MLSC Announces Retirement of Executive Director Susan Erlichman

Today, Maryland Legal Services Corporation announces that Executive Director Susan Erlichman, Esq. is retiring on July 31, 2021. Her decision to retire will bring to a close a tremendous career of 32 years of service with MLSC, 17 of which have been as the organization’s executive director.

MLSC, a nonprofit corporation, was created by the Maryland General Assembly to oversee the funding of grants to nonprofits statewide that provide legal services in civil cases to those Marylanders who cannot afford them.

Through Susan’s leadership, MLSC’s annual budget has more than tripled, growing from $6 million to over $20 million, largely through legislative successes. This achievement has allowed MLSC to increase the number and size of its grants to meet an ever-increasing need across the state. She helped to create a partnership with the Administrative Office of the Courts that has institutionalized and expanded Maryland’s Judicare Family Law program. She was instrumental in developing new collaborations with city, state and private agencies, which have resulted in innovative service delivery models, including the novel program that embeds civil legal aid lawyers in workforce development projects to help remove barriers to employment.

These and other accomplishments during her tenure were made possible by Susan’s incredible dedication, wealth of knowledge, diplomacy, and ability to assemble and lead a highly talented and dedicated staff. MLSC has been the beneficiary of her leadership amongst an exceptional community of access-to-justice leaders and advocates. Her efforts, many of which were undertaken during extraordinary world events – from the Great Recession in 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic – have resulted in MLSC being in a stronger position than ever to help support the state’s civil legal services delivery system and produce positive lasting results for Marylanders in critical need of legal assistance in civil cases

“Susan Erlichman is a giant among all leaders of IOLTA and other funding entities for civil legal services,” said Natalie McSherry, chair of the MLSC Board, in announcing Susan’s retirement. “We have been incredibly blessed to have had the benefit of her leadership for so many years.”

To say that MLSC will greatly miss Susan’s leadership would be beyond an understatement. Thanks to her success in growing the institution, it will go on and continue the work she has built so successfully.

The MLSC Board of Directors has formed a search committee to begin the task of finding a new Executive Director who will be able to meet the exceptionally high bar set by Susan. A position announcement, which includes instructions for submitting an application, can be found at this link: www.applicantpro.com/openings/thehrteam/jobs/1755047-521015. The application deadline is May 2, 2021.