The Role of the Philadelphia Bar Association
The Philadelphia Bar Association is an organization with a dual purpose. It not only aims to provide lawyers with the tools they need to continue to provide quality legal services, but also works to create a more educated public as a whole. To this end, the Philadelphia Bar Association offers a host of resources designed to help those who educate the public on legal matters. One of the ways the Philadelphia Bar Association manages to do this is through its lawyer referral system. This program enhances the basic referral program , by providing citizens with useful information on a particular situation. Their Lawyer Referral & Information Service, or LRIS, works to ensure that no one is forced to take the risk of choosing the wrong attorney. By pre-screening all LRIS lawyers for expertise and malfeasance, the LRIS is able to provide an invaluable resource to those in need. Each LRIS-member lawyer has been screened by their peers for proficiency in their area of practice and has been officially accepted into the LRIS. Perhaps more importantly still, LRIS lawyers have agreed to offer an initial 30-minute appointment for just $25 to any Philadelphia resident.
Our Free Legal Advice Services
Bishop Thomas Jones, Chair of the Public Interest Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, provided a very nice overview of the Association’s free legal advice services to those in need at the Friday lunchtime seminar. But in order to supplement the missed talk, I’ll offer some additional thoughts here.
The Philadelphia Bar Association has two main groups that provide pro bono services to individuals who can not otherwise afford an attorney, Pro Bono in the Public Interest and the Young Lawyer Division’s Homeownership and Housing Committees. Pro Bono in the Public Interest runs the Lawyer in the Library program, which operates in a number of libraries in Philadelphia on weekdays. Need information on the locations? Check out the PBA’s links page. Note that this program is staffed only by volunteer attorneys, which means they’re not always available. While you should keep that in mind, also keep in mind that these are people who devote their time just because they find satisfaction in seeing that the law can be a benefit to those in need, and they want to make sure everyone gets access to that benefit. The Young Lawyers’ Homeownership Committee sponsors two programs: the Homeless Advocacy Project and Elder Law Hotline. You can find additional information on both programs at the YLD’s website. The Homeless Advocacy Project works to assist with housing issues for homeless persons, as well as those low-income individuals and families who are at risk of becoming homeless. The types of issues HAP attorneys help clients with are: landlord-tenant issues, public benefits, family matters, wills, living wills, and powers of attorney, Social Security and unemployment benefits, insurance, including health care, and consumer issues. The Elder Law Hotline provides free legal advice to, and referrals for, seniors in Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The areas of law covered by the Hotline include consumer fraud, age discrimination, medical negligence, health insurance, wills, living wills and powers of attorney, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid issues. The attorneys and paralegals assisting with the Hotline operate out of the regional offices of the SeniorLAW Center Inc.. The programs are limited to those who are in need of assistance and meet certain income requirements.
How to Find Our Free Legal Clinics
The Philadelphia Bar Association offers several free legal clinics throughout the city. These clinics are open to all members of the public. Typically they are held in the basement of the Municipal Services Building each Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Walk-ins eligible for advice at the clinic must register in person when the clinic opens at 12:30 p.m., and it is important to get there early — space is limited to the first 12 people in line. Participants are then registered and assigned to an attorney, who will meet with them one-on-one to provide legal advice. While the Bar Association does not guarantee any specific legal result or outcome from a clinic meeting, they do promise that clients will receive sound and appropriate legal guidance.
People can also subscribe to a special newsletter, Legal Clinics, which advises of the day’s available clinics, and where they are being held. Some clinics do require advance registration, and it is noted, on a weekly basis, if this is the case.
Other free legal clinics include those offered through Paladin services, the Pro Bono Attorney Network, and the Philadelphia VIP.
Volunteer Attorneys & Their Specialties
The Philadelphia Bar Association is proud to be one of the largest volunteer attorney outlets featurings a broad spectrum of lawyers, including but not limited to commercial real estate attorneys, litigation specialists, family law experts, intellectual property lawyers, and tax advisors. These attorneys come from all walks of life and varying backgrounds to provide advice, guidance, and counsel on an array of legal issues. The attorneys associated with the Philadelphia Bar Association provide legal advice or opinions at absolutely no charge to the person who requests the information.
What makes the network of volunteer attorneys particularly useful is that it is composed of lawyers who specialize in specific areas of the law. This guides the interactions of the network in order to create a productive match of legal expert and those of the public who are seeking legal assistance. Large firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsel, and retired lawyers are among the individuals of the network who volunteer to field calls and assist individuals, no matter where they are located within the city.
Stories of Previous Clients
The Philadelphia Bar Association has been providing free legal advice to those in need for many years. Clients who were once unsure of their rights or where to turn for help have since found the answers and resources they were looking for. Committed volunteers have played a crucial role in facilitating these results.
For instance, Mary D. turned to the Philadelphia Bar Association after attempting to represent herself in a family matter. "I was confused and not sure how to go about handling it. I didn’t feel like I was being respected," she explains. After receiving the help she needed, Mary has since remarried and even had another child.
Thomas A. came to us for legal advice after receiving complaints from neighbors about his dog. "Thank you very much! The consult was very informative, direct and reliable," Thomas recalls. "I had an issue that concerned me, and now I can move forward with something I wanted to do . " He reports that the complaint has since been resolved.
"You were so nice in explaining things." Leslie C. recalls in her questionnaire response. "You gave me such good advice. Much appreciated." The current focus for Leslie is trying to collect on a debt owed to her family. Unfortunately, a recent stroke left the debtor in her family unable to pay up right away. Leslie was advised to continue communicating with the debtor.
Dylan R. contacted the Philadelphia Bar Association after suffering legal troubles related to his employment. "I had three minor criminal charges brought against me and I ended up losing my job. I am indefinitely laid off. I must be reinstated to collect unemployment benefits," Dylan explains. After the free legal advice appointment, however, he no longer feels helpless.
"I feel much better about this whole ordeal. I know what to expect. I learned more information about the opinion which I had in mind."
Other Legal Resources Beyond Our Services
In addition to free 30-minute consultations, the Philadelphia Bar Association offers workshops and informational sessions to the general public. Among those offered are "How to Get a Divorce" and "How to Get a Guardianship." These sessions provide more detail about specific areas of the law and are valuable for those who are facing obstacles that require more than just general guidance. The Philadelphia Bar Association also acts as an information clearinghouse regarding legal aid organizations in the Philadelphia area. For those who cannot afford a lawyer, the Association can provide referrals to other organizations that provide low-cost or no-cost legal advice. If you are not sure exactly what you need, the Association can help you determine which organizations can best assist you.
Ways to Support Us or Volunteer
The Philadelphia Bar Association depends upon the time and talents of volunteers to staff its legal advice programs and workshops. Lawyers interested in providing pro bono services through the legal advice center , a community initiative, or at one of our PA IOLTA-funded or membership-supported projects should contact the Pro Bono Coordinator. We also gladly accept donations to help support our Access to Justice programs.