Client Resources
MVLS services for individual clients are limited in Allegany (301-722-3390), Montgomery (301-279-9100) and Prince George's (301-864-8353) Counties because there are other pro bono organizations that serve those areas. Contact these organizations at the numbers listed. In those counties MVLS only handles tax problems, back taxes and denial of public benefits.
Check out the Maryland State Bar Association for informational guides designed to help the public understand common legal problems. http://www.msba.org/departments/commpubl/publications/brochures/index.htm
Helpful Links
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provides the following website links because they contain information that may be helpful. MVLS does not endorse particular websites or the content they offer.
2-1-1 Maryland
United Way of Central Maryland’s First Call for Help (is the 2-1-1 provider for central MD).
Dial 211 statewide (or 410-685-0525 or 1-800-492-0618 in central MD)
http://www.211metrodc.org/
http://www.uwcm.org/uwcm/2-1-1.html
2-1-1 Maryland is a confidential information and referral service to help locate appropriate health and human services. It is available seven days per week, 24 hours a day and is available in 150 languages.
Allegany Law Foundation
301-722-3390
www.alleganylaw.net
The Foundation serves low-income clients on a pro bono or reduced-fee basis in Allegany County.
Alternative Directions
410-889-5072
www.alternativedirectionsinc.org
ADI’s Civil Legal Assistance Program provides free legal assistance, primarily in family law issues, to persons in prison or recently released from incarceration. The program also provides monthly workshops to prisoners on legal rights and responsibilities.
Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center
202-393-3572
www.apalrc.org
The Center addresses the legal needs of low-income, limited English proficient Asian Americans in Maryland.
Associated Catholic Charities of Baltimore
410-534-8015
www.catholiccharities-md.org
Associated Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services Project provides client screening, counseling and legal representation for low-income persons with immigration problems in the Baltimore metropolitan area.
Baltimore Bar Foundation Legal Services to the Elderly Program
410-396-5277
info@baltimorebar.org
This Program provides free legal representation and advice to Baltimore City residents age 60 and older in matters such as contracts, appeals of denial of government benefits, bankruptcy and guardianships.
Baltimore CASH Campaign
www.baltimorecashcampaign.org
The Campaign links working families to asset building resources and operates seasonal tax preparation sites throughout Baltimore City.
Baltimore Crisis Response
Crisis Hotline: 410-433-5175 or 410-752-2272
http://www.bcresponse.org/
BCRI provides timely crisis intervention and addictions treatment services. Call the hotline if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental crisis.
Baltimore Neighborhoods
410-243-4400
www.bni-maryland.org
BNI's Tenant-Landlord Hotline (statewide, with the exception of Montgomery County) provide landlords and tenants with information about their rights and responsibilities under Maryland Tenant –Landlord Law and refer callers to other state and local resources serves residential landlords and tenants.
The Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
301-279-9100
www.montbar.org
The Bar Association’s Lawyers Referral Service can assist residents of Montgomery County with their legal needs.
CASA de Maryland
301-270-0442
www.casademaryland.org
CASA de Maryland is the state's largest Latino-based service and advocacy organization. The Legal and Social Services Program assists day laborers, domestic workers, and other low-wage workers with employment related legal issues. It also provides tenant representation, limited immigration assistance, impact legal work and community economic development work for individuals and small businesses.
CASA (Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused)
301-739-4990
www.casainc.org
The CASA Legal Services Program provides legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Washington County.
City of Baltimore
443-263-2220 (City’s One Call Center)
http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/services/
Baltimore City services phone directory listed by agency.
Civil Justice
410-706-0174
www.civiljusticenetwork.org
The Network provides free attorney referrals to low and moderate-income clients in Maryland and Washington, DC. Clients are referred to a solo or small firm lawyer in the Network who has agreed to provide legal services at reduced fees in most cases.
Community Law Center
410-366-0922
www.communitylaw.org
CLC provides legal services and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations that represent issues of low-income people.
Community Legal Services of Prince George's County
301-864-8353
www.clspgc.org
This organization provides civil legal assistance to low-income persons of Prince George's County through a panel of pro bono and reduced-fee attorneys.
Domestic Violence Center of Howard County
410-997-0304
www.dvcenter.org
The Center’s legal services project serves low-income domestic violence victims.
EarnBenefits On-line
http://baltimore.earnbenefits.org/page.php?pageID=405
Counselors are located at community organizations in Baltimore to help determine which benefits an individual may qualify for and help them apply.
Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County
410-285-4357
www.familycrisiscenter.net
The Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County provides comprehensive services, including legal assistance, to domestic violence victims in Eastern Baltimore County.
Family Law Forms – Administrative Office of the Courts
http://www.courts.state.md.us/family/forms/index.html
Court forms needed to file for divorce, child support, and other domestic relations situations are available to download for free.
Family Law Hotline
1-800-845-8550
Free legal advice hotline to address family law issues.
Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Project
http://www.probonomd.org/foreclosure.html
Help for Marylanders faced with foreclosure.
Heartly House
301-662-8800
www.heartlyhouse.org
This agency provides victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault in Frederick County with an array of services including legal services to low-income victims.
Homeless Persons Representation Project
410-685-6589
www.hprplaw.org
HPRP provides staff and pro bono assistance in a range of housing and other legal issues to clients at risk for homelessness as well as to those in homeless shelters in Maryland.
House of Ruth
410-889-0840
www.hruth.org
House of Ruth's Domestic Violence Legal Clinic provides legal assistance to low-income victims of domestic violence.
Legal Aid Bureau
410-951-7777
www.mdlab.org
LAB provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people throughout Maryland.
Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations
410-727-6367 or 1-800-273-6367
www.marylandnonprofits.org
Membership organization and helpful resource for Maryland nonprofits.
Maryland CASA Association (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
410- 828-6761 or 1-888-833-2272 (toll-free)
http://www.marylandcasa.org/
This organization supports the Court Appointed Special Advocates programs in Maryland that help to ensure that abused and neglected children have safe, permanent homes.
Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center
301-952-0063
www.mdcrimevictims.org
MCVRC is a statewide victims' rights organization that also provides legal assistance to crime victims.
Maryland Departments of Social Services
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/county.php
Directory of social services by county.
Maryland Disability Law Center
410-727-6352
www.mdlcbalto.org
MDLC provides statewide free representation to both adults and children with disabilities for legal problems related to their disabilities.
MD HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity)
State Hotline 1-877-462-7555
http://www.mdhope.org/
Resources available to help homeowners/tenants.
Maryland State Bar Association
http://www.msba.org/departments/commpubl/publications/brochures/index.htm
Helpful Information Brochures
Mid-Shore Pro Bono
410-690-4890
www.midshoreprobono.org
Mid-Shore Pro Bono provides pro bono and reduced-fee civil legal services to qualified residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot counties.
Peoples Law Library
www.peoples-law.org
Self-Help legal information for Maryland residents.
Public Justice Center
410-625-9409
www.publicjustice.org
PJC provides legal representation to the underrepresented, particularly children, the mentally ill, and victims of discrimination through the services of both an in-house staff and pro bono attorneys.
St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center
410-235-5770
www.stambros.org
St. Ambrose Legal Services Program, a project of St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center, Inc., provides free legal assistance to low-income homeowners who are in danger of losing their homes.
Sexual Assault Legal Institute
301-565-2277
www.mcasa.org
SALI is part of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and provides comprehensive legal assistance to victims of sexual assault throughout the state.
Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy
301-373-4141
www.smcfa.net
This Center provides legal services to low-income residents of St. Mary's, Calvert and Charles counties, primarily in the area of domestic violence.
United States Bankruptcy Court (District of Maryland)
http://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/
Bankruptcy information is provided for debtors and others.
Whitman-Walker Clinic Legal Services Program
202-939-7627
www.wwc.org
The Whitman-Walker Clinic's Legal Services Program provides pro bono legal assistance to persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Women's Law Center
410-321-8761
www.wlcmd.org
The Women's Law Center was established in 1971 to meet the special legal needs of women. The Center’s services include operation of a statewide Family Law Hotline (1-800-845-8550) and a reduced-fee child custody representation project.