Dispatch | February, 17 2026

A2JC Dispatch – February 2026 Issue

The February Issue

In this month’s Dispatch, we call for candidates to serve as Chair of the Access to Justice Commission, and invite people to serve as Commissioners. We also highlight recent legislative successes and priorities for the current legislative session, and examine Baltimore property tax affordability initiatives. Nationally, we look at how artificial intelligence and legal technology are shaping access to justice. You can find all these stories and more in this month’s Dispatch.

A2J Commission News

• Call for Candidates – Chair, Maryland Access to Justice Commission The Maryland Access to Justice Commission (A2JC) seeks a respected legal leader to serve as its Chair. Current chair, the inimitable Ward Coe, has blazed a trail for the independent A2JC since the start of his tenure in 2015. Under his leadership, the Commission has expanded in its visibility, influence, and impact and helped ensure that everyone, regardless of ability to pay, has a fair shake at justice. The Commission has initiated a search for a new Chair, who we expect to provide visionary and inspirational leadership, elevate A2JC’s voice across legal, civic, and policy landscapes, and be a champion of fair, equitable, and accessible civil justice for all Marylanders. This volunteer leadership role is ideal for an attorney who is committed to equity and systemic reform and can invest their time and talents to lead the Commission into an era of growth and deeper impact. Please find a detailed job description here. Interested candidates, please apply via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LFC3V6J. Candidate applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Please note that late applications may not be considered.
• Passionate About Access to Justice? Become a Commissioner! The Maryland Access to Justice Commission seeks legal and community leaders to serve as Commissioners. Commissioners are an esteemed and diverse group of leaders who actively engage in elevating and addressing barriers that Marylanders face when navigating the civil justice system. We are currently seeking new commissioners to fill seats starting on July 1, 2026. We are specifically seeking commissioners who are passionate about access to justice and represent the following stakeholder groups:  Large, mid, or small/solo law firms; Corporate counsel; and Community representatives. Please find a detailed description of the commissioner role here. Interested candidates should apply via this link. Candidate applications will be accepted through 11.59 PM on Sunday, March 15th, 2026. Please note that late applications may not be considered. 
• A2JC and MSBA Join Forces for MSBA Day! A2JC collaborates with MSBA to host an annual lobby day called MSBA Day to make the voice of the legal profession heard in Annapolis. On February 19, legal professionals from across the state will gather to learn about issues of concern to MSBA and A2JC and meet with legislators to advocate on specific bills. These are A2JC’s Key Legislative Priorities: 
  • Strengthening Court Security and Access A2JC supports efforts to limit civil enforcement in courts to ensure that litigants deem the civil justice system as safe, neutral, and accessible and do not revert to extrajudicial remedies for conflict resolution.
  • Safeguarding Civil Legal Aid Organizations A2JC opposes attacks on nonprofit organizations aimed at weakening civil society and services to vulnerable Marylanders. Civil legal aid organizations help keep Marylanders housed, economically secure, and safe, and they must be safeguarded so they can continue to provide legal help to low-income Marylanders. 

A2J Insights

• Legal Practitioners are the Nurse Practitioners of the Legal Profession A growing number of states are creating new tiers of service within the legal profession and permitting Legal Practitioners to assist people with legal needs. 
• Maryland’s Tenant Possessions Recovery Act Increases Tenant Rights This legislation addresses a long-standing gap in access to justice by fundamentally changing how a tenant’s personal belongings are handled during and after an eviction. 
• Navigating Immigrant Resources: A Comprehensive Guide for Marylanders For immigrant communities, navigating legal and social systems can feel especially daunting. To help bridge the gap, we have compiled a list of essential resources to assist Maryland immigrants and their families in finding legal support, knowing their rights, and preparing for the future.
• Call for Candidates! Chair, Maryland Access to Justice Commission The Maryland Access to Justice Commission (A2JC) seeks a respected legal leader to serve as its chair.
• Call for Commissioners The Maryland Access to Justice Commission seeks legal and community leaders to serve as Commissioners. Commissioners are a diverse group of leaders who actively engage in elevating and addressing barriers that Marylanders face when navigating the civil justice system. We are currently seeking new commissioners to fill seats starting on July 1, 2026.

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 Video Series for the Self-Represented on Appeals to ACM  The Maryland Judiciary has published a five-part video series, Appealing to the Appellate Court of Maryland. This new video resource for the self-represented covers what an appeal is, factors that determine if an appeal can be filed, how to file an appeal, transcripts and court records, preparing a brief, and the different decisions the Appellate Court may issue. Each video has captions in English and Spanish, and accompanying tip sheets and transcripts. The series is part of the Maryland Court Help Video Library.

Local A2J News                                                  

• New Work Requirements Could Kick Thousands Off SNAP Starting Next Month The first wave of Marylanders who cannot prove they are working at least 20 hours a week could start losing their monthly food assistance by the end of this month under new federal rules.
• Chorus of Voices Grows Against Possible ICE Detention Centers in Maryland Gov. Wes Moore became the latest to criticize a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Hagerstown on Friday, expressing grave concerns about the project in an open letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
• VICTORY IN ANNAPOLIS: Maryland House and Senate Pass Landmark Bill to End Harmful 287(g) Program With supermajority in both chambers, the Governor will soon decide HB444 and SB245, marking a historic step to protect immigrant families and rebuild community trust; advocates vow to continue to push for a full legislative agenda.
• Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott Announces Property Tax Affordability Initiatives Following an agreement reached with Maryland Legal Aid to stay ongoing legal challenges, the City will make changes to the City’s tax sale process, including raising the minimum bid to assessed value and establishing payment plans for residents.
• Maryland’s Other Death Tax—And Who It Really Hurts In a recent commentary for Maryland Matters, Messmer explains how inheritances left to nieces, nephews, friends, or unmarried partners are taxed at 10%, while inheritances to spouses and direct descendants are exempt. 

National A2J News                                          

• Record Clearing as a Rite of Passage: What Kansas Expungement Reveals About Access to Justice Criminal record clearing has become a prominent policy tool for improving individuals’ employment, housing, and reentry outcomes. However, too often, eligibility does not translate into actual access or successful uptake. But why? 
• AI+A2J Research & Practice Monthly Seminars The Legal Design Lab at Stanford Law School hosts webinars on research findings & case studies on AI and Access to Justice.
• A New Blueprint for Advancing Access to Justice Through Technology With extensive input and support from practitioners, technology experts and other stakeholders, the 2024-2025 LSC Technology Summit set out to identify how LSC can best support its grantee network to adopt and leverage the latest technologies.
• As AI-Generated Fake Content Mars Legal Cases, States Want Guardrails As more false quotes, fake court cases and incorrect information appear in legal documents generated by AI, state bar associations, state court systems and national law organizations are issuing guidance on its use in the legal field. 
• ADA Settlement Brings Changes To Detroit Courthouses A settlement in an Americans with Disabilities Act class action brought by two attorneys and a community activist will lead to ADA-compliant upgrades like private bathrooms, accessible voting machines and new signage at municipal buildings serving Detroit and Wayne County.
• Make Plans for Your Kids, Minnesota Advocates Urge Immigrant Parents in ICE Crosshairs Amid the unprecedented federal invasion of American cities that has grown increasingly deadly, Minnesota families like these are being advised to make plans they may have never considered before: finding someone to care for their children if immigration agents whisk them away to be detained or deported. 
• Legal Aid of North Carolina launches JusticeHub Legal Aid of North Carolina announced earlier this month the public launch of JusticeHub, a new online intake and client portal designed to make it easier for people across North Carolina to apply for civil legal help and access reliable legal information.