CLS is seeking attorneys to provide same day representation to tenants in Rent Court for our soon to be launched Pilot Program in Hyattsville. CLS will provide training, malpractice insurance coverage, mentoring, and support to our volunteers. Out-of-state attorneys are welcomed. In November we held our live training Representing Tenants in Prince George’s County Rent Court in partnership with the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland to train attorneys representing tenants in Prince George’s County Failure to Pay Rent hearings. Topics covered in the training included Landlord/Tenant rules and perspectives, issue spotting in Failure to Pay Rent complaints, and practical advice for handling cases. The training is available online. If you wish to take this training or have questions about the program, please contact Kayla Williams, Esq. at williams@clspgc.org Participating attorneys must commit to volunteer to staff two clinics or take two landlord/tenant cases within one year of completing the training. Beyond this volunteer commitment, a stipend of $100* will be provided to attorneys in exchange for their representation. *per docket
Funding for this program is provided by Maryland Legal Services Corporation (MLSC).
CLS hired our new staff attorney Kayla M. Williams to manage this pilot program. While the same day representation has not launched, Ms. Williams is representing tenants in Failure to Pay Rent hearings. In her first week, Ms. Williams successfully represented two tenants in Rent Court. The first case in which Ms. Williams appeared resulted in a dismissal of the Failure to Pay Rent complaint because the tenant presented a defense. In the second case, Ms. Williams successfully argued a defect in the Failure to Pay Rent complaint, and prevented a judgement from being entered against the tenant. Income eligible tenants needing legal representation may contact CLS at 240-391-6370 for representation at their failure to pay rent hearing.
