Maryland Legal Aid

Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) has provided free, life-changing civil legal assistance to Maryland individuals and families. From 12 full-service offices, MLA addresses the civil legal needs of more than 120,000 low-income and vulnerable clients each year, and has targeted programs for child victims of abuse and neglect, the elderly, nursing home and assisted living residents, homeowners facing foreclosure, people with expungeable criminal records, seasonal farmworkers, and veterans.

Our work includes information referrals, brief legal advice, extended legal representation, litigation, community education, pro se assistance, pro bono coordination and referrals, and policy advocacy.

MLA has adjusted to the unique and complex challenges presented by the COVID-19 health crisis by continuing to serve clients remotely via online and telephone intake, and providing virtual Know Your Rights presentations. After being closed to the public for four months, MLA, in concert with the Maryland courts, re-opened walk-in intake in July, on a limited basis, to provide in-person assistance to those hardest hit by the fallout of the pandemic.

MLA’s Equal Justice Council (EJC) includes leaders from the legal and business communities who raise funds for and awareness of MLA’s work. MLA’s Equal Justice Associates (EJA) is a group of dynamic young attorneys who fundraise and organize pro bono service on behalf of MLA. Learn more at mdlab.org/ways-to-give/equal-justice-associates.  Attorneys interested in providing pro bono services to MLA clients can learn more at mdlab.org/pro-bono-attorney-opportunities.