A2JC Dispatch – July 2026 Issue
The July Issue
From welcoming incoming Chair Erek Barron and a dynamic cohort of new Commissioners to tracking high-stakes legal shifts, the July Dispatch captures a pivotal moment for civil justice. Read on to explore critical updates on Baltimore property rights, major federal court victories, and the innovative legal aid strategies reshaping communities across the country.
A2J Commission News
- New A2JC Chair, Erek Barron, Ushers in a New Era with a Bold Roadmap Erek Barron, the new chair of the Maryland Access to Justice Commission, ushered in a new era for the Commission. At his first Commission meeting on July 15, he laid out his three core priorities:
- Long-term financial stability of the Commission;
- Transformational civil justice reform and reinvestment; and
- Leveraging existing partnerships and cultivating new ones.
- Read more here:https://www.mdaccesstojustice.org/news-insights/no-time-to-play-small-barron-lays-out-3-strategic-priorities-for-the-next-chapter-of-civil-justice-in-maryland/
- A2JC Welcomes Seven New Commissioners! We are thrilled to welcome an exceptional cohort of new Commissioners whose collective expertise represents the full, vibrant spectrum of Maryland’s legal ecosystem. By uniting elite corporate litigators, trailblazing social enterprise founders, dedicated public interest advocates, and high-level federal counsel, this group infuses the Commission with a rich diversity of perspectives. This level of talent ensures that as we tackle the civil justice gap, our strategies are informed by every corner of the profession—combining rigorous courtroom acumen with a deeply shared commitment to structural equity and systemic reinvestment.
- Meet Our New Commissioners
- Melissa O. Martinez (McGuireWoods, Managing Partner, Baltimore): As the Baltimore Office Managing Partner for a major national firm, she brings sophisticated corporate leadership and extensive experience navigating complex civil and commercial litigation.
- Natasha Nazareth (Nazareth Bonifacino Law): Co-founder of Maryland’s first Certified B Corporation law firm, she offers nearly three decades of legal expertise spanning corporate governance, mediation, and aligning business operations with community impact.
- Margaret H.C. Tippett (Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP): A civil litigation and appellate attorney, she joins the Commission as Chair-Elect of the MSBA Young Lawyers Section, bringing the vital perspective and energy of the next generation of the bar.
- Gwen-Marie Davis (GDH Law): The Managing Partner of GDH Law, a celebrated trial attorney and former President of the Maryland Association for Justice, she brings a fierce dedication to plaintiffs work, courtroom advocacy and a strong track record of legislative reform efforts in Annapolis.
- Chris Jennison (FAA): The Headquarters Team Manager for Employment and Labor Law at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Chief Counsel, he contributes deep expertise in federal administrative governance, compliance, and public sector accountability.
- Christia Ravenell (Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts): As the Staff Attorney for MdVLA, she provides a crucial public-interest lens centered on grassroots legal aid delivery, educational workshops, and protecting the rights of creative communities.
- Erek Barron (Mintz): The Commission’s newly appointed Chair and a Member at Mintz, he commands an elite background as the former U.S. Attorney for Maryland, a state legislator, and an architect of Maryland’s historic justice reinvestment policy.
A2J Insights
- No Time to Play Small: Barron Lays Out 3 Strategic Priorities for the Next Chapter of Civil Justice in Maryland The Maryland Access to Justice Commission is entering a dynamic new era. As our new incoming Chair, Erek Barron, takes the helm, he steps forward with deep gratitude for the path paved by former Chair Ward Coe, and begins by laying out his strategic priorities to allow the Commission to function methodically, but with urgency.
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 Improved Chat Experience at the Maryland Court Help Center The Maryland Court Help Center’s online chat service has a new look and features designed to make it easier than ever to receive free brief legal advice from help center attorneys. The new chat experience offers a more mobile-friendly interface for the public while the Maryland Court Help Center bot collects necessary intake information to provide a smoother experience for our attorney agents. Whether you have questions about an eviction or need help finding court forms to file for divorce, the Maryland Court Help Center’s online chat is a convenient way to get trusted information and advice. Visit www.mdcourts.gov/helpcenter to chat now.
- Call for Proposals: 2026 Maryland Court Help Center Provider Conference The call for session proposals is now open for the 2026 Maryland Court Help Center Provider Conference! This year’s conference, hosted on December 1, 2026, will bring together providers from across Maryland that serve pro se litigants such as attorneys, court staff, law librarians, and pro bono volunteers. We invite you to share your knowledge, experience, and innovative ideas by submitting a proposal to present a conference session. This is an opportunity to contribute to professional development, highlight promising practices, and engage with colleagues from across the state. We look forward to reviewing your submissions. To submit your proposal, please complete the session proposal form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/LywiMAtBS4. Please submit your session proposal by August 31.
Local A2J News
- Recognizing Coe for Leadership of Access to Justice Commission The Daily Record’s Editorial Board takes a moment to recognize Coe’s long commitment to ensuring access to justice. Coe served as Chair of the Maryland Judiciary’s Access to Justice Commission for a decade, and when it was disbanded in 2014, he became Chair of the independently formed Maryland Access to Justice Commission in 2015 and served in the role for over 10 years.
- MVLS Welcomes Three New Board Members Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono legal services to Marylanders with limited income, today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Directors: Brendan Lough, E. Flannery Gallagher, and Derek Van De Walle.
- New Federal Lawsuit Says ICE is Violating Constitution by Detaining Maryland Father it Cannot Deport Shot by ICE, torn from his family, still detained: advocates file federal habeas petition arguing ICE is unlawfully detaining Tiago Sousa Martins despite a court-ordered stay of removal, and his continued detention is unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment.
- What the U.S .Supreme Court’s Tax Sale Ruling Means for Baltimore Allison Harris, Director of PBRC’s Home Preservation Project, was featured in The Baltimore Banner discussing the US Supreme Court’s tax sale ruling and what that means for Maryland homeowners.
- A New Strategic Plan for Shore Legal Access At its May Annual Meeting, the Shore Legal Access Board of Directors adopted its new 2026-2029 strategic plan. Building on the progress of the previous strategic plan, this roadmap outlines ambitious yet achievable goals, positioning Shore Legal Access for sustained success by balancing responsive legal services with a strong and resilient organization.
National A2J News
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Ruling is a Win for Access to Justice Court rulings this week that struck down the U.S. Department of Education’s new Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer rule are a victory for the rule of law and for everyone working to promote access to justice for all.
- Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump’s $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Visas for High-Skilled Workers U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston sided with 20 states and struck down the visa policy. The Court finds that the Policy imposes a tax on H-1B petitions without the requisite delegation by Congress, Sorokin wrote.
- North Carolina Budget Overhauls Program Used to Fund Low-Income Civil Legal Services Most North Carolina organizations that provide free legal assistance to low-income people on issues like housing evictions, labor complaints, disaster aid, senior health, and domestic violence and abuse will lose access to a major grant-funding source under the new state budget.
- He Was Arrested for Unpaid Court Fees. He Was Dead 48 Hours Later. Todd Sidesinger was taken to Pennsylvania’s York County Prison for unpaid fees. His family says the jail’s medical neglect led to his death just two days later.
- A2J Tech Set Up Legal Kiosks Across Georgia A2J Tech recently set up Legal Kiosks across Georgia in partnership with the Georgia Legal Services Program, bringing legal help to rural and underserved communities throughout the state. Hosted by trusted community organizations such as libraries, schools, and shelters, the kiosks walk users through legal forms and connect them with the help they need.
- Seattle University School of Law Launches Central Washington Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative The Central Washington Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative is a partnership between Seattle University School of Law, Heritage University, and AccessLex Institute dedicated to expanding pathways into the legal profession. By investing in aspiring attorneys, particularly students from historically underrepresented communities, the initiative seeks to increase access to legal education, strengthen the pipeline of future lawyers, and improve access to legal services throughout the region.