Maryland Legal Services Corporation is a pivotal statewide organization dedicated to funding and supporting civil legal aid for low-income residents. As the administrator of Maryland’s Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program and a major grantmaker, MLSC plays a foundational role in ensuring access to justice for vulnerable populations across the state.
Since 1982, MLSC has distributed over $376 million in grants to nonprofit legal service providers, assisting in more than 4 million legal matters. The organization focuses exclusively on civil legal issues—such as housing, family stability, and consumer protection—where individuals have no constitutional right to counsel. MLSC collaborates with financial institutions, attorneys, and a network of grantees to maximize the impact of every dollar and pro bono hour contributed.
Services Offered
- Civil legal aid funding and grants for nonprofit organizations
- Administration of the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program
- Support for legal services in child custody, foreclosure, and consumer debt
- Coordination of pro bono legal services
- Resource provision for current grantees
- Public education and advocacy regarding civil legal aid
- Management of the Civil Legal Aid Jobs board
- Recognition programs for financial institutions through the IOLTA Honor Roll
MLSC serves low-income individuals and families statewide, with grantees providing assistance in multiple languages to meet diverse community needs. The organization’s work has directly benefited over 160,800 Marylanders in a single fiscal year, supported by $32 million in grants and 73,450 hours from pro bono attorneys.
