Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)

MVLS is so thankful to our small and solos, who frequently make the key difference for a client to receive legal representation. The Maryland State Bar Association – MSBA is holding the Solo & Small Firm Symposium on December 12th in Towson. The full day of programming is specifically aimed at how to maximize your position as a small or solo firm. Make sure to stop by the MVLS table to say hello!

Congratulations to MVLS Pro Bono Director, Makeisha Gibson for receiving the 2024 William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award from the Maryland Legal Services Corporation! The William L. Marbury Outstanding Advocate Award is presented to someone who is not an attorney and has demonstrated outstanding service representing the civil legal needs of low-income Marylanders or expanding access to justice.

Meet Kaitlyn Drake, a J.D. Candidate at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. This fall, she’s been hard at work as an intern with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Want to hear about her impactful projects and experiences? Watch this short video to learn more! https://buff.ly/3CDhfDl

The MVLS team was at Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global) MD's celebration of National Philanthropy Day at Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards. Susan Francis, Cara Schaefer (she/her), and Todd Troester joined over 170 fundraisers and nonprofit professionals in recognizing the importance of solidarity in philanthropy!

Are you an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent looking to make a difference and provide justice to all? Join MVLS and provide pro bono representation to remove barriers to justice. Your expertise can help Marylanders in need of: ?? Consumer issues ?? Criminal record relief ?? Estate planning & administration ???????? Family law ?? Housing matters ?? Income tax controversy Be the change and empower those who need it most. Volunteer today! https://buff.ly/3UV0KZD

Great connections happening! Per Scholas Baltimore Managing Director Camisha Beverly (left) and MVLS Workforce Project Coordinator Shyia Clark (right) recently attended 'Networking for Partnerships and Progress.' This event took place at one of the nine new Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED) workforce sites.

?? Missed the Live Session? Impact of Mental Illness on Parenting Capacity in A Child Custody Matter - Watch Now! https://buff.ly/3UPZAi1 Navigating behavioral issues and mental health complexities in custody cases can be challenging. In this recorded training, Josef Passley, PhD—licensed psychotherapist and expert consultant—guides attorneys on how to: ?? Identify parenting behaviors influenced by mental illness ?? Connect these behaviors to child outcomes ?? Integrate mental health insights into custody & child custody evaluations Hosted by the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Family Law Judicare Project, this session equips you to better advocate for clients facing these challenges. Don't miss out!

Do you know how to connect with MVLS' Outreach Team? There are many ways we can support your community work. Reach out to us today by scanning the QR code or visiting https://buff.ly/4evkNVw.

During Family Court Awareness Month, it is important to recognize that more persons of color are more likely to go to family court unrepresented and are experiencing worse outcomes, due to both implicit and explicit bias. These continued biases can dilute the effectiveness of the family court. The family law court must promote an understanding of the concept of implicit bias and its effect on multicultural groups and communities while encouraging the concept that all people are equal and deserve to be treated as such under the law.

Listen to MVLS attorney Heather Heiman chat about automatic expungement, which should be starting this fall and apply to criminal charges resulting in an acquittal, dismissal, not guilty, or nolle prosequi where three years have passed since the disposition. Watch here - https://buff.ly/4foW9qJ