The deadline to apply for the 2024-2025 Professional Skills Academy has passed. 

Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellowship will open in Summer 2025.

If you applied for the 2024-2025 Fellowship, the selection committee will notify all applicants of their status by the week of August 26th.
Questions or concerns? Contact Kiah Pierre at kpierre@probonomd.org. 

Professional Skills Academy

Shaping the next generation of pro bono leaders.

What is the PBRC Academy?

The Professional Skills Academy is a one-year, cohort-based program of training, mentoring, and service for newer lawyers or those who are getting back into legal practice (Fellows) that will:

  • enhance the Fellows' lawyering skills;
  • develop in the Fellows the habit of thoughtfully choosing and carrying out pro bono service; and
  • introduce the Fellows to mentors and colleagues who can help them grow.

Fellows will receive extensive substantive training, in-court practice experience and cultural competence through service clinics, mentorship while serving, and a personal professional mentor who will meet with their fellow at least 4 times throughout the fellowship, including at least one substantive interaction (attending a service clinic together or inviting the Fellow to join the mentor for a significant event).

Who is eligible?

Applicants will be selected on the basis of demonstrated commitment to professionalism and a genuine interest in serving their community and promoting access to justice.  Some preference will be given to lawyers in private practice. Maryland lawyers admitted and in good standing of the Maryland Bar may apply.

What is required?

Academy Fellows must attend 8 PBRC service events (clinics) throughout the course of the 10-month fellowship in order to graduate from the program. Fellows will be required to attend at least 1 clinic in each of the following areas. The remaining 4 clinics can be done in any of the following areas:

  • Rent Court (Baltimore City or Baltimore County)
  • Consumer Debt Court (Baltimore City or Prince George's County)
  • Immigration Court (Baltimore City or Prince George's County)
  • Estate Planning AND/OR Tax Sale Foreclosure Prevention (Baltimore City)

 

Please note that due to the complicated nature of the Rent Court and Consumer Debt Court clinics, your first clinics in these areas will be observations rather than direct service. If you find that you are interested in volunteering in Rent Court, you will need extensive one-on-one mentoring with a PBRC staff member, and you will be required to complete the remaining 4 clinics in that area.
Training: Academy Fellows are required to complete a training (online on your own time) to prepare you to volunteer at each of the above clinic types (4-5 trainings total). Fellows are also required to attend 3 live (virtual) professional skills trainings held throughout the 10-month fellowship year. If you are unable to attend one of the live training dates, you can watch the webcast at a later date.
Networking Events: Academy Fellows are expected to attend 3 networking events in the program year -- a Kick-Off Event where Fellows will receive orientation and meet their mentor, other Fellows, and staff; a Mid-Year Event where we will network and celebrate the Fellows for their work so far; and a Graduation where Fellows are recognized for their completion of the program.

Why apply?

Professional Development The Academy provides a path to leadership within the Maryland pro bono community. At the end of the program, you will meet with a PBRC staff attorney to explore “next steps” for learning and service tailored to your interests, as well as opportunities to help newer lawyers on this journey.

Professional Development

The Academy provides a path to leadership within the Maryland pro bono community.  At the end of the program, you will meet with a PBRC staff attorney to explore “next steps” for learning and service tailored to your interests, as well as opportunities to help newer lawyers on this journey.

Relationship Building You will work with a cohort of other volunteers who desire to serve their community; build practice skills; and develop their leadership in the pro bono community.

Relationship Building

You will work with a cohort of other volunteers who desire to serve their community; build practice skills; and develop their leadership in the pro bono community. 

Mentorship You will receive ongoing access to “practice mentors” from PBRC’s staff; instruction from experienced litigators; and an opportunity to connect with senior litigators and judges, both individually and in a group setting.

Mentorship

You will receive ongoing access to “practice mentors” from PBRC’s staff; instruction from experienced litigators; and an opportunity to connect with senior litigators and judges, both individually and in a group setting.
Meet your Obligation The Maryland Rules provide that full-time attorneys “should aspire to render at least 50 hours per year of pro bono publico legal service.” However this is not easy, and attorneys (new or experienced) are not likely to “fall into” success without a plan.

Meet your Obligation

The Maryland Rules provide that full-time lawyers “should aspire to render at least 50 hours per year of pro bono publico legal service.” However this is not easy, and lawyers (new or experienced) are not likely to “fall into” success without a plan.

Current Fellows

Nakea J. Barksdale
Serena S. Barnes
Andre Batson
Camille Conor
Perneita M. Farrar
Phylecia Faublas
Jason S. Fiegel
Geeyoun J. Galstad-Lee
Maurice Jagne-Shaw
Kirk Johnson-Weider
Kimberly A. June
Ming L. Lu
Ni'Jah Richardson

Class of 2024 Fellowship Grads:

Keli Cochran
Tresa Fitch Drakeford
Christine Glover
Andrew Gravatt
Grace Oluyemi
Sibiri Samandoulougou
Ambreen Tariq
Molisa Thomas
Shelby von Hofe

For questions contact Kiah Pierre (kpierre@probonomd.org).

 

Sponsors of the Professional Skills Academy:

Bar Association Insurance Trust

Media Sponsor: