LASP Pro Bono Program
(updated April 19, 2024)
THANK YOU to our pro bono volunteers!
YOU increase access to justice in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
April is Global Volunteer Month! Legal Aid of Southeastern PA extends a huge THANK YOU to our pro bono volunteers! Throughout the year, YOU directly expand access to justice in Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties.
Volunteerism fosters connection and breaks down barriers, while creating a better justice system for all. ️
New! Sign up for an opportunity right on our website! PA Pro Bono Matters
In an initiative launched in September 2023, PA Pro Bono Matters lists SPECIFIC opportunities for LASP. You can sign up directly! Check out LASP’s current opportunities on this platform at lasp.org/pro-bono-opportunities.
IMORTANT! Scroll down to see general needs, upcoming CLEs, news and events!
PA Pro Bono Matters is funded through the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) and the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA). LASP greatly appreciates the support.
Multiple ways to volunteer! Click to download, print, share (1-page PDF)! (updated March 2024)
NEWS from the PA Supreme Court: CLE credit for pro bono service
The PA Supreme Court order of Jan. 31, 2022 allows attorneys to earn CLEs for pro bono service. Legal Aid of Southeastern PA is an accredited CLE provider.
YOU can receive CLE credit for your pro bono efforts! Scroll down to learn more, or visit our News article.
Download the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education (PACLE) Board’s form for CLE credit for pro bono service (1-page PDF).
PACLE form: Affirmation of pro bono service
Get CLE credit for pro bono service! Here is the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education (PACLE) Board’s form for CLE credit for pro bono service (1-page PDF).
LASP is an accredited CLE provider.
Upcoming events
Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Battle of the ’Burbs Softball Tournament
Join us as a player, sponsor or supporter!
We look forward to a friendly competition & presenting a new trophy!
Flyer (1-page PDF) | lasp.org/softball
JEFFERSONVILLE - Join us for the Inaugural Battle of the 'Burbs Softball Tournament!
Four local bar association Young Lawyers Divisions will each field a team in Jeffersonville / West Norriton Township in a #fun-draiser to benefit LASP! This friendly competition will be Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Padden Park, 2101 Oakland Drive, Jeffersonville, PA 19403. (The park is in West Norriton Township. GPS may say Norristown or Trooper.) Note: the event was originally scheduled for October 2023 but was rained out.
The tournament will feature the Young Lawyers Divisions of the Bucks County Bar Association, Chester County Bar Association, Delaware County Bar Association & Montgomery Bar Association!
Questions or wish to sponsor or play ball? Please contact Megan Reinprecht at mreinprecht@lasp.org.
Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share.
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and local bar associations celebrated Pro Bono Month. Pro bono CLEs started in September and continue into December 2023. Upcoming CLEs: scroll up. Links to photos: scroll down.
2023 Pro Bono Week wrap-up!
The October 2023 Celebration of Pro Bono was packed with CLEs and events to thank volunteers and provide trainings of interest to #probono volunteers.
Photos from all four counties have been posted to LASP’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter/X pages and in LASP Flickr albums!
Pro Bono Week photo albums:
Tuesday, Oct. 24: Chester County Bar Association CLE & Reception - Lawyers, Drugs & Money - Pro Bono CLE & Recognition | 25+ photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4Jwt
Wednesday, Oct. 25: Montgomery Bar Association CLE, Cocktail Reception & inaugural Keystone Pro Bono Awards | 25+ photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4JuK
Thursday, Oct. 26: Delaware County Bar Association Pro Bono Week Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Veterans Benefits 101 | 12:30-1:30 pm. | 9 photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB1s3J
Thursday, Oct. 26: Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono Celebration ~ CLE, Awards & Reception | 35+ photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4zDB
Thursday, Oct. 26, CCBA Pro Bono Thank You Reception | 25+ photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4Jwt
Sunday, Oct. 29: Trial Run 5K (run or walk) with optional costume contest at Wilson Farm Park, Wayne, hosted by the Chester County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee | lasp.org/trial-run | 500+ photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB1kZy
Flickr albums for 2023 Pro Bono Week events in Bucks, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery counties, PLUS the Trial Run 5K! Scroll down for links to individual photo albums for each county/event.
Flickr album for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service | Jan. 15, 2024 | https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBcJHG
See all LASP photo albums on Flickr:
Check events at local bar associations
Please check the local bar association calendars for CLE opportunities related to your practice area and/or pro bono service!
LASP Volunteer Opportunities
LASP has ongoing volunteer needs in each county in our service area: Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
To learn more about pro bono opportunities that meet YOUR schedule, please:
contact any of our pro bono coordinators or pro bono director (list at right), and/or
register to volunteer, by filling out the pro bono registration
In addition to ongoing opportunities, here are specific projects in need of pro bono support:
Summary (scroll down for county-specific needs)
LASP is looking for volunteers to assist with pro bono opportunities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties!
Flyer (download, print, share!)
We need help with:
Representing individuals with no asset and no contest divorces
Representing tenants facing eviction in Montgomery & Bucks counties
Representing PFA plaintiffs in Bucks County on any Wednesday (limited scope)
Drafting simple wills, healthcare directives & powers of attorney for seniors
Representing parents at custody conferences on a limited scope basis
Assisting individuals with criminal record-clearing (expungements, pardons, etc.)
Benefits:
Provide a much-needed community service
Gain experience in court
1 CLE credit for every 5 hours of pro bono work
Free trainings are available on our pro bono portal!
LASP provides free trainings at lasp.org/pro-bono-portal to help attorneys gain the confidence to consider taking a case outside their practice area. A training on trauma-informed advocacy is also on the portal.
Reach out to LASP Pro Bono Director Erika Becker at 484-245-2183 or ebecker@lasp.org to get the password to this page.
Bucks County Pro Bono
A sincere thank you to those who donate their time to Bucks County pro bono efforts, throughout the year!
Megan Reinprecht, Community Engagement Staff Attorney, is Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator!
Volunteer attorneys needed for NEW Bucks County eviction prevention program in Lower Makefield courtroom
(updated April 2024)
A new Bucks County partnership to prevent evictions started July 27, 2023! To learn more or sign up to volunteer, contact Erika Becker, Esq., LASP Pro Bono Director, at ebecker@lasp.org, or Megan Reinprecht, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney and Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mreinprecht@lasp.org.
A new Bucks County partnership aims to prevent evictions and help tenants. Evictions can have devastating short- and long-term impacts on renters, including homelessness and negative health outcomes, and can severely limit future housing opportunities.
The program launched July 27, 2023 in Lower Makefield Township. The Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP), and the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) are collaborating on the effort, with support from the Bucks County Department of Housing and Community Development. The project is occurring in Magisterial District Court 07-1-11 in Judge Corryn Kronnagel’s courtroom, located in Morrisville.
How to volunteer
Pro bono attorneys are invited to volunteer for the project! The hearings take place every Thursday at 1 p.m. at Judge Kronnagel’s MDJ court located at 31 E. Cleveland Ave., Morrisville, PA 19067. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, email Megan Reinprecht, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney & Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mreinprecht@lasp.org.
Limited-scope representation is available. If a volunteer chooses, there may sometimes be an opportunity for a volunteer to decide to provide extended representation.
Article on our website News page about the program: lasp.org/news/bucks-county-eviction-prevention-partnership
Volunteer opportunities for Bucks County Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings
(updated Feb. 18, 2024)
DOYLESTOWN - Provide representation for plaintiffs at Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings, held every Wednesday.
CHOOSE ANY DAY(S)! Current dates when volunteers for plaintiffs are especially needed:
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Unique Bucks County program!
The Bucks County Courts' unique program provides representation to both plaintiffs and defendants if they do not already have representation.
LIMITED-SCOPE pro bono opportunity, with no expectation of continued representation beyond the day of volunteer service.
New volunteers can observe PFA Day and learn from staff and current volunteers before committing to provide representation. You do NOT need to be a family law attorney to participate.
Hearings are at Bucks County Justice Center, Doylestown.
How to volunteer
To volunteer for plaintiffs any Wednesday(s), please contact Durene McCarty, LASP Bristol Office Manager and Assistant Pro Bono Coordinator, at dmccarty@lasp.org or 215-398-6757.
If you have never volunteered before, contact LASP for training and mentorship!
You can receive CLE credit for pro bono service! LASP is an accredited CLE provider.
To volunteer for defense, contact the Bucks County Bar Association.
Choose any Wednesday. Limited scope opportunity. New volunteers, contact LASP for training & mentorship!
Choose any Wednesday to help with this limited-scope pro bono opportunity in Bucks County Protection from Abuse (PFA) court.
Flyer (2-page PDF) (download, print, share!)
Chester County Pro Bono
Thank you to attorneys, paralegals and others who volunteer their time to expand access to justice in Chester County!
2024 Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project starts soon!
Volunteer attorneys, paralegals and community members are invited to assist with the 2024 Chester County Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project, which runs from February to summer. You do NOT have to volunteer for all months of the project! Contact bdoyle@lasp.org.
The 2024 Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project begins in February 2024 and will continue through summer. Volunteers are especially needed from May through the end of July.
Volunteer opportunities are available for attorneys, paralegals, law students and community members. Multiple opportunities are available, and you do NOT need to volunteer for all months of the project.
Learn more about the project and its impact on our webpage.
To learn more or to volunteer for the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Project or in another area of the law, please contact Brian Doyle, Staff Attorney and Chester County Pro Bono Coordinator, at 484-416-4259 x5210 or bdoyle@lasp.org.
Pro bono opportunities in Delaware County Pro Bono
A heartfelt appreciation for our pro bono volunteers in Delaware County! Your efforts help level the playing field in our courts!
Senior Wills Clinic in Brookhaven, Delaware County | April 25, 2024
Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share!
BROOKHAVEN - Volunteer attorneys, paralegals & notaries are needed for Senior Legal Clinics in Delaware County on Thursday, April 25! The clinic is hosted by Rep. Leanne Krueger, Senator John Kane, and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA.
Volunteers will help low-income seniors draft simple wills, financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives.
Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
at Brookhaven Municipal Center, 2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015
Volunteers can sign up for whole or a portion of the clinic.
To learn more or sign up, contact Erika Felpel, LASP Pro Bono Paralegal, 484-275-0672 or efelpel@lasp.org. Or sign up to volunteer for the clinic at lasp.org/pro-bono-opportunities.
Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share!
Divorce cases (ongoing need)
Pro bono volunteers are needed to represent clients in simple, no fault, no asset divorces in Delaware County. The divorces we handle are either by consent or one-year separation. These divorces do not involve equitable distribution, custody, support, or fault grounds. Typically, a pro bono volunteer will not need to appear at a court proceeding in these cases.
Please contact Cassidy Heiserman, Staff Attorney & Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator, at cheiserman@lasp.org or 610-756-7264.
Custody cases (ongoing need)
Pro bono volunteers are needed to represent clients in custody cases in Delaware County. Volunteer attorneys have the opportunity to represent clients in a limited scope, pursuant to the PA Rules of Professional Conduct and Delaware County’s limited entry of appearance rule (Rule 1012) for pro bono attorneys. Delaware County’s rule permits attorneys to withdraw by praecipe after representation at the number of custody conferences agreed to in advance.
To learn more or to volunteer, please contact Cassidy Heiserman, Staff Attorney & Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator, at cheiserman@lasp.org or 610-756-7264. Or register at lasp.org/volunteer-signup.
Volunteers are needed for eviction hearings
Eviction filings are on the rise in Delaware County! Volunteers are needed to help represent clients in eviction court.
To volunteer, please contact Cassidy Heiserman, Staff Attorney & Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator, at cheiserman@lasp.org or 610-756-7264.
Senior Wills Clinic in Narberth, Montgomery County | May 16, 2024
Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share!
NARBERTH - Volunteer attorneys, paralegals and notaries are needed to help low-income seniors draft simple wills, financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives at a clinic with Rep. Mary Jo Daley, on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Narberth Municipal Center, 100 Conway Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072.
Volunteers can sign up for whole or a portion of the clinic.
To learn more or sign up, contact Erika Felpel, LASP Pro Bono Paralegal, 484-275-0672 or efelpel@lasp.org. Or sign up to volunteer for the clinic at lasp.org/pro-bono-opportunities.
Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share!
Ongoing pro bono opportunities in Montgomery County
1-page PNG (download, print, share)
Divorce cases
Pro bono volunteers are needed to represent clients in simple, no fault, no asset divorces in Montgomery County. The divorces we handle are either by consent or one-year separation. These divorces do not involve equitable distribution, custody, support, or fault grounds. Typically, a pro bono volunteer will not need to appear at a court proceeding in these cases.
Please contact Melina Dixon, LASP Staff Attorney & Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mdixon@lasp.org.
Custody cases
Pro bono attorneys are needed to represent clients in custody cases at Custody Conciliation Conferences in Montgomery County. Volunteer attorneys have the opportunity to represent clients in a limited scope at the Conciliation only. All Conciliations are held via Zoom. There is no commitment for the volunteer attorney beyond the Conciliation.
Please contact Melina Dixon, LASP Staff Attorney & Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mdixon@lasp.org.
Lansdale outreach at Manna on Main Street
Pro bono attorneys are needed for Montgomery County Outreach at the North Penn Commons in Lansdale in partnership with Manna on Main Street. The clinic is held on the fourth Thursday of the month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Please contact Melina Dixon, LASP Staff Attorney & Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mdixon@lasp.org.
Eviction hearings for the EPIC program
The Eviction Prevention & Intervention Coalition (EPIC) started in 2017 in one courtroom in Norristown and has expanded to eight courtrooms across Montgomery County, including:
3 courtrooms in Norristown
2 in Pottstown
1 in East Norriton
1 in Jenkintown
1 in Lansdale
Staff Attorney Michelle Dempsky is LASP's lead attorney for EPIC, and Staff Attorney Anthony Richardson also is working on EPIC. Pro bono attorneys are needed to represent renters at eviction hearings in all eight of these courts.
To learn more or volunteer for EPIC, please contact Michelle Dempsky at mdempsky@lasp.org or 484-209-0945.
Further reading
The Spring 2021 issue of the Montgomery Bar Association’s Sidebar magazine includes a feature on EPIC and Montco’s Emergency Rent and Utility Coaltion (ERUC). See pages 14-15: https://bit.ly/3dYbAry.
Montgomery Bar Association’s webpage about EPIC.
All counties
Hurricane Ida recovery: Pro bono volunteers are needed
(April 20, 2023)
The storm may have passed, but legal problems stemming from Hurricane Ida, like other natural disasters, are expected to continue for years. LASP needs pro bono attorneys to assist low-income survivors in the Hurricane Ida recovery effort.
LASP continues to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Ida. Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties all were part of Pennsylvania’s eight-county federal disaster declaration (see lasp.org/hurricane-ida). LASP provided the Helpline, 877-429-5994, for Hurricane Ida in Pennsylvania.
Sara Planthaber, J.D., M.S.W., LASP Staff Attorney, noted:
“Many clients have legal issues outside the scope of LASP’s regular practice. We need the assistance of local volunteer attorneys to help clients with other legal needs resulting from the flooding, to assist these clients start to rebuild their lives after this traumatic experience. As a community, we can ease the strain now to build our community back stronger in the future.”
LASP needs pro bono attorneys to assist low-income survivors in the Hurricane Ida recovery effort.
Specific case types where pro bono assistance is needed include:
insurance claims
legal problems related to home repair contracts and contractors
If you can volunteer or would like more information, please contact Erika Becker, Pro Bono Director, at 484-245-2183 or ebecker@lasp.org, reach out to your county's pro bono coordinator, or sign up to volunteer on our website.
Additional resources:
LASP’s Hurricane Ida webpage
Disaster Legal Services Program through the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Legal Services Corp.’s Report of the LSC Disaster Task Force (April 2018, page 14)
LASP Pro Bono News
Announcing LASP's new Montgomery County pro bono coordinator
(Jan. 26, 2024) NORRISTOWN - Melina Dixon, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Staff Attorney, has been named the new Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator.
Announcing LASP's new Delaware County pro bono coordinator
(Jan. 26, 2024) CHESTER City - Cassidy Heiserman, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Staff Attorney, is the newly named Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator.
Thomas Kerstan, longtime LASP Staff Attorney based in Chester City, Delaware County, to retire Dec. 31 after 16+ years of service
(Dec. 27, 2023) CHESTER City - Thomas Kerstan, Staff Attorney and Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator, is retiring Dec. 31, 2023 after 16+ years at Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. Throughout his time at LASP, he was based in the Chester City office in Delaware County.
Don Solomon receives Pro Bono Award from PBA
NORRISTOWN - Congratulations to Montgomery County attorney Don Solomon, who received a Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award Oct. 11, 2022 for his service on behalf of LASP clients.
The award presentation followed a Pro Bono Month breakfast reception hosted by the Montgomery Bar Association and CLE presented by David Keller Trevaskis, PBA Pro Bono Coordinator.
Photos in November e-news: https://conta.cc/3OdpKXw
Chester County Pro Bono Volunteer Reception Oct. 18
Judge Bret Binder and Judge Analisa Sondergaard hosted a cocktail party Oct. 18, 2022 celebrating Chester County Bar Association pro bono volunteers.
As Judge Binder stated in his speech, “Your efforts in volunteering your time never go unnoticed. We see you, and we appreciate you!”
Please see the CCBA Facebook post for more photos.
Morris Kaplan & Daniel Keane receive Pro Bono Awards from PBA
DOYLESTOWN - The Bucks County Bar Association celebrated pro bono volunteers Oct. 27, 2022 at a CLE, awards presentation and reception. David Keller Trevaskis, Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Coordinator, presented a CLE on the Pennsylvania Free Legal Answers initiative.
Morris Kaplan and Daniel Keane received PBA Pro Bono Awards.
BCBA recognized Bucks County attorneys who provided pro bono service, including Keystone volunteers with 50+ hours of service in the past year.
Photos in November e-news: https://conta.cc/3OdpKXw
Encore! for Chester County Paralegal Association & LASP
WEST CHESTER - Thank you to the Chester County Paralegal Association for hosting Encore! A Legal Community Talent Showcase & Auction Fundraiser on Oct. 20. Held at Knights of Columbus in West Chester, the event was a fundraiser for CCPA and LASP.
Flickr photo album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAd2uB
LASP receives Pro Bono Innovation Grant
from Legal Services Corp.
See LASP’s news page or the LSC announcement.
More Pro Bono News
PA Disciplinary Board on Emeritus Status
(Aug. 4, 2022)
In an Aug. 4 social media post, the PA Disciplinary Board reminded attorneys about Emeritus Status:
Emeritus attorneys fulfill valuable roles in the community by bolstering legal aid and other nonprofits to help close the gap between the need for and the availability of free legal services. Learn more about the Board's emeritus status program: http://bit.ly/3AFnZtO
Prepare to celebrate pro bono this October
(August 2023)
The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service invites you to join in the National Celebration of Pro Bono during the week of October 22-28, 2023.
The 2023 Pro Bono Celebration Theme is "Voices of Democracy: Ensuring Justice for All."
As part of this year's Celebration it is hoped that you will plan events to educate attorneys, law students, and legal support staff of the need for pro bono assistance, educate individuals about the availability of legal services, and assist individuals with their legal needs.
The American Bar Association, notes on its website:
Pro bono work is a professional responsibility and an individual ethical commitment of each lawyer. The Committee launched the National Celebration of Pro Bono in 2009 because of the increasing need for pro bono services during harsh economic times and the unprecedented response of attorneys to meet this demand. Every October since 2009, legal organizations across America participate in the National Celebration of Pro Bono to draw attention to the need for pro bono participation, and to thank those who give their time year round.
The ABA urges attorneys to provide 10 hours of pro bono service in the next three months:
A Call for Pro Bono Now
We continue to face an extraordinary need for legal assistance on multiple fronts -- from evictions, to assistance for refugees, to the legal issues arising from disasters.
The time to volunteer is now. Over the next three months, we urge you to commit to 10 hours of pro bono – or just under a quarter of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct aspirational goal of 50 hours annually per lawyer. Legal assistance at the right time can keep families in their homes, prevent a small business from closing, and offer refuge to those in need.
Whatever your practice area, interest, or availability, a pro bono opportunity awaits you. Take this moment to change a life for the better.
More information about 2023 Pro Bono Week is at ProBono.net and the American Bar Association.
Earn CLE credit for pro bono service
PA Supreme Court order of Jan. 31, 2022 formalizes opportunity to receive CLE credit for pro bono service
Learn more about LASP’s Pro Bono program! Contact Kesha James, Jennifer Pierce, Brian Doyle, Thomas Kerstan or Michael E. Kelley. See phone and emails at right.
(Feb. 23, 2022) The Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board has formally approved CLE credit for pro bono service. The Board also announced changes in rules that offer lawyers the option of completing a portion of their CLE requirement with credits earned through pro bono service.
The PA Supreme Court issued an Order on Jan. 31, 2022. Pa.R.C.L.E. Rule 108 (e) and related CLE Regulations have been updated to reflect this change.
The new amendments allow lawyers to earn one (1) CLE credit for every five (5) hours of pro bono service completed through an Accredited Provider of Pro Bono CLE. A maximum of three (3) credit hours earned in this manner may be applied towards the annual CLE requirement. Work is required to be completed through legal service providers accredited by the CLE Board and performed for a person of limited means or charitable organization. Note: Legal Aid of Southeastern PA is an accredited CLE provider!
For more information on LASP's Pro Bono Program, please reach out to the pro bono director or a county coordinator (contact information at top of page and at right).
Retired attorneys: Emeritus status allows you to provide pro bono service
Are you a retired attorney with some time to give back? You can now apply for emeritus attorney license status to do pro bono work! Pennsylvania Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement 403 creates an emeritus status for retired attorneys to provide pro bono service to Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and other nonprofit legal aid programs.
“There is a significant gap between the need for pro bono legal services for the most vulnerable and the availability of those services in the community,” Disciplinary Board Chair Doug Leonard said.
More information
Court Creates Emeritus Status for Retired Attorneys to Do Pro Bono Work (May 10, 2018): https://bit.ly/3L7odj3
FAQs & attorney resources: http://bit.ly/2MuODzS (scroll to Emeritus Attorneys section).
717-231-3380 or atty.registration@pacourts.us
Chief Justice Debra Todd on pro bono support for legal aid
“It is lawyers who volunteer who have the most direct impact on those in need,” Chief Justice Debra Todd emphasized in her May 2023 letter to Pennsylvania attorneys, in which she encouraged support of pro bono legal work across the Commonwealth. The letter was posted on May 22 to the PA Disciplinary Board's website.
Chief Justice Todd lauded the efforts of those currently performing pro bono legal work. She recognized each PA attorney’s contribution to civil legal aid through the IOLTA portion of the annual attorney registration fee.
Chief Justice Todd noted multiple opportunities to perform pro bono legal work in the Commonwealth, including the Court’s emeritus status program, established in 2018 for attorneys who have retired from practice who seek to provide pro bono service through eligible legal aid organizations, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s PA Free Legal Answers program.
“The need for legal services among the poor is overwhelming. According to an American Bar Association study, at least 40% of low and moderate-income households experience a legal problem each year. Yet studies show that the collective civil legal aid effort is meeting only about 20% of the legal needs of low-income people.”
“A Tradition of Volunteering: The Case for Pro Bono”
Eric Osborne writes this Legal Service Corp.’s Emerging Leaders Council blog post (Sept. 2021), Read the full post at Medium.com.
“(1) We have a problem where people of limited means in the United States lack access to legal assistance. (2) We have a rule that applies to all attorneys asking them to give 50 hours of time or the cash equivalent.”
Thank you, 2020-22 pro bono volunteers, for your gift of time!
Thank you for your gift of time! LASP thanks attorneys, paralegals, students and other volunteers for donating thousands of hours of pro bono service from July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022. Whether representing a client, helping at intake or a clinic, or presenting at a CLE, your efforts EXPANDED ACCESS TO JUSTICE for low-income, vulnerable residents of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties! ! 2020-22 Pro bono volunteers.
Bucks County
Anonymous (1) | Hugh Algeo IV | Judith A. Algeo | Timothy Barton | Cynthia Bashore | Danielle Becker | William J. Benz | Albert L. Blackman, Jr. | John D. Blumenthal | Kevin F. Bradway | Jeffrey Brahin | Brenden E. Brett | Christopher J. Brill | D. Keith Brown | Sarah Brucie | Abigail Bukowski | Mardi Busanus | Brendan Callahan | Roger P. Cameron | Dale E. Caya | Frank Cervone | Jahn S. Chesnov | Patricia H. Cooley | Hon. Stephen Corr | William M. Cowan, Jr. | Lauren D’Alessandro | Jennifer Dickerson | Dawn DiDonato-Burke | Leslie Ditlow | Thomas Donnelly | Susan L. Eisenberg | Dawn Farrell | Scott L. Feldman | Kaitlin Files | Elizabeth J. Fineman | Jacqueline Fishman | Meghan Fleming | Elizabeth Wood Fritsch | Martin N. Ghen | Gregory Golbitz | Elissa C. Goldberg | Julie D. Goldstein | Mary Ann Grossman | Garrett E. Gummer III | Kevin L. Hand | Judy Hayman | Elissa B. Heinrichs | Robin S. Holmes | Michael Houghton | David Juall | Shannon Kanavy | Morris Kaplan | Daniel Keane | Gabrielle Kelerchian | Barbara Kirk | Michael Kuldiner | Denis Lanctot | Larry H. Lefkowitz | David H. Leslie-Hughes | Kimberly Litzke | Christopher Mahoney | Lauren Majewski | Amanda G. Malamud | Russell Manning | Joseph Marinaro | Brian Mauro | Tina Mazaheri | Gregory C. McCarthy | Diane M. Mellott | Kristine A. Michael | Hillary J. Moonay | Sandra Morris | Brooke Newborn | Brian T. Newman | Fatih Oguz | William D. Oleckna | Thomas Panzer | Jessica Pritchard | Hayley Purcell | Joseph M. Ramagli | Jessica Reilly | Robert Repko | Russell P. Sacco | Karen G. Salib | Sara Salvo | Stephanie Schwartzberg | Christopher Serpico | Carol A. Shelly | Michael R. Shelton | Linda M. Shick | Chris Little Simcox | Theresa Simmons | Arlene G. Simolike | John Simolike | Kimberly N. Smith | Ron Smolow | Mindy J. Snyder | Amir M. Stark | Stephanie Stecklair | Joel Steinman | Francis J. Sullivan | Edward R. Sutton | Tyler Tomlinson | Jeffrey E. Toner | April Townshend | David J. Truelove | Karen Ann Ulmer | Joseph Visco | Joseph P. Walsh | Alan Wandalowski | Alanna Weiss | Melanie J. Wender | Lisa A. Whalen | Shari R. Gelfont Williams | Donald Williford | Clair E. Wischusen | Josephine Lee Wolf | David Woosley
Chester County
Luis Abreu | Stephen I. Baer | Nicole Bennett | Karalyn Berman | Shaina Bethala | Peter E. Bort | Donald P. Bristol | Bari Britvan | Barbara Butler | Jessica Buttner | Kevin Patrick Cronin | Regan Curran | George D’Ambrosio | Colleen Davis | Jennifer Davis | Eve DelSoldo | Joseph DiGiorgio | Donna D’Ortone | Will Fairhurst | Nathan Felton | Cary L. Flitter | Kelsey Frankowski | William J. Gallagher | Luciann Givonetti | Julia Malloy Good | Andrew Green | Matthew Handley | Renee Harris | Nicole Havatter | Cara Herman | Jessica Hochberg | Matt Holliday | Jeremiah F. Kane III | Patricia Klim | Christin Kubacke | Kristen Ladd | Bruce Laverty | Seamus Lavin | Bethany Lee | Daniel A. Lee | Richard Lipow | Brinna Ludwig | Elizabeth Macksey | Julie Manser | Albert P. Massey, Jr. | Amy McCall | Shannon McDonald | John F. McKenna | Samuel R. McMichael | Chelsea Melrath | Jade Merkel | Kristin Molavoque | Niyah Morgan-Dantzler | Lauren Nehra | Chisom Nwakama | Andrew Orita | Lawrence Persick | Andrea Pettine | Nicole Plank | Sara Planthaber | Hon. Katherine B. L. Platt | Weilun Qian | Barry S. Rabin | Alexander Ramirez | Marissa Ramsay | Shayna Roble | Mary Pat Roche | Ann Marie Romani | Hon. Allison Bell Royer | James J. Ruggiero, Jr. | Robyn D. Rykard | Janet Satterthwaite | Lolo Serrano | Lauren Shea | Tyler Shields | Virinchi Sindhwani | Elizabeth Srinivasan | Edward C. Sweeney | Tyler Szabo | Tim Trott | Erin VanRyn | Catherine H. Voit | Kirke Weaver | Kayleigh Williams | William T. Wilson | Michael Wittmann | Lora Lynn Yelcick | Kelly Young | Christine Zaccarelli | Alex Zhang
Delaware County
Michael Aitken | Linda M. Anderson | Sara Barthol | Jonathan Biedler | James Berardinelli | Dana Breslin | Donna M. Cantor | McKenzie Dietz | Thomas A. Dreyer | Thomas K. Ellixson | Patrick Farris | Alex Feldman | Katherine Finnegan | F. D. Hennessy, Jr. | Brett Hollenback | Richard A. James | Vince G. Iannello, Jr. | Steven Koense | Kimberly Krzyzaniak | Vincent LaMonaca | Richard Landry | Louis Martini, Jr. | Kathryn A. Meloni | John Mendy | Anna-Marie Murphy | Colleen M. Neary | Kathleen O’Connor | Renee Olivett | Richard S. Packel | Shawn Page | Michelle Paznokas | Michael Pierce | Katherine Poterjoy | Lorraine M. Ramunno | Jordan Reilly | Peter J. Rohana | Leigh Ann Rossetti | Lawrence S. Rubin | Kristen M. Rushing | Emma Schoenberger | Lyn Schoenfeld | Robert Sebia | Laura A. Seider | Jordan Shead | Robert “Reb” Speare | Melanie Tunaitis | Ashwini Udgaonkar | Barry W. VanRensler | Emily Vener-Giszter | Donald J. Weiss
Montgomery County
Valerie Rosenbluth Angst | Bruce L. Baldwin | Monica Beard | Rochelle Bobman | Peter Bort | Melissa Boyd | Lisa Cappolella | Carol Cardonick | Kimberly Clark | David Cohen | Colleen F. Consolo | Colleen F. Coonelly | Christina Corr | William M. Cowan, Jr. | Alexandra Dolan | Peter Dolan | Jessica Downes | Isabel Duffy | Ashlie Filandino | Christine M. Flynn | Joanna M. Furia | Charlene Gallagher | Michael W. Gallagher | Lindsay Garrels | Gregory Gilston | Andrew Green | Patricia M. Hampson | Rachel Harrison Ana Hernandez | Jennifer Hess | Amanda Houser | Tim Howard | Janet Huffman | Dana Jorna | Elan Kaplan | Alexander Lassoff | Janet K. Lubon | Betty Lupo | C.J. Lyford | Alice Marshall | David Marshall | Dianne Massimini | Carolyn R. Mirabile | Madison Morton | Annie L. Neamand | Kristen Nichols | Jonathan Noble | George P. O’Connell | Barkha Patel | Eric Pecci | Lawrence Persick | Gregory W. Philips | Supriya Philips | Kenneth E. Picardi | Franqui-Ann Raffaele | Kim Renninger | Charles A. Rick | Jose L. Roman, III | Katie Schellenger | Robert Sebia | Anita Seth | Susan Shannon | Dawanya Shuler | John Simolike | Lucas Slevin | Kimberly N. Smith | Don Solomon | Lynne Taylor | Cristian Torres | Karen Ann Ulmer | Manilyn Villafuerte | Susan Wallack | Linda Walters | Aaron Weems | Howard Woodson | John Zurzola
Note
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this list of pro bono volunteers for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022. To offer feedback or to report an error, please contact Erika Becker, Pro Bono Director, at ebecker@lasp.org, or a pro bono coordinator (listed on this page, at top right).
If you are seeking legal help for a civil legal matter, please visit the Services page.
Pro Bono Opportunities flyer
Click to download, print, share! (1-page PDF, updated March 2024)
Pro Bono Trainings provides free trainings.
It’s password protected. Contact any pro bono coordinator listed below to access free trainings to help you take a pro bono case.
Pro Bono Program Director
Erika Becker, Esq.
484-245-2183
Pro Bono Coordinators
Bucks County
Megan Reinprecht, Esq.
484-206-8101
Chester County
Brian Doyle, Esq.
484-416-4259 x5210
Delaware County
Cassidy Heiserman, Esq.
610-230-6074
Montgomery County
Melina Dixon, Esq.
484-275-0463