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Help us raise $75,000 before January 1 to fund our mission of expanding access to justice in 2024!
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About Us

Philadelphia VIP leverages the powerful resources of the community to provide quality volunteer legal services and ensure access to justice for low-income Philadelphians.

Team Overview

VIP’s essential work is to recruit, train, and support the hundreds of volunteer attorneys who represent low-income individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits without charge. Read more about our mission and model of service.

We have a full-time staff of twenty-one organized into two teams: Legal and Operations/External Relations. 75% of VIP staff are members of the Legal Team, reflecting an organizational focus on supporting clients and volunteers.

Our Board of Directors, which is comprised of dedicated, mission-focused volunteers and seven ex officio members, provides strategic and financial oversight for the organization.

VIP also has a robust intern program, with between 4-8 interns, including law students, college students, and, occasionally, high school students, engaged during the school year and over the summer.

The Legal Team

The Legal Team consists of attorneys, Pro Bono Case Managers, the Small Business Coordinator, and the Homeownership Project Administrator, with support from the Program Manager. This team is led by the Managing Attorney. Their responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing cases for eligibility and merit
  • Recruiting volunteer attorneys and other professionals
  • Placing cases with volunteers
  • Training and mentoring volunteers
  • Providing responsive, timely assistance to volunteers
 

The Operations and External Relations Team

Fondly dubbed “OpEr” by the VIP staff, this team includes the Director of Operations, Program Manager, Development Manager, Data and Contracts Manager, Content and Communications Manager, Administrative Assistant, and Executive Director. Their responsibilities include:

  • Operations (finance, human resources, and facilities)
  • Technology (IT and database management)
  • Measurement and evaluation
  • Fundraising
  • Outreach and Communications
 

The Board of Directors

In addition to providing strategic oversight, Board members serve as VIP ambassadors, helping to attract both volunteers and donors, and as volunteers (taking at least one case per year, if possible).

The Board has five standing committees:

  • Executive
  • Nominating & Governance
  • Finance
  • Fundraising
  • Recruitment & Retention

Special committees are developed on an ad hoc basis.