(Annapolis, Md—October 22, 2002) As part of a coordinated effort to increase access to justice for all Maryland residents, the Court of Appeals has appointed a new statewide Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service. The 13-member committee, created through the adoption of a new court rule, Rule 16-901, includes representatives of all seven appellate circuits, and is chaired by attorney Ward B. Coe, III of Baltimore.

The Standing Committee will study long range pro bono issues, serve as a clearinghouse for materials, and develop a State Pro Bono Action Plan to be presented to the Court of Appeals by July 2005. The Committee will also oversee and guide new local pro bono committees in each county. These local committees, created by a separate court rule, Rule 16-902, are charged with assessing the legal needs of those with limited means within their communities, setting priorities, and developing plans to meet those needs. At the request of the Court of Appeals, the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland is staffing the Standing Committee and providing technical assistance to the local pro bono committees.

Maryland is at the forefront of the pro bono effort nationwide. Only two other states, Florida and Indiana, have similar programs in terms of a statewide oversight committee and separate local committees.

“The creation of an organized committee structure devoted to pro bono legal service represents the next step in the development of a formalized system to quantify, evaluate and expand our efforts to serve those of limited means,” said Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert M. Bell. “While the Standing Committee reflects a wide range of interests and perspectives, all of those selected to serve are truly dedicated to the advancement of pro bono legal service in Maryland, and we look forward to their contributions.”  

Committee members include Caroline County Circuit Court Judge Karen Murphy Jensen; Harford County District Court Judge Angela M. Eaves; Prince George’s County Circuit Court Master Cathy Hollenberg Serrette; Nancy Forster, Esq. of the Public Defender’s Office; Rhonda Lipkin, Esq. of the Legal Aid Bureau; and Reverend Jamal Bryant of Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Additional lawyer members are Jo Benson Fogel, Esq., Donald Braden, Esq., Stephen J. Nolan, Esq., James K. Eagan III, Esq., Paula Peters, Esq., and Patricia Chiriboga-Roby, Esq.

For more information on the Standing Committee of the Court of Appeals on Pro Bono Legal Service, please contact the Court Information Office at 410/260-1488.  For additional information about the new court rules on pro bono, visit the Judiciary’s website, www.courts.state.md.us.