Article published in the AABA October Barrister:

Local Pro Bono Committee Promoting Pro Bono Week Activities

Joan Bellistri, Anne Arundel County Public Law Library Director and Local Pro Bono Committee Chair 

People’s Law Library Write-In (10.24.13 PLL Write-In.pdf)

The Write-In will be held right here in Annapolis at the Maryland State Law Library in the Court of Appeals at 361 Rowe Blvd during the National Celebration of Pro Bono on

Thursday, October 24, 2013 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m. A continental breakfast will be provided.

This event is perfect if you want to use your legal writing and research skills to make a difference and to meet your pro bono goals.  The People’s Law Library is a legal information and self-help website maintained by the Maryland State Law Library.  The purpose of the PLL is to provide self-represented litigants in Maryland state courts information about the law, including summaries, links to primary and secondary legal sources and referral for legal services. You can check out the People’s Law Library at www.peoples-law.org.

The People’s Law Library Pro Bono Write-In is a training and volunteer event in one.

Volunteer attorneys will

$          Learn to use the State Law Library’s resources to perform research.  (You are encouraged to bring your laptop but arrangements can be made it you cannot.)

$          Receive an overview of the People’s Law Library and instructions on writing for self-represented litigants

$          Volunteer, either in small groups or independently, by researching, writing and editing website content

$          Review and edit (if needed) one additional page of the website by November 30, 2013

The People’s Law Library Write-In is sponsored by the People’s Law Library, Maryland State Law Library, the Anne Arundel County Bar Association, the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library, and the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.

I will be there and hope to see some AABA members, too.

 For more information and to register, visit www.probonomd.org/pll.

2d Annual Pro Bono Connection (PBCReg.pdf  and PBCFlyer13.pdf)

Do you want to volunteer for pro bono service but don’t know where to go?  This event is the one for you.  On Wednesday, October 23, the Pro Bono Connection will be held at the University of Baltimore School of Law, 1401 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201.  The event will include trainings and a pro bono fair and reception, i.e., lite fare, beer and wine! 

There will be two trainings scheduled for law students and attorneys from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  There is no fee in exchange for a volunteer commitment. 

Defending Debt Buyer Lawsuits with  Peter Holland, Esq., UM Carey Law, will cover:

 • Introduction to the debt buyer industry

 • Common claims & defenses

 • Standards of evidence & large v. small claims

 • Sample pleadings & motions

Special Topics in LGBT Law with  Aaron Merki, Esq., FreeState Legal Project,  Jessie Weber, Esq., Brown Goldstein & Levy, and Anne Blackfield, Esq., FreeState Legal Project will cover:

 • LGBT 101: Working with LGBT clients

 • The state of LGBT discrimination protections in MD

 • Special topics in transgender law

The Pro Bono Fair and Reception will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Here you will be able to learn about pro bono opportunities.  You will be able to visit tables featuring various MD legal services providers, learn about available pro bono opportunities, accept pro bono cases on-site and enjoy the company of others interested in pro bono service with lite fare, beer and wine.

The event is co-sponsored by the University of Baltimore School of Law, the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, the Maryland State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, and the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.

To register please visit: www.probonomd.org or contact Kiah Pierre at: 410-837-9379 ext. 3046 or kpierre@probonomd.org

Pro Bono Week Celebration in the Anne Arundel County Public Law Library

Check out the poster display of Anne Arundel attorneys who provide pro bono service. The posters will be available for viewing during Pro Bono Week, October 21 to October 25.   Will your picture be on a pro bono star poster this year? 

The library will have information on how to sign up for pro bono service and will even help you sign-up and find the best opportunity for you.  Attorneys who ask about pro bono will be entitled to pro bono chocolate.  Please stop by and celebrate Pro Bono Week in the law library.