| Executive Director transition |
|
|
|
Elizabeth Wood Fritsch departs July 31 after more than 20 years as LASP Executive Director, while C. Shawn Boehringer takes the helm Aug. 1. They've been working together since July 19 to ensure a smooth transition. A letter from Liz, introduction to Shawn, and photos follow.
|
Liz Fritsch, longtime Executive Director, says a fond farewell
|
|
| Liz Fritsch (center) with LASP staff attorneys Eileen Carroll (left), Erica Briant, Susan Strong, and Development Director Ann Tydeman-Solomon. |
To all LASP's friends and supporters,
After 21 years on the job, I am addressing you for the last time as Executive Director of LASP.
It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to lead LASP. I have worked with a terrific staff and Board, and our efforts have been supported time and time again by our many generous volunteers and donors. As a result, LASP has helped thousands of low-income and vulnerable individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties save their homes, receive critical benefits, and obtain protection from domestic abuse.
As I move on to explore other opportunities and to spend more time with family, I leave knowing that LASP's experienced and committed staff, led by a talented new Executive Director, Shawn Boehringer, will continue to
have a significant impact on those LASP serves and to fulfill its mission of making access to justice a reality.
Thanks to all of you who have sustained us and our work.
Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, Esq.
The LASP Board of Directors hosted a farewell reception for Liz Fritsch following the June 27 Board of Directors meeting at the Montgomery Bar Association, Norristown. For more photos, please visit LASP's Flickr album at
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmmh8zeB.
Photo above left: Judith Algeo (left), President of LASP's 2018-19 Board of Directors; and Nancy Paul, LASP board member and Executive Director of the Montgomery Bar Association.
Center photo: William Gallagher (left), President of the 2016-18 Board of Directors; with board members John McKenna and Joe Lynch.
Photo above right: Liz with board members Catherine Voit and Lindsay Childs.
|
|
| Natasha Towles (left), Fiscal Director; Latanya Martin, member, Board of Directors; Carolyn Hettel, Helpline Paralegal; Nanci Hoover, Supervising Attorney, Helpline; Kesha James, Deputy Director for Advocacy. |
|
|
|
| Judith Algeo (left), President of LASP's 2018-19 Board of Directors; Staff Attorneys Erica Briant, David Jonas, Christina Drzal; and Stephanie Klein, member, LASP Board of Directors. |
|
|
 |
|
Welcoming Shawn Boehringer as new Executive Director
 |
|
|
C. Shawn Boehringer |
LASP's new Executive Director, Shawn Boehringer, Esq., has dedicated his career to civil legal services in Maryland, Florida and Kentucky, but in joining LASP, he's returning to his native Pennsylvania. Since his arrival at LASP July 19, he has been working with departing Executive Director Liz Fritsch to ensure a smooth leadership transition. He officially takes the helm on Aug. 1.
Since 2009, Shawn served as
Chief Counsel for Maryland Legal Aid in Baltimore. He also worked as Director of Advocacy for Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Florida from 2000-2009, as Staff Attorney for Legal Services of Greater Miami from 1997-2000, and as Staff Attorney for the Appalachian Research & Defense Fund of Kentucky, based in Prestonsburg, from 1993-1997.
Shawn grew up in Adamstown (near the border of Lancaster and Berks counties). He graduated from Governor Mifflin High School, Shillington; Gettysburg College (B.A.); and the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School (J.D.). A youth baseball and soccer coach, he's an avid baseball fan and enjoys tennis and snowboarding.
|
|
| LASP's Norristown staff welcome Shawn Boehringer on July 19. Since his arrival, Shawn has met with Doylestown and Pottstown staff and has scheduled August visits at other LASP offices. |
|
|
|
|
PA Clean Slate law: First in nation
|
Offering automatic record-sealing for many nonviolent misdemeanors, Clean Slate legislation becomes law in Pennsylvania
In June, Pennsylvania became the first state to pass and sign into law Clean Slate legislation. The law provides automatic record-sealing of nonviolent ungraded, second- or third-degree misdemeanors.
For the first time, people convicted of some first-degree misdemeanors will be able to petition for record-sealing. Depending on the number and severity of their convictions, they will need to wait 10-20 years. To petition for record-sealing, they also must be free of additional convictions during those 10-20 years.
Erica Briant, Regional Expungement Attorney for LASP, noted that in the past, a petition had to be filed with the court in order to have any record sealed in Pennsylvania. With automatic record sealing, attorney fees and court costs will no longer burden people trying to re-start their lives.
LASP's work in expungements will remain important, Briant said. For instance:
- Expungements for summary convictions can be filed after five years with no further arrests or charges.
- Sealed records still can be accessed by law enforcement and serve as a barrier to employment.
Thanks to our neighboring legal services program, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, for their hard work in advancing this legislation. To access CLS's summary of the Clean Slate law, eligibility flow chart, frequently asked questions and more, please visit
http://bit.ly/2M5OlN0.
Among other coverage of Clean Slate:
|
|
|
PLAN honors MLK, Jr. interns
|
|
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) honored 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. interns at a reception in Harrisburg July 24. Sara Planthaber (center) was a legal intern in LASP's Chester County office this summer. At the reception, she joins Shawn Boehringer, LASP's incoming Executive Director, and Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, departing Executive Director. The Martin Luther King, Jr. program was established in 1991 to promote cultural and ethnic diversity in legal services
and to honor Dr. King. |
|
|
Highlights from the Counties
|
Bucks County
LASP to discuss expungement process Aug. 8 at Good Friends in Morrisville
Staff Attorneys Tesla Thomas and Erica Briant will discuss LASP services and explain the expungement process and eligibility guidelines to residents of Good Friends, Morrisville, on Aug. 8. "It's part of their life skills class, held each Wednesday night," Briant said.
Thomas noted, "Most/all of these are men of different ages 18+ who have substance issues in the past, and many of these men are ... looking to create a brighter future for themselves, which is why the organization (
http://www.goodfriendsinc.org) is a great target for our expungement services."
|
|
|
Chester County
Elder law clinic in Spring City
On July 20, LASP Chester County held an elder law clinic at Vincent Heights senior living community in Spring City. Pro Bono A
ttorney George D'Ambrosio gave a presentation to residents about the benefits of medical directives, powers of attorney, and wills.
Volunteers then helped low-income seniors draft
Durable Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Durable General Powers of Attorney.
|
|
|
|
Delaware County
LASP outreach at Delaware County Community College
Staff Attorney
Phil Rosenthal
will present at two outreach events for students in the KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success) Program at Delaware County Community College. KEYS, run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, helps recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps) in community college.
On Aug.15, Rosenthal will introduce LASP services and eligibility. He noted that students registered in the KEYS Program are eligible for LASP's services. He also will explain benefits available through the County Assistance Office, and what to do when an application for benefits is denied or benefits are discontinued.
On Aug. 17, Phil will discuss expungements and sealings of criminal records in Pennsylvania, explain what effect and when the recently signed Clean Slate legislation will automatically have on a person's criminal history, and offer "do's and don'ts" when talking about a criminal history in a job interview and on an employment application.
|
|
| YOU can help bring access to justice! |
To support LASP's mission
&
increase access to justice in Bucks, Chester,
Delaware & Montgomery counties,
please visit http://bit.ly/LegalAidHelps
.
|
|
