Legal Clinics

In addition to referring cases to volunteer attorneys for direct representation in civil cases, VIP helps to organize legal clinics where volunteer attorneys and law students can provide short-term legal assistance, advice and education to clients in the community. Legal clinics help provide limited legal services and assistance to clients in their own neighborhoods. These limited representation programs are an innovative way to give clients the information they need to be aware of their legal rights and be familiar with the legal process. The VIP staff works closely with volunteer attorneys and law students to provide the structure and training necessary to ensure that they are qualified to help in the specific legal area covered by the legal clinic.
 

Pro Bono Opportunities Day 2011

Pro Bono Opportunities Day was held on Tuesday, October 25 at The Exelon Corporation from 8:00am to 11:00am. The spotlight was on "The Ethics of Doing Good" as part of National Pro Bono Week. Attendees included 35 first year associates and volunteer attorneys as well as a number of judges from the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The CLE training was presented by Amy Tarr, the Assistant General Counsel for Exelon; the Honorable Denis Cohen of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania; Mary Gay Scanlon, Pro Bono Counsel for Ballard Spahr LLP; and moderated by Sara Woods, Executive Director of Philadelphia VIP. Prior to the training, we held a networking breakfast with judges of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania featuring keynote speaker the Honorable Anne E. Lazarus of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.. This training focused on the ethical implications of pro bono service in Philadelphia and included discussions on unique challenges of working with low-income clients, ethical dilemmas in representing clients pro bono and with unrepresented parties, and the benefits of pro bono service.