Probono Coordinator
Pro Bono in this County:
Information is currently being updated.
Check out the work on pardons here at www.PardonMePA.org
Remote Pro Bono Opportunities With Philadelphia Area Legal Aid Nonprofit Partners
PBA joins Philadelphia lawyers for 5K to support children, May 15, 2022
PBA Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis joins Jodi Schatz, Director of Intake and Pro Bono Services at the Support Center for Child Advocates, and Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Wes Payne in preparing food for runners at the 43rd Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk in Fairmount Park. Since the first Bar Run in 1979, the event has benefited the Support Center for Child Advocates and their work on behalf of young people who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Scott Receives PBA Pro Bono Award, Oct. 21, 2019
PBA Zone 1 Governor Wesley R. Payne IV (right) presented a PBA Pro Bono Award to Nigel S. Scott of Philadelphia during the PBA Minority Bar Committee Philadelphia High School Law Day, Oct. 21. The award recognized Scott’s years of service to the program and his providing law-related public education as a form of pro bono service.
Divorce Practice in Philadelphia, Dec. 8, 2016
Philadelphia VIP is sponsoring a free CLE training program for attorneys on this topic; location: Cozen O'Connor, One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Philadelphia. Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
Public Interest Law Day CLE Program, Dec. 8, 2016
The Delivery of Legal Services Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association holds its annual Public Interest Law Day CLE Program; location: Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads LLP, 123 South Broad St., Philadelphia. Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
Public Interest Section Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception, Dec. 8, 2016
Location: DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Philadelphia, 237 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Free Expungement/Sealing Clinic, Nov. 12, 2016
The Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association is seeking attorneys and law students to volunteer to work at an Expungement and Sealing Clinic at six different locations in Philadelphia on Nov. 16. Get more information on the Philadelphia Bar Association website.
Philadelphia Bar YLD Seeks Volunteers for Expungement Clinic, Nov. 12, 2016
The Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association is seeking attorneys and law students to volunteer to work at an Expungement and Sealing Clinic at six locations in Philadelphia on Nov. 12. Get more information.
Volunteers Needed to Defend Asian American Voting Rights and Monitor Voting, Nov. 6, 2016
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund AALDEF) is seeking volunteers to defend Asian American voting rights by monitoring the elections and surveying voters on Election Day, Nov. 8. Get more information at www.paprobono.net/civillaw/news/article.619400-Volunteers_Needed_to_Defend_Asian_American_Voting_Rights_and_Monitor_Voting.
CLS at 50: Justice Through the Decades, Nov. 3, 2016
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia will be hosting; location: Top of the Tower, 1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
Boo! at bahdeebahdu, Oct. 28, 2016
AIDS Law Project's Annual Halloween Party 3rd Annual Boo! at bahdeebahdu: Celebrities Edition; the two-part event at bahdeebahdu (1522 N American Street) features a catered dinner with fine wine and live performances, followed by a dance party.
Free Child and Spousal Support Clinic, Oct. 28, 2016
Philadelphia Legal Assistance is offering a free child and spousal support clinic on Oct. 28 in Center City Philadelphia. Low-income individuals with upcoming support conferences will have an opportunity to receive advice about child support and spousal support from volunteer lawyers. This opportunity is open only to people who are trying to get support ("Plaintiffs"). Defendants in support actions should contact the Lawyer Referral and Information Service in Philadelphia at 215-238-6333 for a referral to an attorney. Helpful information is also available online at www.PALawHelp.org.
Board Observer Program: Nuts & Bolts of Nonprofit Board Service, Oct. 27, 2016
12:30-2 p.m. Lunch and registration begin at noon. Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor Conference Center. This program will provide attorneys interested in serving on a nonprofit board with an introduction to the role of a Board of Directors and the laws governing nonprofits, including charitable issues raised under state and federal laws. After the first hour, a moderated panel will share their experiences and give guidance to those who are interested in joining a nonprofit board. After the 1-hour CLE, a panel of Executive Directors and Board members of charitable organizations, will share their experiences and give guidance to those who are interested in joining a nonprofit board.
Disability Advocates Honored with Annual Awards, Oct. 27, 2016
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every five Americans (roughly 53 million persons) lives with a disability. The need for advocates is large. Each year at their Fall Celebration, the Legal Clinic for the Disabled (LCD) recognizes individuals and organizations that work and advocate on behalf of the disabled community in Philadelphia. The Special Recognition Award is given to a person nominated by LCD's Board of Directors who has shown outstanding commitment to the disability community and to LCD. This year's recipient is Frank M. McClellan, JD, LLM. The White Hat Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have done outstanding work for LCD and its clients. This year the law firm of Duane Morris LLP and Jeffrey S. Lichtman, Esq., are being recognized for their service with the White Hat Awards. Get more information about the awards and the awards recipients on the LCD website.
First Judicial District 2016 Pro Bono Publico Awards & Roll of Honor Reception (by invitation only), Oct. 27, 2016
4-6 p.m. at Philadelphia City Hall. The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) will recognize and honor its 2016 Roll of Honor for Pro Bono Service. Attorneys who performed pro bono services in the FJD courts from Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 23, 2016, are eligible. Honorees were selected from previously submitted nominations. Attendance at the reception is by invitation only.
Legal Clinic for the Disabled 13th Annual Fall Celebration, Oct. 27, 2016
Location: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), 118-128 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia. This annual fundraiser helps LCD continue the work they do by providing free legal representation to low-income people with physical disabilities in the Philadelphia region to help them overcome legal obstacles that would otherwise affect their independence, health or quality of life. Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
Criminal Record Relief: Expungement and Limited Access (Doylestown), Oct. 26, 2016
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and the Bucks County Bar Association will be presenting a CLE program entitled Criminal Record Relief at the Bucks County Bar Association. This one-credit CLE will cover both expungement law and procedure and the state's new limited-access law coming into effect in November.
'How to Handle a Child Abuse Case' Program in Philadelphia, Oct. 26, 2016
The Support Center for Child Advocates and Pennsylvania Bar Institute will be holding a program titled "How to Handle a Child Abuse Case" on Oct. 26, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., at the PBI CLE Conference Center in Philadelphia.
Get more information.
PMC Annual Benefit: An Evening with Michael Smerconish, Oct. 26, 2016
6-8:30 p.m. at the College of Physicians, Philadelphia. Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is thrilled to welcome Michael Smerconish as the keynote speaker at our 2016 Annual Benefit. Smerconish is the host of "The Michael Smerconish Program" on Sirius XM Channel 124, the host of CNN's Saturday morning news program "Smerconish," a newspaper columnist and best-selling author. Cocktails and light fare will be served.
Friends of Farmworkers Fall 2016 Fundraiser, Oct. 25, 2016
Location: Tequilas Restaurant, Philadelphia. For information about sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.friendsfw.org/support-our-work/fall-2016-fundraiser/2016-event-sponsorship/. Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
Philly Jeans for Justice, Oct. 24-28, 2016
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is sponsoring the 2016 Philly Jeans for Justice campaign during Celebrate Pro Bono week, Oct. 24-28, 2016. What? Lawyers and other staff "buy" the privilege to wear blue jeans (or skirts) at work for one day. Or your office team can decide to wear sports jerseys, hats from your alma mater, Halloween costumes, groovy sneakers, etc. When? Pro Bono Week or any other day between now and the last day to participate, Friday, Nov. 4. Where? Your law firm, legal department, or law-related business. Why? Raise crucial funding to support the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and its grants and other assistance to a wide range of legal aid nonprofits in Philly. It's really easy to participate! Follow the simple steps at this link to sign up individually or to form an Office Team: http://philabarfoundation.org/2016-philly-jeans-justice. If you have questions, check out the 2016 Philly Jeans for Justice FAQ or contact Adrienne Brown, Marketing & Development Coordinator, 215-238-6322 or [email protected].
SeniorLAW Center Training: Providing Legal Services through the Pennsylvania SeniorLAW HelpLine, Oct. 24, 2016
Noon-2 p.m. at Morgan Lewis, 1701 Market St. Volunteers will be trained to provide legal advice, information and referrals to seniors across Pennsylvania who call the PA SeniorLAW HelpLine with civil legal issues. Lunch provided for those who register in advance. Register with Joanna Jarzebowska at [email protected].
31st Annual Mary Philbrook Public Interest Awards, Oct. 20, 2016
Location: Rutgers University-Camden in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room. Sponsored by the Women's Law Caucus, the Association for Public Interest Law, the Rutgers Law–Camden Alumni Association, and the Camden County Bar Association, the Mary Philbrook Public Interest Award celebration is a 31-year tradition at Rutgers Law School's Camden location. This year's honoree is Michael Taub, Esq., director, Homeless Advocacy Project's Veterans Project, the only legal assistance program in Philadelphia that specifically targets homeless veterans. In addition, Rutgers Law student and veteran Joshua Piccoli, who died last year, will be memorialized. Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
Shepherds of Peace Dinner & Awards, Oct. 19, 2016
Location: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St., Philadelphia. Each year, in conjunction with international Conflict Resolution Day, Good Shepherd Mediation Program honors several individuals who have been instrumental in encouraging peace and social justice in Philadelphia and names them "Shepherds of Peace." Get more information on the PAProbono.net website.
National Pro Bono Week Events, Sept. 26 through Nov. 4, 2016
Members of the Philadelphia legal community are invited to participate in the following pro bono recruitment, recognition and training events that will be held during October 2016 to commemorate the National Pro Bono Celebration, a coordinated national celebration held during the week of Oct. 23-29 to encourage efforts to expand the delivery of pro bono legal services.
Sept. 26 through Oct. 14, interactive Pro Bono Road Shows will be held at law firms and corporations in Center City to highlight pro bono opportunities available at Philadelphia public interest legal services organizations. To schedule a road show at your office, contact Jodi Schatz at [email protected].
Oct. 24- 28, or any day selected from now through Nov. 4, the Philly Jeans for Justice Campaign will be held at participating workplaces throughout Philadelphia. This "Go Casual Day" benefits legal aid nonprofits funded by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Employees at participating offices donate $5 or more to wear blue jeans (or skirts) or participate in a donation-driven office activity. Offices that raise the most and/or have the most participants will receive a special prize. Registration deadline is Oct. 21. To register your office and receive a planning packet, click here or contact Adrienne Brown at 215-238-6322 or [email protected].
Oct. 24, Philadelphia VIP, in partnership with the Philadelphia Bar Association, will present "Philadelphia VIP Pro Bono Opportunities Day: Navigating the Ethical Issues in Pro Bono Service," from 8:30 - 11 a.m. (continental breakfast and registration begin at 8 a.m.), at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor Conference Center.
Oct. 24, the SeniorLAW Center will provide a training program, "Providing Legal Services Through the Pennsylvania SeniorLAW Helpline," from 12 - 2 p.m., at Morgan Lewis, 1701 Market St., Philadelphia. Volunteers will be trained to provide legal advice, information and referrals to seniors who call the PA SeniorLAW HelpLine. Lunch will be provided for those who register in advance. Register by contacting Joanna Jarzebowska at [email protected].
Oct. 26, the Support Center for Child Advocates will present "How to Handle a Child Abuse Case," from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney. Join us for this volunteer workshop and learn from dedicated experts in the field of child advocacy how you can make a difference in the lives of child victims. To register online, visit http://sccalaw.org/takeastand.
Oct. 27, the Board Observer Program will present "Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofit Board Service," from 12:30 - 2 p.m. (lunch and registration begin at 12 p.m.), at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St.,11th Floor Conference Center. This program will provide attorneys interested in serving on a nonprofit board with an introduction to the role of a board of directors and the laws governing nonprofits, including charitable issues raised under state and federal laws. After the first hour, a moderated panel will share their experiences and give guidance to those who are interested in joining a nonprofit board.
Oct. 27, the First Judicial District (FJD) of Pennsylvania will host the 2016 Pro Bono Publico Awards and Roll of Honor Reception (by invitation only) from 4 - 6 p.m., at City Hall. The awards are provided to attorneys who performed pro bono services in the FJD courts from Oct. 1, 2015, to Sept. 23, 2016. For more information, visit www.courts.phila.gov/probonoawards.
Philadelphia VIP Seeks Volunteer Lawyers for Tenants Facing Eviction, August 2016
The Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP) is seeking volunteer lawyers to be trained to represent tenants facing eviction. Read more about the need and get program and contact information here.
Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk, May 15, 2016
The 37th Annual Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk will be held on May 15, beginning at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. This event attracts more than 1,300 runners and walkers of all ages each year and is one of the oldest and most respected events of its kind in the City of Philadelphia. For an application, contact Michael Berkowitz at [email protected] or 215-567-2010, ext. 132. Get more information.
Philadelphia VIP Gala, March 12, 2016
Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono legal services for low-income clients in Philadelphia, hosted its 35th Anniversary Gala on March 12. With more than 475 supporters and sponsors on hand for the sold-out event, it helped to raise more than $500,000 to provide free legal assistance to low-income clients with critical legal needs through the services of pro bono attorneys. Read more.
Philadelphia VIP Advanced Divorce Training - Equitable Distribution, Dec. 8, 2015
Philadelphia VIP presents a program titled Advanced Divorce Training - Equitable Distribution on Dec. 8, noon-2:15 p.m. at the law firm of Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, 1835 Market St. Each attorney who attends and accepts a VIP pro bono case within six months of the training will earn two free substantive CLE credits.
Pro Bono Road Show and Interactive Fair, Philadelphia, Oct. 14, 2015
In celebration of National Pro Bono Week, public interest legal services agencies will present brief highlights about their work and how to get involved. This will be followed by an open forum where attendees can learn more about the agencies of their choice. Participating agencies include AIDS Law Project, Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project (CBAP), Education Law Center-PA, Good Shepherd Mediation Program, HIAS Pennsylvania, Homeless Advocacy Project, Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Mazzoni Center, Pennsylvania Innocence Project, Philadelphia VIP, Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA), SeniorLAW Center, Support Center for Child Advocates. Go to http://www.probono.net/celebrateprobono/events/event.570949-PRO_BONO_ROAD_SHOW_INTERACTIVE_FAIR on the ABA website for more information and to register.
Disability Rights Clinics to in Philadelphia, Oct. 9-Nov. 6, 2015
The Public Interest Law Center is offering three free walk-in clinics for clients with disabilities (and people who support them) on Oct. 9, Oct. 23 and Nov. 6 at different (accessible) locations in Philadelphia. Get more information at http://www.palawhelp.org/resource/disabiliy-rights-clinics-to-be-held-in-philadelphia on the PALawHelp.org website.
Law Day on Employment Discrimination at Drexel Law, Oct. 3, 2015
The Community Lawyering Clinic at Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law will be hosting a Law Day on Employment Discrimination on Oct. 3. Get more information athttp://www.palawhelp.org/resource/jobs-and-justice-law-day-oct-3-philadelphia on the PALawHelp.org website.
Judicial District 2015 Pro Bono Roll of Honor Nomination Deadline Sept. 25, 2015
In recognition of the importance of pro bono work by lawyers to ensuring justice for the citizens of Philadelphia, the First Judicial District plans to will publish a Pro Bono Roll of Honor for 2015 and honor those listed at a reception on Oct. 24. Find out more on the website of the Philadelphia courts.
Education Law Center 40th Anniversary Celebration, Sept. 16, 2015
The Education Law Center will hold its 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building, Philadelphia, on Sept. 16, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets to the event are available from the center. For more on the event and sponsorships go to the center's website at http://www.elc-pa.org/2015/08/17/2233/. For additional information contact Spencer Malloy at ,[email protected].
Volunteer Training - ADA Pro Bono Clinic, Sept. 11, 2015
The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia is seeking volunteers for a new Americans with Disabilities Act Pro Bono Clinic operated through its Disability Employment Discrimination Project. Pro bono law students and attorneys will work with individuals with disabilities to provide legal information on prohibited discrimination and reasonable accommodation under the ADA, and how to maintain public benefits while working. Students and attorneys will two to three hours of training in the beginning of the semester on substantive legal areas of employment discrimination, public accommodations and housing discrimination under the ADA. Students will also be trained on communicating with disabled and low-income clients and client interviewing skills. Attorneys may attend the training if they choose (advised for those who are new to ADA practice). The initial training session for the fall semester will be held on Sept. 11, 3-6 p.m. at the United Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, although remote participation is also available. Pro bono attorneys who wish to attend the training session must contact Julie Foster by Sept. 10. Attorneys experienced in ADA practice who do not wish to attend the training may sign up at any time. A second training will be held in the spring semester. Duties of attorney volunteers participating in the clinics include staffing walk-in clinics for individuals with disabilities who have questions on disability discrimination and employment; and providing supervision and guidance to students who will conduct interviews with individuals attending the clinics and identify possible cases of discrimination. Students will provide information on ADA discrimination, provide referrals, provide information on the WIPA program and referrals for WIPA services, and provide information and best practices on how to request reasonable accommodations. Clinics will be held at a different location in Philadelphia where people with disabilities are served. Clinic locations will be accessible by public transit. Volunteers can participate in one clinic or all of the clinics, but students must commit to at least two per semester. Clinics will be held on Friday afternoons for approximately two to three hours. Fall clinic schedule: Oct. 9, 3-6 p.m., Mental Health Association of Southeaster PA, 2709 North Broad Street; Oct. 23, 2-5 p.m., Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 3; Nov. 6, 2-5 p.m., The Sierra Group, 714 Chestnut Street. Volunteers can sign up for the clinics by submitting a resume and short statement of interest by email to Julie Foster at [email protected]. You may also call 267-546-1313 with questions about this volunteer opportunity.
First Annual Social Justice Award Gala Honors Edgar S. Cahn, Sept. 10, 2015
On Sept. 10 the PBA will be front and center at the National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia for the First Annual Social Justice Award Gala honoring Edgar S. Cahn. The attached announcement andarticle provide information about Cahn and the award ceremony. In the past four years the PBA, ABA, Philadelphia Bar and Philadelphia City Council all passed resolutions supporting youth courts. PBA-supported youth court efforts are underway for the new school year in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Westmoreland counties. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has provided both money and staff to the effort in the southeastern Pennsylvania area. There are also events with Cahn bracketing the NCC celebration on Sept. 9 at Swarthmore College, with the PBA Pro Bono Office presenting the annual Swarthmore College Edgar and Jean Camper Cahn Law and Social Justice Award honoring college students helping the Chester City youth courts, and on Sept. 11 the University of Pennsylvania Law School's Toll Public Interest Center will host a program on youth courts with Cahn, along with the BALSA students there who do the PBA's Project PEACE Program.
Juvenile Law Center's Schwartz to Receive ABA's Hardin Award on July 24, 2015
On March 12, 2015, the American Bar Association announced that Robert G. Schwartz, co-founded and long-time executive director of the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia, is the recipient of the fourth annual Mark Hardin Award for Child Welfare Legal Scholarship and Systems Change from the ABA Center for Children and the Law. The award is to be presented during the center's national conference in Washington, D.C., on July 24. Read more in the ABA news release.