Featured Session

Pro Bono Opportunities Day

Philadelphia VIP's signature recruitment program, Pro Bono Opportunities Day, was held on Thursday October 25, 2007. The event, generously hosted by Montgomery McCracken Walker and Rhoads, inspired and educated a record number of lawyers new to pro bono work. Trainers from Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, Community Legal Services, Cozen O'Connor, Fox Rothschild, LLP, and the Law Offices of Michael E. Fingerman shared their expertise in the areas of child custody, nonprofit issues, public housing and quiet title/fraudulent conveyances.

The event commenced in the Justice Roberts Room with an introduction and welcome from Sara Woods, Executive Director of Philadelphia VIP, followed by inspiring remarks by A. Michael Pratt, Chancellor-Elect of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and Rhasheda Douglas, Pro Bono coordinator at Montgomery McCracken Walker and Rhoads. Professor Louis Rulli from the University of Pennsylvania then spoke on the significant need for pro bono attorneys and the benefits of such work in Philadelphia.

Pro Bono Opportunities Day, according to participants, was an opportunity to gain the tools and knowledge necessary to assist low income Philadelphians. One attendee stated, "It was really helpful to hear from participants already working on low income VIP cases so I could learn from their experience." After the training this participant felt prepared to take on her own pro bono case. Each attendee to accept a pro bono case from Philadelphia VIP earns two CLE credits.

The event was a success because of our volunteers and our supporters. Philadelphia VIP greatly appreciates support for Pro Bono Opportunities Day from our Silver Sponsor, James Descrencenzo Reporting and Bronze Sponsor, Lexis Nexis. A special thanks to Reliable Copy Service for printing the training materials.