended giving them ample time to discuss their case with the volunteer attorney, Susan Mays.

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. The program is also held at two additional locations, monthly, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:3o p.m. On the 3rd Wednesday of the month it is held  at the Glen Burnie Regional Library and on the last (not the 4th) Tuesday of the month at the Eastport -Annapolis Neck Community Library.  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 the  Glen Burnie District Court at   at 7500 Gov. Ritchie Highway,Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061.  More information is available at: http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html 

 

 

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask A Lawyer In The Library: July 2016

 

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.

In addition to the weekly program in the courthouse, the program is offered monthly in branches of the Anne Arundel County Public Library. These programs are held in the evening from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the lottery at 4:15 p.m. This was the second month for the Eastpost Annapolis-Neck Community Library. The Eastport program will continue on the last Tuesday of the month with the next date on August 30. The program at the Glen Burnie Regional Library will resume on August 17 after its summer break. The Glen Burnie program is offered on the third Wednesday of the month.

Twenty six people took part in the program this month and were able to speak with an attorney to request assistance with issues such as leases, bankruptcy, power of attorney, trusts and estates, patents, mortgages and procedure. Volunteer attorneys were Mike Ragland, retired from Bell, Ragland, Gauges & Paltell; Chris Boucher; Dan Mellin of Hillman, Brown and Darrow; Paul Farmer of Gormley Jarashow Bowman; Jimmy Praley of Lessans, Praley & McCormick; and Elizabeth Pfenson and Kelly Kylis of Brassel, Alexander and Rice.

Paul Farmer
Mike Ragland
Chris Boucher
Dan Mellin

 

This month issues included topics such as leases, bankruptcy, power of attorney, trusts and estates, patents, mortgages and procedure.

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.

Questions about foreclosure? The law library hosts the MVLS Foreclosure Brief Advice Clinic on the third Wednesday of the month for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The next Foreclosure Clinic will be on August 17.

Do you have a family law matter? Family law issues are best addressed by the Family Law Self Help Center, which is also located in the library. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/family-law.

Do you have a criminal law matter? Criminal Law matters are best addressed by the Office of the Public Defender. Information about the Office of the Public Defender is available at http://www.opd.state.md.us/.

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Ask A Lawyer in the Library Expands to the Eastport Annapolis-Neck Community Library

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Carole Brown and Joan Bellistri

Eastport Annapolis-Neck Community Library offered its first “Ask a Lawyer in the Library” program on June 28, 2016.  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.

Four attorneys volunteered for the first night: Nathan Volke of the Law Offices of Laura E. Burrows; Carole Brown, Jimmy Praley of Lessans, Praley and McCormick; and Jerry Williams of Patel and Williams.

Jimmy Praley, Amanda Spino and Jerry Willliams
Jimmy Praley, Amanda Spino and Jerry Willliams

They were assisted by librarians Amanda  Spino of the Eastport Annapolis-Neck Community Library and Joan Bellistri of the Law Library. The attorneys were able to help with issues such as divorce, breach of contract and estate planning.

The “Ask a Lawyer” program  will continue monthly on the last Tuesday of the month. This is the second Anne Arundel County Public Library branch to offer the program with the other being  offered at the Glen Burnie Regional Library on the third Wednesday. The program is offered from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at both libraries. The next date for Eastport will be July, 26. The Glen Burnie program will resume on August 17.  It is also offered every Wednesday in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.