Litigating in the Wild West: Trial Techniques for District Court
Litigating in the Wild West: Trial Techniques for District Court
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | Room 347: 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM
In May 2017, with a grant from the Maryland Judiciary’s Access to Justice Department, PBRC launched the Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day (TVLD) Program in Baltimore City Rent Court to provide day-of-court legal representation to tenants in Rent Court. Four years later, Maryland became one of the first states in the nation to require access to free legal counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction. PBRC and the ACE lawyers who have followed their lead continue to improve access to justice for tenants by changing the way eviction cases are litigated in Rent Court. This presentation will examine the methods used by experienced attorneys litigating in Rent Court specifically and in District Court generally. Panelists will address issues such as how to litigate in an environment where the court is balancing pro se litigants and those who have representation, how and when to employ motions and discovery in District Court, and how to use provisions such as stipulated dismissals and consent judgments to our clients’ advantage. Attendees will come away with creative ideas for providing the best representation possible for their clients in District Court.
Panelists:
- Valda Ricks, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
- Matilda G. Smith, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
- Kayla Williams-Campbell, Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County
Moderator: Honorable Michael W. Siri, District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County