BALTIMORE (July 6, 2023) – Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono legal services to low-income Marylanders, today announced that Courtland Merkel, Esq., has been hired as the organization’s new housing and consumer staff attorney. 

Merkel, who most recently served as a Circuit Court law clerk for The Honorable Lynne Stewart Mays, will work with MVLS’ housing and consumer stabilization team. He also will support MVLS volunteers, work with community partners, staff a weekly consumer protection clinic and advocate on behalf of MVLS clients.

“MVLS is pleased to welcome Courtland Merkel, as our new housing and consumer staff attorney,” said MVLS Deputy Director Margaret Henn. “Courtland’s background in water bill advocacy and his legal education position him to be a strong addition to the team, where he will represent clients in debt collection lawsuits, defend homeowners against foreclosure and lead MVLS’ water related advocacy work.”

Many people seek help from MVLS with housing and consumer matters such as tax sale, foreclosure, ground rent, bankruptcy, debt collections and contract disputes. These civil legal issues are incredibly difficult to face without full legal representation. To assist in this effort, MVLS staff attorneys and volunteers host a Consumer Protection Clinic each week at the Baltimore City District Court to help those being sued for debt collection.

“I am excited to join MVLS because of its dedication to providing legal assistance to Marylanders who would normally not have the opportunity to afford legal help,” said Merkel. “I look forward to working with the Baltimore community at our weekly consumer clinics while also helping to improve the city’s water bill regulation.”

Prior to joining MVLS, Merkel graduated magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2020 and was a part of both the Fannie Angelos Program for Academic Excellence and the Royal Shannon House Honor Society. Merkel can be reached at 443-451-4064 or cmerkel@mvlslaw.org.

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. 

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Media Contacts: 
Chandler Walters                                                   Sandy Arnette, APR 
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service                Arnette Media Strategies, LLC 
443-451-4095                                                         410-274-5975 
cwalters@mvlslaw.org                                          sandy@arnettemedia.com