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Giving Tuesday | Nov. 29
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Pro Bono Month: Photos & awards
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LIHEAP home heating help for owners & renters; apply Nov. 1, 2022-April 28, 2023 | LASP 4-county flyer
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PHOTOS: Trial Run 5K | Encore!
- LASP pro bono opportunities
- Scrapbook | Welcome, new staff!
- November-December outreach
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Join our team! Chief Counsel, Accounting & Finance Manager & more
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When veterans can’t cut through red tape and get the benefits they’ve earned, LASP is there to help.
LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project launched in 2020 during the pandemic. Since then, attorneys have obtained more than $13.5 million in lifetime benefits for veterans.
These benefits mean veterans and their families could afford safe, stable housing. A wife could cut back her hours at work to care for her disabled husband. Men and women got the health care they needed.
YOU can bring stability and healthcare to more veterans in 2023.
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17th annual Trial Run 5K! |
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WAYNE - Thank you to runners, walkers, sponsors, the Chester County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee and volunteers. The 17th annual Trial Run 5K on Oct. 30 featured sunshine, fun and a spirited costume contest! This year's event was held at Wilson Farm Park, Wayne.
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Encore! for Chester County Paralegal Association & LASP |
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WEST CHESTER - Thank you to the Chester County Paralegal Association for hosting Encore! A Legal Community Talent Showcase & Auction Fundraiser on Oct. 20. Held at Knights of Columbus in West Chester, the event was a fundraiser for CCPA and LASP.
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Colleen Davis (at left) and Ann Marie Romani. |
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Dana Allaband (at left), Donald P. Bristol and Alyson Poppiti. |
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Above: Eileen Law (at left) and Robyn Rykard.
Below: Auctioneer Bob Frame.
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From left: Brian Doyle, Staff Attorney & Chester County Pro Bono Coordinator; Deborah Steeves, Staff Attorney; Marion Hoffman Fraley, Communications Director; Christin Kubacke, LASP Board of Directors; Catherine Voit, LASP Board President; and Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director. |
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Above: Drawing the winning ticket! Below: Julia Malloy-Good and Shawn Boehringer.
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Montgomery Bar Association Pro Bono Breakfast |
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Don Solomon receives Pro Bono Award from PBA |
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NORRISTOWN - Congratulations to Montgomery County attorney Don Solomon, who received a Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award Oct. 11 for his service on behalf of LASP clients.
The award presentation followed a Pro Bono Month breakfast reception hosted by the Montgomery Bar Association and CLE presented by David Keller Trevaskis, PBA Pro Bono Coordinator.
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From left: Cary B. Hall; Jennifer Gayle; Don Solomon, PBA Pro Bono Award recipient; Jennifer Pierce, LASP Pro Bono Coordinator; Kathryn Palladino, LASP Staff Attorney & Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator; David Keller Trevaskis, PBA Pro Bono Coordinator; Tim Knowles, Chair of the MBA Pro Bono, Access to Justice, and Community Service Committee; Shawn Boehringer, LASP Executive Director; Donald B. Cheetham, III, LASP Staff Attorney; Lisa Whalen, LASP Pottstown Managing Attorney & Interim Doylestown Managing Attorney; Denise Vicario, MBA Executive Director; and Megan Reinprecht, LASP Community Engagement Staff Attorney & Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator. |
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Chester County Bar Association Pro Bono Volunteer Reception
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Judge Bret Binder and Judge Analisa Sondergaard hosted a cocktail party Oct. 18 celebrating Chester County Bar Association pro bono volunteers.
As Judge Binder stated in his speech, “Your efforts in volunteering your time never go unnoticed. We see you, and we appreciate you!” Please see the CCBA Facebook post for more photos.
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Judge Bret Binder thanks pro volunteers thanks pro bono volunteers. From left: Catherine Voit, LASP Board President, and Christin Kubacke, LASP Board member. |
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Jennifer Fink (at left) and Jessica Socienski. |
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From left: Brian Doyle, LASP Staff Attorney & Chester County Pro Bono Coordinator; Robyn Rykard and Sara Planthaber, LASP Staff Attorney. |
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Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono CLE & Awards Ceremony |
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Morris Kaplan & Daniel Keane receive Pro Bono Awards from PBA |
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DOYLESTOWN - The Bucks County Bar Association celebrated pro bono volunteers Oct. 27 at a CLE, awards presentation and reception. David Keller Trevaskis, Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Coordinator, presented a CLE on the Pennsylvania Free Legal Answers initiative.
Morris Kaplan and Daniel Keane received PBA Pro Bono Awards.
BCBA recognized Bucks County attorneys who provided pro bono service, including Keystone volunteers with 50+ hours of service in the past year.
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From left: Julie D. Goldstein, BCBA President; Morris Kaplan, PBA Pro Bono Award recipient, who provides extensive pro bono service for Protection from Abuse (PFA) clients; Hon. James. M. McMaster; Daniel Keane, PBA Pro Bono Award recipient, attorney at Clemons, Richter & Reiss in Doylestown, & volunteer PFA facilitator and Guardian Ad Litem; and David Keller Trevaskis.
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From left: Erika Becker, Staff Attorney; Barbara Kaner, Staff Attorney; Jennifer Pierce, Pro Bono Director; Carol Wilbur, Doylestown Office Manager; Mardi Busanus, Doylestown Office volunteer; Randi Riefner, Paralegal; Megan Reinprecht, Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney & Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator; and Durene McCarty, Bristol Office Administrator and Assistant Bucks Pro Bono Coordinator.
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Bucks Keystone Attorneys were honored for providing 50+ hours of service in the past year. |
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Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, former LASP Executive Director, and David Keller Trevaskis. |
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BCBA President Julia Goldstein recognizes Bucks pro bono volunteers. |
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Note: Due to a presenter's scheduling conflict, the Delaware County Bar Association's Pro Bono CLE will be in February. Please stay tuned to delcobar.org for details!
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LASP pro bono opportunities |
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Wednesdays (in-person): Pro bono attorneys needed for PFA hearings
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DOYLESTOWN - Pro bono attorneys are urgently needed for Protection from Abuse (PFA) hearings In November and December, especially Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Sign up for this unique Bucks County access to justice initiative for any Wednesday. The hearings are held at the Bucks County Justice Center, 100 N. Main St., Doylestown, PA 18901.
To volunteer to represent plaintiffs, please contact Durene McCarty, LASP Administrative Support and Assistant Pro Bono Coordinator, at dmccarty@lasp.org or 215-398-6757.
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LASP Pro Bono opportunities for Montgomery County |
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Pro bono opportunities in Montgomery County:
Divorce cases
Custody cases
Willow Grove outreach
at the Eastern Montgomery County Courthouse Annex in Willow Grove on the second & fourth Thursday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m.
Lansdale outreach at Manna on Main Street
in Lansdale on Wednesdays from 2-3:30 p.m.
Learn more, or sign up!
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Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE - Dec. 7 (hybrid) - Legal issues affecting veterans & military personnel
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Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 1-4:15 p.m.
- 3 CLE credits
- Live webcast, or in-person at Bucks, Chester and Delaware County Bar Associations.
- Details, registration & how to become an Accredited VA Representative beforehand: https://bit.ly/3Quv1K0.
Richard A.J. Prebil, LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Supervising Attorney, is on the planning committee for a three-part series of CLEs from the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI). Part 3 on Dec. 7 will cover legal issues affecting veterans and military personnel.
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by Sara Planthaber, LASP Staff Attorney | Montgomery Bar Association Sidebar | Fall 2022 | Pages 22-23 |
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2022-23 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) |
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Apply for LIHEAP Nov. 1, 2022-April 28, 2023 |
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What is LIHEAP?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes to pay heating bills with a grant. The money does not have to be paid back.
LIHEAP has cash & crisis grants (you can get both)
Cash grants
$300-$1,000 to pay heating bills. One-time payment, usually sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider.
Eligibility: Income; home heating responsibility; responsible for primary or supplemental heat; includes renters who pay for heat as part of rent, even without a utility account; Pennsylvania resident.
Crisis grants
$25-$1,000 to help in an emergency, if you might lose your heat. Call County Assistance Office. You can get more than one crisis grant, up to $1,000. For broken heating equipment or leaking lines; lack of fuel; shut-off; danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply); danger of having utility service terminated (you've received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days).
How to apply for LIHEAP in 2022-23
Please see LASP's website article or flyer for i ncome guidelines, locations of County Assistance Offices in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, and local LIHEAP helplines.
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In-person: Powers of Attorney Workshop in West Chester Nov. 19
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Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m-1 p.m.
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at Crime Victims' Center, 135 W. Market St., West Chester.
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One-page flyer: click here or image at right.
WEST CHESTER - Get help with healthcare and/or financial power of attorney documents at a free legal workshop! The Powers of Attorney Workshop will be presented by The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County, Inc. and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. Free parking is available.
CVC and LASP are partnering to offer residents of Chester County a free healthcare power of attorney and/or financial power of attorney to ensure that your chosen loved one has the right to make healthcare and/or financial decisions for you in the event that you are not able to make them for yourself.
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In-person: Women Veterans Panel in Upper Darby Dec. 6
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Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
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Upper Darby American Legion Post 214, 6914 Chestnut St., Upper Darby, PA 19082
UPPER DARBY - Please join VetCenter, Veterans Multi-Service Center (VMC), and the VA for a panel discussion with women veterans about military experiences, the transition to civilian life, how to improve VA services, and more!
Refreshments and resources will be available to participants. Stop by LASP's table at this event. A LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney, who is also a VA-accredited attorney, will be available to discuss VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and other civil legal aid matters.
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In-person: Legal Clinic in Lansdale - Dec. 7 (and most Wednesdays)
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LANSDALE - A free legal clinic will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7 at North Penn Commons / Manna on Main Street, 606 E. Main St., Lansdale from 2-3:30 p.m. LASP resumed regular legal clinics in Lansdale on Nov. 2. The clinic is planned for most Wednesdays at the same time and location.
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Check lasp.org/events for scheduled dates, or confirm available dates when you schedule an appointment (see next line).
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To schedule a 30-minute appointment with an attorney, contact Erika Felpel at 484-275-0672 or efelpel@lasp.org.
- Have a question about the clinic? Contact Kathryn Palladino: 484-209-0892 or kpalladino@lasp.org.
- Se habla español. Language access & interpretation available for 240+ other languages.
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Flyer to print or download
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Virtual: Clean Slate & Expungement Workshop with Coatesville Center for Community Health Dec. 8
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LASP Staff Attorney Deborah Steeves will present a free, virtual Clean Slate and Expungement Workshop in partnership with the Coatesville Center for Community Health.
Participants will learn from a LASP attorney about the clean slate and expungement process and check eligibility. The attorney will meet individually in a private Zoom breakout room with each participant to review their criminal record and discuss next steps.
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In-person: Monthly Legal Clinic in Exton Dec. 14
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EXTON - A free monthly legal clinic will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at PA CareerLink, 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19380.
The clinics are a partnership between LASP, United Way of Chester County's Financial Stability Center, and PA CareerLink of Chester County.
For one-page flyer, click here, or image at right.
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Thursday, Dec. 15 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
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One-page flyer: click here, or image at right.
EXTON - Get information on Unemployment Compensation in person or virtually. A LASP will discuss the legal topic. Then, attendees can meet one-on-one with the attorney to discuss specifics of their situation.
Your choice:
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In-person at PA CareerLink office 479 Thomas Jones Way Suite 500 Exton, PA 19380.
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Virtual: Register in advance via PA CareerLink: http://bit.ly/3UdG3pn. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you attend virtually, you will meet in a private Zoom room with the attorney.(Open to all counties!)
This workshop series is presented in partnership with LASP, United Way of Chester County and PA CareerLink of Chester County.
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DV Awareness Month Vigil ~ Delco
MEDIA - The Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County (DAP) hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil Oct. 13 at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.
From left: Carly Wells, LASP Staff Attorney; Kimberly Hollenback, LASP VOCA Supervising Attorney & Media Office Managing Attorney; and Kalli Badolato, DAP Staff Attorney.
Prior to attending the vigil, both Kim and Kalli represented victims of domestic violence in Protection from Abuse (PFA) court in the same courthouse.
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Doylestown Custody Clinic
DOYLESTOWN - At a Bucks County Custody Clinic Oct.13, LASP advocates and pro bono attorney Shari Williams helped four people prepare the first petition for custody, change a current order, or receive general advice in a Bucks County custody case.
The clinic provided information on how to file the paperwork at court, and clients can connect with LASP if they have follow-up questions. Thanks to the Bucks County Bar Association for hosting the clinic, which started as a virtual event during the pandemic.
From left: Carol Wilbur, LASP Doylestown Office Manager; Megan Reinprecht, Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney & Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator; Erica Felpel, Pro Bono & Helpline Paralegal; Jennifer Pierce, Pro Bono Director; and Shari Williams, Pro Bono Volunteer.
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Landlord-Tenant Forum in Upper Darby
UPPER DARBY - At a Landlord-Tenant Forum in Upper Darby Oct. 13, tenants and landlords were invited to learn about their rights and responsibilities. Senator Tim Kearney hosted the forum at Watkins Senior Center.
Panelists included Sen. Kearney; Barbarann Keffer, Upper Darby Township Mayor; Judge Christopher R. Mattox (at left) Magisterial District Court 32-2-51; Thomas Kerstan (at right), LASP Staff Attorney & Delaware County Pro Bono Coordinator; and Lee Stivale, Esq.
Sen. Kearney has posted the recording of the one-hour forum on his website.
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Norristown Outreach
NORRISTOWN - LASP conducted a legal outreach Oct. 20 at Norristown Riverfront Park. Carolyn Johnson (second from right), Interim Supervising Attorney for LASP's Regional Housing Unit, coordinated the outreach with Villanova Anti-Poverty Fellow Stephanie Sena (at right). LASP attorneys and paralegal worked alongside Professor Sena and her students to help 15 local residents who are unhoused.
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Philadelphia Veterans Parade
PHILADELPHIA - Several LASP staff members joined the Veterans Multi-Service Center in the Philadelphia Veterans Parade Nov. 6. LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project works with VMC to connect veterans with legal services to prevent veteran homelessness.
From left: Nicole McCoy, SSVF Quality Assurance Manager for VMC; Ann Tydeman-Solomon, LASP Development Director; Michelle R. Terry, LASP Managing Attorney for the Chester City Office in Delaware County; Marion Hoffman Fraley, LASP Communications Director; and Joe Brooks, VMC Executive Director.
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LASP Fall Interns
THANK YOU to our fall interns! Clockwise from left: Kayleigh Williams, Taylor Williams, Billy Febuary, Andrew Green and Niyah Dantzler.
Throughout the semester, interns met virtually with LASP attorneys to learn about multiple practice areas. Presenters included Erica Briant, Community Engagement Unit Supervising Attorney; Brian Doyle, Staff Attorney based in West Chester; Kimberly Hollenback, VOCA Supervising Attorney & Media Office Managing Attorney; Katrina Ihrer, Staff Attorney based in Doylestown; Michael E. Kelley, Norristown Managing Attorney; Jennifer Pierce, Pro Bono Director; and Richard A.J. Prebil, Veterans Advocacy Project Supervising Attorney.
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Charles L. Burrows, Regional Disaster Relief Staff Attorney |
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NORRISTOWN - Charles L. Burrows joined LASP Oct. 10 as Regional Disaster Relief Staff Attorney in the Community Engagement Unit. He is based in the Norristown Office at 625 Swede St. Along with providing direct services in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, his role in the Community Engagement Unit includes conducting outreach, clinics, community education, and workshops. “Legal aid has been my passion since the beginning of law school, and I'm honored to be able to continue my work by serving clients throughout Southeastern PA,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
Charlie holds a J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, where he served as Research Assistant for Professors Tuan Samahon and Tammi Etheridge. He holds a B.S. in Management and B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, from Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College; his honors thesis was titled, “A Natural Experiment on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Legal Enforcement and Its Effects on Volkswagen’s Foreign Direct Investment in the United States.” Most recently he served as Senior Constituent Services Advisor for Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, where he conducted intake for constituents to find the best way to address their needs and partnered with legal aid organizations to provide direct legal services. He interned with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia in the Homeownership and Consumer Rights Unit. He also interned with the Interdisciplinary Mental and Physical Health Law Clinic, where he represented clients in SSDI and Medicare/Medicaid benefits grievances and Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings, and with Philly VIP. As Judicial Extern for Hon. Chief Magistrate Judge Mary Pat Thynge, he wrote an ALJ opinion as part of an SSDI appeal and facilitated settlements as part of mediation conferences with a high volume of tort liability cases. His interests include photography, basketball, theater and online gaming. He can be reached at 484-209-0885 or cburrows@lasp.org.
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Leigh T. Fuga, VOCA Paralegal for Montgomery County |
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NORRISTOWN - Leigh T. Fuga joined LASP Oct. 11 as VOCA Paralegal for Montgomery County. She is based in the Norristown Office at 625 Swede St. "In this role, I will get to assist LASP Staff Attorneys in the provision of legal services to victims of domestic violence in Montgomery County," she wrote on LinkedIn. "I am looking forward to getting started and am proud to be joining the LASP team!"
Leigh holds a Bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, and Master's degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University. She has tutored students in the core Criminal Justice Research course at WCU. As part of WCU's Criminal Justice Club, she has organized the Thanksgiving Food Drive and oversaw toy collection for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. At the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honors Society, she organized fundraisers for various local criminal justice organizations. As a volunteer for Brandywine SPCA, she worked with dogs and fostered a dog. She is a former Home Caregiver and has worked in customer service. Leigh can be reached at 484-275-0166 or lfuga@lasp.org
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Current openings
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CHIEF COUNSEL ~ Norristown
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Fiscal Director and Accounting/HR Administrator ~ both Norristown
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Managing Attorney ~ Doylestown
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Staff Attorney (public benefits) ~ Bristol
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VOCA Staff Attorney ~ Bristol
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Paralegals ~ Helpline in Norristown, & West Chester
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Executive Administrative Assistant ~ Norristown
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If you received e-news as a forward or found it on social media, please subscribe at lasp.org/enews or email Marion Hoffman Fraley, Communications Director, at mfraley@lasp.org.
E-news is published 11-12 times per year.
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Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
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Copyright ©2022. All Rights Reserved. |
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