The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland’s 25th Anniversary Honorees include Joan Bellistri, Director of the Law Library, as a Partner Honoree. Over the course of her 35-year career at the Law Library, Joanie has dedicated herself to increasing access to legal information and services for the significant and growing self-represented litigant population. This includes outreach such as the library’s weekly Ask a Lawyer in the Library program, which Joanie launched in 2009, the collection of self-help and plain English reference and research materials in the library’s collection, and ongoing reference and research services to the members of the public who walk daily through the library’s doors.
In addition, Joanie’s commitment to providing access to justice services extends beyond the walls of the Law Library. From 2008 to 2011, Joanie was a member of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission and served on the Self-Represented Litigant Committee, the Self Help Center Advisory Sub-Committee, and the Limited Scope Representation Sub-Committee. She worked with the Department of Social Services to develop a legal component for Anne Arundel County’s Homeless Resource Day in 2009 and has coordinated the pro bono legal services for the Annual Homeless Resource Day since then. In addition, Joanie chaired the Anne Arundel County Bar’s Local Pro Bono Committee from its revival in 2011 until July 2015.
Congratulations Joanie on this well-deserved recognition!
Questions related to family law matters, such as custody, child support, divorce and visitation, are the library’s most frequently asked questions. Here is a quick rundown of available resources and referrals. If you want to learn more or can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us!
Are you looking for background and general information? If so, check out these sites.
In addition, the Library carries the following print materials, which may assist you.
Maryland Family Law, 5th \ Fader (KFM 1294.F33 2011)
Maryland Divorce and Separation Law, 9th \ Thomas (KFM 1300.M37 2009)
Maryland Domestic Relations Forms \ Turnbull (KFM 1294A65 T38)
Maryland Law Encyclopedia – Children, Custody and Support, Divorce, Husband and Wife, Parent and Child
Maryland Digest – Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, Husband and Wife, Parent and Child
Are you interested in the Maryland Code and Rules of Procedure? For the Maryland Code, the Family Law Article contains much of the law regarding divorce, custody, child support, etc. You can access them in print as well as online in the Law Library. If you want to access these resources from home, check out these links.
Do you need to conduct case law research? The Law Library has both online and print sources to assist you. Online sources include LexisNexis and WestlawNext. Don’t know how to use these online databases? We can show you how! (If you don’t know what case law research is, check out this article – http://peoples-law.org/understanding-legal-research) If you want to conduct case law research from home, here are some options.
Google Scholar is another source for finding case law: http://scholar.google.com/. For more detail about case law research on Google Scholar, check out this post.
Do you want assistance with your family law matter? These organizations provide limited legal assistance.
The Family Law Self-Help Center is located in the back of the Law Library; provides legal information and forms to assist unrepresented litigants in matters of divorce, custody/visitation, child support and name changes.
WALK-IN HOURS: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. TELEPHONE HOURS (410-280-5374): Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Women’s Law Center Family Law Hotline 1-800-845-8550 M- F 9:30 am – 4:30 pm. Family Law Forms Helpline operates at 1-800-818-9888 Tu, W & F 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, Th 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Spanish-1-877-293-2507 (leave message)
Are you looking for attorney to represent you in your family law matter? These organizations may be able to assist you.
Legal Aid Bureau
General Civil Legal Services Income eligibility screening required Regional Office 410-972-2700 M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
General Legal Services Income eligibility screening required 410-547-6537 or 800-510-0050 M-TH 9:00AM-1:00PM.
Lawyer Referral Service(Anne Arundel County) 410-280-6961 All civil and criminal cases with no eligibility screening. Fees set by attorney M-F 8:45 AM – 2:15 PM
Are you looking for domestic violence assistance? These organizations may be able to assist you.
Organized and sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Services, this year’s National Pro Bono Week Celebration is October 25th through October 31st! The Law Library is excited to once again participate in National Pro Bono Week, which recognizes and promotes pro bono at both the national and local levels.
Do you want to learn more about resources available to self-represented litigants at the courthouse? If so, check out our Scavenger Hunt!
Everyone who correctly completes the Scavenger Hunt sheet will be entered into a drawing for a fantastic prize! All completed sheets must be submitted to the Law Library by Friday, October 30, 2015 at 4:30p.m. We will draw the Scavenger Hunt winners on Monday, November 2, 2015 and distribute prizes on that date.
Organized and sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Services, this year’s National Pro Bono Week Celebration is October 25th through October 31st! The Law Library is excited to once again participate in National Pro Bono Week, which recognizes and promotes pro bono at both the national and local levels.
The Law Library’s promotion of pro bono and public services is ongoing. Here’s a brief overview of the ongoing programs and clinics at the Law Library that provide FREE legal services to the public!
Last week, on October 14, 2015, the Law Library hosted its fourth monthly Foreclosure Clinic! Thank you Susan Mays, Diane Wessel, Lonni Summers and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) for providing this much-needed service to Maryland’s self-represented litigants. Two people met with Susan and Diane to discuss their ongoing foreclosure matters. In addition, the Law Library assisted two people who arrived before the clinic began and who could not stay to attend the program. For those two participants, the Law Library provided referrals to the Foreclosure Mediation Brief Advice Project (see information below) and access to online materials.
The next clinic date is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Individuals are served on a first-come, first-served basis, and these consultations are usually twenty minutes.Please sign up, in-person, at the Law Library’s service desk on November 18, 2015.
We recommend that you prepare for your meeting with the attorney. Here are a few suggestions.
Bring all your paperwork or other information related to the foreclosure.
Write a list of specific questions.Organize your paperwork from most recent on top to oldest on bottom.
Write a list of specific questions.
Prepare a timeline of your matter, including any deadlines.
If you need assistance prior to November 18, 2015, check out these resources.
Civil Justice – Civil Justice provides Marylanders with foreclosure assistance. Check out their website or call them at 410-706-0174 for more information.
Foreclosure Mediation Brief Advice Project – This is a free clinic open to homeowners facing foreclosure without legal representation. To speak with an attorney, you can CALL THE HELPLINE at (443) 808-0076 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm. You can also WALK-IN on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00am-4:30pm (no new intake after 4:00pm) at the Office of Administrative Hearings, Administrative Law Building, 11101 Gilroy Rd, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031. For more information, check out our blog post.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) – MVLS may be able to represent you in your foreclosure matter. Call MVLS at 410-547-6537 for more information.
You can find a list of additional assistance resources at the People’s Law 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. For more information, please see http://circuitcourt.org/legal-help/lawyer-in-the-library.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you Chris Boucher for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Six people were able to meet with the attorney to discuss issues related to foreclosure, personal injury, civil procedure, employment, expungement, and vehicle title/mandamus.
Do you 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 and Upper Marlboro), on the phone and with live chat. More information is available at http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html
Don’t forget, the Law Library is always available to provide reference and referral services during the Library’s hours of operation. Please contact us!
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 30, 2015, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Richard Ronay of the Law Office of J. Richard Ronay, our volunteer attorney, assisted six people with issues such as contracts, estate planning, and employment discrimination. The next program date is Wednesday, October 2, 2015.
As the program is set-up to accommodate only 6 twenty-minute sessions, two people were unable to meet with the attorney to discuss their questions and issues. However, the Law Library is always available to provide legal reference and referral services. Utilizing library resources, including the library’s wiki site, we were able to provide one person with information and resources on how to get a title to his car (Mandamus – Vehicle Title). In addition, we provided information and referrals to a woman seeking assistance on her foreclosure matter, including contact information for the MVLS Foreclosure Brief Advice Helpline (see information below), which was able to provide her with the assistance she was looking for. She was so happy with this service, that she bought the Law Library flowers!
Are you looking for assistance with your foreclosure matter? Foreclosure Brief Legal Advice, a project sponsored by Civil Justice and the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, provides FREE brief consultations for homeowners facing foreclosure. This program is for homeowners who do not have an attorney. The program’s attorneys can answer questions about your foreclosure, foreclosure mediation, and court documents. However, the attorneys CANNOT represent you in court or at your mediation. To speak with an attorney, you can CALL THE HELPLINE at (443) 808-0076 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-4:00pm. You can also WALK-IN on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00am-4:30pm (no new intake after 4:00pm) at the Office of Administrative Hearings, Administrative Law Building, 11101 Gilroy Rd, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21031. For more information, check out our blog post.
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 23, 2015, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you Paul Farmer of Gormley Jarashow Bowman LLC for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Fourpeople were able to meet with the attorney to discuss issues related to contracts, a judicial review memorandum, foreclosure and warranties. The next program date is Wednesday, September 30, 2015.
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/.
The Law Library is always available to provide reference and referral services during the Library’s hours of operation. Please contact us!
As a public law library, the Law Library serves a wide range of communities, including self-represented litigants. In addition to providing self-represented litigants with reference, instruction, and referral services, the Law Library coordinates and hosts programs that provide limited legal advice and assistance for civil matters through a partnership with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.
Last week was a busy week for the Law Library as we hosted four programs/clinics, all of which were open to the public. Here’s a recap!
Brian Lyman
Ask a Lawyer in the Library (Law Library) Next Program Date/Time: Wednesday, September 23, 2015 from 11am-1pm (sign-up via lottery is at 10:45am)
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, the Law Library hosted another successful Ask a Lawyer in the Library program. Brian Lyman from Hillman Brown & Darrow, P.A., served as our volunteer attorney and met with six people. Brian assisted the program participants on issues such as bankruptcy, landlord/tenant matters, contracts, peace orders, procedure (motion for summary judgment), and benefits. If you’re interested in learning more about our weekly Lawyer in the Library program, check out our past blog posts here!
Lonni Summers
Free Legal Advice about Foreclosure Next Program Dates/Time: Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 1pm-3pm (sign-up is first-come, first-served)
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, the Law Library hosted its third Foreclosure Clinic! We are happy to announce that this will be an ongoing monthly program at the Law Library! Specific dates will vary, but the Law Library will host the clinic once a month. Upcoming dates are Wednesday, October 14, 2015, Wednesday, November 18, 2015 and Wednesday, December 16, 2015.
Thank you Fani Kartartziz, who provided consultations to three program participants and Lonni Summers of the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, who coordinated the program. Fani answered questions about foreclosure and provided information and advice about foreclosure-related court papers and documents. To learn more about this foreclosure clinic and other foreclosure resources, check out our past blog posts here.
Alan Forman
Ask a Lawyer in the Library (Glen Burnie Regional Library) Next Program Date/Time: Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 4:30-6:30pm (sign-up via lottery is at 4:15pm)
On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, the Law Library coordinated another successful Ask a Lawyer in the Library program at the Glen Burnie Regional Library. This monthly program is held every third Wednesday of the month. Joan Bellistri provided on-site program coordination and administration. Our volunteer attorneys, Mary Albrecht-Jordan (The Law Office of Mary A Jordan), Andrew DiBlasio (Staiti & DiBlasio), Alan Forman (Forman Clothier Law Group), and Jenna Forman-Clothier (Forman Clothier Law Group) provided nine people with limited legal advice and assistance on issues such as income tax, wills, loan modifications, immigration, and property. This was Jenna Forman-Clothier’s first volunteer experience with the Lawyer in the Library program, and we are very excited to add her to our roster of volunteers!
Wayne Clark
Personal Bankruptcy Clinic Next Program Date/Time: Check out this schedule for future clinic dates in Baltimore.
On Thursday, September 17, 2015, the Law Library hosted a bankruptcy seminar, coordinated by Lonni Summers of the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Wayne Clark, an experienced bankruptcy attorney, led the seminar. Wayne presented a class on bankruptcy, which included demonstrations on how to fill out bankruptcy forms. In addition, Wayne answered questions and reviewed the bankruptcy forms for the clinic’s attendees!
Thank you to all our volunteers for providing these valuable services to the public!
To learn more about the programs available at the Law Library or to volunteer, please contact us! Training opportunities are available for attorneys interested in volunteering!
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service will hold a free legal advice clinic for foreclosure next week!
When? Wednesday, September 16, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where? The clinic will be held at the Law Library, located on the third floor of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County at 8 Church Circle, Annapolis, Maryland. The Law Library’s suite number is 303. You can ask for directions to the Law Library at the Courthouse’s Information Desk.
Who? This is open to the public. However, if you already have an attorney representing you in the foreclosure matter, then the volunteer attorney CANNOT assist you.
How do I sign up? Please sign-up at the Law Library’s main service desk. Individuals will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to prepare for your meeting with the attorney? Here are a few suggestions for how to prepare for your consultation.
Bring all your paperwork or other information related to the foreclosure.
Write a list of specific questions.Organize your paperwork from most recent on top to oldest on bottom.
Write a list of specific questions.
Prepare a timeline of your matter, including any deadlines.
Please note that the attorneys will NOT represent you in court or at mediation! For more information, please contact the Law Library.
AACPLL Blog: Law Library News 