Maryland Access to Justice Commission

??We are hiring!?? Are you experienced in program management? The Maryland Access to Justice Commission seeks an experienced and passionate Program Manager to support the work of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission including the Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) Task Force and the Innovations in Tiered Legal Services Task Force. The Program Manager will play a key role in advancing the Commission’s mission to ensure all Maryland residents have access to justice by driving reforms and innovations in the civil justice system. This individual will work collaboratively with stakeholders, manage project activities, provide strategic oversight, and contribute to communications and advocacy efforts to forward systemic reforms that increase access to counsel and assistance by allied legal professionals to meet the demand for civil legal services. ??Message us for more application details and how to apply?? #werehiring #accesstojustice #civiljustice

A new economic impact study reveals that for every dollar invested in civil legal aid services in Maryland, the state sees a return of $12.92 in immediate and long-term financial benefits.?

?? March Dispatch Alert! ?? In this month’s Dispatch, we highlight A2JC’s collaboration with MSBA to call on Maryland’s congressional delegation to address unprecedented federal cuts to civil legal aid funding, including a $6.6 million reduction to Maryland Legal Aid and cuts to critical block grants such as CDBG, VAWA, and VOCA. We also report on A2JC’s recent legislative victories, including Senate passage of the Access to Counsel in Evictions Funding Bill and successful advocacy to preserve courts as sensitive locations in SB828, protecting immigrant rights in Maryland courthouses. In local news, we spotlight a new study showing that civil legal aid yields a nearly 13-to-1 return on investment for Maryland and share updates on tenant protection laws. Nationally, we examine growing threats to race equity and judicial independence and explore how federal budget proposals risk deepening inequality.? Explore these stories and more in this month’s update:

Reena Shah, Executive Director of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, examines the financial advantages of funding the ACE program. For every dollar invested, Maryland realizes an estimated $3.04 in fiscal and economic benefits, translating to a total impact of $46.7 million in just one year. This investment not only promotes housing stability but also yields substantial economic returns for our state. #AccessToJustice #ACEFunding #MarylandLawyers #MarylandLegislature #EvictionPrevention

For many New York City tenants, prodding landlords to make repairs in their apartments can be an uphill battle, often involving long wait times and navigating complex legal procedures with limited access to legal assistance.

New Video Series Alert! ?? We’re excited to launch our series highlighting key legislation that impacts access to justice in Maryland. In our first episode, Reena Shah, Executive Director of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission and Chair of the Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) Task Force, provides an insightful overview of the Access to Counsel in Evictions Funding bill. She discusses how this groundbreaking program ensures income-eligible tenants facing eviction have legal representation, promoting housing stability and advancing equity across the state.

Judicial independence is a cornerstone of our democracy, ensuring that judges can make fair and impartial decisions without political pressure. However, recent calls to impeach federal judges for unpopular rulings pose a serious threat to this independence and to access to justice for all. Our latest blog explores the dangers of politicizing the judiciary and why protecting judicial integrity is essential for maintaining a fair and impartial legal system.?? #Democracy #Election #AccessToJustice #Blog

The Loyola Project for the Innocent’s (LPI) second-annual Volunteer Night in January brought together students from an array of backgrounds and included students from the Hybrid JD Evening Program, which blends in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous instruction to allow for a regular on-campus commitment of one night a week.?

?? ACT NOW ?? Maryland’s Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) Program is a lifeline for tenants facing eviction, providing crucial legal representation. In just one year, ACE helped 21,000 Marylanders stay in their homes. We must keep this program funded! Urge your representatives to vote YES on HB 103 and SB 154 to protect housing stability! ?? #HousingJustice #LegalAid #LegislativeSession #EvictionDefense