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Community Law
Center
Pro Bono E-News
July 2006
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When the Community Law Center was founded
in 1986, it was staffed by one person and most legal assistance
was provided through a network of volunteer attorneys. Today,
while the Community Law Center has grown and can handle many
matters in-house through staff attorneys, the Pro Bono Project
continues to match volunteer attorneys with
clients in many communities. This allows the Community
Law Center to provide specialized expertise in virtually
every aspect of the law to community and nonprofit organizations
throughout Baltimore and beyond.
Featured Pro Bono Project Case and
Attorney: Sandtown Winchester Condominium Association and Mario
Dispenza, Esq.
The Sandtown Winchester Condominium Association, located in a
primarily low-income, minority neighborhood, approached the Pro
Bono Project in the summer of 2004 with a significant problem –
many condominium owners were not paying their mandated dues, to
the tune of approximately $67,000. The condominium association
was forced to put off plans for maintenance or improvements due
to this significant amount in arrears. Over the past two years,
pro bono attorney Mario Dispenza has prepared collection
letters and initiated litigation against the most delinquent
parties and has managed to whittle that amount down to less than
$5,000. At press time, it appears that only one party will
require litigation – the rest have either made payments in full
or in part, have set up payroll deductions, or have signed
agreements to settle their debts.
Mr. Dispenza has found the project to be
a rewarding experience both personally and professionally. Mr.
Dispenza states, “I think that any lawyer can find a connection
with a pro bono client because there are so many areas where
people need the assistance. Whether it is estate planning, small
business consultation, tax assistance, property management or
any host of matters, a lawyer can find a client with whom she or
he connects and can help that client in a way that is mutually
rewarding… The opportunities are there for fulfillment and for a
departure from what most attorneys are probably seeing as
drudgery in their daily experience.” Mr. Dispenza recognizes the
rewards of being his own boss and enjoying opportunities he
might not face in the routines of his normal employment. He also
notes that he has enjoyed the challenges of learning new areas
of the law in the course of this representation.
Inez Robb, president of the association,
states that “Mario has been a blessing to the Sandtown
Winchester Condominium Association… He has helped us build our
reserve account so we can take on some new projects (painting,
parking permits, etc.)” and repeatedly expresses the tremendous
gratitude the association feels toward Mr. Dispenza. Ms. Robb
continues to say that she is “so glad there are still people in
the world that care and think about helping others when they
don’t have to.”
The Maryland Legal Services Corporation
has offered the Community Law Center a $15,000 challenge grant
to assist in funding the Pro Bono Project. If we can raise
$15,000 in donations, MLSC will match each donation dollar for
dollar. Please make your contribution today – visit us online at
www.communitylaw.org or send contributions to Community Law
Center, Inc., 3355 Keswick Road, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21211. Thank you
so much for your continued support!
Our Pro Bono Project relies heavily on
dedicated attorneys who donate their time and energy to
assisting community and nonprofit organizations. Although we boast a roster of approximately 200 current
pro bono attorneys, and reach out to other attorneys via the Pro
Bono Resource Center’s listserv, we are always looking for new
volunteer attorneys! Please share your pro bono experiences with
friends and colleagues, and encourage potential pro bono
attorneys to contact us for more information. Current and new
pro bono attorneys may complete or update a
registration form on
our website. We will be contacting our current pro bono
attorneys over the summer to update information in our database,
including contact information and also to define practice areas
and/or areas of interest. This will help us make the most
efficient and appropriate matches between attorneys and clients.
Each month, Pro Bono Project staff visit
several community and nonprofit organizations to present
information about the Community Law Center and the Pro Bono
Project. We can attend regular membership or board meetings to
describe our organization, the types of issues for which we can
provide assistance, and the nuts and bolts of the Pro Bono
Project. Please contact the Pro Bono Project if you would like
to schedule a presentation to your organization.
The Community Law Center is pleased to
announce that the fifth edition of the popular “How to Start a
Nonprofit Organization in Maryland” book is now available for
purchase! This manual serves as a “how to” guide to community
and nonprofit groups wishing to formally organize in the form of
a nonstock corporation and to obtain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
from the Internal Revenue Service. The book includes samples of
bylaws, articles of incorporation, and Form 1023 (the IRS
application for tax exemption), and also describes filings and
other ongoing requirements.
Pro Bono Project staff worked with the Maryland Association of
Nonprofit Organizations in this joint effort, and particularly
appreciates the efforts of Jonathan May, Peter Guattery, and
Mustafa Kamal of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston for their
assistance in reviewing drafts of the manual. The price of the
manual is $25 plus tax and shipping where applicable. Please
contact us today to obtain your copy!
After over a decade in our current
Charles Village office space, the Community Law Center is moving
this fall to a new office space in the renovated Old Northern
District Police Station. Located at 3355 Keswick Road, Suite 200 in
Hampden, we will still be centrally located to our many client
organizations across and around Baltimore. To help defray the
high expense of moving and retrofitting a new space, CLC
welcomes donations of funds and gently used office furniture.
Naming opportunities will also be available. Look for more
information in the coming weeks about a pre-move event to be
held September 16th!
2006 is the 20th anniversary of the
Community Law Center! Show your support for another 20 years by
making a contribution today!
The mission of the Community Law Center
is to provide legal services and technical assistance to improve
the quality of life and economic viability of communities.
Kelly E. Pfeifer, Staff Attorney – kellyp@communitylaw.org
or 410.366.0922 x33
Danielle Deckard, Paralegal – danielled@communitylaw.org or
410.366.0922 x15
Unable to open links e-mail to
mail@communitylaw.org
The Community Law Center Website is under
construction please watch for updates
Last Updated:
September 25, 2006 ©
2006 Community Law Center, Inc. Baltimore, Maryland
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The Community Law Center, Inc.
