The network, thus, became like a virtual law firm with members specializing in different areas and able to refer casework back and forth. In essence, it s like being part of a large firm, but still maintaining your independence . The Project Director began to recruit members with an eye toward those practitioners who would be able to bring either a new practice area or geographic diversity to the network to enhance the marketing of network members services. The Maryland Project schedules meetings once a month. Meeting locations vary as the membership spans a large geographic area ranging from Westminster in the north, within 25 miles of the Pennsylvania state law, to the Washington, D.C. suburbs.
Meetings usually involve a substantive law presentation or practice tip discussions.
This listserv not only enables members to stay in touch with each other but also provides them with a vehicle to obtain advice and regular information updates. The Project Director sends members information about Law School events, copies of relevant legal news updates and press releases, and reports by the Law School Library Staff concerning legal developments. Cases that come into the demonstration law office are referred out to network members. The most frequent referral areas have been bankruptcy and the most frequent source of referrals to the network have been from the Legal Aid Bureau, Law School faculty members, and community organizations. In addition, network members regularly refer cases to each other.