Volunteer
Allegany Law Foundation, Inc. was organized by the Bar Association of Allegany County in 1997 to provide a means for the legal community to assist Allegany County residents with their legal needs. Some of the opportunities for attorney involvement in our programs are listed below. Other volunteer opportunities are available for legal assistants, interns and other interested community members. Please call Allegany Law at 301-722-3390 if you are interested in participating in one or more of these programs. If you have suggestions for new community programs and/or training opportunities, let us know of the need. Please feel free to refer clients to our offices for screening and referrals.
Volunteer and Reduced Fee Opportunities
Providing pro bono advice, document preparation and representation at administrative and court hearings: Attorneys that are available to assist low-income clients in civil matters in Allegany County are encouraged to call our office at 301-722-3390 to inquire about specific opportunities for pro bono work.
Participation in legal education workshops and clinics at community events and senior centers: Attorneys meet with individuals at free, walk-in workshops and clinics to assist with specific areas of the law as needed.
Judicare Contract Attorneys: A family law reduced-fee program providing compensation for private attorneys who accept cases in contested family law matters at the rate of $120 per hour. The cap is $4,200 for 35 hours of work. Judicare attorneys are guaranteed compensation, pre-approved litigation expenses and mentoring support if needed. Attorneys are expected to assist in occasional pro bono activities throughout the program.
Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention Contract Attorneys: In the Foreclosure Prevention Program, attorneys assist distressed homeowners with foreclosure defense, mediation and consumer debtor relief. In the Eviction Prevention Program, attorneys advise and represent clients with landlord-tenant issues. Attorneys are compensated $80 per hour with a cap of $1600 for 20 hours of work.
Family Law Self-Help Clinics: Local contractual attorneys staff the clinic at the Circuit Courthouse Annex providing advice and assistance filing pro se family law cases. Family Law Clinic attorneys are compensated $100/hr for the 3.5 hour clinic.
Information for Volunteer Attorneys
Litigation Expense Fund: The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland (PBRC) administers a Pro Bono/Judicare Litigation Fund, an annual grant funded by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC). Attorneys who handle Judicare or pro bono cases through MLSC funded legal services programs may be eligible for reimbursement through the Litigation Fund. Requests must be submitted within 60 days of the incurred expense. Funds are limited and may be exhausted before the end of the fiscal year. Reimbursement is subject to the availability of funds and is disbursed on a first come, first serve basis. There is no guarantee that requests will be approved. An interactive, fillable PDF version is available at http://www.probonomd.org/for-lawyers/litigation-fund/. If you have an eligibility question about an expense, please contact Annie Speedie, Director of Programming at 443-703-3051 or aspeedie@probnomd.org.
Fee Waiver Procedures: Most of our clients will qualify for fee waivers. For more information about how to file a fee waiver on the MDEC system, contact our office.