After celebrating its 33rd year in Baltimore City, prominent law firm Rosenberg Martin Greenberg LLP (RMG) recently announced a lease renewal in its long-time offices in the Inner Harbor. In addition to this demonstration of its commitment to the community, partner Louis Ebert, formerly the co-chair of RMG’s Creditors’ Rights department, will move into a newly-created role as Pro-Bono Chair.
The firm’s expanded commitment to providing pro-bono legal services will provide Baltimore area residents, who cannot afford legal services, access to a seasoned professional, with the additional resources of attorneys at RMG. Mr. Ebert plans to focus on a broad focus of public interest matters including litigation involving discrimination matters.
His new role comes as a semi-retirement gift to Mr. Ebert after forty years in private practice. While in law school at George Washington University in the mid 70’s, he volunteered with the D.C. Public Defenders Office. He was assigned to interview patients at the John Howard Pavilion (part of the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital), housing inmates found not guilty by reason of insanity. After interviewing one of the inmates assigned to him, he learned that he had been incarcerated for approximately 35 years and a parole petition had been filed by an attorney on his behalf. Lou found that his request had been granted two years prior, but the letter had been lost in the mail. Once a copy of the letter was obtained, the prisoner was released.
After telling his client the good news, he experienced a unique feeling of joy, and determined then that this was what he wanted to do full time. However, as often happens, things don’t work out that way. “But it’s never too late to help people,” said Mr. Ebert.
Lou will work closely with many Baltimore organizations which offer pro bono services such as Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, the Public Justice Center, and the Homeless Persons Representation Project.
“With the wealth of great attorneys within RMG, we are happy to provide Lou with the Firm’s support and resources as we provide this service to our community,” said Barry Greenberg, RMG’s managing partner.
If you are aware of persons in the Baltimore area who are in need of legal assistance and who cannot afford such, you may refer them to Lou for a screening at 410-649-4995.