Rule 15 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar of Maryland allows out-of-state attorneys that are employed by or associated with an organized legal services program to practice law in Maryland. The legal services program must provide legal assistance to indigents in Maryland and be sponsored or approved by Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.
Eligibility
Attorneys must be members of another state Bar and graduates of an ABA approved law school.
Practice
Attorneys must practice under the supervision of a member of the Maryland Bar. Attorneys cannot represent themselves to be members of the Maryland Bar, except in connection with practice that is authorized under the legal services organizations rules. Attorneys are required to make payments to the Client Protection Fund and the Disciplinary Fund.
Please also see the Maryland Miscellaneous page. Attorneys employed by a non-profit organization that receives grants from a Maryland Legal Services Corporation may represent a tenant in a summary ejectment proceeding in the District Court of Maryland.
Application
Attorneys are required to file with the Clerk of the Court of Appeal a written request that includes evidence of graduation from an ABA approved law school, a certificate of good standing where admitted, and a statement signed by the Executive Director of Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. that the attorney is currently employed by or associated with an approved organized legal services program.
Termination
The certificate will state the expiration date, which cannot exceed two years after the effective date.
The Maryland Supreme Court, in its discretion, may revoke or suspend authorization to practice under these legal services organization rules by written notice to the attorney or deletion of the rules.
Authorization automatically terminates before the expiration date if the attorney ceases to be employed by or associated with an approved organized legal services program in Maryland.