Litigation Fund
The Litigation Fund, an annual grant funded by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC), reimburses volunteer lawyers for many types of litigation expenses incurred during pro bono work such as process server fees, mileage, and postage and copying costs.
For in-house legal services staff seeking reimbursement for USCIS filing fee costs, please click the IFF Pilot button above for the Immigration Filing Fee Litigation Fund Pilot Program.
How to Submit a Litigation Fund Request:
1. Review the Litigation Fund Policy.
2. Gather your supporting documentation.
3. Submit your request(s) and supporting documentation to PBRC using the online request form. Hard copy and emailed requests will no longer be accepted.
4. If you have any questions about the Litigation Fund, including time-sensitive requests or coverage, please email Liz Twigg at ltwigg@probonomd.org or call 443-703-3055.
Important Notices:
The Litigation Fund is currently processing requests for expenses incurred between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 only. All requests for expenses incurred during this period must be submitted to PBRC by July 1, 2027 to be considered for reimbursement.
Starting July 1, 2015, under Maryland Rule 1-325, indigent clients in an original action in a circuit court or the District Court will be entitled to an automatic waiver of prepaid costs (e.g., fee to file an initial complaint or a motion to reopen a case, a fee for entry of the appearance of an attorney, and any prepaid compensation, fee, or expense of a master, examiner, or family magistrate) if their attorney is representing them through an organization identified by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation under section (d) of the amended rule. Volunteers should review and follow 1-325 instead of requesting reimbursement from the Litigation Fund for prepaid costs like filing fees and appearance fees. Click here for details about the new fee waiver procedures.
FY2026-2027 Litigation Fund Status:
As of 10/12/2026, the Litigation Fund has $44,274.29 remaining to spend in FY2026-2027
Updated 10/12/2026
The IFF Pilot is designed to defray the costs of federal immigration filing fees. Requests may be submitted for USCIS filing fee costs for MLSC cases being handled by in-house staff at (and contract attorneys working under the terms of MLSC Immigration Pilot Grants through) the below legal services providers.
Only the following organizations (and contract attorneys working under the terms of MLSC Immigration Pilot grants to them) are eligible for the IFF Pilot: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, Ayuda, CASA (de Maryland), the Esperanza Center (Catholic Charities of Baltimore), Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Community Legal Services, International Rescue Committee, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, Tahirih Justice Center, Women’s Law Center, and World Relief.
The IFF Pilot is available for litigation expenses incurred between July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
To view the full IFF Pilot Policy, click here.
How to Submit an Immigration Filing Fee Litigation Fund Pilot Request:
1. Review the IFF Pilot Policy.
2. Gather your supporting documentation.
3. Submit your request(s) and supporting documentation to PBRC using the online request form. Hard copy and emailed requests will not be accepted.
4. If you have any questions about the IFF Pilot, including time-sensitive requests or coverage, please email Liz Twigg at ltwigg@probonomd.org.
FY2026-2027 IFF Pilot Status:
As of 10/7/2026, the Litigation Fund has $16,000 remaining to spend in FY2026-2027
Other questions?
Contact:
Liz Twigg
443-703-3055
ltwigg@probonomd.org