Philadelphia VIP

Our friends at Accenture invited VIP to lead a training on drafting wills and powers of attorney for pro bono clients. Thanks to their commitment to service, even more of our neighbors have access to representation while putting their affairs in order.

We closed the book on another year of successful small business legal clinics at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP last week, with thanks to all the Morgan Lewis attorneys and corporate counsel volunteers who teamed up to advise our clients. Keep an eye out for news about clinics in 2025 and contact Nina Josephson to learn how you can help our small business and nonprofit clients all year round!

Our volunteers took the challenge of Pro Bono Month to heart: 170+ people signed up for a new #probono case or attended a clinic in October. We are deeply grateful for the community of dedicated legal volunteers that makes VIP's mission possible. Thank you to all the attorneys, paralegals, and others on this list, and to everyone currently representing a VIP client. Add your name to the list by taking a case from our website: https://lnkd.in/eVtefhaz

October's Volunteer of the Month is Gregory Hyde, a family law attorney who brings over a decade of experience into the courtroom for his #probono clients. Family law is often seen as emotionally charged, but Greg keeps his practice grounded in empathy and pragmatism. “At the end of the day, my goal is to set up families for success,” he says. “I keep it simple. I sit down with my client and go through the custody factors. If something is not in the child’s best interest, it is not worth pursuing in court.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g2TAiEEs

Join us for a happy hour and Pro Bono Story Slam, part of the #NationalCelebrationofProBono! Mingle with judges, attorneys, and non-attorneys across the Philadelphia legal community, and hear inspiring stories of working with pro bono clients. Interested in sharing your pro bono story? You’ll have an opportunity to share it at the event. Stories should be your own personal pro bono experience, shared without notes, and no more than 5 minutes in length. Please RSVP by October 21 if you plan to attend; names are needed for security check-in. There is no cost to attend. Register today: https://ow.ly/xJbs50TGTZX

"Oh, honey, our organization cannot possibly afford to pay your fees." Check out Meredith Ferleger's piece about her VIP client, a nonprofit transitional housing shelter in need of #probono assistance from a zoning lawyer. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/esC2Egvb

We are excited to welcome Bethany Nikitenko, a longtime supporter and outstanding volunteer attorney, to VIP’s Board of Directors. Bethany is a Partner at Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig LLP, where she represents plaintiffs in catastrophic injury cases. As a VIP volunteer, Bethany defends low-income Philadelphians against third-party debt buyers in collections matters and is a frequent mentor for new volunteers in those cases. She received VIP's Champion Award in 2022. Read more about Bethany here: https://lnkd.in/gnySMcGx

Our staff spent the day at Vanguard's Community Festival in Malvern talking to the crew there about #probono projects for corporate counsel: drafting wills, counseling small business owners, clearing tangled titles, and more. Thanks especially to Allison Beatty and Vanguard's pro bono committee for inviting us out!

Thank you to all the lawyers, paralegals, interpreters, and others who volunteered to expand access to justice for a new VIP client in September! Want to add your name to the list? Explore our available #probono cases here: https://lnkd.in/eVtefhaz

September's volunteer of the month is Miriam Straus, who in her eleven years with VIP has assisted Philadelphians with eviction hearings, tangled titles, guardianship proceedings, and more. "I feel lucky that I can do #probono work that fits with my schedule. Any lawyer can find some way to make a difference." Read more: https://lnkd.in/esje_fyN