BALTIMORE — [June 23, 2026] — Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the largest provider of pro bono legal services to Marylanders with limited income, today announced the election of three new members to its Board of Directors: Brendan Lough, E. Flannery Gallagher, and Derek Van De Walle. 

The MVLS Board of Directors provides governance and strategic guidance to support the organization’s mission of connecting Marylanders facing financial hardship with free civil legal assistance. Board members help strengthen community partnerships, expand volunteer engagement, and support MVLS’ work to remove systemic barriers to justice.  

Brendan Lough is Senior Vice President at JLL, where he represents tenants and occupiers of commercial office and flex space in the Baltimore region and across the country. His work includes supporting law firms, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, and other professional services clients. Lough has been connected to MVLS through its fundraising committee and has been a longtime supporter of A Taste for Pro Bono. He also serves on the boards of NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore and Sharp Dressed Man and is a navigator with Living Classrooms. 

“I am a huge advocate of the services MVLS provides to those in the local community,” said Lough. “I would love to play a larger role in helping the organization continue its great work and continue to grow.”  

E. Flannery Gallagher is an associate at Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, where she represents clients in complex commercial disputes, investigations, and federal and state criminal and civil matters. Her background includes litigation and white-collar defense, as well as a six-month pro bono rotation with Children’s Law Center, where she represented low-income clients in contested custody matters. Gallagher also served as a Legal Fellow at the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimore School of Law, supporting expungement and criminal justice reform legislation. 

“I am passionate about second chances and using my skills as a lawyer to advocate for clients and policies that promote human dignity, challenge systems of oppression, and strengthen communities,” said Gallagher. “I am eager to join a community of lawyers serving our Maryland neighbors.” 

Derek Van De Walle is Chief City Solicitor with the Baltimore City Law Department, where he represents the City in complex civil litigation, including municipal defense, appeals, and public interest matters. A first-generation college graduate and first-generation law school graduate, Van De Walle has built his career around public service, legal education and volunteer engagement. He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law and CCBC and holds leadership roles with local bar, civic and legal history organizations.  

“Justice should not depend on someone’s financial circumstances,” said Van De Walle. “I am particularly interested in helping strengthen MVLS’ volunteer attorney network and engaging more young lawyers and law students in pro bono work.” 

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.