In its Anniversary Year, MVLS Sets Goal to Raise $400,000 to Expand Civil Legal Services Throughout Maryland
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services to Marylanders facing financial hardships, announced today it is celebrating the profound work the organization has accomplished in the past 40 years and the 100,000 Marylanders it assisted with free civil legal services. A historic look at the organization’s growth over 40 years shows how it responded during times of crisis and setback for Marylanders. MVLS will work to raise $400,000 in the next twelve months to offset a number of funding challenges, including an increase in need presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, legal aid funding cuts as well as a decrease in Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA).
“We are honored to celebrate our 40th anniversary of delivering life-changing civil legal assistance and court representation for Marylanders who can’t afford a lawyer during trying times,” said Susan Francis, executive director, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. “The COVID-19 pandemic is shining a spotlight on challenges faced by Marylanders living paycheck to paycheck, including the impact of falling sick and paying medical debts, managing estate matters, navigating tax filings, or breaking a lease to flee a domestic violence situation. As moratoriums on foreclosures are lifted, we anticipate a surge in calls for help and are at the ready to help people across Maryland because we have a strong history of responding to crisis situations in our country’s history.”
Fundraising Goal
To extend its civil legal services throughout Maryland, MVLS will be activating an anniversary year fundraising campaign to secure $400,000 in funding that will go directly to delivering services and full representation for individuals in civil court proceedings. There are several ways to get involved, including donating directly, and attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents are encouraged to volunteer to take a case through MVLS’s Pro Bono Portal.
“The growth of MVLS in the past 40 years is a direct result of its dedicated leadership, staff attorneys, paralegals, volunteers and community partnerships, and I am extremely proud of these individuals in paving the way for MVLS’s future to help more Marylanders secure the things most important in their lives – their families, their homes and their self-sufficiency,” commented Anthony Ashton, MVLS board president and director of affirmative litigation at the NAACP. “The foundation MVLS has built will ensure its success in the next 40 years.”
Defining Moments in MVLS History
Throughout the past 40 years, MVLS has responded to moments in Maryland’s history to evolve the organization and help more individuals facing financial hardships navigate their civil legal challenges, including new challenges that came to light during times of crisis.
- March 24, 1981: MVLS Incorporates MVLS incorporates in Baltimore City, responding to a statewide need for civil legal services for Marylanders earning 50 percent or less than the Maryland median income. In a mere 5 months, the founders of MVLS raised $88,000 for the organization’s first year of operation.
- 1994: MVLS Creates First Project
MVLS creates the Adult Protective Guardianship Review Board (APGRB) Project to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in guardianship proceedings.
- 2000: MVLS Joins LITCMVLS joins the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic initiative to help Marylanders resolve issues related to Federal and State tax controversies, impacting their financial stability.
- 2008: Global Financial Crisis
The global financial crisis of 2007-2008 sparks the launch of MVLS’s Foreclosure Prevention Project to help a rapidly growing number of distressed homeowners in Maryland stay in their homes.
- 2015: Freddie Gray Dies in Police Custody + Expungement Laws Change
Freddie Gray, Jr., a 25-year-old Baltimore City Black man, is arrested and dies in police custody, shining a spotlight on racial injustice and employment barriers, including criminal records and community disinvestment. Expungement laws in Maryland begin to expand. MVLS launches its Workforce Development Project through the One Baltimore for Jobs (1B4J) initiative to remove barriers to employment for Baltimore City’s vulnerable populations by offering criminal record relief.
In this year, MVLS helps 700 clients with criminal record relief – a surge from only seven expungements in years past.
- 2018: My Home My Deed My Legacy Campaign Kicks Off
MVLS uncovers too many Baltimore families are losing their homes when the family member living in the home isn’t on the deed, resulting in unnecessary foreclosures. MVLS launches citywide education program and adds new staff attorney to directly preserve homeownership and ensure wealth building for future generations.
- 2020: Global Pandemic
The COVID-19 global pandemic creates a surge in civil legal challenges related to loss of jobs, foreclosures, consumer credit and tax controversies. MVLS grows internal staff and operates with the largest staff ever with 29 employees while keeping its doors open without any reduction in services to clients in need of civil legal services.
To learn more about Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), to become a volunteer, or to donate to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary, please visit www.mvlslaw.org.
About Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)
For 40 years, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) has been serving Marylanders facing financial hardships by offering free legal services and full representation for their civil legal cases. MVLS matches clients with volunteer lawyers, tax professionals and staff attorneys who represent them in a wide range of consumer finance, family and housing situations, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, and income tax disputes, estate planning, divorce/custody, deed changes, and criminal record relief. MVLS advocates for racial equity in Maryland’s legal system and works in concert with community partners to move closer to achieving this goal for future generations. For more information about MVLS, please visit www.mvlslaw.org.
