Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
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.)
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $4.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 7.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 48
- Volunteers
- 440
- Highest pay
- $173,709, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $2.0 million spent. 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.
- $750,747 spent. 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.
- $668,021 spent. 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.
- 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
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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