Description
For Legal Counsel Services
The Maryland Psychological Association (MPA) is seeking proposals from
qualified individuals or firms to provide legal services to MPA. The selected contractor
will serve as MPA’s chief legal advisor, supporting its governance, compliance, and
advocacy work.
Who May Respond
Only attorneys who are currently licensed to practice law in Maryland and maintain
an office in Maryland, or a law firm including such attorneys, may respond to this RFP.
Organizational Background
The Maryland Psychological Association (MPA) was founded in 1956, established in 1970
as a 501(c)(6) organization by the Internal Revenue Service, and is registered with the
state of Maryland. MPA is the leading state organization dedicated to advancing the
science and practice of psychology, promoting human welfare in Maryland. It supports its
over 1,000 members through advocacy, professional development, and public education
while upholding the highest ethical standards.
The Maryland Psychological Association Foundation, Incorporated (MPAF) produces
professional continuing education programs for psychologists and is a separately
incorporated scientific and educational foundation. It is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation
under the federal tax code.
The Maryland Psychological Association Political Action Committee (MPA PAC) solicits
funds and makes contributions to individual statewide political campaigns and entities. It
is registered with the State of Maryland Board of Elections and has its own Board and a
separate accounting system. It is required to file periodic financial reports with the State,
Length of Service
The initial period will run from January 1, 2026 - August 31, 2026. MPA expects
this arrangement to continue beyond the initial period, subject to agreement by both
parties. The contract can be terminated with 60 days’ written notice by either party.
Scope of Work
The Legal Counsel will report to the MPA Executive Director. The primary and secondary
responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Primary Responsibilities
- Consult with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on pending
decisions to ensure compliance with the state and/or federal nonprofit law and
regulations. Inform the Board of Directors and the Executive Director of upcoming
changes to state and/or federal nonprofit law and regulations.. - Review documents (e.g., bylaws, policy manual, contracts, leases, etc.) and make
suggestions to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. - Provide legal counsel on employment and contractor-related matters.
- Consult with PAC/MPAF chairs, contracted lobbyist, legislative chair, and
professional affairs officer as requested. - Monitor MPA’s general member listserv and Ethics Committee listserv and provide
informal legal insights regarding regulations, laws, and ethics relevant to the
practice of psychology in Maryland, not constituting attorney-client representation. - Attend MPA Ethics Committee meetings (nine times per year)
- Provide six hours of continuing education (CE) to members each year.
- Write two brief articles for the MPA newsletters relevant to the practice of
psychology in Maryland. - Conduct a one-hour annual education for the Board of Directors at the Board
Retreat for new Board Members. - Counsel shall provide MPA’s Executive Director with a monthly accounting of the
time and activities spent each month on Primary and Secondary Responsibilities.
Secondary responsibilities:
- Attend Board and Committee meetings as requested.
- Review Public Policy Statements issued by MPA.
- Advise MPA regarding communications to members (e.g., social media,
newsletter). - Be available to testify on bills before the Maryland legislature (expected to be on
rare occasions). - Advise MPA on risk management and potential litigation directed at MPA, if
necessary. - Other legal services as determined by MPA.
Estimated Time Commitment:
The Legal Counsel position is contracted on a flat fee retainer basis. It is expected to
require an average monthly commitment of approximately 15 hours to fulfill the duties
outlined in this RFP. This estimate is intended as a planning guideline and is likely to vary
depending on the organization's specific needs.
Please note: Urgent matters, crises, or emerging legal issues may require additional time
beyond this estimate. The Legal Counsel is expected to respond promptly to such
situations to protect MPA’s interests.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
- Unrestricted license to practice law in Maryland.
- Experience advising nonprofit associations.
- Experience advising clients on Board governance and best practices.
- Familiarity with psychological practice, ethics, and related laws and
regulations. - Strong communication and collaborative skills.
Additional Information
There is no restriction on the applicant’s ability to provide private legal consultation to
MPA members, as members may request, outside of their contractual responsibilities.
Applicants may receive referrals from psychologists seeking counsel for a variety of
issues as the membership becomes familiar with legal counsel.
Proposal Requirements
As part of your firm’s response to this Request for Proposal (RFP), please include the
name, email address, and telephone number of the individual who will serve as the
primary contact regarding your submission.
To facilitate an equitable review process among competing firms, please organize your
proposal according to the following sections:
- Executive Summary – Brief statement (no more than one page) outlining your
approach to providing legal counsel for MPA. Provide a concise overview describing your
firm, including your experience in representing nonprofit and professional healthcare
membership organizations. If any partners or attorneys from your firm have served in
advisory or leadership roles with similar associations or nonprofit entities, please include
those details. - Qualifications and Experience – Relevant background, including
nonprofit/association law experience and similar clients served.
Describe practice areas or professional resources within your firm that may be
relevant to MPA. This may include specialized expertise in nonprofit governance,
professional ethics, Maryland healthcare law, behavioral healthcare, employment law,
contract review, or other areas commonly encountered by professional healthcare
associations. Please highlight any distinctive services that would enhance your value as
outside counsel. - Familiarity with the Law and Ethics in psychology – Provide any experience
and/or working knowledge of the laws and ethics that govern the practice of psychology
in the State of Maryland. - Staffing Plan – Identification of key personnel who will provide services to MPA,
along with their qualifications. Summarize your firm’s philosophy regarding staffing and
continuity of service. Explain how your firm ensures consistent support from
knowledgeable professionals who are familiar with the client’s history and needs.
Outline your overall approach to providing legal services—such as how matters
are managed, the level of partner involvement, quality assurance systems, and how your
firm delivers value to clients like our association.
Discuss your firm’s capacity to support a smooth transition from prior counsel,
including any expected start-up needs or coordination requirements with our staff or
volunteer leaders. Note any travel availability for in-person meetings, Board sessions, or
annual conferences, and outline your firm’s standard reimbursement practices.
5. Fee Structure – The proposal should include a monthly flat fee for performing
Primary and Secondary Responsibilities.
The proposal should also include hourly rate of each attorney or other legal staff
who is expected to work on this representation, charges for services beyond the Primary
and Secondary Responsibilities, and any pro bon or discounted rates you would consider
in these circumstances (e.g., services provided to the MPA, services supplied to MPA
members who call for consultations and/or for legal services in personal and/or
professional matters).
As a nonprofit organization, we place great value on predictable, transparent costs.
Please describe any alternative billing approaches (e.g., retainer, blended rates, capped
fees) that support our need for budget stability.
6. Billing – Provide a detailed description of how you monitor the services utilized by
MPA every month.
7. References – Provide contact information for at least three organizations
comparable in size and mission to ours that your firm currently represents or has
represented. Each reference should include the client’s name, title, organization,
telephone number, and email address. Ideally, these references should reflect work
managed by the exact lead attorney and team members proposed for this engagement.
8. Conflicts of Interest – Disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of
interest, including representation of organizations or entities whose interests might
intersect or compete with ours.
9. Additional Information – Please include any additional information not explicitly
requested elsewhere that you believe is essential for our review—such as unique firm
strengths, recent achievements, or innovative practices that distinguish your approach to
client service.
Submission Proposal Requirements
Firms intending to submit a proposal—or seeking clarification about the RFP—
should notify Taylor Dickerson, MPA Executive Director, via
email (taylor@marylandpsychology.org) before submission. All proposals will
receive an acknowledgment of receipt.
Following review, a shortlist of candidates may be invited to present their qualifications
to senior leadership and, potentially, to the Board of Directors or Executive Officers.
Proposals should be submitted by email to taylor@marylandpsychology.org no
later than 5:00 pm on December 1, 2025. Proposals must be submitted as a
confidential PDF and should not exceed 10 pages, excluding resumes and references.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be ranked based on:
- Demonstrated experience in nonprofit and association law.\
- Familiarity with federal and state laws, Maryland regulations, and ethics governing
the practice of psychology in Maryland. - Ability to meet MPA’s governance, compliance, and legislative needs.
- Strength of the proposed team and qualifications.
- Cost-effectiveness.
