NCJ Number
15015
Date Published
1972
Length
127 pages
Annotation
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES OF THIS 'BRANCH OFFICE' ESTABLISHED BY A PRIVATE BALTIMORE LAW FIRM TO AID IN PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO THE POOR AT LITTLE OR NO CHARGE.
Abstract
THE CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LAW FIRM OF PIPER AND MARBURY SET UP A NEIGHBORHOOD LAW OFFICE IN THE HEART OF THE POVERTY AREA OF EAST BALTIMORE. THE IDEA BEHIND THIS BRANCH OFFICE WAS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LAWYERS FOR THE POOR. TWO REGULAR ASSOCIATES OF THE FIRM STAFFED THE OFFICE AND ALL EXPENSES WERE BORNE BY THE FIRM. THIS STUDY CONCENTRATES ON THE BRANCH'S CASELOAD (BOTH THE TYPE AND THE NUMBER OF CASES), MAIN OFFICE INVOLVEMENT IN THE OPERATION OF THE BRANCH, AND THE QUESTION OF THE FEE SCHEDULE. THIS 18-MONTH EVALUATION OF THE OPERATION OF THIS BRANCH OFFICE WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE NATIONAL LEGAL AID AND DEFENDER ASSOCIATION. THE TWO MAJOR OBJECTIVES WERE TO PROVIDE BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE BRANCH, AND TO APPRAISE THE ACTUAL EFFECTS OF THE BRANCH OFFICE OPERATION ON THE POOR, THE EXISTING LEGAL PROGRAMS, THE LOCAL LEGAL COMMUNITY, AND THE FIRM ITSELF. THERE IS ALSO A DISCUSSION OF THE FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD LAW OFFICE OPERATED BY A PRIVATE LAW FIRM - THE BRANCH OFFICE OF SAUL, EWING, REMICK AND SAUL IN PHILADELPHIA.