Maryland Judiciary reminds lawyers they must register with the Attorney Information System by June 1

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- As part of the requirements to maintain their license to practice law in the state, all Maryland lawyers, including judges and law clerks, must register with the Attorney Information System (AIS) by June 1.

AIS is a comprehensive database that brings together information about Maryland attorneys. The database is maintained by the court-related agencies that support the Court of Appeals in its role of regulating the legal profession in Maryland.

Attorneys use AIS to fulfill several reporting and assessment requirements. Maryland Rule 19-802(b) requires all Maryland attorneys to activate their registration in AIS no later than June 1, 2019, which will ensure they receive all future communications regarding their license to practice.

Beginning this July, Maryland attorneys will receive an email notifying them to pay the annual Client Protection Fund assessment and complete online reporting on their pro bono activities and on their Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA). Data about pro bono service is used by the Maryland Judiciary to plan and promote pro bono activity. Interest generated from IOLTA accounts is used to fund civil legal aid programs in the state. Attorneys will be required to complete their reports and pay the assessment no later than September 10 of each year. While attorneys can choose to pay the assessment online or through the U.S. mail, pro bono and IOLTA reports must be completed online.

Changes to the Maryland Rules took effect January 1, 2019, that consolidated several processes into a single compliance cycle for Maryland attorneys. This single, annual process should make it easier for lawyers to fulfill their annual requirements and remain in good standing.

For additional information about attorney compliance requirements and AIS, visit https://mdcourts.gov/lawyers/ais.

###