In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Graduate Student Legal Aid offers services via phone, email or Zoom, until further notice.  Notary services are offered in-person on a limited basis.  Our office hours are listed to the right, and while we may not answer the phone, we will respond during our office hours to voicemails and emails.   

If you want to receive weekly e-mails about our services, workshops, and other useful legal information please join our Google Group. 

Our Mission

The mission of Graduate Student Legal Aid is to meet the critical legal needs of our diverse graduate student population in a culturally competent, compassionate, and supportive setting.  

We provide a wide range of free and confidential legal services to the University of Maryland College Park graduate students who are currently enrolled and pay the graduate student activity fee. In response to the need for legal support, our office is funded by graduate student fees allocated by the Graduate Student Government.
 

Our Services  

• Legal Aid: GLAO's attorney provides consultations on a wide variety of legal issues. The attorney is licensed to practice in the State of Maryland and District of Columbia and can only provide legal counsel on matters arising in or governed by the law of those jurisdictions. For cases arising in other jurisdictions, legal general information will be provided when possible. Click here for more information about scheduling an appointment.
   
• University Charges: Students facing charges from the university can seek assistance from Student Advocates, graduate students employed by the GLAO. Advocates help fellow students navigate the process of being charged by providing information, answering questions, and, if necessary, acting as a representative at hearings. Click here to schedule an appointment with an Advocate.  
   
• Immigration Legal Aid: GLAO offers a limited number of immigration-related appointments per month. Click here for more information about how to request an appointment. Due to the unique nature of these cases, immigration issues can be addressed ONLY during these appointments as our staff attorney does not handle immigration-related cases.  If you require immediate assistance regarding your case, please contact our office and we will refer you to local immigration attorneys.
   
• The GRadulting Workshop Series: This series is offered during the fall and spring semesters. These hour-long workshops take place on Tuesday afternoons or evenings on a variety of topics important to graduate students.  Let us know if your graduate student group needs an attorney to speak about a legal topic.  Contact us via email us at glao@umd.edu.  
   
• Notary Services: A Maryland Notary is appointed by the Secretary of State to be an impartial witness to the signing of important documents. At Grad Legal Aid, notary services are free and an appointment is required.   
   

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