Anne Arundel County Local Pro Bono Committee
draft Minutes of the Meeting of September 28, 2011
Law Library Conference Room

Attending: Bill Davis, Shaneka Henson, Joan Bellistri, Chris Poulsen, Ray Pinkham and Kathy Hughes for Legal Aid.

Local Pro Bono Committee

Pro Bono Recruitment : Presentation by Bonnie Sullivan and Richard Chambers of MVLS

Bonnie Sullivan, Executive Director, and Richard Chambers, Deputy Director, both attended the meeting and provided information about MVLS.  The handouts provided included a graph depicting the number and types of cases  in Anne Arundel County last FY, a list Anne Arundel County who took MVLS cases during FY2011 and an information sheet on the Judicare Family Law Project.

The graph shows that 148 cases were placed with volunteers.  Although these are cases involving an Anne Arundel County client, not all were handled by Anne Arundel County attorneys. Bankruptcy was the number one legal issue. Those numbers include brief advice cases at the Debtor’s Assistance Project.  Divorce and custody were  second  in the types of cases placed.

There are income guidelines for clients. The guidelines could be used for an informal screening tool for referrals.  MVLS services are limited to certain geographical areas  and case types.

The list of attorneys shows 48 attorneys with offices in Anne Arundel County who took 100 cases from MVLS.  Some took only one but there is one attorney who took 10.  Not all of the cases were necessarily in Anne Arundel County.  MVLS does have 200 Anne Arundel County attorneys in their database but still has difficulty placing almost 15% of requests for an attorney in Anne Arundel County.  Many attorneys in Baltimore City and Howard County will take Anne Arundel County Cases and Anne Arundel County attorneys have volunteered to take cases in other jurisdictions as well.

The Judicare Family Law Project finds attorneys for contested family law cases.  This program does provide some compensation for attorneys.  Attorneys are paid $80 per hour with a 20 hour limit.  If the case extends beyond the 20 hours, compensation may continue after 5 pro bono hours if funding is available up to $2400.  The program provides mentoring and some reimbursement of litigation expenses. Attorneys with less than 3 years experience must take the case under supervision of an experienced attorney.  Judicare attorneys are obligated to take one pro bono case in addition to the Judicare case.  Judicare is funded by the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts (60%) and LSC (40%).

The Foreclosure Prevention Project offers free online training through PBRC, provides mentors and has housing counselors that perform triage before the case is ready for a volunteer attorney.

MVLS provides free trainings mostly in the Baltimore area with the only requirement that the attorney take a pro bono case in exchange.  MVLS can also provide special trainings as requested in other locations.

Referrals resulting in about 1,000 calls a month in addition to the online intake are the result of word of mouth.  Intake services are available Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m.  The same phone number and online application is used for the pro bono and Judicare programs.  The intake paralegals screen the applicants and determine which program the clients qualify for.  

MVLS can act as Anne Arundel County’s Pro Bono Coordinator.  The Local Pro Bono Committee can act as the point of contact for MVLS when support is needed in finding a local attorney.  The local committee can encourage pro bono participation by asking Anne Arundel County attorneys to fill out the MVLS online application form.

Requirements for attorneys are that they be members of the MSBA or AABA and in the Client Security Trust Fund. Volunteer attorneys must also certify that there are no past or pending discipline actions.  Interests and geographical preferences are indicated on the application.

By working through MVLS volunteer attorneys get the benefits of MVLS file preparation, MVLS staff support with client management and malpractice insurance.

MVLS will be able to provide the Local Committee with statistics on Anne Arundel County pro bono participation and needs.

Joanie can work with MVLS to bring the Ask a Lawyer programs to be a part of MVLS.  

Programs and Projects  

National Pro Bono Week

                    Training\program - Meet the Judges and Pro Bono Night - is scheduled for                  October 11, 2011 at 5:30 at the Wild Orchid.  The cost is $25 for members.

Program Outline\Plan:

The program will begin when a good number of people have arrived.

Introductions:  AABA President, Hon. Dick Duden will introduce, Hon. Pam North who will introduce  the Local Committee, MVLS, PBRC, the Legal Aid Pro Bono Coordinator, Bill Davis, and Andy Vernick.

Presentations:

Andy will give a brief presentation on his pro bono experience.

MVLS, PBRC and LAB Legal Aid Coordinator will each describe how attorneys can volunteer.

Bill Davis will describe the reduced fee panel of the Public Defender’s Office.

Tables will be provided where the Local Committee and pro bono organizations can distribute information.  The PBRC Gala video highlighting Andy Vernick as our “Pro Bono Star”will be running on a computer there as well.

It was suggested that those interested in pro bono service put their business cards in a basket and be eligible to win lunch with a judge.

                    Local service program - Ask a Lawyer in the Law Library - 10/25-10/27 from 12:00 to 5:00

There are only three slots left to fill and some slots have two attorneys.  The end time had to be changed to 5:00 because the courthouse doors are now locked at 5:00.  Joanie will contact the reporters from the Capital and the Sun about the event, have it posted to the court’s website and send it to Anne Arundel County Public Libraries.

Barrister Column

An article highlighting Anne Arundel County Public Defender reduced fee panel and the Pro Bono Week volunteers is planned.

Next Meeting and Committee Meeting Schedule
    The Committee will continue with the 4th Wednesday of the month schedule.  The next meeting will be held during Pro Bono Week on Wednesday, October 26 at 5:00 in the Law Library Conference room.