PA Bar Association honors Attorney Ronald J. Smolow for eviction prevention and housing stability work in Bucks County
LASP FILE PHOTO shows Ronald Smolow (center); Robert Kim, LASP Staff Attorney (at left); and Magisterial District Judge Jan Vislosky at a CLE on Oct. 18, 2019, ahead of the November 2019 launch of the eviction prevention program. The CLE was on “Representing Tenants Facing Eviction in Magisterial District Court.”
(Oct. 2020) DOYLESTOWN - As part of the 12th National Pro Bono Week celebration, Newtown attorney Ronald J. Smolow received a 2020 Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Pro Bono Award on Oct. 27, for his support of low-income tenants facing eviction. PBA President David Schwager presented the award following the Bucks County Bar Association (BCBA)'s Pro Bono Week CLE, held virtually due to COVID-19. At the CLE, David Keller Trevaskis, PBA Pro Bono Coordinator, discussed "Pro Bono in the Age of COVID-19" and the many pro bono opportunities available to attorneys.
Smolow was honored for his innovative eviction pilot project in Bucks County. After extensive planning with program partners, the pilot project launched in November 2019 and continued to January 2020. The program provided attorney representation and rental assistance to low-income tenants facing eviction in Falls Township, Bucks County. Building on funding provided by the United Way of Bucks County toward rental assistance for tenants, Smolow helped bring together a partnership between District Court Judge Jan Vislosky, Bucks County Bar Association, Bucks County Opportunity Council, LASP, and the Bucks County Division of Housing Services.
“Although landlord-tenant law is not his specialty, he saw the great need for tenants to be represented in court. Ron meets all tenants with empathy. I believe the tenants are astounded that someone is actually listening and identifying with his or her struggle.”
Robert Kim, LASP Staff Attorney, noted, “The 'attorney for a day' pro bono project in landlord-tenant court would not exist without Ron's dedication and efforts. Although landlord-tenant law is not his specialty, he saw the great need for tenants to be represented in court. Ron meets all tenants with empathy. I believe the tenants are astounded that someone is actually listening and identifying with his or her struggle. Perhaps the tenants are not used to having someone finally hear his or her story. Ron is then able to tell the story to the court in an effective and captivating manner. I have never seen anyone with such a great command of the court and the ability to control the narrative that highlights the tenant's story in the most sympathetic light. I also believe he is able to guide the pro bono attorneys to be equally effective."
Rob continued, "We are thankful for Ron in finding partners to make the program a success. We are thankful for Judge Vislosky's cooperation and patience in allowing this program in her court. We are also thankful for Bucks County Opportunity Council. Without BCOC, most of the settlements between the tenants and landlords negotiated by Ron and the pro bono attorneys would not be possible.”
LASP's November 2019 e-news included an article about this pilot project: https://conta.cc/2CVLgfl.
All 2020 PBA Pro Bono Awards are announced on the PBA website: https://www.pabar.org/site/For-Lawyers/Pro-Bono-Services/Pro-Bono-Awards/2020-Pro-Bono-Awards.