2014-12-01T09:17:29-06:00 2014-06-30 520959934 ELLIN & TUCKER CHARTERED 400 EAST PRATT ST SUITE 200 BALTIMORE MD 21202 990 2013-07-01 521225979 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC MARY 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 BONNIE SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4105396800 2014-11-24 1 SUSAN KELLER P00245169 4107275735 2013 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z X BONNIE SULLIVAN 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET NO 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 2372105 0 X WWW.MVLSLAW.ORG X 1981 MD TO PROVIDE QUALITY CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO MARYLANDERS WITH LIMITED INCOME AT LOW OR NO COST 21 21 20 1086 0 0 1500806 2170057 18407 24519 17505 16877 132317 118660 1669035 2330113 0 0 0 0 922338 1124053 0 0 140250 763338 882118 1685676 2006171 -16641 323942 1752366 2125959 78682 95732 1673684 2030227 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 825835 24519 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT MATCHES LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS IN NEED OF CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH VOLUNTEER LAWYERS. IN 2014, MVLS VOLUNTEER LAWYERS AND STAFF REPRESENTED OVER 3,170 LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS. THEIR LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY BENEFITED OVER 5,740 PEOPLE. OUR VOLUNTEERS DONATED 14,528 VOLUNTEER HOURS, CONSERVATIVELY VALUED AT $3.2 MILLION. RECRUITED FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE BAR, INCLUDING SMALL AND SOLO FIRMS, LARGE LAW FIRMS, CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS, OUR VOLUNTEER LAWYERS PROVIDE FREE AND REDUCED-FEE LEGAL SERVICES IN THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF LEGAL MATTERS: BANKRUPTCY, FORECLOSURE, FAMILY LAW-DIVORCE-CUSTODY, DEBT COLLECTION, PUBLIC BENEFIT DENIALS, LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES, RECORD EXPUNGEMENTS, INCOME TAX CONTROVERSIES AND ELDERLAW. IN 2014, MVLS ADDED 146 NEW VOLUNTEERS TO OUR PANEL OF 1,086 LAWYERS. 545417 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. MVLS PAYS LAWYERS $80 AN HOUR FOR UP TO 20 HOURS TO RESOLVE THESE DIFFICULT CASES; CLIENTS ARE NOT CHARGED LEGAL FEES. LAST YEAR, MVLS JUDICARE PROJECT LAWYERS CLOSED 375 CASES THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 1,034 INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR CHILDREN. 242806 FORECLOSURE PROJECTMVLS IS THE PRINCIPAL PRO BONO PARTNER IN THE STATEWIDE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PRO BONO PROJECT. VOLUNTEER LAWYERS REPRESENTED 126 HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE. OUR STAFF HOUSING COUNSELOR PROVIDED COUNSELING SERVICES TO 3,566 HOMEOWNERS. MVLS ALSO CO-SPONSORED TWO TAX-SALE CLINICS THAT ADVISED 81 HOMEOWNERS. 1614058 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 1 137 0 1 20 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 21 21 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 PAUL S SUGAR PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 FRED S HECKER VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MARY T KEATING TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 E HUTCHINSON ROBBINS JR SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ANTHONY P ASHTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 EDWARD J BAINES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RIGNAL W BALDWIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALAN C CASON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CAROLINE D CIRAOLO 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 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 JR 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 BONNIE A SULLIVAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 108564 0 13069 108564 0 13069 1 0 0 0 0 4173 5220 910163 1250501 2170057 CLIENT FEES 900099 24519 24519 24519 20712 20712 3835 -3835 -3835 -3835 156292 5220 38157 118135 118135 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 525 525 525 2330113 24519 0 135537 112720 83896 18189 10635 805456 599493 129967 75996 26440 19679 4266 2495 105410 78456 17008 9946 74027 55098 11944 6985 514199 499535 14039 625 40438 28681 5200 6557 61940 37867 17953 6120 86169 83710 2459 11761 10960 581 220 17026 11244 4887 895 21364 21364 12055 10044 1445 566 MAINTENANCE 46820 32126 10149 4545 PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS 38716 21944 7566 9206 DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS 17368 12788 2751 1829 TRAINING 14182 7152 5868 1162 80 21 50 9 2006171 1614058 251863 140250 578177 698210 793511 971345 59542 136248 16433 24956 195988 147902 72363 48086 232340 247114 1752366 2125959 78682 95732 78682 95732 X 962990 1141763 710694 888464 1673684 2030227 1752366 2125959 323942 32601 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1302194 1471176 1596845 1500806 2309337 8180358 1302194 1471176 1596845 1500806 2309337 8180358 8180358 30390 12948 16610 17505 20712 98165 8278523 0.98810 0.97560 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 15444 15303 141 180544 132599 47945 48086 LARGE CAP FUNDS 69436 F INTERNATIONAL FUNDS 61316 F SMALL CAP FUNDS 22295 F GOVERNMENT BONDS 24717 F LARGE BLEND FUNDS 69350 F 247114 X 2374235 32601 32601 2341634 -11521 -11521 2330113 2017692 11521 11521 2006171 0 2006171 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. THE ORGANIZATION FILES FEDERAL INFORMATION RETURNS AND IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS BY MAJOR TAX AUTHORITIES FOR YEARS PRIOR TO 2010. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT -3,835. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES NETTED WITH REVENUE -7,686. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EXPENSES NETTED WITH REVENUE 7,686. LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 3,835. MARCH MADNESS 156873 5220 151653 28822 9335 156873 5220 151653 28822 9335 38157 113496 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 10%. IN THE JURISDICTIONS THAT MVLS SERVES, THE POVERTY RATE RANGES FROM A HIGH OF 30% (BALTIMORE CITY) TO A LOW OF 4.5% (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 PRO SE 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 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, PRO BONO RESOURCE CENTER, AND THE CONSUMER BANKRUPTCY SECTION OF THE MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION. MVLS AND UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CAREY SCHOOL OF LAW'S JOINT JUSTADVICE CLINIC SERVED 682 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE YEAR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE UNABLE TO CONTINUE THIS PROJECT IN FY2015 DUE TO BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, BUT CONTINUE TO ACCEPT CLIENT REFERRALS FROM THE CLINIC. IF THESE CLIENTS MEET OUR INCOME AND CASE TYPE GUIDELINES, WE PLACE THEM WITH A VOLUNTEER LAWYER FOR FULL REPRESENTATION. MVLS RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN FY14 FROM THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO REPRESENT 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. WE HAVE EXPANDED PROGRAM SERVICES TO INCLUDE BRIEF ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION IN THE US TAX COURT BY HIRING A FULL TIME TAX ATTORNEY. MVLS VOLUNTEERS TYPICALLY CLOSE 125 TAX DISPUTE CASES ANNUALLY. MVLS INCREASED PRO BONO PLACEMENTS BY 25% IN FY14, FROM 1,610 PRO BONO CASE PLACEMENTS IN FY13 TO 2,130 IN FY14. THIS INCREASE REFLECTS OUR PROGRAMMATIC FOCUS ON EXPANDING PRO BONO SERVICES THROUGH AGGRESSIVE CLIENT OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT. SIMILARLY, THE NUMBER OF CLOSED PRO BONO CASES GREW BY 23%, FROM 1,512 IN FY13 TO 1,959 IN FY14. MVLS FY2014 AT A GLANCE: MVLS VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF CLOSED: 3,170 CIVIL CASES 727 LAWYERS VOLUNTEERED FOR OUR PROGRAM 14,528 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SPENT REPRESENTING MVLS CLIENTS AT A VALUE OF $3.2 MILLION THE DEBTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECT VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED BRIEF ADVICE TO 143 PRO SE PETITIONERS AT THE US BANKRUPTCY COURT. THE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROJECT HELPED 3,773 DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE FORM 990 WAS CIRCULATED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. 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 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF TWO FORMER BOARD PRESIDENTS AND THE CURRENT BOARD PRESIDENT. THEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FULL BOARD EACH SPRING ON EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR STAFF COMPENSATION. THEY ALSO RELY ON SALARY SURVEYS WHEN AVAILABLE AND A REVIEW OF THE 990S OF OTHER LEGAL AGENCIES IF SALARY SURVEY DATA IS UNAVAILABLE. 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.