Thank you for attending Celebrate Pro Bono last night! We are so grateful that you were able to join us in recognizing our award winners, volunteers, partners, and supporters. The room was brimming with more than 250 guests showing their support for pro bono legal services and MVLS. The evening also included a special presentation from City Solicitor Andre Davis, and remarks from Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, Attorney General Brian Frosh, and Alexandria Montanio of Gordon Feinblatt.
Because of the generosity of sponsors and donors, like you, more than $32,000 was raised to support access to justice for Marylanders across the state. Thank you again for joining us and we look forward to seeing you at our next event!
For more photos, click here to view our full album on Facebook.
Volunteer of the Year – Dontrice P. Hamilton, Esq. of the Law Office of Dontrice P. Hamilton
MVLS presents this award to a volunteer lawyer who has contributed the most to our pro bono program through either individual client representation or expansion of the delivery of pro bono legal services. Dontrice was selected for her willingness to support MVLS clients in a variety of legal issues including: tax, expungements, collections, deed changes, and family law matters. Dontrice joined our panel in 2006 and has since accepted 60 cases.
Law Firm of the Year – Office of the Attorney General
We give this annual award to the law firm that has provided significant services to MVLS clients either by representing many individuals or using significant law firm resources for one client. The Office of the Attorney General has done both and was selected because of its long-time support of MVLS and involvement in our bankruptcy bypass and expungement clinics.
Partnership Award – Thomas J. Minton, ESq. of Goldman & Minton, P.C.
MVLS gives this award to individuals or organizations that have uniquely contributed to the mission of MVLS. Thomas and his firm Goldman & Minton, P.C. have been long-time supporters of MVLS and have taken a collection of cases consistently with MVLS for the past 10 years. Additionally, Thomas was instrumental in naming MVLS a cy pres recipient of a large settlement in October 2017.
Young Lawyer of the Year – Christopher N. Moran of Venable, LLP
Christopher has made many contributions to MVLS since joining our panel in January 2016 and has taken 20 cases. He is an instrumental volunteer in our Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) program, and has shared his expertise with MVLS clients by also helping with expungements, homeownership, and real property cases. Christopher is also a member of MVLS CAN.
10 Year Volunteers
Congratulations and thank you to our volunteer lawyers who have consistently accepted at least one pro bono case each year for 10 consecutive years. Our 10 Year Award recipients embody an exceptional commitment to pro bono service. MVLS is proud to recognize the following lawyers for their dedication to pro bono service and support of our program.
Michael F. Connolly of The Law Offices of Michael F. Connolly
Thomas E. Mulinazzi of Mulinazzi Law Office