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In honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, Philadelphia VIP, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania are launching a campaign to increase participation of Latinx, Latino, and Hispanic lawyers as a resource for local small businesses.
As the Latino community grows in Philadelphia, access to legal counsel from their own culture, and in the Spanish language whenever possible, is more important than ever to have. Right now, the ability for a business owner to call on “mi abogado” is limited because of the lack of funding to hire legal help. VIP, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Hispanic Bar Association are looking to create a cadre of local volunteers committed to providing counsel and education to microentrepreneurs. If you are a Latinx, Latino, or Hispanic attorney, there are opportunities for you to get involved now:
Philadelphia VIP matches volunteer attorneys with individuals, families, small businesses, and nonprofits seeking pro bono representation. Our small business clients need help with a wide range of transactional legal issues, from incorporation and trademark filings to contracts drafting and commercial lease negotiation. Volunteers can either sign up to provide 1-hour virtual counsel & advice sessions or take on a more extensive matter through a full-representation case. VIP is in need of Spanish-speaking attorneys and legal interpreters to support this work. To volunteer, please contact Evy Cruz at icruz@phillyvip.org or complete our enrollment form.
The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting the advancement and economic growth of Hispanic businesses and professionals in the greater Philadelphia region. GPHCC is looking for volunteer lawyers for its R+ campaign, designed to support the growth and development of Latino-owned businesses during this extremely challenging economy, by providing access to resources, expert advice, networks and educational opportunities. As recovery continues, volunteer lawyers may be asked to join informative webinars for members and other public-facing programs. Please contact Program Coordinator, Yael Tacher (ytacher@philahispanicchamber.org) to find out how you can help.
The Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBAPA) is a professional organization composed of lawyers, judges, and law students of Hispanic ancestry as well as other interested persons committed to the advancement of our members and our community. The HBAPA was founded to provide a forum for Hispanic and other lawyers who are interested in effecting change in our communities. HBAPA is looking for lawyers to join our vast network as it continues to be a resource in language access, getting out the vote and addressing issues that directly impact our community. To learn more about the association and become a member, please visit our website.
Access to legal representation can be the one thing that keeps a small business afloat during this difficult time. Please join us as we seek to make legal resources equitably available for communities of color by helping the businesses that are the heart of our barrios.