Guests joined Mid-Shore Pro Bono staff, board members and volunteer attorneys for an open house at its offices on South West Street in Easton on October 26 in honor of National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. Among those attending were Judge Stephen Kehoe and Senator Addie Eckardt.
Executive Director Sandy Brown emphasized that, while events were happening nationwide to recognize pro bono service, “We live and breathe pro bono every day.”
The organization that began in 2005 with a limited mission as a lawyer referral agency has grown dramatically to encompass a wide range of services to low-income residents of the Mid-Shore community. “More and more clients were asking for help with foreclosures,” said Brown, “so we expanded to focus on that need. We recognized that seniors have unique legal concerns, but often are reluctant or unable to reach out to us, so we began taking our services to them. Whenever the community has asked for help, we have answered.”
With civil legal clinics now held in all five of Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s service counties, residents can obtain convenient free legal advice tailored to their individual situations. Homeowners facing foreclosure can receive advice and assistance at Foreclosure Prevention Clinics. Bankruptcy and Consumer Protection Clinics help those burdened with debt problems. Seniors can get help with wills, advance directives and other late-life legal concerns at Elder Law Clinics held at local senior centers.
Among other issues handled either through lawyer referrals or at its clinics are Family Law cases, out-of-court options for divorce and custody decisions, Community Conferencing to keep youths out of the juvenile justice system, and more.
With its many programs and clinics, Mid-Shore Pro Bono offers local attorneys a variety of opportunities to fulfill their court-recommended pro bono service hours.
“Mid-Shore Pro Bono has grown to be a trusted bridge between members of our community who are looking for answers to legal questions and can’t afford attorneys,” said Brown, “and the lawyers and community resources able to provide those answers. We celebrate that every day.”
Mid-Shore Pro Bono serves Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties. For more information or to make a donation, call 410-690-8128 or visit www.midshoreprobono.org.
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