First Cyber Clinic to be Offered at Wicomico Public Library Downtown Branch on February 8 from 2-4 p.m.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono civil legal services to low-income Marylanders, today announced the launch of its new Cyber Civil Clinics for Marylanders who live in rural counties with limited access to legal assistance. MVLS’ network of volunteer attorneys will provide civil legal advice through a secure web-based video portal. The new program is made possible through a grant from the Maryland Bar Foundation. In collaboration with the Wicomico Public Library, MVLS is hosting its first Cyber Civil Clinic on February 8 from 2-4 p.m. at the library’s downtown branch.
“We are continuously looking for ways to expand access to justice across Maryland and our Cyber Civil Clinic program is the next step in reaching residents in underserved counties,” said Susan Francis, deputy director, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. “The lower Eastern Shore is more than two hours away from the Baltimore-D.C. corridor where attorneys and service providers cluster, leaving Wicomico County residents comparatively under served. The Wicomico Public Library staff is extremely tech-savvy and highly motivated to deliver legal services to their community and we are excited to partner with them to launch our new Cyber Civil Clinics.”
How it works
Volunteer attorneys stationed at MVLS’ Baltimore office will be connected through a live video portal to clients logged in at the Wicomico County Library. Library staff will assist clients in using the technology.
MVLS’ volunteer attorneys will provide civil legal advice for divorce and child custody proceedings, landlord-tenant disputes, bankruptcy and other consumer legal issues. In addition, attorneys will be available to prepare petitions for criminal record expungement, which will be emailed to clients to print and sign at the library. Library staff will mail the petitions for MVLS’ attorneys to file. All filing fees will be waived because clients will be using MVLS’ services.
For more information about MVLS or to register as a volunteer attorney, visit www.mvlslaw.org.
About Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS)
With a 35-year history and a mission to provide access to justice for all, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) serves Maryland’s low-income residents by offering counseling and full representation for civil legal cases. MVLS matches clients with volunteer lawyers who represent them in a wide range of consumer and family situations, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, income tax disputes, landlord/tenant disputes, denial of public benefits, wills, divorce/custody and deed changes. For more information about MVLS, visit www.mvlslaw.org.
