2021 Outstanding Partner Awards

The Outstanding Partner Awards go to individuals and organizations whose work makes a difference for our clients and the issues we work on. In 2021, the Public Justice Center recognizes Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP, UNITE HERE! Local 7, Murphy Anderson PLLC, Dr. Tim Thomas, Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America, Stout Risius Ross, and MOMCares.

“Outstanding” does not begin to describe the truly incredible work of the attorneys at Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP, who worked with the PJC to sue Maryland officials to reverse a decision to prematurely terminate the federally financed unemployment insurance benefits available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorneys Meghan Casey, Paul Caiola, and Hannah Perng, along with law clerk Tory Trocchia and paralegal Julie Pfanstiel, successfully reversed the State’s early termination decision, enabling tens of thousands of Marylanders to continue to receive life-sustaining benefits and bringing more than one billion dollars of federal monies to the state. We enjoyed working with such smart and tenacious advocates, and we are truly grateful for their outstanding partnership!

UNITE HERE! Local 7, and Roxie Herbekian in particular, were instrumental and invaluable partners on the path to victory to restore federal pandemic unemployment benefits in Maryland. Their incredible commitment to their members and unemployed workers throughout Maryland, and their determination to fight regardless of the outcome, were inspirational. They were instrumental in helping identify workers willing to advocate for their own financial security and that of other unemployed Marylanders. They also kept members and others informed about the status of the litigation, effectively using virtual platforms to host events, and coordinated with the press to amplify the victory.

Murphy Anderson PLLC lives up to its reputation for being “lawyers serving the public interest.” Their attorneys Mark Hanna, Roseann Romano, and Adam Breihan worked tirelessly on an important case alleging wage theft and discrimination against a large business and achieved a significant victory for the workers. The PJC was proud to partner with such dedicated, smart, and passionate advocates. As just one example of how Murphy Anderson PLLC lives its values, the firm generously donated a portion of their attorneys’ fees to the PJC. We appreciate their financial support as well as their legal partnership.

Dr. Tim Thomas of the Urban Displacement Project at the University of California, Berkeley created The Eviction Study’s Baltimore Map, a dynamic and interactive visualization, highlighting which neighborhoods are at the highest risk of scheduled evictions and eviction removals and illuminating race and gender disparities in the eviction crisis. To collect the local data, he partnered with Dr. Malcolm Drewery, a professor at Coppin State University; Linda Morris, an attorney for the ACLU Women’s Rights Project; and Dr. Meredith Greif, a professor at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Thomas’ work proved essential in our advocacy for an eviction right to counsel in Baltimore City and the and the state’s access to counsel legislation.

Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America (GBDSA) works to empower renters and stands up publicly and loudly for housing justice in Baltimore and Maryland. As a member of Baltimore Renters United, GBDSA advocates for justice in public transportation, housing, education, and other public services in Black working-class neighborhoods. During the last year, GBDSA organized tenants, helped plan rallies, and supported campaigns to advance housing justice—for example, helping defeat a security deposit bill (21-0022) in the City Council that would have harmed tenants and advocating for renter protections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stout Risius Ross has been a key partner in providing data and expertise that has raised the national profile of the eviction crisis as well as supported civil right to counsel efforts around the country—including in Baltimore City and Maryland. Stout’s meticulous, thorough reports on the costs and benefits of providing a right to counsel have helped convince policymakers in many jurisdictions to enact such a right. Stout staff have graciously and tirelessly served as a resource to advocates all over the country looking for help and guidance with thinking through data or cost considerations. Finally, Stout’s interactive tool providing easy-to-read, 50-state data about the number of at-risk tenants and predicted eviction rates, which it developed in cooperation with the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, has helped drive policy reform at the federal, state, and local levels.

MOMCares and Executive Director Ana Rodney have been allies in collaborating with the PJC on legislative advocacy to improve maternal health care and expand access to doula care. Ana is a doula, former co-chair of RHEAM, and an appointed member of the Maternal Mortality Review Board for Baltimore City. In her work, Ana provides birth and postpartum doula support to mothers navigating a high-risk pregnancy or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) involvement after a traumatic birth outcome.

The John P. Sarbanes Courage Awards honor clients and others who exhibit tremendous courage in the face of injustice. In 2021, the Public Justice Center recognizes Dominique Andrews, S.B., Kevin Baxter, Jennifer Graham, Daniel Mason, and Alonzo Mitchell – the six plaintiffs in D.A. v. Hogan; Mia Ballou and Monique Dillard; and Shalonda Glascoe.

Dominique Andrews, a plaintiff in D.A. v. Hogan, showed immense courage in her honesty about how unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic caused her to change job paths to have a better chance to make ends meet for her family. Dominique joined five other plaintiffs in the case to fight the early termination of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Together, they demonstrated bravery in trusting the attorneys to represent them in a case whose success was uncertain and in sharing personal details of how a loss of these benefits would affect their lives with the Court and in news interviews. Their courage and candor impressed the Court and was essential to the victory.

S.B., a plaintiff in D.A. v. Hogan, showed immense courage by being open about how his unemployment during the pandemic impacted his family and pushed them to the brink of homelessness. S.B. joined five other plaintiffs in the case to fight the early termination of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Together, they demonstrated bravery in trusting the attorneys to represent them in a case whose success was uncertain and in sharing personal details of how a loss of these benefits would affect their lives with the Court and in news interviews. Their courage and candor impressed the Court and was essential to the victory.

Kevin Baxter, a plaintiff in D.A. v. Hogan, showed immense courage in speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs in several interviews and at a news conference, where he spoke openly about his personal experiences. Kevin joined five other plaintiffs in the case to fight the early termination of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Together, they demonstrated bravery in trusting the attorneys to represent them in a case whose success was uncertain and in sharing personal details of how a loss of these benefits would affect their lives with the Court and in news interviews. Their courage and candor impressed the Court and was essential to the victory.

Jennifer Graham, a plaintiff in D.A. v. Hogan, showed immense courage in disclosing the mental health implications of the early loss of federal unemployment benefits on her life, including in news interviews. Jennifer joined five other plaintiffs in the case to fight the early termination of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Together, they demonstrated bravery in trusting the attorneys to represent them in a case whose success was uncertain and in sharing personal details of how a loss of these benefits would affect their lives with the Court and in news interviews. Their courage and candor impressed the Court and was essential to the victory.

Daniel Mason, a plaintiff in D.A. v. Hogan, showed immense courage in revealing the mental health ramifications of losing federal unemployment benefits early. Daniel joined five other plaintiffs in the case to fight the early termination of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Together, they demonstrated bravery in trusting the attorneys to represent them in a case whose success was uncertain and in sharing personal details of how a loss of these benefits would affect their lives with the Court and in news interviews. Their courage and candor impressed the Court and was essential to the victory.

Alonzo Mitchell, a plaintiff in D.A. v. Hogan, showed immense courage in detailing the physical health consequences of losing federal unemployment benefits early. Alonzo joined five other plaintiffs in the case to fight the early termination of federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Together, they demonstrated bravery in trusting the attorneys to represent them in a case whose success was uncertain and in sharing personal details of how a loss of these benefits would affect their lives with the Court and in news interviews. Their courage and candor impressed the Court and was essential to the victory.

Mia Ballou and Monique Dillard showed courage, tenacity, and readiness to help others in standing up to their landlord’s multiple attempts to evict them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sisters living in the same unit, Ms. Ballou works hard to pay the bills and care for Ms. Dillard, who has several medical issues. They have been on the brink of eviction twice because of pandemic-related loss of income. We helped them apply successfully for rental assistance under the Center for Disease Control’s order, and their eviction hearing was scheduled while they were waiting on funds to pay their past-due rent. We filed an emergency motion to reserve judgement under the CDC order, which delayed their eviction. Then, their landlord refused to accept rental assistance funds from Baltimore City, so the sisters worked with us to get relocation funds. Throughout the months-long process, the sisters have shared their story publicly in the hope that it will help people in the same situation.

Shalonda Glascoe’s persistence in the face of multiple eviction actions and public scrutiny demonstrates courage and is an inspiration. Ms. Glascoe rents her home in Baltimore and fell behind on rent when she lost income during the pandemic. We represented Ms. Glascoe against several eviction actions, including her landlord’s attempt to evict her by not renewing her lease rather than claiming failure to pay rent. The judge ultimately ruled in her favor and renewed her lease because of a local law that protects tenants from an eviction filings within six months of a complaint about serious habitability defects; she and her landlord had recently settled a dispute over unsafe living conditions in her home. Without representation, Ms. Glascoe likely would not have been able to raise a defense against her landlord. She has spoken to the press, including the Washington Post and the Baltimore Brew, and at a legislative hearing about the importance of having counsel in eviction cases to assert and defend tenants’ rights. By speaking out publicly, she helped pass the eviction right to counsel bill in Baltimore City.

November 2021

About the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel

The mission of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (NCCRC) is to encourage, support, and coordinate advocacy across the country to expand recognition of a right to counsel for low-income people in civil cases involving basic human needs, such as housing, physical safety, civil incarceration, health, and child custody. It currently has over 600 participants and partners working in 41 states, and it supports the work and goals of advocates pursuing state court litigation, legislative campaigns at the local, state, and federal level, social science research, and public awareness efforts. It has assisted successful efforts to establish a right to counsel in civil cases such as adoption, termination of parental rights, adult guardianship, evictions, and civil incarceration. Its website, http://www.civilrighttocounsel.org, is the national repository for the status of the right to counsel as well as all the current expansion efforts.

The NCCRC was created in 2003 as a project of the Public Justice Center (PJC). Founded in 1985, the PJC uses legal advocacy tools to pursue social justice, economic and racial equity, and fundamental human rights for Marylanders who are struggling to provide for their basic needs. Learn more at http://www.publicjustice.org.

About the Position

As the NCCRC has grown in size and national influence, the demands for both original legal research as well as maintaining and improving the existing legal research have increased alongside the requests for technical assistance. This is especially the case given that the NCCRC’s support and research cover the wide spectrum of civil cases. For this reason, we are looking to hire a Legal Research Specialist to help maintain and expand the NCCRC’s vast repository of legal research resources regarding the 50-state status of the right to counsel in a variety of civil areas, including questions around scope of the right, timing, the rights of various parties, and appellate issues. The position is currently funded through December 2023, and there is the hope and possibility it will be extended. It is a full-time, exempt, professional position.

The Legal Research Specialist will report to the NCCRC Coordinator, who works from Montgomery, Alabama, but will be able to work remotely. The Legal Research Specialist will spend approximately a week at the outset in Montgomery for training purposes.

Core Duties

• Conduct and oversee research on the federal, state, and local right to counsel in numerous (15+) civil legal areas, including conducting and/or supervising new research, finalizing incomplete research, and updating existing research
• Identify, assign, and supervise research projects with law student or law firm volunteers
• Synthesize, organize, and regularly update research in various locations, such as in internal memos, public website, participant-only wiki, FAQs, infographics, etc.
• Present research at conferences, webinars, and stakeholder meetings 
• Collaborate with team members on projects and proposals associated with legal research
• Publish blog posts / research / articles, or work with team members to do so

Required Skills / Experience

• JD degree
• Strong research, written, and oral communication skills
• Flexibility and enthusiasm for working in a wide variety of subject areas
• Demonstrated commitment to racial and economic justice

Desired Skills / Experience

• Researching, discussing, and writing about complex legal concepts
• Conducting and compiling 50-state research
• Researching or practicing in family law, eviction, or mental health (guardianship)
• Supervising a research project conducted by one or more individuals
• Academic research experience preferred
• Law clerk and/or law review experience helpful
• Ability to employ a racial justice lens, and experience working on racial justice initiatives

​​Compensation

The salary range is $60,000-$70,000 depending on experience.  An excellent cafeteria benefit package is included offering health, dental, disability and life insurance, and retirement options.

Applications

Applications should be submitted by Monday, December 20, 2021, but will be accepted and interviews conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a cover letter explaining your interest, resume, two legal writing samples, and three references to John Pollock, jpollock@publicjustice.org with “NCCRC Legal Research Specialist Position” in the subject line.

The Public Justice Center is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that encourages all interested persons to apply regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, religion, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status. We value a diverse and multicultural working environment and strongly encourage Black, Latine, Indigenous, and other applicants of color, people with disabilities, and other people historically underrepresented in the practice of law to apply.

You inspired and powered our work to address the immense challenges surfaced by the COVID-19 pandemic while, at the same time, advocating for laws, policies, and practices to advance racial equity and justice. Thank you!

Together, we achieved progress and important victories in our advocacy for systemic change. Let us show you examples from the last year in our FY21 Annual Report.

October 29, 2021 ~ 5:30-8:00 p.m.
The Garage at R. House
301 W. 29th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211

Registration ended on October 15, but we may have tickets available closer to the event. Add your name to the wait list.

Event Details

Join us for networking, beer, wine, dinner, and a celebration of John’s upcoming retirement and his nearly 20-year tenure as Executive Director of the Public Justice Center.

5:30 p.m.
Beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a light dinner reception

6:45 p.m.
Presentation honoring John Nethercut
Dessert reception to follow

Parking: Free parking is available in the Baltimore Police Department lot on the corner of 29th Street and Remington Avenue. Enter the parking lot from Remington Avenue. Garage parking (paid) is available at Remington Row, with entrances on 28th and 27th Streets.

Suggested Attire: Dressy casual. For example, wear dresses, skirts and dressy tops, dressy pants outfits, coats or blazers with a dress shirt or casual button-down shirt and slacks; ties optional.

Our COVID-19 safety measures include:

• This is an invitation-only event, and advanced registration is required for all attendees. Add your name to the wait list.
• Registration for the event will be limited to allow for safer socializing.
• Guests must be fully vaccinated to attend. We’ll ask you to confirm your vaccination status when you RSVP.
• Masks are required in public spaces in Baltimore City, regardless of vaccination status, except when eating or drinking.

The Garage at R. House is a large industrial space featuring high ceilings, a retractable garage door, an HVAC system with continuous fresh air exchange, and an outdoor area for mingling. We selected the venue for these features and its capacity. The Garage at R. House can accommodate a group larger than we are inviting; we are purposely limiting registrations to make this event as safe as possible.

Support the Celebration

Record and submit a short video (about 30 seconds or less) by midnight on October 24. We’ll share clips of submitted videos at the event, on our website/social media, and with John as a keepsake. Need ideas for what to say in your video? Describe John and his leadership of the PJC in five words or less. Share a favorite memory. Talk about John’s biggest impact on the PJC and our mission. Not feeling tech savvy? Share your thoughts in writing.

Contribute to the John Nethercut Fund, created to honor John’s nearly 20 years as Executive Director of the Public Justice Center. John is particularly proud of the PJC’s approach to legal advocacy, and this fund will support our capacity to respond to injustice with multiple legal strategies (litigation, advocacy, collaboration) and build power among those most affected by injustice to fight for their rights.

Public Justice Center, Inc. is a §501(c)(3) organization, gifts to which are deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes.

California: Public Justice Center, Inc.’s audited financial statement is available upon request to Public Justice Center, Inc. 100 percent of your gift may be deducted under Federal and State income tax laws.

Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE (1-800-435-7352) OR AT WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE PUBLIC JUSTICE CENTER’S REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH66182.

Georgia: Upon request, Public Justice Center, Inc., will provide a full and fair description of this and its other programs, and a financial statement or summary.

Maryland: A copy of Public Justice Center, Inc.’s current financial statement is available on request by contacting the Public Justice Center, Inc. at 201 N Charles St, Suite 1200, Baltimore, MD 21201 or by telephone at (410) 625-9409. For the cost of copies and postage, documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are available from the Maryland Secretary of State.

Minnesota: 100 percent of your gift may be deducted as a charitable contribution under Federal and State income tax laws.

Mississippi: The official registration and financial information of Public Justice Center, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167 (in MS) or 601-359-1350. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement.

New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/charities.htm. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT.

New York: Upon request, a copy of Public Justice Center, Inc.’s last annual report filed with the Attorney General is available from Public Justice Center, Inc. or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer, 28 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10005; (212) 416-8401; https://www.charitiesnys.com/.

North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at (888) 830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the state.

Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Public Justice Center, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Virginia: A financial statement is available from the State Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services upon request.

Washington: Public Justice Center, Inc. is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law, and additional information may be obtained by calling 800-332-4483 (in WA) or 360-725-0378, or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities.

West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, West Virginia 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Michael is the 2021-2022 Francis D. Murnaghan, Jr. Appellate Advocacy Fellow.

Before the fellowship, Michael served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Roger Gregory on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and to Judge Kathleen Cardone on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Michael graduated with honors from University of Michigan Law School, where he worked as a student attorney in the Juvenile Justice Clinic and was the Executive Notes Editor of the Michigan Law Review. During law school, Michael published research on legal and public health issues raised by the opioid overdose epidemic and spent his summers in Baltimore working on consumer protection and civil rights litigation.

A lifelong Marylander, Michael attended undergrad at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he spent time volunteering at the ACLU of Maryland, the Maryland General Assembly, and on grassroots political campaigns. He is excited to have returned home to join the PJC.

Phone: (410) 625-9409 x222
Email

Fredson Desravines is a Lutheran Volunteer who is joining the PJC from August 2021 to July 2022. During his year of service, he will be working as a paralegal in the Education Stability Project. Fredson has plenty of experience in advocacy and outreach due to the various leadership roles he has held during his time as an undergraduate at Providence College. Fredson is from Asbury Park, NJ, and graduated from Providence College in May 2021.

Phone: (410) 625-9409 x269
Email

Patrick O’Toole is the Jesuit Volunteer at PJC from August 2021 to July 2022 and works as a paralegal on the Human Right To Housing Team. He is originally from the Boston area and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2021 with a degree in Political Science and Arabic. Prior to PJC, Patrick interned with political campaigns and on Capitol Hill. He plans on going to law school in the the next few years and is excited to engage in direct legal service at PJC. In his free time, Patrick enjoys hiking, rooting for Boston sports, and exploring Baltimore.

Phone: (410) 625-9409 x235
Email

Did you know many companies offer a matching gift program to encourage their employees to contribute to nonprofit organizations? And that some companies will even match giving by spouses and retirees?

By simply completing a matching gift form (online or paper), you may be able to double – or even triple – the impact of your gift! 

Use the search field below to see if your employer participates in a matching gift program.

Already have the form? Please mail it to:

Public Justice Center
201 North Charles Street, Suite 1200
Baltimore, MD 21201

If you do not find your employer listed, please check with your company’s Human Resources department to see if your company offers a matching gift program.

The Public Justice Center is a 501(c)3 organization incorporated in the State of Maryland. The tax ID number is 52-1412226.