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 SUMMARY OF ATTORNEY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

To maintain a license to practice law in Maryland, attorneys must fulfill three annual reporting and fee requirements.  These requirements are tracked and managed by three separate entities in the State.
CLIENT PROTECTION FUND

The Client Protection Fund, supported financially by practicing attorneys, reimburses claimants for losses caused by theft of funds by members of the Maryland Bar, acting either as attorneys or as fiduciaries.  To remain in good standing you must:

  • Pay an annual assessment to the Client Protection Fund. 


  • Maintain a current address with the Client Protection Fund.  Maryland law requires attorneys to change their address with the Client Protection Fund within 30 days of the change.  The change must be submitted in writing by fax or regular mail.  The other entities that manage pro bono and IOLTA reporting rely on this address to send reporting notices and forms each year.  Failure to maintain a current address with the Fund may cause you to miss critical filing requirements resulting in decertification.

Contact information for the Client Protection Fund:
Client Protection Fund of the Bar of Maryland
2011 Commerce Park Drive
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-260-3635 - Phone
410-260-3636 - Fax

For additional information:http://www.mdcourts.gov/cpf/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 
PRO BONO REPORTING

Each year Maryland attorneys are required to submit a completed “Lawyer Pro Bono Legal Services Report” summarizing pro bono activities and contributions made during the prior calendar year.  NOTE:  The process for reporting on pro bono activities and IOLTA accounts is combined to reduce confusion for attorneys.  The two forms are mailed together each year and attorneys can go to a single website to file both online reports.

To remain in good standing you must:

  • Submit the Lawyer Pro Bono Legal Services Report by February 15.  The reporting form is mailed to attorneys in early January each year.  Attorneys may file by mail or online.
    [ONLINE FILING]

  • Information for PRO BONO LATE FILERS

Failure to submit a timely pro bono report may result in your decertification from the practice of law.

The pro bono reporting process is managed by the Maryland Access to Justice Commission with assistance from the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland.

Contact information for questions about pro bono reporting.
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
410-837-9379 – phone
800-396-1274 – phone
410-385-2616 – fax
http://www.mdcourts.gov/probono/index.html

Contact information for questions about decertification and late filers go to Maryland Access to Justice Commission

For additional information:
http://www.mdcourts.gov/probono/index.html

 
IOLTA REPORTING

Each year Maryland attorneys are required to submit a completed “IOLTA Annual Compliance Report” summarizing the current status of any IOLTA accounts (client trust accounts).  Maryland Rule 16-608 requires all Maryland attorneys admitted to practice complete and submit the IOLTA report, even if they do not have an IOLTA account.  NOTE:  The process for reporting on pro bono activities and IOLTA accounts is combined to reduce confusion for attorneys.  The two forms are mailed together each year and attorneys can go to a single website to file both online reports.

To remain in good standing you must:

  • Submit the IOLTA Report by February 15.  The reporting form is mailed to attorneys in early January each year.  Attorneys may file by mail or online.
    [ONLINE FILING]

  • Information for IOLTA LATE FILERS

Failure to submit a timely IOLTA report may result in your decertification from the practice of law.

The IOLTA data is used by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation.

Contact information for questions about IOLTA reporting:
Maryland Legal Services Corporation
15 Charles Plaza, Suite 102
Baltimore, MD  21201
410-576-9494 – phone
410-385-1831 – Fax

For additional information:
http://www.mlsc.org/

Contact information for questions about decertification and late filers go to Maryland Access to Justice Commission