A2JC Dispatch – April 2025 Issue
The April Issue
In this month’s Dispatch, we highlight A2JC’s advocacy efforts to get more civil legal aid funding and funding for the Access to Counsel in Evictions law; A2JC’s upcoming events and A2JC’s Insights on key issues raised by federal executive actions. We also look at Maryland’s new center for self-represented litigants and Maryland Legal Aid’s free legal clinics across the state. On a national level, we look at a guide on expanding access to justice through AI and technology, as well as legal actions concerning consumer protection. You can find all this and more in this month’s dispatch.
A2J Commission News
- A2JC Advocates for Civil Legal Aid Funding on the Hill with MSBA After writing a joint letter to our U.S. Congressional Delegation, A2JC joined MSBA to advocate on critical issues related to civil legal aid funding, including opposing cuts to Legal Services Corporation funding and the impact of student loan forgiveness on recruitment and retention of attorneys in public interest law jobs. A2JC Chair, Ward Coe, ED, Reena Shah, and Commissioner and ED of Maryland Legal Aid, Vicki Schultz joined MSBA leadership to meet with all members of Maryland’s U.S. Congressional Delegation.
- A2JC Works with Partners to Pass Key Legislative Priority. In an exceptionally tough budget environment, A2JC is proud to have achieved its top priority – additional funding for the ACE law. A2JC is thankful to Sen. Shelly Hettleman, who led the charge to ensure that not only were there no cuts to funding, but that we added an additional year of funding for the Access to Counsel in Evictions Program. The ACE law, which provides attorneys in eviction cases to those who cannot afford them, is preventing evictions or disruptive displacement in almost 90% of the cases, while saving the state millions in law enforcement, shelter, and healthcare costs. SB154 will now head to the Governor for signing and will fund ACE until the end of FY2028.
- Join A2JC for Upcoming In-Person Events Friday, May 16 at 7:05pm – MSBA Night at Camden Yards – A2JC Fundraiser MSBA President and baseball lover, Raphael J. Santini, will be hosting an MSBA night at Camden Yards. He has designated the event as a fundraiser for the Access to Justice Commission, so some of the proceeds from each ticket will go to A2JC. Please join, bring the family, and help spread the word!! Buy tickets here and use the code MSBA.
- Wednesday, May 21 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm – (Not) Just Ice Cream Spring Social and Networking Event A2JC’s Public Interest Law Committee will be hosting its second annual Spring Social, (Not) Just Ice Cream, right after the Partners for Justice Conference on May 21 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. The event will take place at the Babe Ruth Museum, a short walk from the Baltimore Convention Center. The event is free, but registration is required. Register here.
- Wednesday, June 4 from 6:30 to 8:30pm – A2JC’s Welcome Dinner & Fundraiser a.k.a. “Pizza Party” at the MSBA Legal Summit When buying tickets to the MSBA Legal Summit, please be sure to add on a ticket to our annual Pizza Party. With great specialty pizzas and a casual atmosphere, A2JC builds community and creates space for all public interest-minded MSBA members to connect by the ocean. Register here.
A2JC Insights
- Allowing ICE Arrests in Maryland Courts Would Inhibit Access to Justice The potential presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting enforcement actions in and around courthouses has raised significant concerns about access to justice and public trust in the legal system.
- Why Due Process Matters: Safeguarding Justice for Everyone At its core, due process is a constitutional guarantee that before the government can deprive a person of life, liberty, or property, it must follow fair procedures.
- The Importance of Pro Bono Work Pro bono, as the Latin term from which it derives suggests, is for the public good. In other words, the free legal services offered to low-income individuals who cannot afford to hire an attorney are essential to ensuring access to justice.
- Protecting Tenants’ Rights: The Tenant Possessions Recovery Act Beyond the immediate loss of housing, eviction can strip people of their personal possessions, including vital records, life-saving medications, cherished keepsakes, and essential household items.
Tips from Maryland Judiciary’s Access to Justice Department. We are pleased to offer recurring content from the Maryland Judiciary’s Access to Justice Department as part of the A2J Dispatch.
- New Collaboration Brings Family Law Assistance Directly to the Community A new partnership between the Circuit Court for Wicomico County and the Wicomico Public Library is bringing free family law services to residents of Wicomico County directly in their communities. Circuit Court staff are traveling on the Library’s Mobile Learning Lab, a 38-foot handicap-accessible bus equipped with free Wi-Fi, computers, and printers. The Mobile Learning Lab travels to locations where those who need court services already gather, such as the local YMCA and community parks. Visitors to the Mobile Learning Lab receive free legal assistance from licensed attorneys and law support staff for issues such as divorce, custody, and name changes. To learn more or see the schedule, visit https://www.wicomicolibrary.org/mobile-learning-lab
Local A2J News
- Circuit Court for Baltimore County Launches Access to Justice Center The newly established Center, which is the first of its kind in the state, serves as a comprehensive resource for self-represented litigants. Functioning as a community center, legal self-help resource, and library, our Center has been operational for several months now. The formal launch will be celebrated on Friday, May 9th.
- Senate, House approve Second Look Act Just hours after the Senate approved the Second Look Act, the House on Thursday quickly accepted Senate amendments to the bill that gives a second chance to long-serving incarcerated individuals and sent the measure to the governor for his signature.
- Noem’s Refusal to Retrieve Wrongly Deported Maryland Man From Prison Called Unacceptable Two dozen Democratic senators demanded the Trump administration return to the United States a Maryland father who was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador by mistake.
- Maryland Legal Aid Hosting Lawyer in the Library Events in Baltimore in Upcoming Months Maryland Legal Aid hosts and coordinates weekly and monthly free legal clinics with community organizations from around the state. MLA staff, pro bono attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, and law students are available on-site to help assist individuals.
National A2J News
- A2 JTech’s AI Guide for the Modern Legal Aid Organization Now Available A2 JTech’s AI Guide for the Modern Legal Aid Organization is out live! This guide is filled with insights and practical tips exploring AI’s power in transforming legal services and access to justice.
- Videos Now Available from the Innovations in Technology Conference The 25th Innovations in Technology Conference (ITC), hosted by LSC, brought together over 700 legal tech professionals to explore how technology is expanding access to justice. This year’s event featured over 55 sessions and 150 speakers. For those who couldn’t attend, you can now watch some of the most insightful discussions on YouTube!
- When Disaster Strikes Second Responders Help Communities Resume Their Lives Supporting civil legal aid means standing with your neighbors in their darkest moments. A recent op-ed by LA Chargers Coach Jim Harbaugh and Legal Services Corporation Chair John Levi highlights how LSC and its grantees are making a difference—and how you can help.
- Unaccompanied Immigrant Children’s Program Faces Drastic Cuts: Call to Action & Know the Difference Representation Makes On March 21, 2025, federal funding for much of the decades-long unaccompanied children’s legal services program was terminated. This program is critical to protecting vulnerable children of all ages and directly impacts CILA’s work and that of many organizations nationwide.
- Swords to Plowshares Offers Redesigned Self-Help Forms for Veterans A2J Tech announced the completion of redesigned self-help forms for Swords to Plowshares. These forms were created to better support veterans and advocates navigating veteran benefits and the discharge upgrade process independently. The process can be complex and overwhelming, but these updated guides provide clear, accessible steps to help veterans nationwide.
- Preliminary Injunction Granted in Case Against Illegal CFPB Shutdown U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson granted a motion for a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit brought by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and other plaintiffs against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought.
- How One Woman Helps Her Community by Sharing Her Legal Skills Every other Wednesday, Kathryn Nickerson spends her evening offering free legal guidance involving family law matters to Maine residents who would otherwise be unable to afford it.