SUBMITTED BY JENNI PASTUSAK ON BEHALF OF MID-SHORE PRO BONO
Urgent need for volunteer attorneys in the areas of housing, consumer debt, and family law
Mid-Shore Pro Bono (MSPB), a non-profit organization headquartered on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that provides free or reduced fee legal services to eligible community members, today announced an allied Pro Bono Call to Action campaign in response to recommendations from The Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force. The campaign urges all attorneys in Maryland to take at least one pro bono case or provide a designated number of volunteer hours to provide assistance with the surge in civil cases as a result of COVID-19.
“We are on a mission to recruit all attorneys; new, experienced, practicing, and retired, for support,” said Sandy Brown, Executive Director. The sheer number of people needing legal assistance right now is overwhelming. We need as many attorneys as possible who are willing to spare a little bit of their time to assist people in our community who otherwise would not be able to access the legal system. Attorneys can volunteer to take a case, provide legal advice by phone or videoconference, or volunteer for one of our scheduled clinics. We need their time, even if it’s a few hours. With added support, we can set a strong course for recovery from COVID, one case at a time.”
“We simply don’t have a large enough pool of practicing lawyers here on the Eastern Shore to deal with the heightened need for legal representation,” said Meredith Girard, Managing Attorney. “Our goal is for this message to reach new lawyers, retired lawyers, and corporate or government lawyers who would like an opportunity to give back to the community. We will connect them with the training, resources, and mentors they need to provide high-quality legal services to members of the community.”
MSPB values all forms of donations and welcomes financial contributions to support equal access to civil justice for all.
$25 – covers one application fee for a client in need
$50 – covers filing fees/legal fees
$250 – covers a free legal consultation
$500 – covers preparation of all legal documents, including Wills, Power of Attorney and Advance Directives
$2,500 – covers full representation in court
Mid Shore Pro Bono along with all pro bono providers in Maryland are taking part in the Call to Action.
The Pro Bono Call to Action campaign is a coordinated effort, backed by The Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Judiciary, Maryland State Bar Association and Maryland Access to Justice Commission. For more information about MSPB, please visit midshoreprobono.org or call 410-690-8128.
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With more than 300 member businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, the Chamber is Kent County’s premier business-to-business facilitator. Through our many unique programs, events, and advocacy, we provide a platform for leaders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors to engage with each other to grow their respective organizations for the ultimate benefit of Kent County and its residents.
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