2021-10-27T09:55:23-05:00 2021-06-30 520982413 GROSS MENDELSOHN & ASSOCIATES PA 1801 PORTER STREET SUITE 500 BALTIMORE MD 21230 990 2020-07-01 521225979 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC MARY 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4434514060 2021-10-27 1 SUSAN FRANCIS 999009999 JENNIFER ROCK P01083312 4106855512 2021-10-27 2 AAL1 IAL1 2020 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z SUSAN FRANCIS 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 5114639 0 X WWW.MVLSLAW.ORG X 1981 MD MVLS REMOVES BARRIERS TO JUSTICE THROUGH FREE CIVIL LEGAL HELP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY FOR EQUITABLE LAWS. 23 23 34 426 0 0 2889739 3439515 26783 102164 26575 10163 -13307 6112 2929790 3557954 0 0 0 0 1949189 2072123 0 0 254590 1077168 954319 3026357 3026442 -96567 531512 2059460 2368566 983305 720108 1076155 1648458 X THE MISSION OF THE MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE (MVLS) IS TO CONNECT MARYLANDERS FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS WITH VOLUNTEER LAWYERS, TAX PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DELIVER FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE COMPLETE MISSION STATEMENT.) 0 0 1323681 98454 MVLS PROVIDES LEGAL HELP IN A BROAD RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS INCLUDING BANKRUPTCY, CONSUMER DEBT, CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF, FORECLOSURE, FAMILY LAW, ESTATE PLANNING, TAX AND MORE. LAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION'S CORE PRO BONO PROGRAM MATCHED OVER 3,300 LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME CLIENTS WITH ATTORNEYS AND TAX PROFESSIONALS FOR FREE REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL CASES. THE ORGANIZATION HAS MORE THAN 1,600 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS ON ITS PANEL AND EMPLOYS STAFF ATTORNEYS WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE IN SEVERAL LEGAL AREAS TO SUPPORT THEIR PRO BONO EFFORTS. MVLS RECRUITS VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE BAR, INCLUDING SMALL AND SOLO FIRMS, LARGE LAW FIRMS, CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS, AND FROM ACCOUNTING FIRMS. 438348 THE JUDICARE PROJECT IS A FAMILY LAW REDUCED-FEE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPRESENTATION IN HIGH CONFLICT FAMILY LAW CASES. THE ORGANIZATION ADMINISTERS THIS PROJECT IN 15 MARYLAND COUNTIES AND BALTIMORE CITY. EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEER LAWYERS ARE PAID $100/HOUR FOR UP TO 30 HOURS TO RESOLVE THESE DIFFICULT CASES. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2021, OUR JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS CLOSED 211 CASES, PRIMARILY INVOLVING CONTESTED CUSTODY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 629 FAMILY MEMBERS. 374432 AS MVLS CONTINUES ITS LEADERSHIP IN HELPING MARYLANDERS EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY, OUR FOCUS HAS TURNED TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS. THE ADVANCED PLANNING CAMPAIGN EDUCATES MARYLANDERS ABOUT THE NEED TO EXECUTE PROPER ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS SO THEY CAN PASS THEIR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET, THEIR HOME, TO THE NEXT GENERATION. THIS PROGRAM COMBATS GENERATIONS OF WEALTH EXTRACTION FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, MANY OF WHOM HAD NOT ENGAGED IN ESTATE PLANNING AND HAD LOST THEIR HOMES TO TAX SALE OR FORECLOSURE. THE MY HOME, MY DEED, MY LEGACY CAMPAIGN BUILDS UPON THIS WORK AND PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF ESTATE PLANNING AND DEED DISENTANGLEMENT TO CLIENTS WHO WERE TRADITIONALLY DENIED ACCESS TO JUSTICE. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) IN FY21, MVLS HANDLED 387 ESTATES AND DEEDS CASES. AS MVLS DELVED DEEPER INTO THE ISSUES IMPACTING HOUSING STABILITY FOR OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT LOW INCOME OLDER ADULTS ARE AT PARTICULAR RISK FOR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND ELDER ABUSE. IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKDROP, THAT MVLS LAUNCHED ITS NEWEST PROGRAM, THE ELDER JUSTICE PROGRAM THROUGH EQUAL JUSTICE WORKS. 348226 9822 MVLS PROVIDES A VARIETY OF OTHER SERVICES TO BENEFIT INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY. 348226 9822 2484687 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 71 0 1 34 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 23 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MD X X SUSAN FRANCIS 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET SUITE 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 ANTHONY P ASHTON PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL S CLEVENGER VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ALEXANDRIA K MONTANIO TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID G SOMMER SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 NAMHA EDWARDS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT N GROSSBART DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAMIL ISMAIL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE N LIPKOWITZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL MARCH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 AMY M MCCLAIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANA MCKEE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PENNY J MINNA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLES J MORTON JR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTIN H SCHREIBER II DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES TANSEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KERBY BADEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MATTHEW BRYANT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JHONELL CAMPBELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 REBA LETSA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RICHARD COSTELLA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DEREK ROUSSILLON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS SHAFFER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALLISON BAKER SHEALY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 142051 0 15389 142051 0 15389 1 0 1 0 0 1362566 2076949 3439515 CONTRACT SERVICE REVENUE 541100 102014 102014 CLIENT FEES 541100 150 150 102164 16309 16309 1550539 1550308 6377 231 -6377 -6146 -6146 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 6112 6112 6112 3557954 108276 0 10163 X 158901 55615 95341 7945 1549474 1325155 80615 143704 53053 42986 4176 5891 179154 154973 9036 15145 131541 106246 13089 12206 52130 42336 5150 4644 2194 2194 507176 459051 23991 24134 58177 38049 10448 9680 124939 107079 7180 10680 319 212 107 48338 39256 4775 4307 20956 17018 2071 1867 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 84933 68976 8390 7567 TRAINING AND TUITION 18494 4640 13854 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 15358 9913 4907 538 MISCELLANEOUS 12103 4180 1841 6082 9202 9002 200 3026442 2484687 287165 254590 135657 334108 1571766 1246794 144414 307150 9567 2400 20524 27445 437295 275441 118210 161854 43520 274534 15802 14281 2059460 2368566 309563 446506 268866 244125 364900 39976 29477 983305 720108 X 1011150 1602114 65005 46344 1076155 1648458 2059460 2368566 531512 40791 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1924014 1689370 2853668 2889739 3439515 12796306 1924014 1689370 2853668 2889739 3439515 12796306 12796306 33466 38768 35559 20125 16309 144227 108237 877 2561 6112 117787 13058320 185153 0.97990 0.97750 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1444 1444 3024998 3026442 301322 75331 0 0 301322 301322 451983 1444 1444 75331 75331 112997 36138 26907 9231 401157 248534 152623 161854 DEFERRED RENT 29477 29477 X 3596551 40791 40791 3555760 2194 2194 3557954 3024248 0 3024248 2194 2194 3026442 PART X, LINE 2: IN ACCORDANCE WITH FASB ASC 740, INCOME TAXES, MANAGEMENT EVALUATED ITS ACTIVITIES AND DETERMINED THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAD TAKEN NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE ADJUSTMENT TO OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACCOUNTING STANDARD. ACCORDINGLY, THERE ARE NO UNRECOGNIZED BENEFITS OR APPLICABLE INTEREST AND PENALTIES THAT SHOULD BE RECORDED. IN GENERAL, THE ORGANIZATION'S FEDERAL EXEMPT ORGANIZATION TAX RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE IRS, GENERALLY FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS AFTER THE RETURNS ARE FILED. X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 137051 0 5000 0 0 0 4187 0 11202 0 157440 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 ANNUALLY, THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE PERFORMS AN EVALUATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND GATHERS COMPENSATION INFORMATION FOR OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ENTITIES. PART III, LINE I THE MISSION OF THE MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE (MVLS) IS TO CONNECT MARYLANDERS FACING FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS WITH VOLUNTEER LAWYERS, TAX PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DELIVER FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE JUSTICE FOR ALL, NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT. IN 2021, MVLS CELEBRATED ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY. IN ITS FIRST 40 YEARS, MVLS AND ITS VOLUNTEERS HAVE HELPED MORE THAN 100,000 INDIVIDUALS. IN ORDER TO ENSURE A FAIR AND JUST LEGAL SYSTEM, MVLS FOCUSES ON PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL FULL REPRESENTATION IN A VARIETY OF CRITICAL LEGAL AREAS THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO FAMILY, FINANCIAL AND HOUSING STABILIZATION, ENGAGING IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE OUR CLIENTS LIVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS LEGAL BARRIERS, AND COMBATTING SYSTEMIC RACISM CAUSED BY LAWS, POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY NEGATIVELY IMPACT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. EVERY YEAR, MVLS CONNECTS THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS FACING COMPLICATED AND LIFE-ALTERING LEGAL ISSUES WITH VOLUNTEERS THAT STAY WITH THEM THROUGH THE RESOLUTION OF THEIR CASE. LEGAL AREAS INCLUDE FAMILY, CONSUMER, HOUSING, CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF, TAX MATTERS, AND ESTATE AND DEED ISSUES. OUR VOLUNTEER POOL HAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700 ATTORNEYS, CPAS AND ENROLLED AGENTS. EVERY DAY, MVLS STAFF WORKS ALONG WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HELP ADDRESS BARRIERS IN DISINVESTED COMMUNITIES. STAFF ENGAGE IN TRAININGS, PRESENTATIONS, TABLING, MEETINGS AND INFORMATION GATHERING IN VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS TO BEST UNDERSTAND THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF OUR CLIENTS AND THEIR LEGAL CHALLENGES. TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS ENABLE MVLS TO ENGAGE DEEPLY WITH KEY LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS. MVLS ALSO LOOKS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT SYSTEMIC RACISM IS HARMING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WHICH ALL TOO OFTEN RESULTS IN MORE LEGAL ISSUES THAT EASILY BECOME INSURMOUNTABLE TO RESOLVE. BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ADVOCATES, WITH PUBLIC AGENCIES AND WITH LEGISLATORS AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL, MVLS SEEKS TO CHANGE WHAT APPEAR TO BE BENIGN PRACTICES THAT ARE DEVASTING TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME OF THE ISSUES WE SEEK TO ADDRESS ARE STEMMING WEALTH EXTRACTION THROUGH FORECLOSURE AND TAX SALE, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WEALTH TRANSFER THROUGH ESTATE AND DEED ASSISTANCE, AND STOPPING FINANCIAL DESTABILIZATION THROUGH OVERASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY TAXES. MVLS HAS CREATED A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS THAT ACCOMPLISH MVLS' PRIORITIES OF PROVIDING LIFE IMPACTING LEGAL SERVICES, CREATING PROFOUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS AND TARGETING SYSTEMS REFORM TO ADDRESS OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY OF STRUCTURAL RACISM. OUR PROJECTS INCLUDE: - ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD TARGETED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AT CRITICAL POINTS IN THEIR LIVES WHEN A GUARDIANSHIP IS BEING SOUGHT FOR THEM. - ADVANCED PLANNING - DESIGNED TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS, PRESERVE FAMILY ASSETS AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BALTIMORE CITY PROPERTIES WITH DEED AND TITLE ENTANGLEMENTS THAT PREVENT HOMES FROM TRANSFERRING TO NEXT GENERATIONS. - BANKRUPTCY BYPASS - PROVIDES RELIEF TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN DEBT BUT FOR WHOM BANKRUPTCY IS NOT A GOOD OPTION. - CONSUMER PROTECTION OFFERS DAY-OF COURT ASSISTANCE TO DEBTORS BEING SUED TO ASSESS VALIDITY OF COLLECTION EFFORTS AND PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE. - DEBTOR ASSISTANCE BANKRUPTCY LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED AT U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURTS. - ELDER JUSTICE FOCUSES ON OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE THROUGH FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION AND ARE FACING OTHER CIVIL LEGAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO HOUSING, CONSUMER LAW AND DEBT COLLECTION, ESTATE PLANNING, AND FAMILY LAW. - FORECLOSURE PREVENTION - HELPS DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS THROUGH FULL REPRESENTATION AND BRIEF ADVICE CLINICS WITH MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE AND TAX SALE. - HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION - FOCUSES ON REDUCING THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL LEGAL INVOLVEMENT FOR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THOSE POPULATIONS MADE MOST VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION. - JUDICARE BRINGS FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPRESENTATION IN HIGH CONFLICT FAMILY LAW CASES. - LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC - PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH IRS AND STATE TAX ISSUES. - MY HOME, MY DEED, MY LEGACY CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO HELP BALTIMORE CITY RESIDENTS STABILIZE THEIR HOMES AND SECURE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR THEIR LONG-TERM ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. - PROJECT HOUSEHOLD - A COALITION OF LEGAL SERVICE NONPROFITS FOCUSED ON HELPING OLDER BALTIMOREANS REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. LEGAL ISSUES INCLUDE TAX SALE, FORECLOSURE, DEBT COLLECTION, DEED AND PROBATE ISSUES, AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - AIMS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR BALTIMORE'S VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SO THAT EMPLOYEES CAN OBTAIN LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE JOBS. MORE PROGRAM DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://MVLSLAW.ORG/PROGRAM-DESCRIPTIONS/. MVLS FY21 AT A GLANCE: MVLS VOLUNTEER AND STAFF CLOSED: 1,872 CIVIL CASES 426 LAWYERS, CPAS AND ENROLLED AGENTS VOLUNTEERED FOR OUR PROGRAM 12,545 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SPEND REPRESENTING MVLS CLIENTS AT A VALUE OF $5,018,000 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WAS CIRCULATED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS VIA EMAIL TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD AT THE NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING EACH YEAR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, MVLS STAFF PROVIDES THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY TO EACH BOARD MEMBER AND STAFF MEMBER. THE FORMS ARE COLLECTED, SCANNED, AND SAVED PER THE ORGANIZATION'S DOCUMENT RETENTION POLICY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS A STANDING COMPENSATION COMMITTEE THAT EVALUATES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNUALLY AND RECOMMENDS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO THE FULL BOARD AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN JUNE. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE USES SALARY SURVEYS OF OTHER SIMILAR LEGAL SERVICES AGENCIES IN MARYLAND AS WELL AS SALARY SURVEYS FOR NONPROFIT EXECUTIVES PUBLISHED BY MARYLAND NONPROFITS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE, INC. PROVIDES ALL OF THE MENTIONED DOCUMENTS TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. IN ADDITION, THE CURRENT FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE ON THE GUIDESTAR AND MVLS WEBSITES. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONTRACT SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 459,051. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 23,991. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 24,134. TOTAL EXPENSES 507,176. PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED THEIR OVERSIGHT REVIEW PROCESS REGARDING THE AUDIT AND SELECTION OF THEIR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT.