BALTIMORE (July 27, 2023) – Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono legal services to low-income Marylanders, today announced the election of Venable’s Emily J. Wilson, Esq. to its Board of Directors.  

MVLS’ Board of Directors is responsible for governance and directing the organization’s strategic plan to deliver life changing pro bono legal services to Marylanders with limited income. Board members support the mission of MVLS by investing in the program and volunteering to support clients, staff, and community partners.  

“We’re all really looking forward to working with Emily as we continue to champion MVLS’ excellent pro bono services and support the MVLS staff in their critical works” said MVLS Board President, Alex Montanio. “Emily complements our existing Board members with her great balance of enthusiasm and a thoughtful understanding of the systemic challenges MVLS clients face. We are confident the Board and the organization as a whole will benefit from her insight and we appreciate the continued partnership with Venable, whose attorneys have been long-standing supporters of MVLS.” 

“I am incredibly passionate about the extensive pro bono work that I have done in other contexts, and I would love to bring that same passion to the work that MVLS does,” said Emily. “I’m also very excited by the opportunity to become deeper entrenched in the Maryland legal community and be part of something that brings lawyers together from across the state.” 

Emily is an Associate at Venable, where she primarily handles complex commercial litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts, though she also appears frequently before state public service commissions and often assists utilities and energy companies in navigating state regulatory regimes. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Sibstrong, which develops initiatives to support siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities. Emily earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law. 

About Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service   

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) removes barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement and advocacy for equitable laws. The organization matches clients with volunteer lawyers, tax professionals and staff attorneys who represent them in a wide range of consumer finance, family and housing situations, including foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce/custody, deed changes, as well as income tax disputes, estate planning and criminal record relief. MVLS advocates for racial equity in Maryland’s legal system and works in concert with community partners to move toward a fair legal system that is free of injustice and equitably serves underrepresented Marylanders. For more information, visit mvlslaw.org.