PBRC Professional Skills Training Series
LIVE skills and community-building series for volunteer lawyers
Upcoming Virtual Event
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each meeting typically runs from noon to 2 pm and includes three components: a skills training; practical exercises; and a mentoring roundtable, where attendees can bring up litigation and other lawyering questions they’re currently facing—whether related to the presentation topic or not—and receive input from the group. Experienced litigators are present throughout the entire event.
Participation is open to lawyers who have either accepted a pro bono commitment through a PBRC training within the past 12 months OR who agree to answer at least three legal questions for low-income Marylanders via Maryland.FreeLegalAnswers.org. Instructions will be provided. To accept a pro bono commitment through PBRC, visit probonomd.org/train. Opportunities are available statewide and through a variety of legal services organizations.
The skills training portion of each event will also be available as an on-demand recording.
View past Professional Skills trainings online anytime. You will be emailed the training link within 1 business day of registering. Click a title to register.
Professional Skills Series: Professionalism & Courtroom Etiquette
Recorded on: October 17, 2025
Speaker(s): Judge Stephen W. Rideout (Retired); Susan Lerch, Melissa Murphy, and Valda G. Ricks, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Understanding and Advocating for Vulnerable Communities
Recorded on: April 25, 2025
Speaker(s): Marguerite Lanaux, Maryland Office of the Public Defender; Amy Petkovsek, Community Law Center; and Susan Lerch, Jennifer Mercer, and Melissa Chiasera, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Avoiding Grievances when Working with Challenging Clients
Recorded on: February 7, 2025
Speaker: Valda Ricks, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland; Deborah Warner-Dennis, Esq., Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission
Trial Techniques
Recorded on: October 25, 2024
Speaker: Valda Ricks, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Client Interviewing Techniques
Recorded on: November 15, 2023
Speaker: Jane Santoni, Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC
Pro Bono Practice & Legal Ethics: Issues and Challenges
Recorded on: June 2, 2023
Speaker: Professor Robert Rubinson, University of Baltimore School of Law
Working with Interpreters
Recorded on: February 10, 2023
Speakers: Catherine H. Scenna and Edison Lopez, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Cultural Competence and Breaking Barriers to Justice
Recorded on: October 21, 2022 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Indira K. Sharma, Esq., Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP
The Power of Storytelling
Recorded on: April 8, 2022 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Peter Holland, The Holland Law Firm; Chris Flohr, Blackford & Flohr, LLC
Pro Bono Practice and Legal Ethics
Recorded on: February 11, 2022 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Irwin Kramer, Kramer & Connolly
Tips for Negotiating with Landlords at District Court
Recorded on: December 17, 2021 (View Flyer)
Speakers: E. David Hoskins, The Law Offices of E. David Hoskins, LLC; Katie S. Davis, Esq., Melissa Chiasera, Esq., and Amber Nestico, Esq., Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Tips for Negotiating with Creditors at District Court
Recorded on: October 1, 2021 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Chelsea Ortega, Esq., Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC; Katie S. Davis, Esq., Melissa Chiasera, Esq., and Amber Nestico, Esq., Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Basics of Taking and Defending a Deposition
Recorded on: April 16, 2021 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Jane Santoni, Esq., Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC; Daria Zane, Esq., Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Expert Testimony on a Shoestring
Recorded on: February 5, 2021 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Matthew Thomas Vocci, Esq., Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC; Cara O’Brien, Esq., Law Offices of Evan K. Thalenberg, P.A.
Top Ten Tips for Pro Bono Practice in District Court
Recorded on: December 11, 2020 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Trevonne Walford, Esq., Kahn, Smith & Collins, P.A.; Melissa Chiasera, Esq. and Daria Zane, Esq., Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Practical Protections for Remote Clients: Coercion, Confidentiality and Capacity
Recorded on: September 25, 2020 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Professor Robert Rubinson, University of Baltimore School of Law; Jade McDuffie McClary, Esq., Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Developing & Using a Trial Notebook
Recorded on: April 17, 2020 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Jane Santoni, Esq., Santoni, Vocci & Ortega, LLC
Event-specific sponsor: Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Prep & Direct a Witness
Recorded on: February 7, 2020 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Matt Paavola, Esq., Workers' Comp Law Firm, LLC
Event-specific sponsor: Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Avoiding Grievances & Other Pitfalls
Recorded on: December 13, 2019 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Richard J. Berwanger, Esq., Eccleston and Wolf, P.C.
Event-specific sponsor: Baltimore Bar Foundation and Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Witnesses & Exhibits in District Court
Recorded on: September 20, 2019 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Kat Hyland, Esq., The Hyland Law Firm
Event-specific sponsor: Baltimore Bar Foundation and Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Tips for the trial lawyer considering an appeal: Successfully noting an appeal for the trial court
Recorded on: April 12, 2019 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Lindsay Parvis, Esq. & Anne E. Grover, Esq., Joseph Greenwald & Laake, P.A.
Event-specific sponsor: Joseph Greenwald & Laake, P.A.
Strategies for written discovery (interrogatories, requests for admission, requests for production of documents)
Recorded on: February 1, 2019 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Magistrate Keith J. Rosa, Montgomery County Circuit Court, & Michael Goecke, Esq., Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.
Event-specific sponsor: Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.
Witnesses at trial: Prep, direct, and cross witnesses to establish the elements of your case
Recorded on: December 6, 2018 (View Flyer)
Speakers: Hon. Ronald A. Karasic, Retired Judge from Baltimore City District Court, and Hon. William H. Jones, elected State’s Attorney, Dorchester County
Event-specific sponsor: Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
Tips for getting social media evidence admitted at trial
Recorded on: October 26, 2018 (View Flyer)
Speaker: Professor Michele Gilman, University of Baltimore School of Law
Event-specific sponsor: Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP
Questions? Contact education@probonomd.org.