MARYLAND VOLUNTEER LAWYERS SERVICE WEBSITE TERMS OF USE

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, Inc., together with its affiliates and partners (collectively, “MVLS”),operates this website located at www.mvlslaw.org, mdoi.legalserver.org, and any  associated, additional and/or successor websites (collectively the “Website”) to provide information to you about MVLS and its mission to remove barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement, and advocacy for equitable laws. (the “MVLS Services”).

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF USE AND ALL ADDITIONAL TERMS (COLLECTIVELY, “TERMS OF USE”) CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE WEBSITE, APPLYING FOR MVLS SERVICES, TO VOLUNTEER TO PROVIDE MVLS SERVICES OR TO DONATE TO MVLS. THE TERMS OF USE ARE A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND MVLS. BY ACCESSING OR USING ANY PART OF THE WEBSITE, YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS OF USE AND ANY ADDITIONAL TERMS, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME.

Personal and Non-Commercial Use of Website.

You may browse the Website, learn about its clinics and other programs, read client stories and access MVLS’ annual reports and e-newsletters and other information located on the Website solely for your own personal, non-commercial use. This and all photos, graphics and other material on the Website are referred to collectively as “Content.” Any use (other than printing) of Content without MVLS’ prior written approval is prohibited.

You may ask for legal help from MVLS by completing this application.

To Apply For Legal Services.

We will use the information on your application and your responses to any follow-up questions to determine if you qualify for MVLS Services based on our eligibility requirements. Eligibility is determined based on income, assets and type of legal problem. Therefore, we cannot accept every case and you do not become a MVLS client unless and until we formally determine that you are eligible for services and officially tell you that your case has been accepted. We are not responsible if your application is not received due to server, internet problems or other technical difficulties. You agree to provide truthful and accurate information throughout our relationship. We may reject your application or close your case if we believe, in our sole discretion, that you have made any misrepresentations to us. To provide comprehensive services, MVLS and/or the volunteer to whom your case was referred, may search public and private databases for additional legal issues you may have. This information will remain confidential and will not be acted upon without your understanding and approval. 

All intake information you provide or that MVLS collects is stored in MVLS’ case management system. MVLS takes reasonable steps in line with industry standards to protect your information from outside intrusion and will not disclose your information except as necessary to process your legal matters. By submitting your application or contact information, you agree that we may send you newsletters and emails from time to time about events and other MVLS matters. If you do not want MVLS to contact you for any reason other than with respect to your case, you may unsubscribe by contacting MVLS at info@mvlslaw.org or 410-539-6800.  Each email you receive will also give you the opportunity to unsubscribe from receiving general communications from MVLS. 

No Legal Advice. 

Content on this website is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or other advice. You should seek legal advice solely from a licensed attorney. While MVLS tries to provide accurate information, situations, laws and regulations change frequently. Therefore Content may not be current or accurate. MVLS disclaims all liability for the availability, accuracy, quality or validity of the Website, its Content or any links located on the Website. 

To Volunteer. 

You may volunteer by applying here. 

When you apply to become a volunteer attorney you warrant that you are admitted to practice law before the Court of Appeals of Maryland, and have neither been disciplined nor are the subject of a grievance proceeding in Maryland or elsewhere. MVLS accepts applications for attorneys who are barred in another state, if they have complied with the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Maryland, Rule 19-218. For more information on out of state attorneys practicing in Maryland, click here. If you apply to be a CPA or enrolled agent volunteer, you warrant that you are in good standing as a CPA or enrolled agent and are not the subject of a grievance proceeding. If you become an MVLS Volunteer, you promise to notify MVLS immediately if you are disciplined in any way in Maryland or elsewhere. We do not accept every application for volunteers and cannot guarantee your application will be accepted. If accepted as a volunteer we may remove you from our panel at any time in our sole discretion. We may contact you from time to time to inform you of changes in the law, provide updates about MVLS and share our newsletter. You may unsubscribe from our newsletters and other MVLS communications but not from our emails informing you of changes in the law.

To Donate.

We love donations! Please click here to donate online using our third-party provider’s secure payment process. When you donate online, your payment is handled through our third-party payment processor’s website. MVLS does not receive or store your credit/debit card information. It is stored by the payment processor for as long as necessary to complete your donation. If you elect to make periodic payments the payment processor will continue to store your card and contact t information for as long as necessary to process your periodic donations.

The MVLS donor database is accessible only by authorized MVLS staff. However, MVLS may disclose the fact that you are a donor to others. The amount of your donation level may be included in our Annual Report and other materials unless you notify us that you wish to remain anonymous. By donating or otherwise submitting your contact information, you agree that we may send you newsletters and emails from time to time about events and other ways to contribute as well as communicate with you about other MVLS matters. If you do not want MVLS to contact you further, you may unsubscribe by contacting MVLS at info@mvlslaw.org or 410-539-6800. You may also unsubscribe to MVLS communications by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of each newsletter or other communication. 

Proprietary Rights; Copyright Infringement Claims. Everything you see or read on the Website, including the collection, compilation, assembly and arrangement of Content, is protected by all United States and international copyright laws. This means you may not copy or use any Content except as permitted in these Terms of Use without MVLS’ express written permission. MVLS respects the intellectual property of others, and requires that its Website users and visitors do so as well. Upon receipt of a written notice that its Content infringes another’s proprietary rights, MVLS will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include blocking, removing or disabling access to the infringing material. Notices of infringement complying with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act should be sent to the Director of Program Management, Margaret Henn, at mhenn@mvlslaw.org. 

Use of Information Collected by the Website. You may visit the Website without telling MVLS who you are or revealing personal information about yourself. However, MVLS and its service providers, such as Google Analytics, may use cookies and other technologies to collect information about your browser and operating system, IP address and geographic location (e.g., city, county, state), Website pages visited and links clicked, all of which is discernible from your visit but does not personally identify you. You may block cookies from all websites by changing the browser preferences on your computer. In addition to use described in the sections discussing applying for MVLS services, volunteering and donating, the Website does collect personally identifiable information you provide when you subscribe to receive newsletters and other notices or ask questions. This information is used solely for the purpose for which it is provided and is not shared with third parties other than MVLS service providers to fulfill that purpose or as may be required by law. You may correct your personal information and/or unsubscribe by contacting MVLS at info@mvlslaw.org or 410-539-6800. You may also unsubscribe to MVLS communications by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of each newsletter or other communication.

Links. 

The Website may contain links to other internet websites or resources. When you link to those sites, you leave the Website. MVLS has no control over such sites, their content and resources or the business practices or policies of operators of such sites. MVLS’ practices with respect to its collection and use of information do not apply to the practices of any companies or individuals operating the linked sites. Your use of the links is at your own risk. Therefore, please use caution and review the privacy statements of any sites that you visit to learn more about their information-gathering practices. MVLS expressly disclaims all responsibility or liability for and/or any damages or losses you may incur in connection with sites you visit through hyperlinks on the Website. 

Modification/Termination of Website Access. MVLS, in its sole discretion, may modify the Content, MVLS Services and/or the Terms of Use at any time without liability to you. MVLS, in its sole discretion, may also suspend or terminate your access to or use the Website and/or MVLS Services at any time without liability to you and for any reason. 

Disclaimers and Liability Limits. 

THE WEBSITE IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” “AS AVAILABLE”. USE OF THE WEBSITE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. MVLS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY, (EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF ALL OR ANY PART OF THE WEBSITE. THESE LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. TO THE EXTENT THAT SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. 

Miscellaneous General Provisions. These Terms of Use and all Additional Terms, whether or not referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and MVLS with regard to and shall govern your activities and use of the Website, superseding any prior agreements between you and MVLS. These Terms of Use, your use of the Website and any other agreement with and the relationship between you and MVLS shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to choice of law provisions. You and MVLS agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the applicable state or federal courts located within the State of Maryland; provided however that may seek equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent or enjoin misappropriation, misuse, unauthorized disclosure or infringement of any intellectual property rights. Notices to you may be made via either email or regular mail. 

Notice or other correspondence to MVLS should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested to: Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, Inc. 201 North Charles Street, Suite 1400 Baltimore, MD 21224 Attn: Webmaster. The failure of MVLS to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms of Use shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of the Terms of Use is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties’ intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of the Terms of Use remain in full force and effect. You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, you must file any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to your use of the Website or the Terms of Use within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose or be forever barred. The section titles in the Terms of Use are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.