Established in 1911, Maryland Legal Aid is a private, non-profit law firm providing free civil legal services to low-income people statewide. Clients are provided the necessary legal assistance to gain protection from domestic violence, retain custody of children, fight unlawful evictions, prevent forclosures on homes, secure educational services, obtain needed medical and disability benefits, unemployment insurance and other forms of temporary assistance. The Equal Justice Council is a private fundraising arm of Maryland Legal Aid.