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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

Turtle 3The 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, December 17, 2014,  the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Crighton Chase of Hillman Brown & Darrow, 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 regarding leases, wills, estates and real estate.  The next program date is Wednesday, January 7, 2014.

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/.

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.
 
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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

Turtle 7The 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, December 10, 2014,  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. Five people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as trusts, reverse mortgages, transferring an out-of-state case to Maryland and conversion/replevin. The next program date is Wednesday, December 17, 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.

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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lawlibrary Legal Technology

Online Databases in the Limelight – HeinOnline

Computer Room Photo
Access to HeinOnline is available in our computer room.

Online databases can be invaluable, time-saving  tools to any legal researcher as they provide organized access to a wide array of legal resources as well as sophisticated search tools.  Many online databases, including fee-based databases, are available at the Law Library, free of charge, to library patrons.  Each Tuesday of this month, this blog will highlight one of the many databases available at the Law Library.

Last week, this blog published a post about the Westlaw and Lexis databases available at the Law Library. This week, we would like to introduce you to another great database, HeinOnline. HeinOnline is the largest, image-based legal research database with full-text and page images of law review articles, treatises and primary sources of law. HeinOnline users can search for specific resources or browse one of the database’s many collections. For example, you can browse the Law Journal Library collection and see a listing of a specific Law Review’s articles, organized chronologically. Library patrons can access HeinOnline in the library’s computer room.

There is overlap between the resources available on HeinOnline and the resources available on the Westlaw and Lexis. However, there are two big reasons why users may prefer to use HeinOnline over Westlaw and Lexis. First, HeinOnline is an image-based database. This means that users can see page images of documents, including graphics, which match the print versions of the resources. Second, HeinOnline has a greater focus on retrospective historical coverage, meaning that users will be able to find older documents that may be unavailable in the other databases. For example, are you interested in railroad case law from the 1800s?  You can find many cases in HeinOnline’s Early American Case Law collection.

For more information about understanding legal research, including the difference between primary and secondary legal resources, check out these research guides.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

admin-ajax
Thank you Mike and Jack!

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, December 3, 2014,  the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program. Thank you, Mike Ragland and Jack Paltell, from Bell, Ragland, Gauges & Paltell, 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 a power of attorney, will, insurance claims, appeals to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, and real estate closing questions. The next program date is Wednesday, December 10, 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.

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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lawlibrary Legal Technology

Online Databases in the Limelight – Westlaw & Lexis

photo 1
Here is one of two computers in our computer room that prioritizes Westlaw access.

Online databases can be invaluable, time-saving tools to any legal researcher as they provide organized access to a wide array of legal resources as well as sophisticated search tools. Many online databases, including fee-based databases, are available at the Law Library, free of charge, to library patrons. Each Tuesday of this month, this blog will highlight one of the many databases available at the Law Library.

Westlaw (www.westlaw.com) and Lexis (www.lexis.com) are two of the biggest players in the world of legal publishing and online legal research. These two legal services providers offer searchable databases with access to a wide array of primary resources, such as federal and state statutes, federal and state regulations and case law, as well as secondary resources, such as encyclopedias, treatises, journal articles and form books.*

There is a myriad of tools, resources and services available through both Westlaw and Lexis. One of the most popular services provided through Westlaw and Lexis is the online case citator service provided by each database (KeyCite for Westlaw and Shepard’s Case Citations for Lexis). These case citators identify all published cases and other sources that cite (e.g., refer to) the case being reviewed by the legal researcher and provide additional information, such as the reason why the later case cited the case at hand. This is important information to have as later cases can affect the value of the case at hand or later cases may better address the matter being researched. In addition, both databases provide document delivery services (e.g., email, PDF downloads, RTF downloads) so that users can access certain resources after the online session has concluded.

Access to these two databases can be very expensive, but the Law Library maintains subscriptions to both databases so that library patrons can access the databases free of charge. Law Library patrons can directly access these databases in the Law Library’s computer room. For those of you who are new to Westlaw and Lexis, the Law Library is available to assist you in learning how to use both databases and identifying the resources available through the databases. For those of you who have used Westlaw and Lexis in the past, the Law Library can assist you with searching more effectively. Please drop by the Law Library’s service desk, and we will help you get started.

 *For more information about understanding legal research, including the difference between primary and secondary legal resources, check out these research guides.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

Attorney Photo
Thank you, Michael Marinello!

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, November 26, 2014,  the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Michael J. Marinello of Baldwin, Kagan & Gormley, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. One person took part in the program and was able to speak with the attorney to request assistance property issues and procedural questions.  The next program date is Wednesday, December 3, 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.

 
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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

Brian Lyman
Thank you, Brian Lyman!
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 22, 2014,  the Law Library hosted another successful Ask A Lawyer In The Library program.  Thank you, Brian Lyman of Hillman, Brown and Darrow, for volunteering and providing this service to the public. Three people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as powers of attorney, financial debts and jurisdiction.  The next program date is Wednesday, November 26, 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.
 
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lawlibrary Pro Bono

Spotlight on the Practising Law Institute

Veterans Day was this past Tuesday.  Are you an attorney whose unfamiliarity with veterans law is holding you back from participating in pro bono legal service projects geared towards services for veterans? If so, then the Practising Law Institute (PLI) can be a good resource for you.

The PLI, founded in 1933, is a non-profit, continuing legal education organization that provides seminars, treatises, websites and other resources for attorneys and other legal professionals.  The PLI’s available resources includes a free web seminar titled, “Advocating for Veterans: The Basics on VA Benefits, Discharge Upgrades and Veteran Cultural Competency (http://www.pli.edu/Content/Seminar/Advocating_for_Veterans_The_Basics_on_VA/_/N-4kZ1z12f57?fromsearch=false&ID=174212). This webinar may be able to assist you in better understanding veterans law.  In addition, the organizations highlighted in our earlier post about available pro bono legal service projects have training resources as well.  More information about the PLI is available at www.pli.edu.

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lawlibrary Pro Bono Self Represented

Ask a Lawyer In the Library: Wednesday Wrap-up

Valadez
Thank you, Mike Valadez!
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, November 12, 2014,  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. Four people took part in the program and were able to speak with the attorney to request assistance with issues such as insurance, property, taxes and procedural issues.  The next program date is Wednesday, November 19, 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.

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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Holiday lawlibrary Pro Bono

Assisting our Veterans

14poster_highresYesterday was Veterans Day!  Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11 of each year, was established to thank and honor all those who served in the United States armed forces during wartime and peacetime. In particular, Veterans Day honors and thanks living veterans for their service. One great way to thank the over 21 million veterans in the United States for their service is to volunteer our own services to veterans in need. Are you an attorney interested in pro bono legal service projects to assist veterans? Here are some organizations with ongoing pro bono legal service projects that are in need of attorney volunteers.

– Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland’s Veterans’ Benefits Pro Bono Project (http://probonomd.org/about-us/about-veterans-benefits/)

– Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc. (http://www.hprplaw.org/)

– The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program (http://www.vetsprobono.org/volunteer-today/)

Additional volunteer opportunities are available at http://www.volunteer.va.gov/. Don’t forget, the Law Library is always available to assist you in your search for pro bono service projects.

Are you a veteran looking for information about compensation and benefits?  The People’s Law Library has two articles that might be of interest. Check them out at http://www.peoples-law.org/veterans-compensation and http://www.peoples-law.org/veterans-pension-benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (http://va.gov/) and the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (http://veterans.maryland.gov/) are also good resources for additional information.