The Maryland Court of Appeals has introduced new regulations aimed at simplifying the compliance process for attorneys regarding annual reporting and payment requirements through the Attorney Information System (AIS). Starting in 2019, attorneys will receive a single email notice to utilize AIS for their Client Protection Fund (CPF) assessment payments and submission of pro bono and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) reports.
Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera emphasized the significance of this change, stating, “The important reporting requirements that Maryland attorneys must meet will now be submitted online, eliminating the need for multiple paper notices and forms sent via the mail.” This shift represents a move towards modernizing and improving existing systems.
Under these new rules, pro bono and IOLTA reports will follow a fiscal year schedule instead of a calendar year, aligning with CPF assessments. Attorneys will report annually for the previous fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. Notices will be emailed by July 10 each year, with reports due by September 10. This streamlined process aims to help over 40,000 registered attorneys in Maryland keep track of their annual obligations.
To transition to this new system, the upcoming reporting cycle will cover an extended period of 18 months. In July 2019, attorneys will receive instructions to use AIS for completing their reports covering January 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019. These submissions are required by September 10, 2019.
Additionally, recent enhancements to AIS provide a comprehensive database where lawyers can update personal information, access disciplinary history and status details, pay CPF assessments annually, and file necessary pro bono and IOLTA reports. Once fully operationalized, AIS is expected to serve as a central portal supporting court-related agencies associated with regulating Maryland's legal profession.