Hallowell, ME, May 25 – The Maine Justice Foundation is pleased to announce the rollout of the Access to Justice Tax Credit Program. In an effort to encourage lawyers to provide services to underserved areas of our State, the Legislature enacted this program. Starting in the summer of 2022, the program will authorize five lawyers per year who practice in underserved areas and maintain eligibility to claim a $6,000 state income tax credit. To be eligible, attorneys must commit to practicing law in an underserved area for at least five years, must be rostered by the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services to accept court appointments to represent clients in an underserved area, and must agree to perform pro bono legal services in an underserved area.
36 M.R.S. Section 5219-ZZ provides that the Maine Supreme Court or its designee shall certify up to five qualified attorneys annually for participation in the Access to Justice Tax Credit program. The Court has designated the Maine Justice Foundation to administer the program and established a Standing Committee to assist and advise the Foundation in the process. The Standing Committee includes representatives of the Maine Justice Foundation, the Maine State Bar Association, and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.
The Foundation will accept applications from June 1- July 5, 2022. The application form can be found online at https://www.grantinterface.com/sl/sntyqz [The link will be live on 10:00 AM, Wednesday, June 1.]
FMI: Contact Michelle. Draeger, Executive Director: 207-620-1351, mdraeger@justicemaine.org or Linsey MacDougall, Development and Programs Manager: 207-620-1354, lmacdougall@justicemaine.org.