Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services to low-income Marylanders, today announced the launch of its Community Advocacy Network (CAN) to inspire new attorneys and law students to provide low-income Marylanders equal access to justice through pro bono service. The initiative is designed to provide valuable skills, networking and professional development opportunities for new attorneys and law students to prepare them for success inside and outside of the courtroom.
“The stability of Maryland’s families and communities depends on the generosity of attorneys who can use their expertise and training to help the less fortunate,” commented Bonnie Sullivan, executive director, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS). “We are thrilled to launch our Community Advocacy Network to engage with new attorneys and ambitious law students who want to make a positive impact on Marylanders. Together, we can help more Marylanders fight for their families, homes, jobs and self-sufficiency.”
The State of Pro Bono in Maryland
Studies have found that the majority of Maryland attorneys do not participate in pro bono work early in their career. In fact, 58 percent of full-time Maryland lawyers provided no pro bono service in their first five years of being barred, according to the Maryland Courts 2016 Pro Bono Report.
With more students graduating from law school each year than there are jobs available, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, MVLS’ CAN initiative is poised to help Maryland’s law school graduates gain valuable skills while helping their local community.
CAN Launch Event
MVLS will launch its CAN initiative on Thursday, April 19 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at MEX at Power Plant Live! – 26 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202. Attendees will mix and mingle with members of the legal community who are leading the charge to increase pro bono participation among new attorneys and law students. Guests will enjoy light appetizers and happy hour drink prices. Admission is free.
To RSVP for the CAN launch event, please contact Kaitlyn Wernsing, MVLS development coordinator, at 443-451-4090 or kwernsing@mvlslaw.org.
CAN Membership
MVLS’ CAN is a volunteer recruitment and engagement initiative within the organization that inspires new attorneys and law students to provide pro bono civil legal services to those in need. By becoming a CAN member, attorneys who are early in their career and looking to give back to their community, achieve the confidence and skills they need to be successful inside and outside of the courtroom.
CAN members receive immediate access to professional development opportunities, relationship and network building, mentors and support, as well as the path to provide life-changing legal services to low-income Maryland residents.
To learn more about MVLS CAN, please visit www.mvlslaw.org/mvls-can/.
About Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)
Founded in 1981 with a mission to provide access to justice for all, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) serves Maryland’s low-income residents by offering counseling and full representation for civil legal cases. MVLS matches clients with volunteer lawyers who represent them in a wide range of consumer, family and workforce re-entry situations, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, income tax disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, wills, estate planning, criminal record expungement, divorce/custody and deed changes. For more information about MVLS, visit www.mvlslaw.org.
