Other Legal Issues

Mediation & Conflict Resolution (Outside of Court)

Mediation is a process where people try to resolve a conflict outside of court, with the help of a mediator.  

• Conflict Resolution Center of Montgomery County: 301-652-0717; BCC Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, 2nd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814
  • Services include mediation, youth services, conflict management workshops and training. 
• Mediation Service of the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: 240-777-7396
  • Offers professionally trained mediators who meet with parties, talk through their concerns and help them reach solutions they can all agree on. Service is free of charge.
• Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs (Department of Housing and Community Affairs); 311 or 240-777-0311; 1401 Rockville Pike, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD 20852
  • Helps mediate disputes between landlords and tenants, and also provides several other housing services.
• Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection : 240-777-0311; consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • OCP offers free, neutral mediation services for consumers and merchants (businesses). The mediation services are conducted by expertly trained mediators who volunteer their services.

Other Legal Issues

• Maryland Legal Aid : 410-951-7750
  • Free civil legal services to low-income individuals in the areas of: consumer, health, employment, housing, family, income maintenance (including social security benefits, SSI, and unemployment),  expungements, civil rights, wills and estates, elder abuse, and more.  
• Bar Foundation of Montgomery County’s Pro Bono Program- (301) 424-7651
  • Call Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to see if you are eligible for free legal services from a volunteer attorney. Must be low-income to qualify.
• Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Lawyer Referral Service: Provides referrals to private attorneys that handle many areas of law.
  • Find a Lawyer by clicking on the category of law, and then clicking on an attorney's name to view their website.
• Consumer Protection Project Hotline (Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service): 443-451-4083
  • Provides brief advice on defending against debt buyers and other consumer lawsuits such as car repossessions and bail bonds. 
• Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection: 240-777-0311; consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • If you have a problem with a business, you can file a consumer complaint with Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection. Complaint form is available in English and Spanish. If it is the type of case that OCP handles, they will investigate and help try to resolve the issue.
  • If you need help with a debt collection issue, contact OCP by calling 240-777-3636 to speak with the Investigator-on-Duty or file a complaint.