2026-01-23T08:08:01-06:00 2025-06-30 520982413 GROSS MENDELSOHN & ASSOCIATES PA 1801 PORTER STREET SUITE 500 BALTIMORE MD 21230 990 2024-07-01 521225979 MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE INC MARY 4105396800 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4434514060 2026-01-23 1 1 JENNIFER ROCK P01083312 4106855512 2026-01-11 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z SUSAN FRANCIS 201 NORTH CHARLES STREET 1400 BALTIMORE MD 21201 6384824 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. 25 25 48 440 0 0 4144880 4705067 0 1980 113820 171914 177300 145735 4436000 5024696 0 0 0 0 2968655 3184013 0 0 299393 1251022 1432727 4219677 4616740 216323 407956 4937393 5909442 2012678 2489206 2924715 3420236 X THE MISSION OF THE MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE (MVLS) IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO JUSTICE THROUGH FREE CIVIL LEGAL HELP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY FOR EQUITABLE LAWS. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR THE COMPLETE MISSION STATEMENT.) 0 0 1992660 MVLS PROVIDES LEGAL HELP IN A BROAD RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS INCLUDING FAMILY, HOUSING, CONSUMER, CRIMINAL RECORD RELIEF, ESTATE PLANNING & ADMINISTRATION, AND TAX CONTROVERSY. LAST YEAR, MVLS' PRO BONO PROGRAM MATCHED OVER 2,266 LOW-INCOME CLIENTS WITH ATTORNEYS AND TAX PROFESSIONALS FOR FREE REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL CASES. MVLS HAS MORE THAN 800 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS ON ITS PANEL AND EMPLOYS STAFF ATTORNEYS WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE IN ALL LEGAL AREAS LISTED ABOVE TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS. 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. 750747 THE JUDICARE PROJECT IS A REDUCED-FEE PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CLIENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE UNABLE TO AFFORD REPRESENTATION IN CONTESTED FAMILY LAW CASES. MVLS OPERATES THIS PROJECT IN 15 MARYLAND COUNTIES AND BALTIMORE CITY. EXPERIENCED VOLUNTEER LAWYERS ARE PAID $120/HOUR FOR UP TO 35 HOURS TO RESOLVE THESE DIFFICULT CASES. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025. OUR JUDICARE PANEL ATTORNEYS CLOSED 194 CASES, PRIMARILY INVOLVING CONTESTED CUSTODY THAT DIRECTLY BENEFITED 543 FAMILY MEMBERS. 668021 HOUSING STABILITY IS A CORE FOCUS AT MVLS, WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON OLDER ADULTS TO ENSURE THEY CAN AGE IN PLACE AND SUCCESSFULLY PASS ON THEIR ASSETS TO THEIR NEXT GENERATION THE ADVANCED PLANNING PROJECT EDUCATES MARYLANDERS ABOUT THE NEED TO DO ESTATE PLANNING SO THEY CAN PASS THEIR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET, THEIR HOME, TO THEIR FAMILY. 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 PROJECT BUILDS UPON THIS WORK AND PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES FOR ESTATE PLANNING AND DEED DISENTANGLEMENT TO CLIENTS WHO WERE TRADITIONALLY DENIED ACCESS TO JUSTICE. IN FY25, MVLS HANDLED 641 ESTATES AND DEEDS CASES. 495381 5440 495381 5440 3906809 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 70 0 1 48 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 25 25 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 JAMES TANSEY TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PENNY J MINNA VICE-PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 REBA LETSA SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID G SOMMER PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBIN LEONE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LELIA PARKER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NICOLE LACOSTE FOLKS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAYAL AMIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 EMILY WILSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 D'SEAN WILLIAMS-BROWN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHEILA STEWART DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SYMA AHMAD SIDDIQUI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHELSEA ORTEGA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELEE MCGEOGH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANTHONY MAY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN DUMONT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANGELA RUSSELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 REBECCA SHEPPARD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RICHARD COSTELLA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JHONELL CAMPBELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRENT BOLEA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHEREEFAT BALOGUN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TYREE AYERS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN GORDON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LYDIA E LAWLESS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 155546 0 18163 MARGARET HENN DEPUTY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 110590 0 12261 CAROLYN MALINOWSKI SENIOR ATTORNEY, APGRB 40.00 X 107674 0 8891 JANET FEDDER MANAGING ATTORNEY, APGRB 40.00 X 112146 0 18867 485956 0 58182 4 0 1 0 0 1157 1208427 3495483 10600 4705067 CONTRACT SERVICE REVENUE 541100 1600 1600 CLIENT FEES 541100 380 380 1980 151728 151728 1341606 1321420 20186 20186 20186 181003 1157 38708 142295 142295 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 3440 3440 3440 5024696 5420 0 314209 X 194272 67995 106850 19427 2404838 2123989 118161 162688 68534 60736 3515 4283 319471 285717 15599 18155 196898 166842 16309 13747 69839 59150 5811 4878 20568 20568 733806 665999 43396 24411 125602 85322 24508 15772 275075 224808 30987 19280 10999 10400 466 133 6891 4301 2522 68 67514 57180 5618 4716 26253 22235 2184 1834 MISCELLANEOUS 36266 25832 1564 8870 TRAINING AND TUITION 35500 22139 12230 1131 OUTREACH 24414 24164 250 4616740 3906809 410538 299393 257606 577216 1134668 1687599 363515 440585 10701 7885 20295 17794 633005 489706 176448 143299 2065119 2228900 909041 806164 4937393 5909442 495545 573609 528651 1039333 988482 876264 2012678 2489206 X 2773329 3179798 151386 240438 2924715 3420236 4937393 5909442 407956 87565 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 3439515 3293186 3960638 4144880 4705067 19543286 3439515 3293186 3960638 4144880 4705067 19543286 19543286 16309 25137 67114 117549 151728 377837 6112 1835 1714 8010 3440 21111 19942234 214331 0.98000 0.98520 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 935 935 3905874 3906809 345340 86335 0 0 298846 291971 326017 345340 1262174 1893261 3587 2756 2181 935 9459 74712 72993 81504 86335 315544 473316 58506 35873 22633 555429 443345 112084 19070 10488 8582 143299 SECURITY DEPOSIT 8231 ACCRUED INTEREST 10688 INCOME TAX RECEIVABLE 1571 OPERATING LEASE ROU ASSET 775074 COLLECTIONS 10600 806164 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 876264 876264 X 5091693 87565 87565 5004128 20568 20568 5024696 4596172 0 4596172 20568 20568 4616740 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. TASTE FOR PRO BONO 150567 530 150037 4590 20375 76 CELEBRATE PRO BONO 31593 627 30966 3280 10387 182160 1157 181003 7870 30762 76 38708 142295 X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SUSAN FRANCIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 155546 0 0 0 0 0 4666 0 13497 0 173709 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. X 1 10600 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 1 0 PART III, LINE I THE MISSION OF THE MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE (MVLS) IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO JUSTICE THROUGH FREE CIVIL LEGAL HELP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY FOR EQUITABLE LAWS. OUR VISION IS FOR A FAIR LEGAL SYSTEM THAT IS FREE OF INJUSTICE AND EQUITABLY SERVES UNDERREPRESENTED MARYLANDERS. SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1981, MVLS AND ITS VOLUNTEERS HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 115,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE. IN ORDER TO ENSURE A FAIR AND JUST LEGAL SYSTEM, MVLS FOCUSES ON ENGAGING IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE OUR CLIENTS LIVE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS LEGAL BARRIERS, PROVIDING FREE AND FULL LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN AREAS THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO FAMILY, FINANCIAL AND HOUSING STABILITY , 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. APPROXIMATELY 723 ATTORNEYS, CPAS AND ENROLLED AGENTS VOLUNTEER WITH MVLS. 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 BLACK MARYLANDERS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WHICH ALL TOO OFTEN RESULTS IN MORE LEGAL ISSUES THAT EASILY BECOME INSURMOUNTABLE. BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ADVOCATES, WITH PUBLIC AGENCIES, AND WITH LEGISLATORS AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL, MVLS SEEKS TO CHANGE WHAT APPEAR TO BE NEUTRAL 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 INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON THE SIX CIVIL LEGAL AREAS WE ASSIST WITH THAT ACCOMPLISH MVLS' PRIORITIES OF PROVIDING LIFE ALTERING LEGAL SERVICES, CREATING PROFOUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS AND TARGETING SYSTEMS REFORM TO ADDRESS OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY OF STRUCTURAL RACISM. OUR INITIATIVES 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 BLACK-OWNED BALTIMORE CITY PROPERTIES WITH DEED AND TITLE ENTANGLEMENTS THAT PREVENT HOMES FROM TRANSFERRING TO NEXT GENERATIONS. - BANKRUPTCY BYPASS PROVIDES RELIEF TO INDIVIDUALS, OFTEN OLDER ADULTS, 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. - 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. - WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - AIMS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT FOR BALTIMORE'S VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SO THAT EMPLOYEES CAN OBTAIN LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE JOBS. MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT MVLS FOCUSES ON IS AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://MVLSLAW.ORG/ABOUT-US/WHAT-WE-DO/. MVLS FY25 AT A GLANCE: MVLS VOLUNTEER AND STAFF PLACED AND CLOSED: 3,223 CIVIL CASES LAWYERS, CPAS AND ENROLLED AGENTS VOLUNTEERED FOR OUR PROGRAM - 270 10,781 VOLUNTEER HOURS, SAVING LOW INCOME MARYLANDERS AN ESTIMATED $4,312,600 IN LEGAL FEES 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 665,999. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 43,396. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 24,411. TOTAL EXPENSES 733,806. PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOT CHANGED THEIR OVERSIGHT REVIEW PROCESS REGARDING THE AUDIT AND SELECTION OF THEIR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT.