Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services to low-income Marylanders, honored its volunteer attorneys during its annual Celebrate Pro Bono awards ceremony on October 10 at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. The award program recognizes attorneys dedicated to donating their time and resources to help low- and moderate-income Marylanders navigate civil legal challenges. MVLS’ award program recognizes Maryland-based attorneys.
“It is truly an honor to work in a state where so many attorneys have a deep passion for using their talents to help the less fortunate,” commented Bonnie Sullivan, executive director, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS). “We pride ourselves in connecting Marylanders in need of life-changing legal services to volunteer attorneys who genuinely care about their well-being. Congratulations to all of our volunteer attorneys, especially those who are honored at this year’s Celebrate Pro Bono reception.”
During this year’s program, Andre M. Davis, Baltimore City Solicitor, presented MVLS with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the citizens of Baltimore City. The award underscores MVLS’ and its volunteer attorneys’ commitment to helping Marylanders and the Baltimore City community in a wide range of civil cases. Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera, chief judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals, and Attorney General Brian Frosh made remarks on the importance of pro bono and the positive impact it has on our communities.
Celebrate Pro Bono Award Recipients
The Hon. Mary Ellen Barbera, E. Hutchinson Robbins, Jr., president of MVLS’ board of directors, and Bonnie Sullivan presented the awards during the Celebrate Pro Bono reception.
- Law Firm of the Year: Maryland Office of the Attorney General
With this award, MVLS recognizes the law firm that has provided significant services to the organization’s clients either by representing many individuals or using significant firm resources for one client. The Office of the Attorney General was selected because of its long-standing support of MVLS and participation in the organization’s bankruptcy bypass and expungement clinics.
- Volunteer of the Year: Dontrice P. Hamilton, Esq., Law Office of Dontrice P. Hamilton
MVLS presents this annual award to a volunteer lawyer who has contributed the most to its pro bono program through either individual client representation or expansion of the delivery of pro bono legal services. Ms. Hamilton was selected for her willingness to support MVLS clients in a variety of legal issues, including tax, expungements, collections, deed changes and family law matters. Ms. Hamilton joined MVLS’ volunteer panel in 2006, and has since accepted 60 cases.
- Partnership of the Year: Thomas J. Minton, Esq., Goldman & Minton, P.C.MVLS gives this award to individuals or organizations that have uniquely contributed to the mission of MVLS. Mr. Minton received this award because he and his firm have been long-time supporters of MVLS and have accepted many consumer cases consistently with MVLS for the past 10 years. Additionally, Mr. Minton was instrumental in naming MVLS a cy presrecipient of a significant settlement in October 2017.
- Young Lawyer of the Year: Christopher N. Moran, Esq., Venable LLP
MVLS’ Young Lawyer of the Year recognizes a young attorney who contributes a significant amount of time to help low-income Marylanders. Mr. Moran was honored for his willingness to support MVLS’ clients by taking 20 cases since he joined the organization’s volunteer panel in January 2016. Mr. Moran is a key volunteer for MVLS’ Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program. He also has helped clients with record expungements, homeownership and real property cases. Mr. Moran is a member of MVLS CAN (Community Advocacy Network), a group of young lawyers who are working to expand pro bono services among lawyers out of law school seven years or less.
- 10 Year Volunteer Award
This award acknowledges exceptional volunteers who have accepted at least one case every year for 10 consecutive years.
- Michael F. Connolly, Esq. of the Law Offices of Michael F. Connolly
- Kenneth Davies, Esq. of Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P.
- University of Baltimore School of Law Saul Ewing Civil Advocacy Clinic
- Thomas Mulinazzi, Esq. of the Mulinazzi Law Office, L.L.C.
- Marty Voelkel-Hanssen, Esq. of the Law Office of Marty Voelkel-Hanssen
MVLS celebrates all of the attorneys on its volunteer panel and features them in its annual report. Volunteers who took more than 10 cases in the past year, are recognized on the organization’s website.
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 legal counseling and full representation for civil 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’ services, visit www.mvlslaw.org.
