About Us
What We Do
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) is a statewide private, nonprofit law firm that provides free, civil legal
services to low-income and vulnerable people to address their most fundamental legal problems.
From its 12 offices around the state and through its many community-based clinics, we help our
clients preserve and access safe and affordable housing, maintain custody of their children, and be
safe from domestic violence. MLA increases our clients’ economic security by defending against
consumerA state or federal law designed to protect consumers against improperly described, damaged, faulty, and dangerous goods and services as well as from unfair trade and credit practices. Including Legal Issues like: bankruptcy, collections, garnishment and repossession. More debt, including foreclosures and tax sales, removing barriers to employment, and
accessing critical income supports such as unemployment, food stamps and other vital public
benefits. Through special projects, we represent seniors, nursing home residents, children in alleged
abuse and neglect cases, migrant farmworkers, and those in mental health institutions. In its
advocacy, MLA seeks systemic change through impact litigation, policy advocacy, and by telling our
clients’ compelling stories.
Vision
DIGNITY, EQUITY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
Our Mission
We advocate with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social
justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systems change.
Core Values
We are holistic problem-solvers. We care about the whole person and seek to provide
comprehensive and client-centered legal services to address poverty’s causes and
consequences in our communities.
We are visionary. We are bold and audacious advocates, seeing possibilities for individual
and systemic transformation at every juncture.
We are anti-racist. We stand against racism, actively fostering equity and transformative
change in all we do.
We are inclusive. We treat every person with dignity and respect, embrace our differences,
and strive to create brave spaces where differences are celebrated.
We are committed to excellence. We learn from challenges, successes, and failures, using
each encounter as an opportunity to refine our skills and deepen our expertise.
We are compassionate. We approach our work with one another and the people we serve
with empathy, thoughtfulness, and consideration.
We are collaborative. We recognize that the best results emerge from working closely and
collaborating with our client community partners. We actively seek opportunities to work
together across our organization and with our legal services, community, and agency
partners
Leadership
![Sophia Barilone, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/file-5.jpg)
Sophia Barilone, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Victim Assistance Program
![Rachel Bitter, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Wolpert_Rachel_DSC_7578.jpg)
Rachel Bitter, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Upper Eastern Shore
![Laurence Boylan, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Boylan_Laurence_07.jpg)
Laurence Boylan, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Baltimore City Intake Services Unit
![John Butler, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/file.jpg)
John Butler, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Baltimore County Office
![Matthew Braun, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/My-project-3-e1683125761236.jpg)
Matthew Braun, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Prince George's County Office
![Cornelia Bright Gordon, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Bright_Gordon_Conni_19.jpg)
Cornelia Bright Gordon, Esq.
Advocacy Director for Administrative Law
![Arlene Callender, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Callender_Arlene_03.jpg)
Arlene Callender, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Harford/Cecil County Office
![Louise Carwell, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/file-1.jpg)
Louise Carwell, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Baltimore City Housing & ConsumerA state or federal law designed to protect consumers against improperly described, damaged, faulty, and dangerous goods and services as well as from unfair trade and credit practices. Including Legal Issues like: bankruptcy, collections, garnishment and repossession. More Law
![Kyle Coleman, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/file-2.jpg)
Kyle Coleman, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Baltimore City Housing & ConsumerA state or federal law designed to protect consumers against improperly described, damaged, faulty, and dangerous goods and services as well as from unfair trade and credit practices. Including Legal Issues like: bankruptcy, collections, garnishment and repossession. More Law
![Natalie Coley-Lawrence, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Coley_Lawrence_Natalie03.jpg)
Natalie Coley-Lawrence, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Baltimore City Intake Services Unit
![Teresa Cooke, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Cooke_Terri_DSC_2619.jpg)
Teresa Cooke, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Prince George's County Office
![Gregory Countess, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Countess_Greg_02.jpg)
Gregory Countess, Esq.
Advocacy Director for Housing & Community Development
![Graham Cowger](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Cowger_Graham_15.jpg)
Graham Cowger
Director of Development
![Anthony Davis, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Anthony Davis, Esq.
Advocacy Director for ConsumerA state or federal law designed to protect consumers against improperly described, damaged, faulty, and dangerous goods and services as well as from unfair trade and credit practices. Including Legal Issues like: bankruptcy, collections, garnishment and repossession. More Law
![Angus Derbyshire, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Derbyshire_Angus04-1.jpg)
Angus Derbyshire, Esq.
Director of Pro Bono
![Katherine Gillespie, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Namely.jpg)
Katherine Gillespie, Esq.
Deputy Legal & Advocacy Director
![Bay Golfin, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Bay Golfin, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Anne Arundel/Howard Office
![Lee Heithoff, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Heithoff_Lee_DSC_2550.jpg)
Lee Heithoff, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Southern Maryland Office
![John Jeffcott, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Jeffcott_John12.jpg)
John Jeffcott, Esq.
Director of Information Technology
![Karwolo Kamei, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Kamel_Karwolo_13.jpg)
Karwolo Kamei, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Community Lawyering Initiative
![Jeff Kaplan, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Kaplan_Jeff_14.jpg)
Jeff Kaplan, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Domestic Law Unit
![Jennifer Lavella](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Lavella_Jennifer04.jpg)
Jennifer Lavella
Director of Marketing and Communications
![Erica LeMon, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Lemon_Erica_31.jpg)
Erica LeMon, Esq.
Advocacy Director for Children's Rights
![Joan Little, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Little_Joan_19.jpg)
Joan Little, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Baltimore City CINA
![Ashley Mariner, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Ashley Mariner, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Lower Easter Shore Office
![Meaghan McDermott, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/McDermott_Meaghan_22.jpg)
Meaghan McDermott, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Community Lawyering Initiative
![Jamie Miliman, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Jamie Miliman, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Lower Eastern Shore Office
![Christina Moore, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Moore_Christina_15.jpg)
Christina Moore, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Administrative Law Unit
![Alice Mutter, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Alice Mutter, Esq.
Acting Chief Attorney, Montgomery County Office
![Eileen Nnoli, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Ninoli_Eileen_02.jpg)
Eileen Nnoli, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Baltimore City Intake Services Unit
![Lee Ogburn, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Ogburn_Lee_15.jpg)
Lee Ogburn, Esq.
Advocacy Director for Appellate Law
![Shireen Parsi, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Shireen Parsi, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Montgomery County Office
![Kristen Pisani-Jacques, J.D., CWLS](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/file-3.jpg)
Kristen Pisani-Jacques, J.D., CWLS
Deputy Legal & Advocacy Director
![Priya Sarathy](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701199714826.jpg)
Priya Sarathy
Chief Financial Officer
![Jennifer Schauffler](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Schauffler_Jennifer17.jpg)
Jennifer Schauffler
Director of Grants, Contracts and Compliance
![Kristi Schulenberg, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Schulenberg_Kristi_14.jpg)
Kristi Schulenberg, Esq.
Chief Operating Officer
![Vicki Schultz, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Schultz_Vicki_10.jpg)
Vicki Schultz, Esq.
Executive Director
![Mariel Shutinya, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/file-4.jpg)
Mariel Shutinya, Esq.
Director of Training
![Janine Scott, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Scott_Janine_01.jpg)
Janine Scott, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Baltimore County Office
![Zafar Shah, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Shah_Zafar_DSC_2421.jpg)
Zafar Shah, Esq.
Assistant Advocacy Director for Tenant Right to Counsel (TRCP)
![Rich Sherriffe](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/My-project-2-e1683125590174.jpg)
Rich Sherriffe
Director of Administrative Services
![Nina Shore, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Nina Shore, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Midwestern Maryland Office
![James Silver, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
James Silver, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Adult Guardianship Program
![Miriam Sincell, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Sincell_Miriam_0.jpg)
Miriam Sincell, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Allegany/Garrett Office
![William Steinwedel, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Steinwedel_Bill_DSC_2500.jpg)
William Steinwedel, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Foreclosure Legal Assistance Project
![Jessica Sysak](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Sysak_Jessica_10.jpg)
Jessica Sysak
Chief Human Resources Officer
![Vicki Taitano, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/My-project-1-e1683125741980.jpg)
Vicki Taitano, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Prince George's County Office
![Frank Vitale, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Frank_Vitale_0.jpg)
Frank Vitale, Esq.
Chief Attorney, Anne Arundel/Howard Office
![Amee Vora, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/My-project-5.jpg)
Amee Vora, Esq.
Advocacy Director for Family Law
![Patricia Waldman, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Waldman_Patty_DSC_2659.jpg)
Patricia Waldman, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Prince George's County Office
![Shannon Weaver, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Weaver_Shannon_DSC_2277.jpg)
Shannon Weaver, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Baltimore City CINA
Board of Directors
![Brian Hochheimer, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701189737098.jpg)
Brian Hochheimer, Esq.
President
![Ora Johnson](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701189762516.jpg)
Ora Johnson
Vice President
![Richard L. Wasserman, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/Wasserman_Richard-1.jpg)
Richard L. Wasserman, Esq.
Treasurer
![Marquita Wise-Jones](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801731851.jpg)
Marquita Wise-Jones
Secretary
![Emerson L. Dorsey, Jr., Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801942631.jpg)
Emerson L. Dorsey, Jr., Esq.
Member at Large
![Richard “Ricky” Adams, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701189705392.jpg)
Richard “Ricky” Adams, Esq.
![Lorenzo A. Bivans, Jr., Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701189594423.jpg)
Lorenzo A. Bivans, Jr., Esq.
![Jessica A. duHoffmann, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801914880.jpg)
Jessica A. duHoffmann, Esq.
![Manuel “Manny” R. Geraldo, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801862870.jpg)
Manuel “Manny” R. Geraldo, Esq.
![Ashley M. Green](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801840818.jpg)
Ashley M. Green
![Brandyn J. Hicks, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801811578.jpg)
Brandyn J. Hicks, Esq.
![Donald “Tim” Howe](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801786512.jpg)
Donald “Tim” Howe
![Ranak K. Jasani, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/No_Photo_01.jpg)
Ranak K. Jasani, Esq.
![Lauren Lacey, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801763829.jpg)
Lauren Lacey, Esq.
![Charles “Chuck” J. Morton, Jr., Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701189785220.jpg)
Charles “Chuck” J. Morton, Jr., Esq.
![Chelsea Ortega, Esq.](https://www.mdlab.org/wp-content/uploads/imresizer-1701801629429.jpg)
Chelsea Ortega, Esq.
Honorary Board of Directors
Phyllis Butler
Jo Glasco
Gwendolyn Johnson
Warren Oliveri, Esq.