2015-12-17T10:30:28-06:00 2015-06-30 520959934 ELLIN & TUCKER CHARTERED 400 EAST PRATT ST SUITE 200 BALTIMORE MD 21202 990 2014-07-01 521225979 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC MARY 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 BONNIE SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4105396800 2015-11-19 1 SUSAN KELLER P00245169 4107275735 2014 2016-02-25 16:41:14Z BONNIE SULLIVAN 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 2779201 0 X WWW.MVLSLAW.ORG X 1981 MD TO PROVIDE QUALITY CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO MARYLANDERS WITH LIMITED INCOME AT LOW OR NO COST 20 20 22 808 0 0 2170057 2582990 24519 15152 16877 32596 118660 108122 2330113 2738860 0 0 0 0 1124053 1192874 0 0 140386 882118 838069 2006171 2030943 323942 707917 2125959 2862498 95732 129788 2030227 2732710 X THE MISSION OF MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO MARYLANDERS WITH LIMITED INCOME AT LOW OR NO COST. 0 0 908952 15152 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT MATCHES LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS IN NEED OF CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH VOLUNTEER LAWYERS. IN 2015, MVLS VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND STAFF REPRESENTED OVER 3,300 LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS. THE LEGAL SERVICES OUR VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED DIRECTLY BENEFITED OVER 7,200 PEOPLE. OUR VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SPENT 20,159 HOURS REPRESENTING MVLS CLIENTS, CONSERVATIVELY VALUED AT $5,298,000. RECRUITED FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE BAR, INCLUDING SMALL AND SOLO FIRMS, LARGE LAW FIRMS, CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS, OUR VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROVIDE FREE SERVICES IN THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LEGAL MATTERS: BANKRUPTCY, FORECLOSURE, FAMILY LAW - DIVORCE- CUSTODY, DEBT COLLECTION, PUBLIC BENEFIT DENIALS, LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES, CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENTS, INCOME TAX CONTROVERSIES, AND ELDERLAW. 458652 THE JUDICARE PROJECT IS A REDUCED FEE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME CLIENTS IN HIGHLY CONTESTED FAMILY LAW AND CHILD CUSTODY CASES. MVLS ADMINISTERS THIS PROJECT IN 15 MARYLAND COUNTIES AND BALTIMORE CITY. THROUGH A GRANT FROM MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION, MVLS PAYS LAWYERS $80/HOUR FOR UP TO 20 HOURS TO RESOLVE THESE DIFFICULT CASES. CLIENTS ARE NOT CHARGED LEGAL FEES. LAST YEAR, MVLS JUDICARE PROJECT LAWYERS CLOSED 292 CASES THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 817 INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR CHILDREN. 345073 FORECLOSURE PROJECT - MVLS IS THE PRINCIPAL PRO BONO PARTNER IN THE STATEWIDE MARYLAND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PRO BONO PROJECT. VOLUNTEER LAWYERS REPRESENTED 124 HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE. OUR STAFF LAWYERS REPRESENTED 9 HOMEOWNERS. MVLS STAFF LAWYERS AND HOUSING COUNSELOR ALSO PROVIDED BRIEF LEGAL ADVICE AND COUNSELING TO OVER 2,000 HOMEOWNERS. IN ADDITION TO FULL REPRESENTATION IN FORECLOSURE CASES, MVLS ALSO RUNS THE FORECLOSURE BRIEF ADVICE PROJECT, A LEGAL CLINIC OPERATING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CIVIL JUSTICE, INC. THIS PROJECT, LOCATED AT THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS IN HUNT VALLEY, ASSISTS HOMEOWNERS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS WHO ARE FACING FORECLOSURE. HOMEOWNERS MAY MEET WITH AN EXPERIENCED FORECLOSURE ATTORNEY FOR FREE TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT FORECLOSURE MEDIATION, FORECLOSURE TIMELINE, HOW THE COURT PROCESS WORKS AND MORE. IN JULY 2015, MVLS EXPANDED OUR FORECLOSURE BRIEF ADVICE PROJECT TO INCLUDE A MONTHLY CLINIC AT THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY. THERE, UNREPRESENTED HOMEOWNERS CAN MEET WITH A VOLUNTEER LAWYER FOR A BRIEF CONSULTATION ABOUT THEIR FORECLOSURE MATTER. IF THE HOMEOWNER NEEDS FULL REPRESENTATION, THE VOLUNTEER LAWYER CAN MAKE THE REFERRAL TO MVLS. 1712677 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 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 0 0 0 0 0 1 129 0 1 22 1 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 BONNIE A SULLIVAN 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES ST STE 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 HON FRED S HECKER PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARY T KEATING VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 E HUTCHINSON ROBBINS JR TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ANTHONY P ASHTON SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 EDWARD J BAINES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICIA A BOSSE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL S CLEVENGER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAWRENCE D COPPEL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT J CORNISH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT N GROSSBART DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ARIELLE HARRY-BESS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GRETCHEN L KLEBASKO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 FREDERICK L KOBB DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JONATHAN Z MAY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANA MCKEE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLES J MORTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN T PRESTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER R RAHL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KERRY D STATON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAUL S SUGAR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BONNIE A SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 114021 0 12406 114021 0 12406 1 0 0 0 0 6512 6705 837702 1732071 1825 2582990 CLIENT FEES 900099 15152 15152 15152 32693 32693 97 -97 -97 -97 148366 6705 40244 108122 108122 2738860 15152 0 140718 118356 100381 6971 11004 853652 724004 50279 79369 33818 28682 1992 3144 106696 90492 6284 9920 80352 68149 4732 7471 450370 421231 24793 4346 38454 25488 9438 3528 65819 45133 15500 5186 88852 86332 2520 9508 9209 165 134 16292 10566 4429 1297 20372 20372 11073 9754 263 1056 MAINTENANCE 71792 31548 36272 3972 PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS 24952 18174 2078 4700 TRAINING 24403 12923 10540 940 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS 16182 10239 4144 1799 2030943 1712677 177880 140386 698210 1003144 971345 1275451 136248 199923 24956 40310 224227 135004 48086 89223 247114 254447 2125959 2862498 95732 129788 95732 129788 X 1141763 1315892 888464 1416818 2030227 2732710 2125959 2862498 707917 -5434 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1471176 1596845 1500806 2326349 2731356 9626532 1471176 1596845 1500806 2326349 2731356 9626532 9626532 12948 16610 17505 20712 32693 100468 9727000 87985 0.98970 0.98810 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 5794 676 5118 218433 134328 84105 89223 LARGE CAP FUNDS 66705 F INTERNATIONAL FUNDS 74930 F SMALL CAP FUNDS 18814 F LARGE BLEND FUNDS 66128 F STABLE VALUE 2804 F CORPORATE BONDS 25066 F 254447 X 2741245 -5434 -5434 2746679 -7819 -7819 2738860 2038762 7819 7819 2030943 0 2030943 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS THE PROVISIONS OF ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES UNDER THE INCOME TAXES TOPIC OF THE CODIFICATION. THE CODIFICATION REQUIRES THE EVALUATION OF TAX POSITIONS, WHICH INCLUDE MAINTAINING ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS AND THE TAXABILITY OF ANY UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME, AND DOES NOT ALLOW RECOGNITION OF TAX POSITIONS WHICH DO NOT MEET A MORE-LIKELY-THAN-NOT THRESHOLD OF BEING SUSTAINED BY THE APPLICABLE TAX AUTHORITY. MANAGEMENT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT HAS TAKEN ANY TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD NOT MEET THIS THRESHOLD. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT -61. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES NETTED WITH REVENUE -7,758. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EXPENSES NETTED WITH REVENUE 7,758. LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 61. MARCH MADNESS 155071 6705 148366 32486 155071 6705 148366 32486 32486 115880 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: 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), FORECLOSURE, LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES, TORT DEFENSE, INCOME TAX DISPUTES AND BACK TAXES, NAME CHANGE, GUARDIANSHIP, SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND SMALL ESTATE ADMINISTRATION. IN ADDITION, MVLS HELPS TO STRENGTHEN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING REPRESENTATION AND LEGAL ADVICE TO COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. MVLS CHARGES A NOMINAL APPLICATION FEE OF $25 WHICH IS WAIVED IN HARDSHIP CASES OR REFUNDED IF WE ARE UNABLE TO PLACE THE CLIENT'S CASE WITH A VOLUNTEER LAWYER. 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 DENIAL OF LONG-TERM MEDICAID BENEFITS AND DISPUTES WITH THE IRS. SERVICES TO COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ALSO ARE AVAILABLE STATEWIDE, HOWEVER, THESE CASES ARE A SMALL PART OF OUR PROGRAM OFFERINGS, ESPECIALLY SINCE ANOTHER PROVIDER, COMMUNITY LAW CENTER, IS MEETING THIS NEED. 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 9.8%. IN THE JURISDICTIONS THAT MVLS SERVES, THE POVERTY RATE RANGES FROM A HIGH OF 23.8% (BALTIMORE CITY) TO A LOW OF 4.6% (HOWARD COUNTY). DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, CONTESTED FAMILY LAW MATTERS, FORECLOSURE DEFENSE, CONSUMER DEBT, AND CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCY REQUESTS PRESENTED THE MOST URGENT PROBLEMS FOR OUR CLIENTS. MVLS HAS A NUMBER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT SUPPLEMENT OUR CORE PRO BONO EFFORTS. THREE CURRENT PROJECTS PROVIDE SELF HELP ASSISTANCE: 1) BANKRUPTCY SELF-HELP CLINIC: OFFERS CHAPTER 7 FILERS BI-MONTHLY BANKRUPTCY CLASSES TAUGHT BY MVLS VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND A PARALEGAL, 2) WASHINGTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE CLINIC: MVLS CONTRACT LAWYERS PROVIDE ADVICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY WHO ARE FILING FAMILY LAW ACTIONS USING COURT DOM REL FORMS, 3) DEBTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECT: A BRIEF ADVICE CLINIC AT THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT IN BALTIMORE AND GREENBELT, WHERE PRO SE DEBTORS RECEIVE A FREE HALF-HOUR CONSULTATION WITH A CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY. MVLS PARTNERS WITH THE U.S. BANKRUPTCY COURT, THE MARYLAND BANKRUPTCY BAR ASSOCIATION, AND THE CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY SECTION OF THE MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION. IN FY15, MVLS LAUNCHED TWO ADDITIONAL CONSUMER CLINICS THAT HELPED 173 PEOPLE: 1) CONSUMER PROTECTION PROJECT (CPP): IN THE FALL OF 2014, AT THE INVITATION OF THE DISTRICT COURT, MVLS BEGAN OFFERING A CLINIC OFFERING FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO CONSUMERS WHO ARE FACING DEBT COLLECTION CASES IN DISTRICT COURT. CONSUMERS MEET WITH AN MVLS VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY FOR A 10 - 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION TO GET ADVICE ON HIS OR HER CASE. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH CREDIT CARD CASES, AUTO LOANS, LANDLORD/TENANT MATTERS, AND MORE. THEY ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE COURT PROCESS, SETTLEMENT OPTIONS AND WHAT MAY HAPPEN POST JUDGMENT. VOLUNTEERS WORK WITH MVLS STAFF TO IDENTIFY CLIENTS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM FULL REPRESENTATION AND HELP CONSUMERS FILL OUT OUR APPLICATION AND SCAN RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ON-SITE. 2) TAX SALE CLINICS: SINCE 2014, MVLS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER TO STAFF TAX SALE CLINICS IN THE SPRING. WE HAVE HELPED 181 HOMEOWNERS AT 5 CLINICS IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. MVLS STAFF ATTEND CLINICS TO HELP IDENTIFY HOMEOWNERS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM FULL REPRESENTATION AND HELPS THEM APPLY FOR OUR SERVICES ON-SITE. MVLS REPRESENTS 450 (300 IN PAST YEARS) DISABLED ADULTS UNDER PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP AT SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEW HEARINGS AND INDIGENT CLIENTS IN EMERGENCY GUARDIANSHIP HEARINGS IN BALTIMORE CITY AND 30% OF PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP CASES IN BALTIMORE COUNTY. THE IRS TAXPAYER ADVOCATE SERVICE FUNDS AN MVLS PROGRAM TO REPRESENT LOW-INCOME TAXPAYERS IN DISPUTES BEFORE THE IRS. IN FY 15, MVLS VOLUNTEERS HELPED 156 TAXYPAYERS WITH TAX DISPUTE CASES. MVLS FY2015 AT A GLANCE: MVLS VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF CLOSED: 3,375 CIVIL CASES 808 LAWYERS VOLUNTEERED FOR OUR PROGRAM 20,159 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SPENT REPRESENTING MVLS CLIENTS AT A VALUE OF $5.3 MILLION THE DEBTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECT VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED BRIEF ADVICE TO 108 PRO SE PETITIONERS AT THE US BANKRUPTCY COURT. THE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROJECT HELPED 2,122 DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 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 ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL MEETING EACH JUNE, THE BOARD PRESIDENT REQUESTS THAT EACH BOARD MEMBER SUBMIT AN UPDATED CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY FORM. EACH DIRECTOR REVIEWS THE POLICY AND RESPONDS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT ASK FOR DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS. AFTER COMPLETING THE FORM, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COLLECTS THE SIGNED FORMS FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS AND RETAINS THEM AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. 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 SIMILARY 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 WEBSITE.