2023-06-29T09:26:07-05:00 2022-12-31 202153727 SB & COMPANY 10200 GRAND CENTRAL AVE SUITE 250 OWINGS MILLS MD 21117 990 2022-01-01 520591621 LEGAL AID BUREAU INC LEGA 4109517777 500 EAST LEXINGTON STREET BALTIMORE MD 212023559 VICTORIA SCHULTZ ESQ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4109517777 2023-06-28 1 VICTORIA SCHULTZ ESQ XXX-XX-XXXX 0 TIANA WYNN P00997288 4105840060 2 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z MARYLAND LEGAL AID VICTORIA SCHULTZ ESQ 500 EAST LEXINGTON STREET BALTIMORE MD 212023559 35507510 0 X WWW.MDLAB.ORG X 1929 MD TO PROVIDE FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. 18 18 436 269 0 0 35074244 35610294 0 0 161403 -152288 332003 49504 35567650 35507510 8496 8337 0 0 25436925 25371834 0 0 315604 4964466 5939483 30409887 31319654 5157763 4187856 34483542 47217398 3956117 12502117 30527425 34715281 THE MISSION OF LEGAL AID BUREAU, INC., D.B.A. MARYLAND LEGAL AID, IS TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL SERVICES TO MARYLAND'S POOR THROUGH A MIX OF SERVICES AND TO BRING ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT POOR PEOPLE WANT IN THE SYSTEMS THAT AFFECT THEM. 0 0 25995166 8337 49504 LEGAL SERVICES. SEE SCHEDULE O. 25995166 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 78 0 436 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MD X THE ORGANIZATION 4109517777 500 EAST LEXINGTON STREET BALTIMORE MD 212023559 MARQUITA WISE-JONES SECRETARY 4.00 X 0 0 0 NEIL E DUKE BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 GUY E FLYNN BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 JESSICA A DUHOFFMANN BOARD MEMBER 2.50 X 0 0 0 MANNY GERALDO BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 PHYLLIS BUTLER BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 GWENDOLYN A JOHNSON BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DONALD T HOWE BOARD MEMBER 4.00 X 0 0 0 ASHLEY M GREEN BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 DOUGLAS M BREGMAN BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 LAUREN HC LACEY BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 SUSAN M ERLICHMAN BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 EMERSON L DORSEY JR BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 LORENZO A BIVANS JR BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 WARREN S OLIVERI JR PRESIDENT 4.00 X 0 0 0 ORA JOHNSON VICE PRESIDENT 4.00 X 0 0 0 RICHARD L WASSERMAN TREASURER 4.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN P HOCHHEIMER MEMBER AT LARGE 4.00 X 0 0 0 KRISTI SCHULENBERG CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER(EFF 10/18/22) 40.00 X 30503 0 700 MITRA GHAHARMANLOU CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00 X 126041 0 15824 VICTORIA H SCHULTZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR(EFF 5/31/22) 40.00 X 116308 0 7018 GUSTAVA E TALER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER(THRU 7/1/22) 40.00 X 174834 0 15187 WILHELM H JOSEPH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR(RETIRED 6/3/22) 40.00 X 125559 0 19395 GRAHAM CROWGER DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40.00 X 113699 0 5325 CORNELIA GORDON ADVOCACY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 119544 0 16076 GREGORY COUNTESS ADVOCACY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 123419 0 9372 AMY L PETKOVSEK DEPUTY CHIEF COUNSEL 40.00 X 127759 0 16128 ERICA LEMON ADVOCACY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 123834 0 6711 1181500 0 111736 9 0 1 0 WINDSTREAM ENTERP PO BOX 9001013 LOUISVILLE KY 40290 364732 MCM PARKWAY 8401 CORPORATE LLC PO BOX 358175 PITTSBURGH PA 15251 277977 MANAGANCE COACHING 26921 ALDEANO DRIVE MISSION VIEJO CA 92691 229775 215 WASHINGTON AVE LLC 1829 REISTERSTOWN ROAD BALTIMORE MD 21208 176195 HANOVER LIMITED RENT 2824 SOLOMONS ISLAND RD EDGEWATER MD 21037 161890 5 34826554 783740 35610294 -152288 -152288 LEXIS NEXIS 900099 23293 23293 RENTAL INCOME 900099 21762 21762 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 4449 4449 49504 35507510 49504 0 -152288 8337 8337 449659 396153 53506 19923578 17337699 2464119 121760 893960 760274 126566 7120 2483305 2111941 351585 19779 1621332 1378871 229547 12914 26025 26025 68796 56871 11356 569 1349084 822873 523842 2369 732816 612134 115949 4733 39754 29187 10286 281 1825158 1679265 136850 9043 130030 122860 7060 110 290067 245064 41837 3166 96944 82405 13228 1311 OTHER 587687 146231 369927 71529 EQUIPMENT RENTAL/REPAIR 380295 295071 79908 5316 LIBRARY & DUES 207954 195931 11150 873 TRAINING/CONTINUING EDU 113025 84127 27673 1225 91848 91848 31319654 25995166 5008884 315604 2197366 3450055 8028 8028 9805879 12074779 56702 112979 122327 234530 10767219 7297152 2871236 3470067 19305658 19592928 116346 8274032 34483542 47217398 2262651 2719468 1610891 1264531 8028 8028 74547 8510090 3956117 12502117 X 20541621 21385795 9985804 13329486 30527425 34715281 34483542 47217398 4187856 0 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 29500933 29471470 25319333 35166861 35498294 154956891 29500933 29471470 25319333 35166861 35498294 154956891 154956891 233289 315175 175765 63478 -152288 635419 99153 69975 166562 239386 63579 638655 156230965 0.99180 0.98950 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 71562 71562 31319654 31391216 1000000 250000 0 0 1000000 1000000 1000000 1000000 4000000 6000000 81808 87917 75832 71562 317119 250000 250000 250000 250000 1000000 1500000 71562 71562 PART II-A, LINE 2(C), TOTAL LOBBYING EXPENDITURES: MARYLAND LEGAL AID (MLA) AND ITS SUBSIDIARY, MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE, LLC (MCLA), ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF LAW FIRMS TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTACTING AND COMMUNICATING WITH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND MEMBERS OF STATE AND LOCAL LEGISLATIVE BODIES AND COMMITTEES REGARDING FUNDING SOURCES FOR MLA AND MCLA. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING PENDING AND PROPOSED LEGISLATION AFFECTING CURRENT AND POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES. IN ADDITION, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVES AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF MLA AND MCLA MAY ON OCCASION HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH LEGISLATORS, LEGISLATIVE STAFFS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REGARDING POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING LEGISLATION AFFECTING EXISTING MLA AND MCLA FUNDING SOURCES. A PORTION OF THESE EMPLOYEES' SALARY AND BENEFIT COSTS ARE ALLOCATED TO LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WHEN THESE EFFORTS OCCUR. 0 1 X 264864 25000 2750 292614 261505 3359 264864 257000 4505 261505 7000 250000 257000 0.96400 0.03600 0 0 630000 630000 7851121 6524256 1326865 664292 223726 440566 764528 549170 215358 857278 857278 3470067 U.S. TREASURY NOTES 18226388 F CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT 1359334 F CASH EQUIVALENTS 7206 F 19592928 LEASE DEPOSITS 45299 DEFERRED COMPENSATION INVESTMENT 75650 RIGHT TO USE ASSETS 8153083 8274032 DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY 75650 LEASE LIABILITIES 8434440 8510090 X 35507510 0 35507510 0 35507510 31319654 0 31319654 0 31319654 PART IV, LINE 2B: THE LIABILITY IS RELATED TO THE FUNDS HELD IN AN ATTORNEYS' TRUST ACCOUNT. PART X, LINE 2: MARYLAND LEGAL AID IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (CODE) AND, THEREFORE, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN PROVIDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. IN ADDITION, MARYLAND LEGAL AID IS CLASSIFIED AS A PUBLIC CHARITY UNDER SECTION 509(A) OF THE CODE. MARYLAND LEGAL AID ACCOUNTS FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES RECOGNIZED IN ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS USING A THRESHOLD OF "MORE LIKELY THAN NOT" FOR RECOGNITION OF TAX POSITIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A TAX RETURN. MARYLAND LEGAL AID PERFORMED AN EVALUATION OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO MATTERS THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR WHICH MAY HAVE ANY EFFECT ON ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. THE STATUTE OF LIMITATION FOR TAX YEARS 2019 THROUGH 2022, REMAINS OPEN WITH THE U.S. FEDERAL JURISDICTION OR THE VARIOUS STATES AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH MARYLAND LEGAL AID FILES TAX RETURNS. IT IS MARYLAND LEGAL AID'S POLICY TO RECOGNIZE PENALTIES RELATED TO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS, IF ANY, IN INCOME TAX EXPENSE. MARYLAND LEGAL AID SPONSORS A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION 401(K) PLAN WHICH PROVIDES FOR EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MARYLAND LEGAL AID AND VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS BY EMPLOYEES. MARYLAND LEGAL AID ALSO PROVIDED A NONCONTRIBUTORY SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE PLAN (THE SERP PLAN) FOR AN ELIGIBLE CLASS EMPLOYEE (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) UNDER SECTION 457(F) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022, THE ELIGIBLE CLASS EMPLOYEE RETIRED. SUBSEQUENT TO YEAR END, 100% OF THE SERP BALANCE WAS LIQUIDATED. 1 WOMEN'S LAW CENTER OF MARYLAND INC 305 W CHESAPEAKE AVE STE 201 TOWSON MD 21204 521238912 501(C)(3) 8337 0 LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PART I, LINE 2: GRANTEES' INVOICES ARE REVIEWED PRIOR TO APPROVAL AND PAYMENT FOR VERIFICATION OF SERVICES RENDERED AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE GRANT CONTRACT PROVISIONS. IN ADDITION, SOME GRANTEES ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE QUARTERLY DEMOGRAPHIC DATA REPORTS. X 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 GUSTAVA E TALER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER(THRU 7/1/22) 88284 0 0 0 86550 0 6822 0 8365 0 190021 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED IN DETAIL BY MANAGEMENT AND THEN MANAGEMENT REVIEWS THE RETURN WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. ONCE APPROVED BY MANAGEMENT AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FORM 990 IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHERE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE RETURN WITH MANAGEMENT AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANNUALLY, EACH OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH GOVERNING BOARD DELEGATED POWERS IS REQUIRED TO SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH AFFIRMS SUCH PERSON HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE POLICY, AND HAS AGREED TO COMPLY WITH THE POLICY. DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS, AND APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION OF THOSE CONFLICTS, IS MADE EITHER BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR BY A COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NO PERSON DETERMINED TO HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DELIBERATIONS OR DECISION REGARDING RESOLUTION OF THAT CONFLICT OR THE APPROVAL OF TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO IT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE POLICY WITH RESPECT TO CHANGES IN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION HAS BEEN AS FOLLOWS: THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS TO DISCUSS AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPON EVALUATION OF AVAILABLE AND RELEVANT INFORMATION. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THEN FORWARDS ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THE ENTIRE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ITS REVIEW AND APPROVAL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM PRIOR YEAR. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: OVERVIEW THROUGHOUT ITS 110-YEAR HISTORY, MARYLAND LEGAL AID (MLA) HAS PROVIDED FREE, HIGH-QUALITY CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN MARYLAND, AND IS THE ONLY STATEWIDE PROVIDER OF GENERAL LEGAL SERVICES TO MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (MLSC) AND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (LSC) INCOME-ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS. WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL VISION TO PROTECT AND ADVANCE HUMAN RIGHTS SO AS TO EFFECT LASTING SOCIAL CHANGE, MLA ACHIEVES ITS CLIENTS' GOALS THROUGH A BROAD CONTINUUM OF SERVICES RANGING FROM BRIEF ADVICE AND COUNSEL, PRO SE ASSISTANCE, PRO BONO COORDINATION AND REFERRALS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, POLICY AND IMPACT ADVOCACY, TRANSACTIONAL WORK, COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVORS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AND LITIGATION IN STATE AND FEDERAL TRIAL-LEVEL AND APPELLATE COURTS. TO THE EXTENT ITS LIMITED RESOURCES PERMIT, MLA ALSO WORKS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, INCLUDING THE PRESERVATION OR CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCES AND PUBLIC SAFETY. MANY OF THE INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS WHO CONTACT MLA DO SO AFTER A MAJOR FAMILY CRISIS OR AN ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, SUCH AS A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, SERIOUS ILLNESS, OR LOSS OF A JOB OR OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME. AS A RESULT, THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE THAT MLA PROVIDES ADDRESSES THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES. MLA HELPS ITS CLIENTS MAINTAIN CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN, RESTORE UTILITY SERVICE, DEAL WITH DEBTS AND DEBT COLLECTORS, OBTAIN CRITICAL HEALTHCARE, DISABILITY BENEFITS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE, RECOVER UNPAID WAGES, EXPUNGE CRIMINAL RECORDS, PREVENT FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS, AND IMPROVE SUBSTANDARD AND DANGEROUS HOUSING CONDITIONS. WITHOUT THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, THOUSANDS OF MARYLAND CITIZENS WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE DENIED ACCESS TO MARYLAND'S CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS RESULTING IN POTENTIALLY LIFE AND DEATH SITUATIONS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022 ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2022 WAS A YEAR OF TRANSITION FOR MARYLAND LEGAL AID WHICH SAW THE RETIREMENT OF ITS FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WILHELM JOSEPH, AND THE HIRING OF ITS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VICKI SCHULTZ IN JUNE, 2022. WITH THE DEPARTURE OF SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ENGAGED A SEARCH FIRM AND HIRED A NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CHIEF LEGAL AND ADVOCACY DIRECTOR AND CHIEF OF HUMAN RESOURCES. THE NEW TEAM HAS BROUGHT TALENT, ENERGY, VISION, AND PASSION FOR THE MISSION OF MLA. ADDITIONALLY, THEY BRING FRESH PERSPECTIVES AND NEW APPROACHES TO HOW MLA CAN IMPROVE ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCIES TO BRING GREATER JUSTICE FOR OUR CLIENTS. THE ONGOING GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND THE UNCERTAINTIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ECONOMY IMPACTED MLA'S LOW-INCOME CLIENTS DISPROPORTIONATELY IN 2022, A MAJORITY OF WHOM WERE CLIENTS OF COLOR. SOME FEDERAL RESOURCES THROUGH LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT HELPED TO DEFRAY SOME OF THE ECONOMIC PAIN FELT BY MLA'S LOW-INCOME CLIENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, MLA RECEIVED EVICTION PREVENTION GRANTS FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND BALTIMORE CITY TO HELP CONNECT ITS CLIENTS FACING EVICTION WITH FINANCIAL RESOURCES, LIKE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE (ERAP) TO PROMOTE HOUSING STABILITY AND STOP UNNECESSARY EVICTIONS. MLA ADVOCATES WORKED WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE THAT MLA CLIENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS ERAP FUNDS TO PRESERVE THEIR HOUSING AND STAY IN THEIR HOMES. IMPORTANTLY, THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A STATEWIDE LAW THAT PROVIDES ALL LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS FACING EVICTION WITH A RIGHT TO ACCESS COUNSEL IN 2021. THOUGH SOME CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE PASSED CIVIL RIGHT-TO-COUNSEL LAWS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF EVICTIONS, MARYLAND BECAME ONLY THE SECOND STATE TO PASS A LAW PROVIDING SUCH A RIGHT FOR MARYLANDERS FACING EVICTION. THE MARYLAND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION (MLSC) WAS CHARGED WITH IMPLEMENTING THE MARYLAND ACCESS TO COUNSEL IN EVICTIONS (ACE) PROGRAM IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2022. WITH A NEED FOR AT LEAST TWO LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS IN EVERY JURISDICTION TO HANDLE ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS, MLA EXPECTS TO BE AN ACE PROVIDER IN EVERY JURISDICTION IN THE STATE. MLA HAS ALREADY BEGUN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACE PROGRAM IN THE FIRST SEVERAL JURISDICTIONS WHERE THE ACE PROGRAM HAS STARTED. THE ACE WORK IS CORE TO MLA'S MISSION AND FUNDAMENTAL TO THE LEGAL SERVICES MLA PROVIDES. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR MLA'S GROWTH THIS YEAR AND IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS AS THE ACE PROGRAM IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED ARE SIGNIFICANT, WHILE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE AND REPRESENTATION AND ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR OUR CLIENTS THROUGH THE ACE PROGRAM ARE POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMATIONAL. IN 2022, MORE THAN 4,725 MARYLAND RESIDENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, AND 16,844 RESIDENTS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING MATTERS TO AVERT WRONGFUL EVICTIONS, AVOID FORECLOSURES, CORRECT SUBSTANDARD HOUSING CONDITIONS AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HOUSING PRESERVATION WORK FOCUSED ON COLLABORATIONS WITH A VARIETY OF NONPROFIT PARTNERS, ALONG WITH COUNTY AND STATE AGENCIES, TO REMEDY HOUSING ISSUES EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RESULTING IN ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FOR MARYLAND RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS. MLA PROCESSED 2,178 EXPUNGEMENT CASES STATEWIDE, AS IN-PERSON LEGAL CLINICS BECAME POSSIBLE WITH UP-TO-DATE PANDEMIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS, AS WELL AS THROUGH VIRTUAL LEGAL CLINIC SETTINGS. DURING 2022, 3,279 PERSONS BENEFITTED FROM MLA'S DIRECT ASSISTANCE IN CONSUMER MATTERS, RANGING FROM ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH CREDITORS TO HOW TO AVOID OR MITIGATE THE IMPLICATIONS OF BANKRUPTCY IN THE PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT. THE CLOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN MLA'S HOUSING AND CONSUMER WORK HAS ENABLED IT TO FOCUS RESOURCES ON THE PRESSING DEMAND FOR FORECLOSURE AVOIDANCE. IN ADDITION, 46 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN PRO SE BANKRUPTCY CLINICS OFFERED AT SEVERAL MLA OFFICES. MLA REMAINED COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO CLIENTS THROUGHOUT 2022, DESPITE CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY THE PANDEMIC. STAFF SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY FAIRS AND EVENTS REACHED 16,760 INDIVIDUALS. DURING THE YEAR, LEGAL STAFF DISTRIBUTED 31,539 BROCHURES AND NEWSLETTERS ON SUBSTANTIVE LEGAL TOPICS. IN ADDITION, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ON INSTAGRAM, LINKEDIN AND FACEBOOK (LIVE), RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS, AS WELL AS ARTICLES IN LEGAL PUBLICATIONS, NEWSPAPERS, AND COMMUNITY NEWSLETTERS FEATURING THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF AND/OR PROGRAMS REACHED THOUSANDS OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS STATEWIDE. DURING 2022, MLA'S FARMWORKER PROGRAM MADE 42 IN-PERSON FARMWORKER CAMP VISITS. AT EACH VISIT, THEY PROVIDED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH MATERIALS TO MIGRANT AND SEASONAL FARM WORKERS. STAFF SHARED INFORMATION ABOUT EMPLOYEE RIGHTS, TAXES, HEALTH INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND FIELD SANITATION RIGHTS. THESE VISITS TOOK PLACE IN BALTIMORE, CAROLINE, CARROLL, CECIL, FREDERICK, HARFORD, KENT, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE'S, SOMERSET, ST. MARY'S, WASHINGTON, AND WICOMICO COUNTIES, AND IN DELAWARE. MLA CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS STATEWIDE, CENTRALIZED INTAKE. CENTRALIZED INTAKE CURRENTLY USES A TWO-TIER SYSTEM WHEREBY A PARALEGAL DOES THE INITIAL INTAKE SCREENING TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY, GET NECESSARY INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFY WHAT THE CALLER'S ISSUE(S) IS. ONCE THAT SCREENING IS COMPLETE, THE CALLER SPEAKS TO AN ATTORNEY WHO CAN PROVIDE BRIEF ADVICE OR REFER THE CALLER FOR LEGAL SERVICES IF APPROPRIATE, ONCE FULLY IMPLEMENTED, MLA EXPECTS THE NEW CENTRALIZED INTAKE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE CLIENT ACCESS AND ALLOW ADVOCATES IN MLA'S OFFICES AND UNITS MORE TIME TO PROVIDE EXTENDED SERVICES. THE NEW INTAKE SYSTEM WILL USE A STATEWIDE TOLL-FREE NUMBER TO FURTHER IMPROVE CLIENT ACCESS. MLA STAFF HELPED MARYLANDERS OBTAIN CRITICAL INCOME SUPPORT SUCH AS UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND SNAP/FOOD STAMPS DUE TO THE ONGOING IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC, ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES AND THE HARDSHIPS THAT HAVE ACCOMPANIED THIS CHALLENGING PERIOD. FOR EXAMPLE, MLA CLIENTS HAD CHALLENGES REACHING MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (MDOL) STAFF. MLA HAD ESTABLISHED AND CONTINUED TO USE INFORMAL BACK CHANNELS WITH MDOL, WHEREBY MLA WOULD IDENTIFY ELIGIBLE CLIENTS, SUMMARIZE THEIR ISSUES, AND ASK THAT MDOL TIMELY RESOLVE THEIR ISSUES. TO ASSIST WITH SNAP/FOORD STAMP BENEFITS, MLA HAD ESTABLISHED REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (DHS). THIS ALLOWED MLA ADVOCATES TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE ONGOING SYSTEMIC ISSUES, AND TO REFER CLIENTS TO DHS FOR SWIFT RESOLUTION. THESE ACTIONS ASSURED MLA CLIENTS COULD ACCESS FINANCIAL HELP WHERE APPROPRIATE SO THEY COULD FEED AND HOUSE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. MLA'S COMMUNITY LAWYERING INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED A MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP WITH KAISER PERMANENTE. THE PARTNERSHIP IS PART OF A BROAD SCALE KP PROJECT CALLED "HOUSING, HEALTH & JUSTICE: HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE THROUGH MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP", THE AIM OF WHICH IS TO ESTABLISH A COHORT OF MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIPS IN AT LEAST FIVE KP REGIONS/MARKETS. MLA WAS CHOSEN AS THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION LEGAL SERVICES PARTNER. THE PROJECT HAS ONE PROGRAM STAFF ATTORNEY. THE STAFF ATTORNEY RECEIVES CLIENT-PATIENT REFERRALS FROM KP CASEWORKERS VIA THE UNITE US/THRIVE LOCAL PORTAL. THE STAFF ATTORNEY PROVIDES REFERRALS, ADVICE, AND FULL REPRESENTATION ON A VARIETY OF HOUSING-RELATED CASES. MLA'S RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT UNIT (RDU) WORKED WITH MEMBERS OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE COUNCIL (EJC) TO PLAN AND EXECUTE THE 2022 CAMPAIGN FOR EQUAL JUSTICE FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31. FIFTEEN EJC MEMBERS VOLUNTEERED TO HELP RAISE MORE THAN $355,000 FROM LAW FIRMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND REGION. THIS WAS $50,000 MORE THAN THE $303,000 RAISED THE PREVIOUS YEAR. MLA AND THE EJC RESUMED ITS ANNUAL BREAKFAST FEATURING MARYLAND'S NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF MATTHEW FADER AND IT HELD ITS ANNUAL MANAGING PARTNERS MEETING AT BALLARD SPAHR TO INTRODUCE THE NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM, PROMOTE AWARENESS, AND EXCITE SUPPORT FOR MLA'S WORK AMONG THE PRIVATE BAR. EARLIER IN THE YEAR, THE EJC WITH THE MLA BOARD AND OTHERS HELD A RETIREMENT FAREWELL FOR THE OUTGOING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. IN 2022, MLA'S TRAINING & PRO BONO UNIT WENT THROUGH PERIODS OF SIGNIFICANT STAFFING TURNOVER AND RESTRUCTURING. IN MARCH OF 2022, THE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND PRO BONO LEFT MLA. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND PRO BONO THEN BECAME THE ACTING DIRECTOR FOR TRAINING AND PRO BONO, A ROLE WHICH HE STAYED IN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN JUNE OF 2022, WITH A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO SEPARATE THE TRAINING UNIT FROM THE PRO BONO UNIT. THE PRO BONO UNIT WOULD CONSIST OF A DIRECTOR FOR PRO BONO, PRO BONO COORDINATOR, PROGRAM PARALEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. WHILE MLA BEGAN THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR OF TRAINING IN NOVEMBER OF 2022, THE NEW DIRECTOR WAS NOT HIRED UNTIL MARCH OF 2023. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022 ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED: IN 2022, MLA'S TRAINING AND PRO BONO UNIT HOSTED MULTIPLE LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY CLINICS INVOLVING VOLUNTEER PARTNERS FROM CORPORATE COUNSEL, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE PRIVATE BAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE UNIT ORGANIZED SEVERAL LARGE IN-PERSON TRAINING EVENTS INCLUDING NEW LAWYER TRAINING, A FOUR-DAY IMMERSIVE TRIAL SKILLS BOOT CAMP AND THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL ALL-STAFF RETREAT. IN 2022, MLA'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) UNIT FOCUSED ON PREPARATORY STEPS FOR MOVING THE ORGANIZATION TO A CLOUD-FIRST FUTURE. WITH MOST MISSION-CRITICAL APPLICATIONS ALREADY MOVED TO THE CLOUD, IT DECOMMISSIONED A CO-LOCATION FACILITY IN TIDE POINT, MD AND BROUGHT A NUMBER OF SERVERS BACK TO THE BALTIMORE CITY OFFICE WITH THE AIM OF TURNING THEM OFF ENTIRELY IN 2023. MIGRATION OF DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS FROM THOSE SERVERS TO NEW LOCATIONS ON SHAREPOINT WAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS HOUSED BY THE HR AND FINANCE UNITS. CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVES ALSO CONTINUED. ALL MLA STAFF WERE UPGRADED TO MICROSOFT 365 E3 LICENSES IN ANTICIPATION OF IMPLEMENTING NEW 2FA REQUIREMENTS AND UNLOCKING ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE AND SECURITY OPTIONS; AND MANDATORY CYBERSECURITY TRAINING AND PHISHING SIMULATIONS BEGAN USING THE KNOWBE4 PLATFORM. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A: MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE AS A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF MLA, THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE, LLC (MCLA) OPERATES THE MARYLAND COURT HELP CENTERS AND THE DISTRICT COURT HELP CENTERS THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS (AOC). MCLA ALSO OPERATES THE FAMILY LAW SELF HELP CENTER (FLSHC) FOR THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY. DURING 2022, MCLA OPERATED MARYLAND COURT WALK-IN HELP CENTERS IN BALTIMORE CITY, GLEN BURNIE, UPPER MARLBORO, SALISBURY, CATONSVILLE, ROCKVILLE, LA PLATA, AND FREDERICK, PART-TIME CENTERS IN CAMBRIDGE AND HAGERSTOWN, AND THE MARYLAND COURT REMOTE SERVICES HELP CENTER IN ANNAPOLIS. THE MARYLAND COURT WALK-IN HELP CENTERS ASSIST WITH DISTRICT COURT CIVIL MATTERS ONLY, INCLUDING LANDLORD-TENANT, SMALL CLAIMS, EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS, DEBT COLLECTION AND PROTECTIVE/PEACE ORDERS. IN ADDITION TO THESE MATTERS, THE MARYLAND COURTS REMOTE SERVICES HELP CENTER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST WITH A BROAD RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE DISTRICT COURT MATTERS LISTED ABOVE AND CUSTODY, DIVORCE, AND OTHER CIVIL MATTERS VIA PHONE, LIVE CHAT AND VIDEO CONFERENCE. THE FAMILY LAW SELF HELP CENTER ASSISTS WITH FAMILY LAW MATTERS. WHILE MLA IS FUNDED, IN PART, BY LSC, MCLA IS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY WHICH DOES NOT RECEIVE LSC FUNDS AND OPERATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROGRAM INTEGRITY REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY LSC. MCLA IS A SINGLE MEMBER LLC AND, AS SUCH, IS A DISREGARDED ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES AND, THEREFORE, IS CONSIDERED A BRANCH OR DIVISION OF MLA. ITS ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND OPERATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN BOTH THIS FORM 990 AND MLA'S AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. IN 2022, MCLA ASSISTED MORE THAN145,976 VISITORS. OF THOSE SERVED IN 2022, 39,734 RECEIVED WALK-IN ASSISTANCE AND 90,815WERE ASSISTED VIA PHONES. ADDITIONALLY, 13,518 WERE CHAT VISITORS, 1,874 RECEIVED ASSISTANCE VIA E-MAIL, AND 35 THROUGH THE VIDEO CONFERENCE SERVICE. MCLA CONTINUED TO OFFER REMOTE PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES IN 2022 AND REOPENED IN-PERSON PRO BONO OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2022, 933 VISITORS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM PRO BONO ATTORNEYS. MCLA CONTINUES TO OFFER MONTHLY WEBINARS ON A RANGE OF CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES. THE WEBINARS ARE FREE AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ONLINE. IN 2022, MCLA OFFERED WEBINARS ON FILING FOR CUSTODY, DIVORCE, RENT RELATED DEBT, RENT ESCROW, FAILURE TO PAY RENT FOR LANDLORDS, FAILURE TO PAY RENT FOR TENANTS, AND FILING FOR EXPUNGEMENT IN MARYLAND. MCLA ALSO PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING WEBINARS IN SPANISH IN 2022: "CUSTODIA DE UN MENOR AND "SOLICITUD DE DIVORCIO EN MARYLAND". IN 2022, 47 VISITORS PARTICIPATED IN MCLA'S WEBINARS. MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE LLC 500 EAST LEXINGTON BALTIMORE MD 21202 821170415 CIVIL LAW MATTERS MD 5653647 3345988 LEGAL AID BUREAU INC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MARYLAND CENTER FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE LLC L 911826