Every October, the American Bar Association marks the last week of October with a national celebration of pro bono. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) is proud to announce that the following volunteers and partners will receive a 2024 pro bono award at our annual Celebrate Pro Bono event on October 23, 2024. MVLS’ awards are given to volunteers and partners who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to pro bono and to our community; their service makes the ideal of justice for all a reality.   

Volunteers of the Year

Volunteers of the Year – this year’s award goes to two outstanding attorneys:

Kate Cook

A volunteer since 2017, Kate had a primary focus on accepting estate planning and administration cases. However, since 2022, she has also taken 14 expungement cases for full representation. In addition to her expungement cases, she still took on 8 estate planning and administration cases during that period. Kate’s unwavering commitment is deeply valued, and her contributions make a significant and irreplaceable difference for MVLS’ clients.

Alicia D. Lewis

Alicia has been a valued member of MVLS’ pro bono panel since 2011, consistently excelling in support of our family law clients. Over the years, she has handled more than 100 custody cases, and several name change and adoption cases. In the past year alone, Alicia has managed 10 family law cases, covering custody, divorce, name changes, and adoptions. Given the complexity and difficulty of placing family law cases, Alicia’s unwavering support and dedication have provided clients with a renewed sense of hope.

Law Firm of the Year

Family Law Advocacy Group, LLC

Family Law Advocacy Group, LLC is a steadfast supporter of MVLS’ family law clients. The firm is extremely dedicated to pro bono, with 6 of their attorneys participating in MVLS’ Judicare program. Their attorneys represent clients in complex custody and divorce cases, often helping them through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Together the firm has handled more than 50 matters. When staff attorney Nancy Grimm put out the call last year about the need for more Judicare attorneys, Family Law Advocacy Group stepped up to answer the call taking on additional cases.

Young Volunteer of the Year
Tamia J. Morris

Since joining the MVLS volunteer panel in 2024, Tamia has demonstrated remarkable dedication. This year, she has handled an impressive 10 pro bono cases involving estate planning, estate administration, homeownership, and deed changes. Tamia is a passionate advocate for her clients and MVLS, committed to helping underserved Marylanders build and preserve generational wealth through the protection of their most valuable asset, the family home.

New Volunteer of the Year
Tae Y. Yee

Tae joined the MVLS volunteer panel in May of 2023 and has specialized in accepting expungement cases through our workforce development program. Since the start of 2024, he has successfully handled more than 25 expungement cases, significantly contributing to MVLS’ mission of removing barriers to justice for our clients. Tae’s dedication as a volunteer has been outstanding, and his commitment to pro bono is motivating.

Retired Volunteer Award
Christopher B. Rydelek, LtCol. USMC (ret.)

Christopher passed the bar in 1994, and since his retirement, he has been one of our most dedicated estate planning and administration volunteers. Since 2023, he has taken on 15 of these cases to prioritize peace of mind and family unity for his clients. Estate planning and administration serve as essential legal tools, helping families avoid probate while preserving cherished memories and assets across generations.

Community Partner

Community Partner Award
Healthy Neighborhoods Inc.

Healthy Neighborhoods Incorporated (HNI) has become one of MVLS’ Advance Planning Project’s closest community partners. HNI believes that true collaboration involves developing meaningful personal relationships. HNI consistently answers the call to help MVLS clients. They share our values about how to build sustainable community relationships, and the importance of consistently being present in communities that we both serve. HNI has been the conduit for numerous newly formed partnerships between MVLS and other community partners. They have been at the forefront in recognizing the value of legal services for Baltimore City low-income neighborhoods, and they have proactively included MVLS in many resource events, connected us to active communities, and have substantially invested in improving the lives of their families and neighbors.

10 Year Award – for taking at least one case with MVLS every year since 2014.
Anne Gold-Rand
Charles J. Herring
Todd W. McGibney

10+ Cases – MVLS recognizes the following volunteers who took 10 or more cases during fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024):

• Yollette Atkinson
• Danielle Casson
• Kate Cook
• Lawrence Coppel          
• Rob M. Goldman
• Anne Gold-Rand           
• Connie Hare
• Jessica Keister
• Tatiana Francisco Aries Laracuente
• Alicia D. Lewis
• Vincent Mosley
• Sarah Nadolny 
• Edward Wender
• Rehana Wieseman  
• Tae Y. Yee           

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