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Legal Profession and the Community"

Support Services for Pro Bono Attorneys

Training/Continuing Legal Education

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland coordinates a series of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs specifically geared toward pro bono attorneys. The Center publishes a calendar of CLE courses throughout the state on a regular basis. The Center also sponsors its own classes and co-sponsors courses with other providers. The range of topics is broad including seminars on family law, bankruptcy, wills, guardianship, Child in Need of Assistance (CINA), housing, employment, special education, domestic violence, and community development. To find out about CLE accreditation, contact the Resource Center.

The MICPEL Pro Bono Partnership Program (MPP), a joint venture of the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers and Pro Bono Resource Center, enables volunteer attorneys to participate in select MICPEL seminars for free or at a reduced rate. To qualify, an attorney must agree to accept one pro bono case or provide other pro bono legal services through an affiliated pro bono program. Staff lawyers can also qualify for reduced fee courses. Registrations are on a first-come first-served basis and are handled by the Resource Center.

To register for a course or obtain more information about CLE possibilities, contact the Resource Center at (410) 837-9379 or (800) 492-1964 or email pbrc@probonomd.org.

Malpractice Insurance

Mentors

A number of programs will provide their volunteers with personal mentors should they so desire. The mentors are usually experienced practitioners who have handled similar pro bono cases and can provide insight and advice. An attorney interested in having a mentor should either ask the pro bono program about providing one or contact the Resource Center.

Litigation Funds

Several programs maintain a litigation fund to cover costs which neither the client nor attorney can pay. The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service currently operates a statewide fund for pro bono attorneys affiliated with any Maryland Legal Services Corporation funded program (i.e.., virtually all pro bono programs in the state) and reimburse volunteers for certain non-routine cash expenditures such as mileage, extensive copying, faxes, registered mail, and reasonable expert witness fees depending on the availability of funds. For information on reimbursement of costs, contact your program or MVLS at (410) 547-6537 or (800) 510-0050.

Court Costs and Service of Process

In state court pro bono attorneys working with MLSC funded legal services programs may use a memorandum provided by the program to obtain an automatic waiver of initial filing fees and court costs. Ask your affiliate program for the waiver forms.

In the Baltimore metropolitan area, some programs have made arrangements with process service companies which will not charge a fee. For more information, contact the Resource Center.

Court Reporters

The Maryland Association of Court Reporters has requested its membership to do their share for the low-income community by providing services on a pro bon basis. The Pro Bono Resource Center can match a program or volunteer with a reporting firm when eligible. If you are in need of a reporter and your client cannot afford one, contact the Resource Center.

Investigative Services

The Resource Center may also be able to assist volunteers whose client needs the assistance of private investigator and cannot afford to hire one.

Paralegal Assistance

There are a number of highly qualified paralegals who would like to gain experience and help their communities by volunteering their services. The Pro Bono Resource Center can assist a program or a volunteer with engaging a pro bono paralegal. Contact the Resource Center for further details.

Federal Court Admissions

The Resource Center may be able to assist volunteer attorneys who wish to practice before the federal court with their admission to the court. For further information on special admissions, contact the Resource Center.