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LASP attorneys and staff are working tirelessly to prevent evictions, foreclosures and resolve other civil legal issues threatening the health, safety and economic well-being of families in our communities.

Despite the current CDC eviction moratorium, LASP advocates are seeing increased need for civil legal aid in housing and other areas, throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. The need will jump even further once the CDC moratorium is lifted on Jan. 1, 2021.

Your generosity during this season of giving will provide an attorney for someone who has been hit hard by this crisis and is on the verge of losing their home.

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Arrests for criminal matters – even without conviction – often trigger civil legal issues. For example, being arrested and held can prompt loss of job and income, and make it impossible for someone to maintain housing. “There’s a snowball effect of consequences,” said Lily Austin, LASP Independence Fellow.

The collateral consequences of contact with the criminal justice system are far-reaching. “Upon contact with the criminal justice system, starting at arrest, residents not only face criminal consequences, but also the loss of life essentials like employment, benefits, housing, and family unity through civil legal issues that spring up because of clients’ circumstances, or by operation of law,” Austin said.

The fellowship, funded through the Independence Foundation in Philadelphia, is designed to connect clients in the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office with civil legal services, to address such matters as family law issues, evictions, and appealing denials or terminations of public benefits.

Modeled on collaborations between civil legal aid and public defender organizations in major cities, Austin seeks to connect civil legal aid with public defense in suburban Montgomery County. Based in LASP’s Pottstown office, she is working with the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office in Norristown and Pottstown as part of the Fellowship. Some of the goals are to:

By identifying a client’s potential civil legal issues earlier in the criminal case with the public defender’s office, LASP can address civil matters proactively while working within the guidelines provided through Legal Services Corp., LASP’s major federal funder. “The goal is a more holistic defense,” she said. “Legal Aid offers free civil legal assistance to eligible clients, but we are not always connecting with clients in this population when they need help.”

Two of the model programs, The Bronx Defenders and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Civil Legal Services Division, embed civil legal aid within the public defender’s office. To meet COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, Austin instead will hold virtual weekly office hours to discuss civil legal issues with public defenders’ clients. She also plans separate, virtual meetings with attorneys in the Office of Public Defender, to discuss the civil collateral consequences that clients can face upon conviction, or even before that stage. “For example, a person living in public housing or receiving a Section 8 voucher to help pay rent can face an eviction action or termination of voucher assistance because of certain ‘criminal activity,’ with such actions being possible before or without an actual conviction,” she noted, adding, “Conviction of certain offenses can lead to no longer being eligible to adopt or act as a foster parent, or receive financial aid for college, and more. The goal is to help clients avoid the imposition of collateral consequences or remove them.”

For more information about the partnership, contact Carol Sweeney (610-278-3308) or Greg Nester (610-278-3318) at the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office, or Lily Austin at LASP (laustin@lasp.org).

The Independence Foundation Public Interest Law Fellowship Program supports free direct legal representation for disadvantaged residents of the Philadelphia region. More information on the fellowship is at: https://bit.ly/37ow89o.

As part of a new public interest law collaboration, attorneys from Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office met virtually Dec. 1. 

Top row (from left): Erica Briant, LASP Community Engagement Unit Supervising Attorney; Katy Cronin, Assistant Public Defender; and Jeffrey Matus, Assistant Public Defender. Middle row: Lauren Zitsch, Assistant Public Defender; Josh Thorn, Assistant Public Defender; and Greg Nester, Public Defender. Bottom row: Lily Austin, LASP Independence Fellow; and Carol Sweeney, Public Defender.

LASP welcomes John & Jean Rosenberg and Drexel Law Prof. Wendy Greene to annual staff retreat

Held virtually Nov. 12 due to COVID-19, LASP's annual Staff Retreat featured keynote remarks from John and Jean Rosenberg of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, and a CLE from Professor Wendy Greene of Drexel University Kline School of Law.

The Rosenbergs presented on “Living a Life of Service and Social Justice.” John is a Holocaust survivor, emigrating to the U.S. from Magdeburg, Germany with his family to Gastonia, North Carolina after Kristallnacht in 1938. He eventually served as Executive Director of the legal aid program in Eastern Kentucky, the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, for 28 years. He met his wife, Jean, while working on civil rights and voting rights cases for the U.S. Dept. of Justice from 1962-1970. Jean, a Pennsylvania native and lifelong community advocate, currently volunteers with Prisoner Visitation and Support, based in Philadelphia.

Dr. Greene's CLE, “Appearance Bias and Discrimination: Exploring the Nexus Between Workplace Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity,” focused on global workplace and school discrimination related to natural hairstyles. Outlining Title VII and relevant case law, Greene noted that a growing number of states and municipalities are enacting CROWN Act legislation (Creating Respectful and Open Workplaces for Natural Hair).

David Keller Trevaskis, Pro Bono Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), and David Schwager, 2020 President of the PBA, also joined LASP attorneys, staff, interns, board member and a LASP alum for the morning.

Staff Attorney Deborah Steeves received LASP's Maryjane B. Kelley Award at the virtual staff retreat on Nov. 12. Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director, presented the award via Zoom.

Deb joined LASP in January 2001 as Staff Attorney in Bristol, later moving to the Chester County Office in West Chester. She was honored for her compassion and empathy for clients; community outreach efforts; her work in public benefits, social security, SSI, unemployment compensation and more; and for launching a veterans clinic in spring 2003 with the Coatesville VA Medical Center, held monthly in person and, during COVID-19, virtually. One staff nomination noted, "She helps clients break free of the cycle of poverty."

LASP honored Michelle R. Dempsky with the 2020 Rising Star Award. Kesha James, Deputy Director for Advocacy and Pro Bono Director, presented the award. Michelle joined LASP in May 2019 as Staff Attorney in landlord-tenant law, based in the Norristown Office. "I’ve always believed that access to justice shouldn’t be dependent on a person’s income," Michelle said. "Every win and benefit I can achieve for a client with Legal Aid promotes this ideal."

Patricia MacCorkle, Bristol Office Manager, received the 2020 Patricia L. Brooks Award. She joined Bucks County Legal Aid Society in January 1999. "I started as an intake clerk, very much like I am doing now. I screened client calls and opened files for them and took care of the closed files and compliance issues," she said. She became Bristol Office Manager for LASP around 2003. One nomination stated, "Pat is the pin that holds the Bristol Office together." Erik Hansen, Deputy Director for Operations, announced the award, which is new this year and is named in honor of Pat Brooks, administrative assistant in the Chester City office from 1975-2018. She passed away in 2018. Many who worked with Pat Brooks in Delaware County describe her as very organized and efficient with a generous spirit and extremely dedicated to her work.

Staff service pins also were presented:

(Note: Please see lasp.org/news for articles on the staff awards.)

The Delaware County Bar Association (DCBA) Community Outreach Committee honored veterans Nov. 17 with a distinguished panel discussing numerous resources to help veterans. Barry VanRensler, member of the DCBA Veterans & Military Service Affairs Committee, CDR, JAGC, USNR (Ret.), moderated.

Frank Panico, Benefits Coordinator, helps Delco residents file for benefits, navigate the VA claims process, and access retirement pensions and surviving spouse benefits. The office also provides flags and markers for deceased veterans.

Richard A.J. Prebil, LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney (pictured at right), explained Legal Aid of Southeastern PA's new Veterans Advocacy Project, which launched during COVID-19. LASP helps veterans access VA benefits, upgrade their military discharges, and other legal services provided by LASP, including unemployment compensation and assistance with landlord-tenant issues. "Sometimes veterans have an undiagnosed mental or physical health condition when they are discharged," Prebil said. "Sometimes that undiagnosed mental or physical health condition is the reason for a less than honorable discharge. Regardless of an individual's level of discharge, we at Legal Aid can walk through the next steps to either apply for VA benefits or a discharge upgrade with a veteran. We are here to listen to the veteran's story and provide the highest quality legal services possible." Prospective clients who are veterans can contact LASP's Veterans Advocacy Helpline at 610-283-0884.

Jenna R. Smith, Esq., Assistant District Attorney, joined the Delco DA's office in 2013 and was assigned to veterans and mental health treatment in 2016. The office works with veterans who are involved in the criminal justice system, including patients at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Delaware County is among 51 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties which have veterans courts. In LASP's service area, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties also have Veterans Courts. The PA Courts website reports that in 2019, 189 veterans statewide graduated from this specialty court, a 75% successful graduation rate.

Veterans Multi Service Center (VMC)

Jesse C. Thompson, Case Manager and USMC veteran, explained that VMC helps veterans with rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention, with a "housing first" model. "We provide immediate housing support without pre-conditions," he said. VMC helps veterans access VA benefits and community resources. (Note: LASP and the Delco Dept. of Veterans Affairs both are partners with VMC.)

Veterans Law Clinic (VLC) - Widener University Delaware Law School

Jennifer R. Morrell, Esq., Director, said the Veterans Law Clinic, founded in 1997, helps low-income or disabled veterans appeal adverse VA decisions. The clinic has helped veterans retroactively recover more than $13 million in benefits, she noted. VLC also assists with survivor benefits, pensions, overpayments and discharge upgrades. During COVID, the VLC has temporarily paused its work on wills and durable powers of attorney, she said.

David Keller Trevaskis (pictured at left), Pro Bono Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, said PBA members handle cases in their areas of practice or expertise for Pennsylvania military veterans, free of charge. The PBA's Pro Bono Office and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee coordinate the program.

Wills for Heroes started after 9/11. Of the first responders who died as a result of 9/11, "Two-thirds of them died without a will," Trevaskis said. Wills for Heroes has provided more than 13,000 estate packages for first responders, many of whom are also veterans, he noted.

U.S. Veterans Legacy Project (VLP) based in Media

Media Mayor Bob McMahon described his U.S. Army career including the 1968 Tet Offensive, protecting public safety in three villages. Returning from Vietnam in February 1969, he learned that the Veterans of Foreign Wars was not accepting Vietnam veterans, adding, "Things have changed." VLP encourages veterans to share their legacy of military service through interviews, and engages Delco students through a sixth grade essay contest and elementary school participation in Delco's Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades.

Chari M. Alson, Esq., a certified elder law attorney, pointed the audience to the newly published 2020 Delaware County Elder Law Handbook & Resource Guide. She co-edited the publication, which is available online in PDF. She also co-chairs the DCBA Elder Law Committee, is co-editor of the PBA Elder Law Section Newsletter, and is a board member of the Chester County Estate Planning Council.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) eviction moratorium took effect Sept. 4, 2020. It declares a national moratorium on residential evictions through Dec. 31, 2020, suspending evictions for nonpayment (of rent, as well as other fees or charges) under the authority of 42 C.F.R. § 70.2. The moratorium applies only to tenants who present a signed form declaration to their landlord.

Christina Drzal, LASP Regional Housing Supervising Attorney, shared a fact sheet about the CDC order, officially titled, "Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19." For a two-page PDF, click here or on the image above.

The Pennsylvania Courts' version of the CDC declaration is available in PDF at: https://bit.ly/30m6WgX. It includes instructions on page 3.

If you need help paying your heating bills, or have a heating emergency, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help.

The program, which opened Nov. 2, is administered by the PA Dept. of Human Services. Applications will be accepted through April 9, 2021.

Visit the state website at https://bit.ly/32v9gmN for income eligibility guidelines, how to apply, telephone helplines, and brochures in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Cambodian, Russian and Vietnamese.

The Eviction Prevention & Intervention Coalition (EPIC) has expanded to seven courtrooms across Montgomery County, including two courtrooms in Norristown, two in Pottstown, one in East Norriton, one in Jenkintown, and one in Lansdale. Staff Attorney Michelle Dempsky is LASP's lead attorney for EPIC, and CARES Attorney Fellow Anthony Richardson also is working on EPIC. Pro bono attorneys are needed to represent renters at eviction hearings in all seven of these courts.

To learn more about volunteering for the EPIC program, please contact Michael E. Kelley, LASP Norristown Managing Attorney, at 610-275-5400 x125, or mekelley@lasp.org.

DOYLESTOWN - Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings take place Wednesdays at the Bucks County Justice Center at 100 N. Main St., Doylestown 18901.

To volunteer with LASP's Bucks County Division on one or more of these dates, please contact Randi Riefner, Paralegal and Bucks County Assistant Pro Bono Coordinator, at rriefner@lasp.org or 215-781-1111 x203.

NORRISTOWN - Maria Crespo served as a CARES Intern in the Community Engagement Unit, based in Norristown. A student at Delaware Law School, she holds a bachelor's degree in Government and Psychology from William & Mary. At Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP in McLean, Virginia, she worked as an immigration assistant, drafting non-immigrant visa petitions on behalf of major corporate companies. She was a summer legal intern at the Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC, where she prepared and assembled petitions sent to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. As a law student, she is active in the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, Latin American Law Students Association and the Women's Law Caucus.

NORRISTOWN - Rachel Koutishian was a CARES Intern in the Community Engagement Unit this fall. She is a student at Widener Delaware School of Law. She previously interned at Kenneth Vercammen & Associates Law Office in Edison, New Jersey, handling estate administration, probate and wills. An alumna of Rowan University with a B.A. in Music, she was a campus representative for the Philadelphia Orchestra, where she promoted orchestra events and programs to college students. She was a founder of the Epsilon Psi chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau, and was its Vice President for Operations and director of Risk Reduction and Management.

NORRISTOWN - During fall semester, Melina Voorhees was a CARES intern with LASP's Community Engagement Unit. She also is a juvenile dependency intern with the Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender. Currently a law student at Widener, Melina holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from West Chester University, where she was a peer mentor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs for Sisters United. Her work experience in education includes special education at Catapult Learning, civics at Mathematics Civics and Sciences Charter School, and school-based team leader at City Year. She volunteered for the Asia Adams Save Our Children Foundation, which aims to reduce intimate partner violence among teens and young adults.

NORRISTOWN - Jazmine Zack was a LASP CARES intern this fall, working in the Community Engagement Office. She is a student at Delaware Law School, where she is a Phi Alpha Delta member, First Generation Law Society member, and is in the Women’s Law Caucus. At AMS Law in Norristown, she worked as a Legal Intern. Jazmine holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Rowan University. While a student, she was a member of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship, Pre-Law Society and Rock Climbing Club.

BRISTOL - LASP seeks an attorney to provide civil legal services in its Bristol office in Bucks County. This is a full-time position that will focus on representing clients facing issues regarding public benefits, consumer law and bankruptcy, employment, expungements, housing, family law, protection from domestic violence, and other cases as assigned. Click to read full job description.

WEST CHESTER - LASP seeks a full-time Paralegal for the West Chester Office. The Paralegal must be a team player, willing to handle a multitude of duties as needed. Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills and experience with case management systems and bankruptcy software or an ability to quickly learn these and other computer skills is desirable. Click to read full job description.

LASP job openings are posted at lasp.org/careers.

If you received e-news as a forwarded email, or if you found it on social media, please subscribe at lasp.org/enews or email Marion Hoffman Fraley, Communications Manager, at mfraley@lasp.org.

Past issues are at lasp.org/enews.