2020-11-19T10:05:17-06:00 2020-06-30 520982413 GROSS MENDELSOHN & ASSOCIATES PA 1801 PORTER STREET SUITE 500 BALTIMORE MD 21230 990 2019-07-01 521225979 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC MARY 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4434514060 2020-11-19 1 JENNIFER ROCK P01083312 4106855512 2020-11-11 144.121.150.146 2020-11-19 10:05:13 ES P DA39A3EE5E6B4B0D3255BFEF95601890AFD80709 7ED660B1DA5B7572EB4EFB1F9341951127F9693C 2019 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z SUSAN FRANCIS 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 3655544 0 X WWW.MVLSLAW.ORG X 1981 MD TO CONNECT LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS WITH VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. 20 20 38 1612 0 0 2853668 2889739 45896 26783 49038 26575 -14645 -13307 2933957 2929790 0 0 0 0 1862020 1949189 0 0 291049 877334 1077168 2739354 3026357 194603 -96567 1683359 2059460 509787 983305 1173572 1076155 X THE MISSION OF MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE IS TO CONNECT LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS WITH VOLUNTEER LAWYERS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DELIVER FREE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE JUSTICE FOR ALL, NOT JUST FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT. (CONT. ON SCHEDULE O) 0 0 1160332 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 4,400 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. 431558 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, 2020, OUR JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS CLOSED 226 CASES, PRIMARILY INVOLVING CONTESTED CUSTODY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 646 FAMILY MEMBERS. 313190 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 FY20, MVLS HANDLED 417 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. 524269 29344 524269 29344 2429349 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 87 0 1 38 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 20 20 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 E HUTCHINSON ROBBINS JR PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ANTHONY P ASHTON VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL S CLEVENGER TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ALEXANDRIA K MONTANIO SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL CANET DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NAMHA EDWARDS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN E H GOULINE 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 MARTHA LESSMAN KATZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 FREDERICK L KOBB 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 DAVID G SOMMER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES TANSEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 111414 0 15038 BONNIE SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FORMER) 40.00 X 124209 0 10655 235623 0 25693 2 1 0 0 0 36874 901996 1950869 2889739 CONTRACT SERVICE REVEN 541100 26633 26633 CLIENT FEES 541100 150 150 26783 20125 20125 716336 709886 6450 6450 6450 0 36874 15868 -15868 -15868 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 2561 2561 2561 2929790 29344 0 10707 X 195065 68272 117039 9754 1404347 1168574 73649 162124 42525 34811 2601 5113 186555 153739 12577 20239 120697 93011 14463 13223 59628 46427 6750 6451 783 783 578366 534505 22255 21606 77864 57183 5301 15380 125001 85082 31103 8816 7717 7546 112 59 6747 3295 3218 234 29777 23185 3371 3221 12342 9610 1397 1335 UNRELATED BUSINESS INCO -4479 -4479 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 89147 69412 10091 9644 OUTREACH 44369 43965 404 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 17455 10204 4551 2700 32451 20528 1177 10746 3026357 2429349 305959 291049 291740 135657 945753 1571766 206184 144414 1355 9567 26376 20524 380925 262715 81292 118210 120798 43520 9861 15802 1683359 2059460 206096 309563 256503 268866 364900 47188 39976 509787 983305 X 1142912 1011150 30660 65005 1173572 1076155 1683359 2059460 -96567 -850 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2744083 1924014 1689370 2853668 2889739 12100874 2744083 1924014 1689370 2853668 2889739 12100874 12100874 38525 33466 38768 35559 20125 166443 108237 877 2561 111675 12378992 82989 0.97750 0.97640 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 34538 21535 13003 346387 241180 105207 118210 DEFERRED RENT 39976 39976 X 2932655 -850 4498 3648 2929007 783 783 2929790 3030072 4498 4498 3025574 783 783 3026357 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. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: OTHER FUNDRAISING EXPENSES INCLUDED IN EXPENSES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4,498. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: OTHER FUNDRAISING EXPENSES INCLUDED IN EXPENSES ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4,498. CELEBRATE PRO BONO 36874 36874 11370 4498 36874 36874 11370 4498 15868 -15868 X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BONNIE SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FORMER) 107209 0 17000 0 0 0 4288 0 6367 0 134864 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 THIS PAST YEAR INCLUDED A LEADERSHIP TRANSITION. THE BOARD CONVENED A HIRING COMMITTEE AND CONTRACTED WITH A HIRING CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT A LEADERSHIP SEARCH. AS PART OF THE HIRING COMMITTEE'S PROCESS, THEY DETERMINED THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IN COMPARISON TO OTHER LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND. ANNUALLY, THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE PERFORMS AN EVALUATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND GATHERS COMPENSATION INFORMATION FOR OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ENTITIES. PART III, LINE I MVLS IS A "FULL-SERVICE" PRO BONO PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS IN MOST CIVIL MATTERS SUCH AS DIVORCE, CUSTODY, CONSUMER PROBLEMS (COLLECTION AND BANKRUPTCY), CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF, FORECLOSURE AND TAX SALE, LANDLORD / TENANT DISPUTES, UNINSURED MOTORIST CLAIMS, INCOME TAX DISPUTES AND BACK TAXES, NAME CHANGE, GUARDIANSHIP AND ESTATE PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION. IN ADDITION, MVLS ALSO HELPS TO STRENGTHEN DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITES BY PROVIDING REPRESENTATION AND LEGAL ADVICE TO COMMUNITY BASED NONPROFIT ORGANZATIONS. MVLS PROVIDES PRO BONO SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS IN ALL MARYLAND COUNTIES. IN ALLEGANY, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE'S AND THE FIVE MID-SHORE COUNTIES, WHERE THERE ARE OTHER PRO BONO PROGRAMS, MVLS LIMITS PROGRAM SERVICES TO THOSE SEEKING HELP WITH TAX DISPUTES, ASSISTANCE THROUGH MVLS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION PROJECT, OR WHEN THE LOCAL PRO BONO PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PLACE A CASE. SERVICES TO COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE STATEWIDE. THE TARGET POPULATIONS SERVED BY OUR CORE PRO BONO PROGRAM ARE LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THE POVERTY RATE IN MARYLAND, THOUGH LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, IS STILL RELATIVELY HIGH AT 9%. IN THE JURISDICTIONS THAT MVLS SERVES, THE POVERTY RATE RANGES FROM A HIGH OF 21.8% (BALTIMORE CITY) TO A LOW OF 5.2% (HOWARD COUNTY). DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, CONTESTED FAMILY LAW MATTERS, HOUSING DEFENSE, CONSUMER DEBT, CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY REQUESTS AND CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT PRESENTED THE MOST URGENT PROBLEMS FOR OUR CLIENTS. MVLS HAS A NUMBER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT SUPPLEMENT OUR CORE PRO BONO EFFORTS. THE ADVANCED PLANNING PROJECT IS AN OUTREACH EFFORT DESIGNED TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS, PRESERVE FAMILY ASSETS AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BALTIMORE CITY PROPERTIES WITH DEED AND TITLE ENTANGLEMENTS THAT PREVENT HOMES FROM BEING IN PRODUCTIVE USE. MVLS' WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO JOB TRAINEES. A CONTINUATION OF THE ONE BALTIMORE FOR JOBS DEMONSTRATION GRANT, THIS PROJECT AIMS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR BALTIMORE'S VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. BANKRUPTCY IS NOT THE BEST OPTION FOR EVERYONE. THROUGH THE BANKRUPTCY BYPASS PROGRAM, VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS ASSIST CLIENTS IN DETERMINING IF THEY ARE COLLECTION PROOF, MEANING THAT THEIR INCOME AND ASSETS COULD NOT BE GARNISHED BY CONSUMER LENDERS. AT THE REQUEST OF THE BALTIMORE CITY DISTRICT COURT, IN THE FALL OF 2014, MVLS BEGAN COORDINATING A CLINIC OFFERING FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO CONSUMERS WHO ARE FACING DEBT COLLECTION CASES IN DISTRICT COURT. CONSUMERS MEET WITH A VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY FOR A 10 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION TO GET ADVICE ON HIS OR HER CASE. LAUNCHED IN MARCH OF 2008, THE DEBTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROVIDES PRO SE DEBTORS A HALF-HOUR FREE CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY AT THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURTS IN BALTIMORE AND GREENBELT. THE ELDER JUSTICE PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT LEGAL SERVICES TO ADULTS OVER 60 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. SINCE THE NATIONAL FORECLOSURE CRISIS BEGAN IN 2008, MVLS HAS BEEN THE LARGEST PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDER IN THE STATEWIDE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PRO BONO PROJECT. MVLS RELIES ON TRAINED FORECLOSURE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND FORECLOSURE STAFF ATTORNEYS TO HELP DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS IN MARYLAND. IN ADDITION TO FULL REPRESENTATION, MVLS ALSO OPERATES A BRIEF ADVICE CLINIC FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE FACING FORECLOSURE IN BALTIMORE CITY, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, AND CHARLES COUNTY. THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION PROJECT (HTPP) FOCUSES ON REDUCING THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF CRIMINAL LEGAL INVOLVEMENT FOR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THOSE POPULATIONS MADE MOST VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION. THE MVLS LOW-INCOME TAXPAYER CLINIC PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS WITH IRS AND STATE TAX ISSUES. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF TAX PROBLEMS, INCLUDING DENIAL OF THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, AUDITS, REFUND CLAIMS, INNOCENT SPOUSE RELIEF, US TAX COURT LITIGATION, AND COLLECTION ISSUES (SUCH AS SETTING UP PAYMENT PLANS AND CURRENTLY NOT-COLLECTIBLE STATUS, OFFERS IN COMPROMISE, LEVY AND LIEN RELEASE). THE JUDICARE PROJECT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPRESENTATION IN HIGH CONFLICT FAMILY LAW CASES. JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS MUST HAVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF FAMILY LAW EXPERIENCE. THE MY HOME, MY DEED, MY LEGACY CAMPAIGN PROVIDES HOMEOWNER CLINICS TO HELP BALTIMORE CITY RESIDENTS STABILIZE THEIR HOMES AND SECURE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR THE LONG-TERM ABILITY TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. PROJECT HOUSEHOLD IS A COALITION OF LEGAL SERVICE NONPROFITS WHO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES IN BALTIMORE CITY. THE GOAL OF PROJECT HOUSEHOLD IS TO PROVIDE LEGAL HELP IN ORDER TO HELP OLDER BALTIMOREANS REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. TYPICAL LEGAL ISSUES MAY INCLUDE TAX SALE, FORECLOSURE, DEBT COLLECTION, DEED AND PROBATE ISSUES, AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION. MVLS OPERATES A FAMILY LAW SELF-HELP CLINIC IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, WHERE AN EXPERIENCED FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY PROVIDES FREE ADVICE AND OTHER SERVICES TO SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS WITH FAMILY LAW CASES OR MATTERS. FOR OVER 20 YEARS, MVLS HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO REPRESENT OVER 450 BALTIMORE CITY AND COUNTY ADULTS UNDER PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP AT SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW HEARINGS AS WELL AS ADULTS WITH ALLEGED DISABILITIES IN EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP HEARINGS. MVLS FY20 AT A GLANCE: MVLS VOLUNTEER AND STAFF CLOSED: 4,459 CIVIL CASES 602 LAWYERS VOLUNTEERED FOR OUR PROGRAM 15,243.6 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SPEND REPRESENTING MVLS CLIENTS AT A VALUE OF $2,300,000. 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 WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONTRACT SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 534,505. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 22,255. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 21,606. TOTAL EXPENSES 578,366. PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED THEIR OVERSIGHT REVIEW PROCESS REGARDING THE AUDIT AND SELECTION OF THEIR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT.