Anne Arundel County Pro Bono Committee

Minutes August 28, 2013

Law Library Conference Room 

Attending: Lisa Sarro, Joan Bellistri, Chris Poulsen, Michelle Moodispaw and Bill Davis

Approval of Minutes: Minutes 08-28-2013  approved

I. Local Pro Bono Committee - ongoing, no discussion

A. Plan Review - wiki collaboration

B. Annual Report - PBRC schedule and to Hon. Nancy Davis-Loomis

II. Programs and Projects

A. Guardians for unaccompanied children

http://aacpll.pbworks.com/w/page/66406035/Unaccompanied%20Homeless%20Youth

Chris Poulsen spoke with Lynne Weise, Anne Arundel County Public Schools Homeless Education Liaison, who reported that there have been 562 homeless students counted so far this year. Chris will seek a breakdown of those who are homeless versus unaccompanied.

B. Appointment of Child's Counsel

http://aacpll.pbworks.com/w/page/67275869/Appointment%20of%20Child's%20Counsel

We will wait to hear more from Judge North.

C. Education and Outreach

1. Information to SRL - "How to get an attorney"

a. Court Mailings:

Referral Sheet review. It was suggested that we emphasize that the programs have income limitations by bolding the text. The final copy will be sent to Judge Reilly and Judge North for presentation to their courts for approval as information to be inserted in mailings to SRLs.

2. Pro bono opportunity information to the bar

Judge Silkworth will include information on pro bono opportunities at the Inns of Court Chamber Chats. He took MVLS applications and Pro Bono Week flyers for the People’s Law Library Write-In and the Pro Bono Connection to the last chat on 9/19.

Inns of Court met on September 12. MVLS applications and Pro Bono Week flyers for the People’s Law Library Write-In and the Pro Bono Connection were made available. The first Local Pro Bono “commercial” was run during the pre-meeting time. The Committee can update the message as we go along with information and photos of pro bono volunteers.

AABA

Bar President, Greg Jimeno, was invited to the meeting but was unable to attend. He said that “We have asked Chris Brown to head up the AABA efforts this year to increase the pro bono efforts in the county. I am copying Fran Czajka on this message to see how best we can facilitate keeping Chris involved with the pro bono committee.”

AABA functions - Young Lawyers.

We will ask Scott MacMullan to keep the Committee informed.

Meet the Judges program

There was no information to report at the time of the meeting but Fran Czjaka emailed and said nothing is planned for the fall but that we might be able to talk about something for the spring.

3. Barrister Column to highlight “stars” and providers/opportunities

Lisa Sarro brought a list of MVLS attorneys from which we can pick for an article or pro bono highlight in the Barrister

4. Self Help Workshops\Videos - How a case will proceed.

This will become a joint project with the Inns of Court.

D. Family Law Self Help Center volunteers for ½ days - no discussion

E. Pro Bono Recruitment

1. MVLS and PBRC programs

Lisa reported that none of the cases referred to MVLS by Legal Aid were taken by an Anne Arundel County attorney.

2. Local referral service

a. Investigate Mid-Shore Model

Joanie has been in contact with Sandy Brown.

III. New Business

A. Pro Bono Week 2013

1. Activities for Pro Bono week were discussed the Maryland People's Law Library  Write-In (flyer) is being co-sponsored by the AABA and will be a great activity to promote since it will take place in Annapolis. The PBRC Bro Bono Connection will also be promoted. Joanie will check with the bar to see if and how they might be promoting.

2. The library will create a pro bono display of pro bono information with a Pro Bono Poster / Information Session and the pro bono commercial message that was developed for the Inns of Court. Joanie will investigate placing information at the court’s information desk, too.

3. Bench and Bar (Local Committee) discussion on SRL needs/topics for guides.

The Committee will try and host a luncheon to bring together the bench and bar in order to discuss pro bono in Anne Arundel. The Committee could learn from the judges what topics would be most useful to SRLs based on their courtroom experience. Discussion could also include how the bench might encourage pro bono for Anne Arundel attorneys. Joanie will talk with Judge North when she returns and Doug Hofstedt, Court Administrator to see about making arrangements.

B. New Program/Opportunity

1. Lighthouse Shelter

Joanie was contacted by Elizabeth McKinney, Executive Director of the Lighthouse Shelter, about having the Committee assist with a monthly limited legal advice clinic for shelter clients. It had been handled by Paul Blumenthal who is going to step down from the program. We are waiting for Ms. Kinney to provide more details on the program.

C. Lawyer in the Library Intake Sheet

needs to be developed for use at the public library Lawyer in the Library program so that clients can be screened for conflicts and subject matter before seeing the attorney. Lisa will see if Legal Aid has a form that could be used as a template.

D. Affordable Health Care Act implementation

Chris Poulsen reported that referrals for assistance in applying for health insurance or benefits should be made to the Anne Arundel County Health Department unless the person is already receiving another type of benefit such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA). Those should be referred to DSS.

Next Meeting: October 23, 2013 - Pro Bono Week Celebration