ADMINISTRATION
Sharon E. Goldsmith, Esq.
Executive Director
443-703-3048 | Email Sharon
Sharon E. Goldsmith joined PBRC in 1990 as its founding director. Sharon manages the overall operation of PBRC, including strategic planning, media relations, program development, financial management, human resources, board development, project incubation, and leadership. She also works closely with the Court of Appeals on its Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services as well as with local pro bono committees and legal services providers to ensure the most effective and coordinated system of pro bono delivery exists statewide.
Annie Speedie
Deputy Director
443-703-3051 | Email Annie
Annie Speedie joined PBRC in 2011 and serves as the Deputy Director. Annie provides supervision to PBRC’s Pro Bono Projects in the areas of home preservation, consumer protection, tenant advocacy and immigrant assistance, and she helps manage completion of reporting requirements resulting from grants. She also contributes to strategic planning for the organization, provides guidance to other staff on PBRC’s volunteer attorney recruitment and support activities, offers technical assistance to other legal services programs, and manages the Litigation Fund.
Elizabeth L. Grove
Executive Assistant
443-703-3045 | Email Elizabeth
Elizabeth Grove joined PBRC in 2013 and serves as Sharon E. Goldsmith’s Executive Assistant. Elizabeth coordinates meetings and conference calls, manages communications, organizes files and record-keeping, responds to general inquiries, tracks donations, and assists with special events. She also works with the Standing Committee and Pro Bono Liaisons, and helps ensure that lawyers meet reporting requirements. Elizabeth also provides support to the staff and Board of Directors.
OPERATIONS, MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Nataly Karimi
Marketing and Development Associate
443-703-3061 | Email Nataly
Nataly Karimi joined PBRC in 2021 as the Marketing and Development Associate. Nataly handles all marketing efforts at PBRC including promoting events, managing external communications, and other press outreach. She designs the social media, digital, and print collateral as well as manages the Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Nataly also assists with the planning and implementation of PBRC's fundraising efforts.
Kiah E. Pierre
Director of Training & Operations
443-703-3046 | Email Kiah
Kiah Pierre joined PBRC in 2009 and serves as the Director of Training & Operations. Kiah coordinates trainings for lawyers and other advocates, as well as for internal staff, refers volunteers to legal service providers, and tracks the status of their pro bono engagement. She also administers PBRC's customer relationship management system, contributes to PBRC’s grant reporting requirements, manages website content, and coordinates PBRC’s annual Partners for Justice Conference.
Liz Twigg
Operations Specialist
443-703-3055 | Email Liz
Liz Twigg joined PBRC in 2022 and serves as the Operations Specialist. Liz supports the Operations, Marketing & Development team by tracking donor and volunteer data, assisting with event planning and execution of trainings, conferences, and fundraising events, administering the Litigation Fund, and assisting with grant reporting. Liz also provides updates to PBRC's website and serves as an administrator to the Maryland.FreeLegalAnswers.org website.
COURTROOM ADVOCACY PROJECT
Katherine "Katie" S. Davis, Esq.
Director
443-703-3049 | Email Katie
Katie Davis joined PBRC in 2020 and serves as the Director of the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Katie oversees the CAP courthouse-based clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George’s County. She is also responsible for engaging in strategic planning, legislative advocacy and policy, grants reporting and compliance and overseeing outreach to the Maryland legal community for the recruitment, training and mentoring of volunteer lawyers.
Melissa Chiasera, Esq.
TVLD Managing Attorney
443-703-5200 | Email Melissa
Melissa Chiasera joined PBRC in 2020 and serves as the TVLD Managing Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Melissa is responsible for coordinating PBRC’s limited-scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in addition to recruiting and mentoring CAP volunteers.
Susan Lerch, Esq.
CPP Managing Attorney
443-703-3059 | Email Susan
Susan Lerch joined PBRC in 2020. Susan works as the CPP Managing Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Susan staffs the PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County. She also recruits mentors and trains CAP volunteers.
Anne Boyle, Esq.
Equal Justice Works Fellow
443-333-9434 | Email Anne
Anne joined PBRC in 2022 as an Equal Justice Works Fellow with the CAP Team in CAP’s Housing Justice Program. She assists with the provision of direct legal services to tenants through PBRC’s rent court clinics in Baltimore City District Court and Baltimore County District Courts, assists with other landlord/tenant cases, including Tenant Holding Over, Breach of Lease and Escrow cases, and is responsible for the training and mentoring of CAP volunteer attorneys in rent court.
Malia Cygan
Paralegal
443-720-9994 | Email Malia
Malia Cygan joined PBRC in 2022 as a Paralegal for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Malia helps with the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Program as well as the Consumer Protection Program by assisting clients with questions and paperwork, supporting and volunteers, as well as organizing client data.
Sylvia Davenport, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-410-4678 | Email Sylvia
Sylvia Davenport joined PBRC in 2022. Sylvia works as a Staff Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Sylvia staffs the PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. She also recruits and mentors CAP volunteer attorneys.
Domonique Flowers, Esq.
Staff Attorney
410-497-7825 | Email Domonique
Domonique Flowers joined PBRC in 2022 as a Staff Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Domonique staffs the PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore City.
Arlita LeSene
Paralegal
443-791-8446 | Email Arlita
Arlita LeSene joined PBRC in 2022 as a Paralegal for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Arlita helps with the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Program as well as the Consumer Protection Program by assisting clients with questions and paperwork, supporting and volunteers, as well as organizing client data.
Jordan Massey
Paralegal (Part-Time)
571-989-3799 | Email Jordan
Jordan Massey joined PBRC in 2022 as a Paralegal for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Jordan helps with the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Program as well as the Consumer Protection Program by assisting clients with questions and paperwork, supporting and volunteers, as well as organizing client data.
Jennifer A. Mercer, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-776-4138 | Email Jennifer
Jennifer Mercer joined PBRC in 2021. Jennifer works as a Staff Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Jennifer staffs the PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. She also recruits and mentors CAP volunteer attorneys.
Robert Mitchell, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-308-5227 | Email Robert
Robert Mitchell joined PBRC in 2022 as a Staff Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Robert staffs the PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
Amber Nestico, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-776-4139 | Email Amber
Amber Nestico came to PBRC in 2021. She works as a Staff Attorney for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Amber staffs PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County.
Tyler Pollock
Paralegal
443-218-8625 | Email Tyler
Tyler Pollock joined PBRC in December 2021 as a Paralegal for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Tyler helps with the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Program as well as the Consumer Protection Program by assisting clients with questions and paperwork, supporting and volunteers, as well as organizing client data.
Kaynat "Ky" Qureshi, MA
Paralegal
443-703-3064 | Email Ky
Ky Qureshi joined PBRC in 2021 and serves as a paralegal for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Ky assists in the courthouse clinics for the Consumer Protection Project and the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Program. Within her role, Ky aids with case files, client data, and legal proceedings.
MacKenzie Zientek Read, Esq.
Staff Attorney
(667) 335-1650 | Email MacKenzie
MacKenzie Read joined PBRC in 2022 as a Staff Attorney with the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). MacKenzie staffs PBRC’s Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinic, representing tenants in the District Court of Maryland in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Valda Ricks, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-468-4334 | Email Valda
Valda Ricks joined PBRC in 2023 as a Staff Attorney with the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Valda staffs the PBRC’s limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinics for consumers and tenants in the District Court of Maryland in both Baltimore County and Baltimore City.
Jill Shea, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-279-1581 | Email Jill
Jill Shea joined PBRC in 2022 as a Staff Attorney with the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Jill staffs PBRC’s Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day limited scope courthouse-based pro bono clinic, representing tenants in the District Court of Maryland in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Tracy Tanner
Paralegal
443-279-1643 | Email Tracy
Tracy Tanner joined PBRC in May 2022 as a Paralegal for the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Tracy helps with the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Program as well as the Consumer Protection Program by assisting clients with questions and paperwork, supporting staff and volunteer attorneys, as well as organizing client data.
Liza Woods
Data Entry Specialist
443-977-6721 | Email Liza
Liza Woods joined PBRC in 2022 and serves as the Data Entry Specialist of the Courtroom Advocacy Project (CAP). Liza is responsible for inputting, organizing, and maintaining the project’s data and client records and helping to ensure grant compliance. She also assists with client intake and rental assistance referrals for at-risk tenants.
HOME PRESERVATION PROJECT
MatZyonna "Matte" Howard
Senior Client Specialist
443-703-3052 | Email Matte
Matte Howard joined PBRC in the fall of 2019 and serves as the Senior Client Specialist for the Home Preservation Project. Matte is the point of contact for clients interested in attending legal advice clinics and/or seeking other legal resources. She also assists with managing and tracking the Home Preservation Project trainings offered to volunteer lawyers who participate in estate planning and tax sale prevention clinics.
Madonna Lebling, Esq.
Staff Attorney
443-703-3028 | Email Madonna
Madonna Lebling joined PBRC as Staff Attorney with the Home Preservation Project in 2022. She coordinates the Home Preservation Project’s clinics, and assists with recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteer attorneys who participate in estate planning and tax sale prevention clinics.
MARYLAND IMMIGRANT LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT
Proyecto de Asistencia Legal para Inmigrantes en Maryland
Catherine "Cate" H. Scenna, Esq.
Director / Directora
443-465-4627 | Email / Correo electrónico Cate
Cate Scenna joined PBRC in 2015 and serves as the Director of the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project. Cate is responsible for recruiting, training, and mentoring volunteer lawyers for the statewide Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project. Cate is also responsible for coordinating the Project’s courthouse clinics where volunteer lawyers meet with unaccompanied children to identify legal arguments they can make in their deportation proceedings and provide information about obtaining pro bono representation.
Catherine “Cate” Scenna se unió al PBRC en 2015 y sirve como la Directora del Proyecto de Asistencia Legal para Inmigrantes en Maryland. Cate es responsable de reclutar, entrenar y aconsejar a los abogados voluntarios que apoyan el Proyecto. Cate también es responsable de coordinar las clínicas de corte del Proyecto en las cuales abogados voluntarios se reúnen con menores no-acompañados para identificar argumentos legales que puedan utilizar en sus procedimientos de deportación y para proveer información acerca de cómo encontrar representación pro bono.
Estefani Calle
Paralegal / Asistente Legal
410-429-0493 | Email / Correo electrónico Estefani
Estefani Calle joined PBRC in 2022 and serves as a Project Paralegal for the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project. Estefani is the point of contact for Spanish-speaking clients at weekly clinics, conducts follow up calls with clients, connects Marylanders with legal resources, and manages the volunteer interpreters.
Estefani Calle se unió al PBRC en 2022 y es asistente legal para el Proyecto de Asistencia Legal para Inmigrantes en Maryland. Estefani es el punto de contacto para hispanohablantes en las clínicas legales, mantiene contacto con los clientes, sirve como un recurso para clientes en Maryland que buscan asistencia legal, y esta en cargo de los intérpretes.
Edison Lopez
Paralegal / Asistente Legal
443-703-3054 | Email / Correo electrónico Edison
Edison Lopez joined PBRC in 2020 and serves as the Project Paralegal for the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project. Edison is the point of contact for Spanish-speaking clients at weekly clinics, conducts follow up calls with clients, connects Marylanders with legal resources, and manages the volunteer interpreters.
Edison Lopez se unió al PBRC en 2020 y es el asistente legal para el Proyecto de Asistencia Legal para Inmigrantes en Maryland. Edison es el punto de contacto para hispanohablantes en las clínicas legales, mantiene contacto con los clientes, sirve como un recurso para clientes en Maryland que buscan asistencia legal, y esta en cargo de los intérpretes.
Alexa Siegel, Esq.
Staff Attorney / Abogada de medio tiempo
Alexa Siegel joined PBRC in 2019 and serves the Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project as a part-time Staff Attorney. Alexa is responsible for training and mentoring volunteer lawyers, as well as lending her expertise in removal defense to broaden the services we offer through our courthouse clinics.
Alexa Siegel se unió a PBRC en 2019 y da servicio a el Proyecto de Asistencia Legal para Inmigrantes de Maryland como Abogada de medio tiempo. Alexa es responsable de capacitar y asesorar a abogados voluntarios, así como de prestar su experiencia en defensa en contra de la deportación para ampliar los servicios que ofrecemos a través de nuestras clínicas en los tribunales.