THE 21ST MARYLAND PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE CONFERENCE 2 0 19
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21
THE
ST
ANNUAL
MARYLAND
PARTNERS FOR
JUSTICE CONFERENCE
2 0 19
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019
8:15 AM to 3:30 PM
BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
1 WEST PRATT ST.
BALTIMORE, MD 21201
PROUDLY PRESENTED BY:
PRO BONO RESOURCE
CENTER OF MARYLAND
May 23, 2019
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Welcome to another year of terrific programming and networking opportunities at the
21st Annual Maryland Partners for Justice Conference. We are so glad you could join us!
These past few years have continued to place unusual stressors on legal services programs,
pro bono providers and advocates who believe in a fair and accessible justice system. It is
difficult to know where to turn for answers and where to focus limited resources when so
many people and communities face what appear to be insurmountable obstacles. What we
offer is not only quality legal help to those in need but also a chance to challenge those
structures, policies, laws and regulations that impose undue and unfair burdens on our clients.
Today’s conference offers an opportunity to explore how we can do what we do better and
in a more strategic and effective way. We encourage creative thinking, collaborative planning
and sharing tips and best practices to change the experience for our clients. Bold thinking
and systemic change are in order. As we acknowledge 21 years of collaboration, partnership
and shared knowledge, the need to listen to and learn from each other is crucial.
The Conference Planning Committee was determined to bring you smart, useful and
thought-provoking sessions. Most of the topics came from the legal services community
or you. Thank you for your ideas, willingness to work on these issues and desire to work
together for the benefit of those we serve.
Thank you also for supporting the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland’s efforts and
mission. We are privileged and proud to call you our “partners for justice.”
Sincerely,
Maria Chavez-Ruark Sharon E. Goldsmith
President, PBRC Executive Director, PBRC
Thank you to our generous 2019 Conference Sponsors:
1
PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER OF MARYLAND
WHO WE ARE: We are the Maryland bar’s only statewide support
program – here to help sustain your work!
WHAT WE DO: We train and connect lawyers and advocates
to give back to Maryland communities.
PBRC DOES ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
RECRUITS and refers volunteers TRACKS pro bono progress and
to legal services providers; reports to the Court of Appeals;
PROVIDES legal training and INCUBATES project models for
mentoring for volunteers and staff; limited scope services* in areas
of unmet need;
MANAGES the MLSC Litigation Fund for pro
bono, reduced-fee, and Judicare lawyers; BUILDS capacity within the bar and legal
services network to impact the community;
GIVES technical assistance and
provides best practice tools for PUBLISHES an E-Bulletin of pro
operating local and regional bono cases, volunteer
pro bono programs; opportunities, and upcoming
trainings and events; and
COORDINATES regional and statewide planning programs and education, including:
• Mentoring roundtables • State & local bar meetings • Pro Bono Coordinating Council
• Annual Partners for Justice Conference • Annual Veterans’ Legal Assistance Conference & Training.
* SUBSTANTIVE PROJECTS:
Courtroom Advocacy Project: Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Project:
Eviction prevention and consumer volunteer Volunteer screening and consultations in
lawyer of the day clinics in District Court. immigration court for unaccompanied
children, some adults and families.
Home Preservation Project:
Work with seniors to age in place by avoiding
tax sale and foreclosure of homes, drafting
wills, POA and advanced directives, and
helping with utility bills and green initiatives.
WWW.PROBONOMD.ORG
FOR MORE INFORMATION 2
S C H E D U L E AT A G L A N C E
8:15 AM Continental Breakfast & Registration
TO 9:00 AM
Maria Chavez- Ruark, President, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Sharon E. Goldsmith, Executive Director, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Wilhelm H. Joseph, Jr., Executive Director, Maryland Legal Aid
9:00 AM Susan Erlichman, Executive Director, Maryland Legal Services Corporation
TO 9:30 AM Kirsten Downs, District Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, Baltimore City
Reena Shah, Executive Director, Access to Justice Commission
Amy Petkovsek, Chair, MSBA Section on Delivery of Legal Services
Guardianship (or not?): Smartphone Evidence:
ROOM ROOM Preserving, Introducing,...and
Advising Families on
345 the Options
348 Maybe Avoiding!
SESSION ONE ROOM
Confronting the
ROOM Holding the Line: Protecting
Discriminatory Maryland Consumers When
9:45 AM 346 Impact of Nuisance and 349 Federal Oversight Fails
TO 11:00 AM Crime-Free Ordinances
ROOM In Search Of Safety:
Effective Events for ROOM Unaccompanied Children
347 Fundraising and 350 in Maryland
Friendraising
SESSION TWO ROOM How to Grow Legal ROOM
Policing For Profit:
The Ripple Effect
345 Services Leaders from Within 348
11:15 AM Learn How Estate Planning
ROOM
TO 12:30 PM 346
Tell it Like it Is: Race ROOM
Can Keep Your Clients in Their
Equity Arguments in Court 349 Homes
ROOM Impact of the New Tax Cuts ROOM Lawyering in the #MeToo Era
347 and Jobs Act 350
Justice Justice in 2019: Building a
Immigration Consumer Criminal Law: Seniors &
in the better Practice &
and other Concerns vulnerable
Courtroom nonprofit Policy communities
timely concerns
Shila Mashhadishafie, Chair, Partners for Justice Conference Planning Committee
LUNCH Sharon E. Goldsmith, Executive Director, Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Hon. Karen M. Jensen, Retired Judge
12:30 PM Natalie McSherry, MLSC Board Chair, Maryland Bar Foundation Chair
TO 2:00 PM Indira Sharma, YLS Chair, PBRC Board member
Stephanie Joseph, Planning Committee, Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender
Keynote Speaker: Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA de Maryland
Rafael Rodriguez, Artist
Closing/Acknowledgements/Raffle
ROOM Carceral Capitalism: ROOM LGBTQ Essentials:
SESSION THREE 345 Challenging the Profiteers of 348 Best Practices to Assist the Most
Money Bail in Maryland Vulnerable LGBTQ Communities
2:15 PM Empowering Affordable Heat and
ROOM Nothing About Us Without Us:
TO 3:30 PM ROOM Electricity: How to Address the The Community as a Resource
346 Energy Needs of Low-Income 349 for Effective Advocacy
Households
All is Not Lost: Using Wage The Keepers:
ROOM Laws (and Possible Criminal ROOM Collaborating for Social
347 Remedies) when Maryland’s 350 Justice 3
Low-Wage Workers Face Wage
Theft
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS | SESSION ONE: 9:45 AM TO 11:00 AM
GUARDIANSHIP (OR NOT?): ADVISING EFFECTIVE EVENTS FOR FUNDRAISING
FAMILIES ON THE OPTIONS RM 345 AND FRIENDRAISING RM 347
As our population ages, many families will Events can be an effective way to engage existing and
need to act to protect an elderly loved one. At best, potential donors and volunteers - but they’re not for
these decisions are difficult; at worst, they are the faint of heart! They also require careful planning to
heartbreaking. Guardianship may be an option, but ensure a return on investment. Learn how
by law is a last resort; it results in the significant and organizations large and small can decide if events are
often permanent loss of an individual’s rights and an appropriate tool to reach their goals. Panelists will
liberties. What alternatives exist? What do families discuss their experience with a wide range of events,
need to know about the guardianship court process? from small get-togethers to walks with more than
What can we all do now to avoid guardianship in the 1,000 people. Discussions will also include setting
future? Panelists will answer these questions and strategy, engaging board members, addressing event
identify resources available to family guardians and fatigue and incorporating your organization’s mission
those who support them. Participants will also have an into the event.
opportunity to ask questions and learn about the
Maryland Judiciary’s ongoing guardianship reform efforts. Moderator: Deb Seltzer, Maryland Legal Services
Corporation
Moderator: Joan Bellistri, Anne Arundel County Panelists: Kimberly Lennon Weiner, Maryland
Public Law Library Volunteer Lawyers Service; Jen Vido, Harford County
Panelists: Hon. Karen Murphy Jensen, Maryland
Judiciary; Angela B. Grau, Esq., Davis, Agnor, Rapaport Bar Foundation; Vince Fiduccia, Best Buddies Maryland
& Skalny; Nisa C. Subasinghe, Department of Juvenile &
Family Services, Administrative Office of the Courts Program SMARTPHONE EVIDENCE: PRESERVING, INTRODUCING,
... AND MAYBE AVOIDING! RM 348
CONFRONTING THE DISCRIMINATORY More than ever, our lives are recorded by our
IMPACT OF NUISANCE AND smartphones - where we were, what we saw,
CRIME-FREE ORDINANCES RM 346 who we called, when we texted, what we said... This
Despite the protections afforded by the Fair Housing session will provide practical steps to seek, access,
Act, discrimination in housing continues to rear its ugly preserve, print, authenticate, and successfully
head in both blatant and subtle ways. One method is introduce evidence from smartphones. The session will
the implementation of nuisance and crime-free ordinances also explore how we might advise clients regarding the
that are popping up around the country at alarming evidence-factories they carry - and give us some ideas
rates. Jurisdictions like the City of Hesperia, CA have for ourselves.
deemed any criminal activity in rental housing a public
nuisance, and have thus required landlords to evict Moderator: Dave Pantzer, Pro Bono Resource Center of MD
tenants if the police notify them of any criminal Panelists: Michele Gilman, UB Law; Dennis O’Brien,
activity on or near the property, even if tenants were Dennis O’Brien P.A.
never arrested, charged or convicted. Jurisdictions HOLDING THE LINE: PROTECTING
use these under the radar civil citations as ways to MARYLAND CONSUMERS WHEN
evict undesirable tenants and developments without FEDERAL OVERSIGHT FAILS RM 349
the oversight that a criminal standard of proof would
require. This panel presentation will cover the ways The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created in
in which these seemingly benign ordinances have a 2011 in response to the financial crisis that caused
disparate impact on victims of domestic violence and millions of consumers to lose their homes to foreclosure
low-income communities of color, highlight the current and slide into ever-mounting debt. Its purpose is to
efforts of advocates across the nation around this issue, protect consumers from predatory and abusive
and present various legal and advocacy strategies for business practices. However, in recent years, the Bureau
challenging them should they pop up in your community. has stepped aside, and created a vacuum of oversight
that is sorely needed to protect consumers from new and
Moderator: Swapna Yeluri, Homeless Persons continuing problems in the financial sector. As federal
Representation Project oversight of consumer issues continues to decline, state
Panelists: Sarah Carthen Watson, Lawyers’ Committee actors in Maryland are stepping up to protect Maryland
for Civil Rights Under Law; Linda Morris, ACLU Women’s consumers. The state legislature, Attorney General,
Rights Project; Gregory Countess, Maryland Legal Aid consumer rights groups, lawyers, and others have come
together to make sure consumers in Maryland are
protected, regardless of what is happening on the federal
level. This panel will discuss the efforts of advocates and
others in Maryland to protect consumers to date, what is
working, the roadblocks to progress, and what is planned
for the future.
Moderator: Ellyn Riedl, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service
Panelists: Marceline White, Maryland Consumer Rights
Coalition; Emanwel Turnbull, The Holland Law Firm;
Delegate Erek Barron, Maryland General Assembly 4
SESSION ONE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS CONTINUED | SESSION ONE: 9:45 AM TO 11:00 AM
IN SEARCH OF SAFETY: UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN IN MARYLAND RM 350
Maryland is one of the highest receiving states of unaccompanied children (UACs) in the United
States, with over 10,000 UACs released to Maryland sponsors in recent years – including children
separated from their families at the border under the Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy. UACs
arrive in the United States seeking haven from abuse, neglect, abandonment, gang violence, and
other dangerous conditions. Once here, UACs face a myriad of legal and non-legal challenges. This
panel will provide an overview of the plight of UACs; discuss how service providers are working to
meet their needs;identify gaps in protection and services; and recommend ways in which Maryland
can do more to protect vulnerable immigrant and refugee children.
Moderator: Jenny Bayer, Catholic Charities ILS, Esperanza Center
Panelists: Elisabeth Lopez, Kids In Need of Defense;
Joshua Agren-Barnes, Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital; Diego Uriburu, Identity, INC.
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS | SESSION TWO: 11:15 AM TO 12:30 PM
HOW TO GROW LEGAL SERVICES IMPACT OF THE NEW TAX CUTS
LEADERS FROM WITHIN RM 345 AND JOBS ACT RM 347
In a world of limited resources, it is typical for In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs
employers – legal services providers and otherwise – Act was passed. This was a comprehensive tax
to promote existing employees as openings arise and reform bill which brought significant changes in
needs change. It can be faster and less expensive to many sectors, especially on its effects on the poor.
promote from within, and dedicated, go-to employees Join speakers from the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
are often hungry to grow and take on new challenges. at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, Maryland
Yet, many organizations struggle with the important Legal Aid, CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope
task of developing employees into leaders. This Campaign of Maryland, and the Taxpayer Advocate
session will create an open dialogue on common Service for a discussion of the impact of the new law.
leadership skill gaps and challenges in legal services;
explore strategies for instilling diversity and Moderator: Janice Shih, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers
inclusion in leadership development efforts; and Service Panelists: William Steinwedel, Maryland
identify resources and best practices for attendees. Legal Aid; Rob Bader, CASH Campaign of
Maryland; James Leith, Tax Payer Advocate Service
Moderator: Annie Brinkmann Speedie, Pro Bono Resource
Center of MD POLICING FOR PROFIT:
Panelists: D. Jill Green, Johns Hopkins Carey Business THE RIPPLE EFFECT RM 348
School; Adrienne Peres; The Park School of Baltimore; Civil Forfeiture, the process by which
Rhodia Thomas, MidPenn Legal Services property is seized and kept after an arrest, but not
necessarily a conviction, is something that adversely
TELL IT LIKE IT IS: RACE EQUITY affects many Marylander’s when they come in contact
ARGUMENTS IN COURT RM 346 with the police. Panelists from Legal Aid, MVLS and
As legal services advocates, we are working to the Office of the Public Defender will discuss the
eliminate racial disparities in access to housing, income, different situations residents face whether they have
health, education and transportation. The courts can be a car, cash, or other property seized. Panelists will
a tool where legal advocates can turn to advance racial elaborate on the collateral consequences of these
equity. But what are race equity arguments and how do losses and the profound impact it has on our clients.
we develop them? How do we obtain and analyze data Further, the panel will address how advocates can
to support our arguments? Are there certain work towards collaborative solutions for identifying
arguments or types of cases that lend themselves to and representing clients who face these seizures
explicitly framing arguments in this way? What is the and who are eligible to request their property back.
client’s role in developing the argument and how can Attendees will receive a Civil Forfeiture toolkit and
attorneys communicate about this legal strategy with roadmap, including draft pleadings and forms.
our clients? What other opportunities are there for Finally, the panel will engage attendees in
judicial education and training? Panelists will share different hypothetical scenarios.
strategies and experiences incorporating racial equity
arguments in impact litigation and appellate advocacy, Moderator: Christina Ochoa, Maryland Legal Aid
and engage the audience on whether raising these Panelists: Todd Cagwin, Maryland Legal Aid; Amy
issues in direct services representation in trial courts Hennen, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service;
and administrative hearings is a viable strategy. Shomari Taylor, Office of the Public Defender
Moderator: Nicole McConlogue, University of Baltimore
School of Law 5
Panelists: Ejaz Baluch, Public Justice Center; Ralikh Hayes,
Client Community; Ryan Downer, Civil Rights Court SESSION TWO CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS CONTINUED | SESSION TWO: 11:15 AM TO 12:30 PM
LEARN HOW ESTATE PLANNING CAN LAWYERING IN THE #METOO ERA RM 350
KEEP YOUR CLIENTS IN THEIR HOMES This session is sponsored by the MSBA Delivery
LEARN HOW RM 349 of Legal Services section. The #MeToo
Learn about recent efforts in Maryland regarding Movement gave a voice to oft silenced women across
estate planning, estate administration and deed the nation, but what impact has the movement had, if
transfers and how these efforts have directly impacted any, on family law, employment, and advocacy for low
low-income individuals ability to stay in their homes. income Marylanders? Join our expert panel as they
The presentation will highlight innovative efforts, new tackle these tough issues, including recent Maryland
partnerships and community engagement to employment law changes, clients working in a hostile
systematically debunk the myth that poor people work environment, the intersection of domestic
don’t need to do estate planning. The panel will violence and employment, and legal services family
include the basics of estate planning and probate,the law advocacy in these changing times. Be ready for
impact the lack of estate planning has on low-income a vibrant, engaging discussion with takeaways for all
communities and tips on how to begin to talk to your practice areas.
clients about this often overlooked tool to keep
families in their homes. Moderator: Amy Petkovsek, Maryland Legal Aid
Panelists: Bobbie Steyer, Maryland Legal Aid;
Moderator: Margaret Henn, Pro Bono Resource Center of MD Michelle Siri, Women’s Law Center; Denise McCain,
Panelists: Susan Francis, Maryland Volunteer Family Justice
Lawyers Service; N’neka N’namdi, Fight Blight
Baltimore; Marina Nellius, MedStar Health
LUNCH AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
GUSTAVO TORRES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CASA DE MARYLAND
Mr. Gustavo Torres is the Executive Director of CASA, the
largest Latino and immigrant organization in the Washington
DC metro area. He is nationally and internationally recognized
for his leadership and vision in the immigrant rights movement
in the United States. Mr. Torres came to the United States due
to the political and economic unrest in his country of origin,
Colombia. He joined CASA’s staff as a community organizer and
became CASA’s executive director in 1994. Under his
leadership, CASA has grown from a small social service
organization with a handful of staff members to a nationally
awarded, multiservice, advocacy, organizing and support agency
with a staff of nearly 150 and a membership of over 97,000,
which operates in multiple states including Maryland,
Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Gustavo has spearheaded several ambitious campaigns locally, statewide, and
nationally. Mr. Torres helped to lead CASA in 2012 to pass the Maryland DREAM
act, which provided in-state tuition to undocumented students. He has established
Welcome Centers that have served as a model for organizations across the nation
and led efforts to allow all Maryland drivers to obtain a driver license, regardless of
status. CASA and its partners helped to increase the minimum wage in Maryland,
Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Baltimore City. Most recently, he
helped to pass housing protections for tenants in Montgomery County and Police
Accountability legislation in Maryland. He also served as a member of multiple
transition teams for city Mayors, state Governors and County Executives and on
numerous task forces and leadership groups addressing issues of diversity,
immigrant rights, and multiculturalism.
6
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS | SESSION THREE: 2:30 PM TO 3:30 PM
CARCERAL CAPITALISM: ALL IS NOT LOST: USING WAGE LAWS
CHALLENGING THE PROFITEERS OF (AND POSSIBLE CRIMINAL REMEDIES)
MONEY BAIL IN MARYLAND RM 345 WHEN MARYLAND’S LOW-WAGE
The system of money bail in Maryland has not WORKERS FACE WAGE THEFT RM 347
only led to the systematic pretrial detention of criminal
defendants solely due to poverty, but has also This session is a follow-up to the 2018 Partners
entrapped the family members and friends of for Justice session entitled “Death by a Thousand
defendants in cycles of inescapable debt as a Cuts: How Wage Theft Keeps Families in Poverty
result of contracting with the for-profit bail industry to and What to do About It.” Participants asked for
secure their release. As a standard industry practice, more nuts-and-bolts information on litigating wage
bail bonds companies require multiple loved ones of and hour cases on behalf of low-wage workers. This
defendants to co-sign bail contracts, which subject the session aims to walk attorneys through the process,
loved ones to joint and several liability for from intake to collections, as well as to provide
non-refundable fees. From 2011-2016, $256 million information on using the criminal justice system to
in non-refundable fees were charged at Maryland’s advance your clients’ interests. The panelists’ goal
indigent co-signers. Despite widespread abuse and is to create a community of practitioners who will
illegality in industry practices, bail bond companies represent low-wage workers in wage and hour cases,
routinely file debt collection actions against co-signers even when the amount in controversy is relatively
in Maryland state courts. This panel will address (1) the modest.
commercialization of money bail in Maryland, and its
ramifications for bail reform, (2) direct representation Moderator: David Rodwin, Public Justice Center
strategies to defend against collections actions filed Panelists: Daniel A. Katz, Washington Lawyers’
by bail bond companies against co-signers, and (3) Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs;
affirmative litigation strategies to challenge bail Dr. Katie Tracy, Center for Progressive Reform;
industry players. Cheryl-Lyn Bentley, Outten & Golden
Moderator: Shila Mashhadishafie, Legal Services LGBTQ ESSENTIALS: BEST PRACTICES
Corporation Panelists: Melissa Rothstein, Office of TO ASSIST THE MOST VULNERABLE
the Public Defender; Jane Santoni, Santoni, Vocci & LGBTQ COMMUNITIES RM 348
Ortega, LLC; Veryl Pow, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law This session will provide attorneys from all areas of
practice in-depth exposure to best practices when
working with LGBTQ clients, with a specific
EMPOWERING AFFORDABLE HEAT AND emphasis on being affirming of transgender and
ELECTRICITY: HOW TO ADDRESS THE ENERGY gender non-conforming people. Attendees will
NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS RM 346 learn about the lived experiences of transgender
All Maryland households should have access to and gender non-conforming people, learn essential
affordable electricity and heat in their homes. This terms and definitions, receive an introduction to
panel will specifically explore the profiles and energy understanding transition, and learn guidelines for
burdens (defined as the share of annual household how to effectively advocate on behalf of LGBTQ
income that is used to pay annual energy and water clients. Panelists will share their own experience
bills) of low-income and vulnerable Maryland working with LGBTQ clients, provide live role play
households, as presented in a report recently scenarios to demonstrate best practices discussed,
prepared for the Office of People’s Counsel and discuss how privilege and intersectionality deeply
(“OPC”). This panel will also examine Maryland’s impacts representation of clients living at margins.
energy supply market, where some unscrupulous
energy suppliers may engage in deceptive marketing Moderator: Laura McMahon, Office of the Public
or inflate the costs of energy services, and why this is a Defender
major hurdle for low-income households as they Panelists: Elyse Pine-Twaddell, Chase Brexton Health
attempt to find ways to decrease their energy Care; Ezra Halstead, FreeState Justice;
burdens. Finally, the panel will discuss a novel Merrick Moses, LGBTQ Liaison for Office of the
Critical Medical Needs Program, developed by OPC State’s Attorney for Baltimore City
and others to expedite energy assistance to medically
vulnerable customers. Ultimately, the panel will enable
attorneys, paralegals, and other advocates to identify
energy-related issues and help clients find solutions to
these essential problems.
Moderator: Paula Carmody, Maryland Office of the
People’s Counsel
Panelists: Matthew Lyons, APPRISE; Laurel Peltier,
Independent Journalist; Cynthia Riely, Maryland
Office of People’s Counsel 7
PANEL DESCRIPTIONS CONTINUED | SESSION THREE: 2:15 PM TO 3:30 PM
NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US: THE KEEPERS: COLLABORATING FOR
THE COMMUNITY AS A RESOURCE SOCIAL JUSTICE RM 350
FOR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY RM 349
The recent Netflix series, “The Keepers” shared the
As advocates, we speak up and stand up for tragic story of the murder of a Baltimore nun and
populations that are historically stigmatized and community efforts to solve her case. This panel will
underserved, like individuals living in poverty. Our explore the Netflix series and how non-lawyers and
clients face many seemingly insurmountable lawyers collaborate and innovatively coordinate a
barriers to accessing justice within systems that claim strategic campaign for justice, by doing community
to serve them. Every year, we ritualistically select a organizing, MPIA/FOIA requests, civil and criminal
few advocacy priorities aimed at eliminating some of cases, plus legislative efforts.
the barriers that prevent our clients and their
communities from moving forward. But how do we Moderator: Stephanie Joseph, Office of the Public
ensure that our priorities are reflective of the most Defender
pressing issues that the community needs and Panelists: Teresa Lancaster, The Suder Law Firm /
expects us to address? How can we support The Keepers; Gloria Larkin, The Keepers;
communities to energize and mobilize themselves to Joanne Suder, The Suder Law Firm
fight alongside us for justice? This panel will discuss
how to conduct a needs assessment of the
community to set your organization’s advocacy
priorities and community capacity building to
effectively carry out the mission of your organization
with a focus toward achieving race equity.
Moderator: Debra Gardner, Public Justice Center
Panelists: Ashley Black, Public Justice Center; Iman
Freeman, Baltimore Action Legal Team; Ashley
DeVaughn, Advocates for Children & Youth
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
USE HASHTAG #PartnersForJustice
TWEET @PBRCMD ABOUT ATTENDING
THE PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE CONFERENCE
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @PBRCMD
ADD US ON FACEBOOK: PROBONOMD
PANEL MATERIALS ARE ONLINE:
WWW.PROBONOMD.ORG/PARTNERSFORJUSTICE
Enter the password pjc21years
Click on the link and follow the prompts to download
materials. Do not forward these materials/access codes to
anyone; those interested in the materials should contact the
Pro Bono Resource Center directly.
8
IN APPRECIATION
Thank you to all those whose hard work
made this conference enriching and meaningful!
CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE & COORDINATORS
Chair: Shila Mashhadishafie
Ejaz Baluch Nora Eidelman Stephanie Joseph Kiah E. Pierre Deb Seltzer
Jenny Bayer Pam Foresman Elisabeth Lopez Veryl Pow Hon. Cathy H. Serrette
Joan Bellistri Susan Francis Nicole K. McConlogue Mikhail Raykher Janice Shih
Ashley Black Debra Gardner Christina Ochoa Ellyn Riedl Nisa Subasinghe
Annie Brinkmann Speedie Sharon E. Goldsmith Dave Pantzer David Rodwin Swapna Yeluri
Sarah Carthen Watson Amy P. Hennen Amy Petkovsek Anna Scholl
PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER BOARD MEMBERS
Maria Ellena Chavez-Ruark, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP – President
James R. Benjamin, Gordon Feinblatt LLC – Vice President
Sima G. Fried, Thomas & Libowitz, P.A. – Treasurer
Ryan P. Nolan, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. – Secretary
Victor L. Velazquez, Maryland State Bar Association – Executive Vice President
Joseph J. “Joe” Dyer, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP – Immediate Past President
Jordan Bailowitz Leah Hauser Frederick L. Kobb Indira K. Sharma
Lauren K. Benko Kristin P. Herber Melissa L. Mackiewicz Tracy L. Steedman
Pamela S. Foresman Allen E. Honick Shila Mashhadishafie Hon. Keith R. Truffer
Michael J. Goecke Catherine “Cate” Hopkin Laura McMahon Brian T. Tucker
David Scott “DS” Gray Wilhelm H. Joseph, Jr. Amy Petkovsek Dana O. Williams
PROVIDER SPONSORS
Bar Association of Baltimore City – Senior Legal Services Program Harford County Bar Foundation
Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County Maryland Legal Aid
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
PBRC STAFF
Sharon E. Goldsmith Elizabeth Grove Kiah E. Pierre
Executive Director Executive Assistant Training & Records Manager
Annie Brinkmann Speedie Margaret Henn Linzey Powers
Director of Programming Director of Home Preservation Project Development Director
Jennifer Clark Leta “Shelly”Jackson Kiki Rist
Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Home Preservation Project Staff Attorney Project Coordinator
Program Contract Attorney
Jaci Jones Margaret Rudmann
Sydney Dunning Marketing and Communications Maryland Immigrant Legal
Director of Courtroom Advocacy Project Assistance Project Staff Attorney
Monica Larsen
Dean Fleyzor Maryland Immigrant Legal Assistance Catherine D. Scenna
Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day Project Paralegal Maryland Immigrant Legal
Program Manager Assistance Project Manager
Dave Pantzer
Caitlin Goldblatt Director of Education, Outreach,
Project Coordinator and Technology
9THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR
THEIR SUPPORT OF THE PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER
LEONARD & HELEN R.
STULMAN FOUNDATION
WELLS FARGO
FOUNDATION
BALTIMORE BAR
FOUNDATION
THANK YOU TO OUR RAFFLE PRIZE DONORS:
Gordon Feinblatt • Thomas & Libowitz • Zuckerman Spaeder • Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company • Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl
Newseum Cazbar
Law Offices of Frank F. Daily • Bar Association Insurance Trust • Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld, Chtd. • Morgan Stanley Foundation • Potter Burnett Law
Yumkas, Vidmar, Sweeney Toka • Goodell
Salon
& Mulrenin & Day • Lerch, Early & Brewer • LawHomeSlyce
DeVriesSpa Offices of Thomas J. Zagami • McCauley Lyman
Law Office of John E. Reid • Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White • Elville & Associates
PRO BONO IN YOUR PAJAMAS:
VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS NEEDED FOR:
MARYLAND.FREELEGALANSWERS.ORG
Answer civil legal questions online at your own convenience.
10Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland is proud to announce the...
2019 MARYLAND PRO BONO SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
JUDGE ROBERT M. BELL AWARD: LAW FIRM PRO BONO SERVICE AWARD:
José Z. Canto, Esq. Mulinazzi Law Office
DISTINGUISHED PRO BONO MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY AWARD:
VOLUNTEER AWARD: Immigration Judge Denise N. Slavin
Howard R. Majev, Esq. Immigration Judge Lisa Dornell
CORPORATE OR GOVERNMENTAL
LEE A. CAPLAN AWARD: AGENCY AWARD:
Andrea Ross, Esq. Exelon Corporation
YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION ALEX FEE MEMORIAL AWARD:
Thomas K. Prevas, Esq.
We hope that the extraordinary dedication and remarkable accomplishments exhibited by this year’s recipients
serve as a model for others and testimony of Maryland’s commitment to equal justice. The 2019 awards will
be presented on June 15, 2019 at the Maryland State Bar Association Annual Meeting in Ocean City.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TRAINING WITH PBRC:
11TH ANNUAL VETERANS LEGAL 5TH ANNUAL RUN FOR JUSTICE
ASSISTANCE CONFERENCE & TRAINING
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019 | 8:00 AM TO 4:45 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019 | 7:30 AM
University of Baltimore School of Law, 1401 N. Meadowood Regional Park, 10650 Falls Rd,
Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093
Designed for lawyers, law students, veterans, Run or walk a 5K to raise money for Pro Bono
policymakers, and other service professionals, the Resource Center of Maryland’s mission.
conference will provide a forum for discussion of REGISTER: PROBONOMD.ORG/RUN
critical legal issues facing our veterans.
REGISTER: PROBONOMD.ORG/VETERANSCONFERENCE
ONLINE TRAINING COURSES:
MSBA ANNUAL MEETING PBRC offers free and reduced fee online trainings
that can be viewed at a time and place convenient
WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 12 - 15TH, 2019 for attorneys who make a pro bono commitment.
Clarion Resort Fontaineblue Hotel – Oceanfront A wide variety of topics are covered including:
10100 Coastal Hwy Ocean City, MD 21842
MSBA’s Legal Summit & Annual Meeting is the biggest Consumer Bankruptcy | Consumer Protection
event of the year for Maryland’s legal professionals. Join Copyright & Art | Criminal Record Expungement
professionals from every segment of the legal community Domestic Violence | Elder Law | Family Law
at this annual gathering, combining learning, Foreclosure Prevention | Immigration | Intake
camaraderie, and fun. LGBTQ Rights | Litigation | Medicaid | Nonprofit Law
Property | Special Education | Tax Sale Prevention
MSBA CLE DISCOUNTS Tenant Rights | Veterans Assistance | Utility Bills
The MSBA and PBRC are offering free and discounted Youth Homelessness
slots for a selection of MSBA CLE courses. VISIT: WWW.PROBONOMD.ORG/TRAINING
Volunteer attorneys are eligible for one of three (3) free FOR MORE INFORMATION
slots in exchange for accepting a pro bono case
referral from a recognized pro bono legal services MSBA SECTION ON DELIVERY OF LEGAL
program. Staff legal services attorneys may register for SERVICES, OPEN ANNUAL MEETING
one of three (3) discounted slots offered at 50% off the
regular course cost. Slots will be filled on a first-come, THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
first-serve basis. For a listing of eligible courses and to Lexington Market, 400 West Lexington Street, 2nd
register, visit WWW.PROBONOMD.ORG/MSBA-CLE. Floor, Lexington Room A, Baltimore, MD 21201
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