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Federal Government Pro Bono Program Volunteer Guide: Maryland

Download PDF: Federal Government Pro Bono Program Volunteer Guide - Maryland

Dear Colleagues:

Welcome to the Federal Government Pro Bono Program! Thank you for your interest in using your legal skills to better your community through pro bono activities. We hope we can help you find a fulfilling opportunity with which to get involved.

This Pro Bono Volunteer Guide provides easy access to information about the rules governing federal employees’ engagement in pro bono activities, as well as descriptions of numerous local legal services organizations that regularly offer pro bono opportunities that are generally appropriate for federal government attorneys and legal staff, in that they are generally free of conflicts of interest and offer substantial resources that will help you to succeed. Because each federal agency has its own regulations and procedures, it is important that you discuss any pro bono project with your agency’s pro bono coordinator or ethics officer before starting to volunteer. Many agencies have a specific pro bono policy that can guide you through these rules and any approval procedures that may be required.

Throughout the year, our Program offers events and activities to assist you in your pro bono endeavors, including trainings to prepare you to volunteer, opportunities where federal attorneys and legal staff members can volunteer together, and information sessions on various topics relevant to pro bono practice. If you would like to get involved in the development of these ideas or have questions about pro bono activities generally, please contact the Pro Bono Program at probono@usdoj.gov.

For decades, federal government attorneys and legal staff have been increasing access to justice through pro bono. We look forward to working with you to carry on this powerful tradition of volunteering our legal skills to ensure that everyone receives equal, fair, and impartial access to justice.

Sincerely,

Laura F. Klein
Pro Bono Program Manager
Office for Access to Justice
Chairperson, Federal Government Pro Bono Program

Frequently Asked Questions about Engaging in Pro Bono Activities as a Federal Government Employee

Get answers to some of the frequently asked questions about federal government attorneys and legal staff doing pro bono work. Find information on definitions and limitations, use of positions and agency resources, conflicts of interest, and more.

Go to FAQ

Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney

Rule 19-218: Special Authorization for Out-of-State Attorneys Affiliated with Programs Providing Legal Services to Low-Income Individuals

This rule specially authorizes attorneys who are not Maryland Bar Members to practice pro bono in Maryland if they meet the specific eligibility requirements.

As a federal employee, to be eligible for the special authorization to practice pro bono, you must:

  1. currently be admitted to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction that is not Maryland;
  2. currently be a member in good standing in that jurisdiction;
  3. have graduated from a law school that is both
    1. located in a state and
    2. approved by the American Bar Association;
  4. practice under the supervision of a Maryland Bar Member; and
  5. not be receiving any compensation for the legal services except for the reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses.

Rule 19-218 applies to all out-of-state attorneys. The list of requirements above are those that apply to federal government attorneys.

  1. You file a written request with the Clerk of the Maryland Supreme Court for special authorization to practice under this rule, including:
    1. Evidence that you graduated from a law school that is
      1. located in a state and
      2. approved by the American Bar Association;
    2. A certificate from the highest court of a state that says that you are a member in good standing of that state’s bar; and
    3. A statement signed by the Executive Director of the legal services organization where you will be volunteering pro bono that
      1. Certifies that you are currently associated with their program and
      2. States whether you will be receiving compensation other than reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses; and
      3. A statement that the Executive Director agrees to, within 10 days after you stop being associated with their program, file a notice of termination of authorization with the Clerk of the Maryland Supreme Court.
  2. If you are granted the special authorization, the Clerk of the Maryland Supreme Court issues you a certificate under seal of the Court that certifies that you are authorized to practice under this rule, as well as any limitations on your special authorization.

Your sponsor must be the Maryland legal services organization with which you will be volunteering.

This rule does not require any fees to receive special authorization to practice pro bono. However, if you are receiving any compensation for the legal services, you will be required to pay into the Client Protection and Fund of the Bar of Maryland and the Disciplinary Fund.

If you are not receiving compensation other than reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses, this rule does not set a duration limit on your special authorization to practice pro bono. However, if your special authorization permits you to receive other compensation, the Clerk of the Maryland Supreme Court will set your special authorization to expire at or before two years after your special authorization’s effective date.

Also, your special authorization will automatically end if you stop being associated with the legal services organization that sponsored your special authorization. Additionally, the Court has the discretion to revoke or suspend your special authorization at any time, as well as to modify, suspend, or revoke the special authorizations of all out-of-state attorneys who are specially authorized under this rule.

  • Not all Maryland legal services organizations may serve as a sponsor under this rule.
  • If you intend to receive compensation for practicing law in Maryland for more than two years, you should apply for admission to the Maryland Bar.
  • If you are specially authorized under this rule and have a disciplinary proceeding filed against you in another jurisdiction, you must promptly notify the Executive Director of your sponsoring legal services organization that you have a pending disciplinary matter.
  • If you are specially authorized under this rule, you must promptly inform Maryland Bar Counsel and the Clerk of the Maryland Supreme Court of your bar status if you: are disbarred, suspended, or otherwise disciplined; resign from a jurisdiction’s bar while there is disciplinary or remedial action threatened or pending against you in that jurisdiction; or are placed on inactive status based on your incapacity.
  • If you are specially authorized under this rule, you are subject to the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct.
  • If you are specially authorized under this rule and the Administrative Office of the Courts requests for you to file an IOLTA Compliant Report or Pro Bono Legal Service Report, you must timely do so in compliance with the applicable filing requirements.

For more information, contact the Pro Bono Program at probono@usdoj.gov.

Legal Services Organizations

The following legal services organizations have been screened by the Federal Government Pro Bono Program and have been determined to offer pro bono opportunities that are generally appropriate for federal government attorneys and legal staff.

  • Individual volunteers are still responsible for seeking approval to participate from their agencies, including any necessary review for conflicts of interest.
  • Employees should remember that they are prohibited from acting as an agent or attorney for any person before any agency, department, or court in any matter in which the United States has a direct and substantial interest.
  • Employees also should understand that they are acting in their individual capacities and not as representatives of their agencies and should act accordingly in all pro bono work.
  • Federal government attorneys may not ask support staff colleagues to assist them with their pro bono matters. If you are a federal government attorney and would like to request assistance, or are a support staff member interested in assisting with pro bono matters, contact the Pro Bono Program at probono@usdoj.gov.

The Bar Foundation of Montgomery County

The Bar Foundation of Montgomery County’s Pro Bono Program (the Pro Bono Program) was the first of its kind in Maryland and provides free legal advice to residents of Montgomery County through its Attorney Referral Program and its advice clinics. It offers services in a wide variety of legal areas.

Kinds of Cases Offered

The Pro Bono Program refers low-income Montgomery County residents to volunteer attorneys. The Pro Bono Program handles the following types of cases: guardianship, custody where not already established, adoption, absolute divorce, debt collection (defense only), wills and powers of attorney, and landlord/tenant cases. The Program does not handle criminal cases, traffic issues, appeals, modifications, child support, legal separations, limited divorces, employment issues, or social security disability issues. Volunteers are needed to take individual cases and/or to volunteer at one of its advice and referral clinics in Montgomery County.

Applicable Timing & Location Information

The Bar Foundation’s offices are located at 27 West Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD, 20850. Attorneys may take cases at any time. Legal Clinics are held on weekday evenings in four locations:

  • East County Community Recreation Center (3310 Gateshead Manor Way Silver Spring, MD 20904) – 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
  • Gaithersburg Library Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center (18330 Montgomery Village Avenue Gaithersburg, MD 20879) – 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month
  • TESS Community Action Center (8703 Flower Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20901) – 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month
  • Westfield South Building Wheaton Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center (11002 Veirs Mill Rd., Suite 506 Wheaton, MD 20902) – 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month

Training

Volunteer attorneys are not required to complete any trainings before or while volunteering with the Pro Bono Program.
For attorneys who agree to accept a family law case, the optional Rita Rosenkrantz Family Law Training is available via webcast for free. For additional information about this training, contact Tricia Rust, CLE Coordinator, at Tricia@BarFoundationMC.org or 301-340-2534.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Can be provided upon a volunteer attorney’s request.
  • Other support – Interpretation services are available with advance scheduling.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – Available if an attorney moves forward with a case.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at the Pro Bono Program. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-Of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

The Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Program makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Community Law Center

Community Law Center (CLC) is Maryland’s only legal services organization dedicated solely to strengthening neighborhoods and the nonprofit sector. We provide legal advice and representation to nonprofit organizations and neighborhood groups throughout Maryland, as well as producing publications and presenting educational workshops for nonprofits and volunteer attorneys. With staff attorneys and over 600 volunteer attorneys, Community Law Center is equipped to provide representation to neighborhoods and nonprofits for all of their legal needs.

Kinds of Cases Offered

CLC’s Pro Bono Program helps improve the safety, quality of life, and economic vitality of neighborhoods in Maryland by addressing a wide range of legal issues on behalf of community and nonprofit organizations. The types of legal matters addressed through the Pro Bono Program include:

  • Formation, revival, and maintenance of nonprofit organizations (including advising an organization's Board of Directors on its role and responsibilities, drafting bylaws, and filing articles of incorporation, but excluding seeking an IRS status, which poses a conflict of interest for federal government volunteers);
  • Real estate leases;
  • Transfer of real property;
  • Zoning decision appeals;
  • Contracts (drafting and negotiation);
  • Employment issues;
  • Addressing nuisance properties (including vacants and drug nuisances);
  • Liquor license protests; and
  • Much, much more!

Applicable Timing & Location Information

Community Law Center offices are located at 3355 Keswick Road, Suite 200 (second floor of the main building), Baltimore, MD 21211.

Training

Volunteer attorneys are not required to complete any trainings before volunteering with CLC or while volunteering with them.

CLC offers optional online training sessions. These training sessions are up to two hours long and are recorded and available remotely.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – The CLC Pro Bono Program Staff Attorney checks in regularly with volunteers to provide guidance, and volunteers can also be connected with a CLC staff attorney.
  • Other support – Administrative or paralegal support can be made available when needed for tasks like collecting or delivering local information, pictures, or records.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – Litigation funds are available for eligible expenses.
  • Office resources – Office space is available with advance scheduling. Other office resources, such as free court copies, are available.
  • Resource bank – CLC has multiple publications with sample documents available online or in hard copy.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at CLC. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

CLC makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County

Community Legal Services (CLS) has a mission to educate, represent, and empower low-income members of the Prince George’s and Anne Arundel County Communities regarding civil legal matters.

Kinds of Cases Offered

CLS has a number of clinic and representational opportunities. CLS has stated that not screen for immigration status.

  • Clinic for Self-Represented Litigants – This clinic provides legal advice and document preparation in civil law cases in which the client intends to represent themselves.
  • Domestic Violence Wellness Program (DVLW) – This clinic represents victims of domestic violence in Protective Order cases. In addition to helping clients obtain protective orders, volunteer attorneys can assist clients with pro bono representation for their family law matters after their protective orders are secured.
  • Eviction Prevention Programs – Our Eviction Prevention Programs provide same-day and extended scope representation, as well as brief advice, to tenants facing eviction in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties.
  • Expungement Clinics – (Note to DOJ employees: DOJ employees are prohibited from providing assistance on expungement matters. See 5 C.F.R. 3801.106(b)(1)(ii).)
  • Family Law Lawyer Referral Program – This clinic utilizes our lawyer referral database to provide representation to clients seeking assistance with their family law cases. Assistance is provided in cases involving divorce, custody, child support, visitation, domestic violence, foreclosure prevention, and other non-fee-generating civil legal matters.
  • Foreclosure Prevention and Bankruptcy Clinic – This clinic provides legal advice and representation virtually and in-person. (Note: Federal government employees should not provide representation in bankruptcy matters.)

Applicable Timing & Location Information

CLS clinics take place at various locations in Maryland. Note: Most CLS clinics operate during business hours only and therefore may require volunteers to take leave to participate. For more information, see "May I participate in pro bono activities on government time?" and "May I be granted administrative leave?" in Frequently Asked Questions about Engaging in Pro Bono Activities as a Federal Government Employee, above.

  • Clinic for Self-Represented Litigants – This clinic operates out of the Prince George’s County Circuit Courthouse in Upper Marlboro five days a week.
  • Eviction Prevention Programs – Our clinics operate at the Hyattsville, Glen Burnie, and Annapolis District courthouses.
  • Foreclosure Prevention and Bankruptcy Clinic – This clinic provides legal advice and representation virtually and in-person.

Training

Volunteers with CLS’s Eviction Prevention Program must complete required training before beginning to volunteer with that program. The training is two hours long, pre-recorded, and virtual.

CLS partners with the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland to offer optional additional trainings. Most of the trainings are virtual, but some are offered in person.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Provided by CLS staff attorneys.
  • Other support – Limited interpretation/translation services available.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – CLS does not offer reimbursement.
  • Office resources – Office space, limited courthouse space, and use of telephone, printers, and scanners are available.
  • Resource bank – CLS provides access to slide decks, Maryland Rules books, sample pleadings, and quick links to cases and statutes. 

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at CLS. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

CLS makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Disability Rights Maryland

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM) has a mission to create an integrated and just society by advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities. Each year, thousands of individuals with disabilities contact DRM seeking legal assistance. DRM maintains a Pro Bono Attorney Referral Program in which we match those people whom our resources are unable to serve with attorneys who are willing to provide free legal representation.

Kinds of Cases Offered

Volunteers represent clients in special education and access to medically necessary healthcare services cases in all Maryland Counties.

Applicable Timing & Location Information

DRM’s offices are located at 1500 Union Avenue, Ste. 2000, Baltimore, Maryland 21211. DRM serves clients throughout the state.

Training

Volunteers must complete required training, but they may begin volunteering at the start of referral, before completing the training. The training is 9 hours long, remote, and recorded/on-demand. The training focuses on special education and health care laws.

DRM offers optional additional trainings that are remote and recorded/on-demand.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Provided by experienced DRM attorneys and paralegals.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – Not available through DRM.
  • Office resources – Not available through DRM.
  • Resource bank – DRM provides access to sample pleadings, templates, and reference materials.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at DRM. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

DRM makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Maryland Legal Aid

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) is the largest provider of free, direct legal services in Maryland and the state’s third largest law firm. As a private, non-profit law firm, MLA provides a full range of free civil legal services to low-income people statewide, in Baltimore City and in Maryland’s 23 counties, from 12 office locations.

Kinds of Cases Offered

MLA needs volunteers for:

  • Family law cases, including custody, divorce and child support cases.
  • Small claims matters, such as security deposit returns.
  • Criminal record expungement assistance. (Note to DOJ employees: DOJ employees are prohibited from assisting on expungement matters. See 5 C.F.R. 3801.106(b)(1)(ii).)
  • Restoration of Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Benefits – Administrative cases against the MTA for denying transportation benefits to disabled residents.
  • Foreclosure Legal Assistance Project – We represent low-income homeowners throughout Maryland at all stages of the foreclosure process, including mediations, motions to stay and dismiss sales, bankruptcies, exceptions to sales, motions for order of possessions, and evictions. Advice and referrals are provided to those who we are unable to represent.
  • Brief Advice Clinics in schools, libraries, churches and other locations.
  • Matters involving consumer issues, elder rights, employment law, health care, housing law, and drafting wills.

Applicable Timing & Location Information

MLA’s opportunities take place at various offices in Maryland. For more information, see "May I participate in pro bono activities on government time?" and "May I be granted administrative leave?" in Frequently Asked Questions about Engaging in Pro Bono Activities as a Federal Government Employee, above.

Training

MLA provides both live and online training in various areas of law.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – MLA provides mentoring and support on cases.
  • Other support – Administrative support available.
  • Office resources – Office space available during office hours.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at MLA. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

MLA makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

At Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (MdVLA), we strive to connect Maryland’s most creative people with talented, dedicated, hardworking attorneys. We work with artists who do everything from writing fiction to painting murals and they need lawyers like you: lawyers who will fight to protect their rights. If you’re looking for a rewarding and exciting way to do pro bono work and gain new legal experiences, volunteer with MdVLA.

Kinds of Cases Offered

MdVLA offers both opportunities for full representation and art law clinics. Artists need assistance with a range of legal services, including:

  • Contract drafting, negotiation, review, and enforcement
  • Business entity formation, including LLCs
  • Commercial Property issues related to studio or performance space
  • Employment issues
  • Privacy and Defamation

Applicable Timing & Location Information

Art law clinics are held monthly, both virtually and in-person at varying locations in Maryland.

Training

Volunteer attorneys are not required to complete any trainings before volunteering with the MdVLA or while volunteering with them.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Provided by the MdVLA Staff Attorney.
  • Other support – Administrative support provided by MdVLA’s Senior Program Manager.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – Not applicable to MdVLA’s opportunities. The client (not the attorney) is responsible for paying any expenses incurred (e.g., filing fees, state or federal fees, overnight delivery, customary out-of-pocket expenses). MdVLA offers funding to reimburse clients in select scenarios.
  • Office resources – Office space can be made available.
  • Resource bank – MdVLA has a range of written resources that can be made available.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at MdVLA. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

MdVLA makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service

The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) directly helps Marylanders facing legal challenges, while also fighting to change systems that harm people living in or near poverty. MVLS accomplishes this through pro bono representation, community engagement, and legislative and administrative advocacy. Our volunteer attorneys and tax professionals help individual clients resolve their life changing civil issues. MVLS staff attorneys build on that impact by building meaningful community partnerships and identifying specific inequities that are borne out in our clients’ stories and in the legal system at large. We leverage this knowledge to advocate for more equitable laws.

Kinds of Cases Offered

MVLS cases include housing and family law cases, foreclosure prevention, deed changes, name changes, estate planning, tax controversy including state matters, and consumer matters. MVLS also offers expungement cases. (Note to DOJ employees: DOJ employees are prohibited from participating in expungement cases. See 5 C.F.R. 3801.106(b)(1)(ii).)

Applicable Timing & Location Information

MVLS is based in Baltimore but assists clients statewide.

Training

MVLS offers trainings to volunteers on all topics that MVLS provides legal assistance with, including family law, debt collection and bankruptcy, foreclosure and tax sale, tax controversy, and estate planning and estate administration. MVLS has supplementary training materials available on its website.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Provided by MVLS staff attorneys and expert volunteers.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at MVLS. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-Of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

MVLS makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

The People’s Law Library of Maryland

The People's Law Library (PLL) is a legal information and self-help website maintained by the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library of Maryland, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary. PLL is supported by Maryland's non-profit legal services providers, pro bono attorneys, and the legal academic community. We rely on a network of volunteers, including many attorneys from Judiciary departments, bar associations, law school legal clinics and Maryland Legal Services Corporation grantee organizations. The Thurgood Marshall State Law Library manages content development.

Kinds of Cases Offered

The purpose of the PLL is to provide self-represented litigants in Maryland state courts information about the law, including summaries of the law, links to primary and secondary legal resources, and referrals for legal services. The site offers legal information, not advice. Volunteers research state civil law topics and draft explanations in general, plain English terms.

Applicable Timing & Location Information

Volunteers may work at any location.

Training

Volunteers are not required to complete any trainings before volunteering with PLL or while volunteering with them, and PLL does not offer any trainings.

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Volunteers are provided guidance when editing, updating, and drafting materials. Assistance is remote via email and telephone.
  • Other support – The Law Library offers research services to volunteers to assist with article review and drafting.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – Not relevant to PLL opportunities.
  • Office resources – Not applicable to PLL opportunities, as all opportunities are remote.
  • Resource bank – Volunteers are provided guiding materials when editing, updating, and drafting materials.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at PLL. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

PLL may have opportunities available for non-attorney volunteers.

Malpractice Insurance

Malpractice insurance is not required when volunteering pro bono with PLL.

Contact

The Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland

As the pro bono arm of the Maryland State Bar Association and the statewide clearinghouse on pro bono, the Pro Bono Resource Center (PBRC) recruits, trains, and connects hundreds of volunteer attorneys with pro bono opportunities across the state.

Kinds of Cases Offered

  • Estate Planning Clinics with Home Preservation Project (HPP) – Volunteer attorneys meet one-on-one with Baltimore City or Baltimore County homeowners at an in-person clinic and prepare wills, advance medical directives, and financial powers of attorney. Lawyers with more than two years of estate planning experience can opt out of training by contacting Allison Harris, Director of HPP, at aharris@probonomd.org.
  • Tax Sale Foreclosure Prevention Clinics with Home Preservation Project (HPP) – Volunteer attorneys meet one-on-one with Baltimore City homeowners at an in-person clinic and counsel them about the Baltimore City tax sale process and steps that may be available to resolve their property tax delinquency which places them at risk of tax sale and, ultimately, losing their homes through foreclosure.

Applicable Timing & Location Information

Date and time are variable. PBRC can connect lawyers and others to meaningful pro bono opportunities (at PBRC and at other Maryland legal services provider organizations) based on their geographical preferences.

Training

New volunteers must complete required training before beginning to volunteer with PBRC programs. All of PBRC’s trainings require a pro bono commitment from the volunteer, and course length varies by training topic. PBRC periodically offers live trainings, but online webcasts are available for registration at the convenience of the volunteer through PBRC’s training page: probonomd.org/volunteers/train.          

Mentoring and Other Support

  • Mentoring – Provided by PBRC staff.
  • Other support – Support from PBRC staff is available. Interpretation services and translated materials may be available.
  • Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses – Litigation fund reimbursement is available for eligible expenses. Information about PBRC’s Litigation Fund is available at probonomd.org/volunteers/litigation-fund.
  • Office resources – Services provided through PBRC’s projects typically occur in-court or at community locations, but if a need arises for a volunteer to access office space, they should contact the director of the project in which they are participating: probonomd.org/about-us/our-staff.
  • Resource bank – PBRC provides access to roadmaps, checklists, training/reference materials, and, for estate planning work, document templates.

Bar Membership Requirement

Attorney volunteers may be licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction – Maryland Bar membership is not required to volunteer pro bono at PBRC. For more information, see Providing Pro Bono Legal Services in Maryland as an Out-of-State Attorney, above.

Malpractice Insurance

PBRC makes malpractice insurance available to all of its pro bono volunteers.

Contact

Updated April 30, 2025