EAST NORRITON - Stop by LASP’s table at the Expo to learn about pro bono volunteer opportunities in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties.

All lawyers, legal administrators, paralegals, law office, IT staff, and personnel from law offices in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Philadelphia, and surrounding counties are invited to the 2025 Delaware Valley Legal Expo! It’s FREE for attendees!

The Montgomery Bar Association is hosting the Expo Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 3-6 p.m., followed by a reception and door prizes from 6-7 p.m. at Presidential Caterers, 2910 DeKalb Pike, East Norriton, PA 19401. (Presidential Caterers is north of Norristown borough on Route 202/DeKalb Pike.)

To register to attend, visit the MBA website.

https://www.montgomerybar.org/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=290712&evSubAction=listAll. Attendee Registration is open.  Please use the blue "Register Now" button, located on the top-right corner of this page.

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA will host a virtual CLE, “Fair Credit Reporting Act Primer for the Legal Services Attorney,” for LASP staff and other attorneys Monday, March 31, 2025 from 3-4 p.m. EDT. Cary L. Flitter and Andrew M. Milz of Flitter Milz will present the CLE, which is designed to help attorneys develop their understanding of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and how it can help low-income clients.

The CLE will focus on three topics:

1. Understanding how the credit reporting industry works and how to read a typical credit report;

2. The fundamental duties of a consumer reporting agency and furnisher of credit information; and

3. Permissible reasons to obtain and use credit reports.

LASP is an accredited CLE provider for Pennsylvania attorneys only. Participants can earn one substantive CLE credit.

Register in advance: https://bit.ly/cle-3-31-2025

The session is free for LASP staff and other attorneys who are willing to accept a pro bono case referral for LASP clients. Attorneys who do not wish to volunteer are asked to make a $20 donation to LASP. bit.ly/cle-donation

Flyer (1-page JPG): Read, print, download, share

Join North Penn Legal Services for a disaster legal aid CLE Wednesday, Oct, 30, 2024 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn about the FEMA appeals process to help Pennsylvania survivors of Tropical Storm Debby in August 2024 or future events that receive a federal, “Presidential” disaster declaration.

The CLE, “Disaster Legal Help – FEMA Individual Assistance & Helping Applicants with Denials,” is free for civil legal advocates and pro bono attorneys.

• Register: bit.ly/DisasterHelpCLE.

The recent federal disaster declaration for Tropical Storm Debby in four counties (Lycoming, Potter, Tioga, and Union) in Pennsylvania allows survivors with critical needs and losses to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for “Individual Assistance,” which funds home repairs, property losses, and other allowable requests. Some requests are denied in part or in full, and applicants have a right to appeal these decisions. Get training on the nature of appeals, documentation needed, and the appeals process.

FEMA rules were updated in March 2024 to improve the coverage available, so if you’ve had this training before, you may want an update this year to help survivors of Tropical Storm Debby and be prepared to help those recovering from local and regional disasters.

Presenters:

• Shrushti Kothari, Esq. is a Disaster Grants Program Counsel in the Office of Program Performance at Legal Services Corporation (LSC). She previously served as Project Manager of National Disaster Content and Resources and as a Staff Attorney in the Disaster Relief Unit at Lone Star Legal Aid in Houston, Texas. She also served as a Subject-Matter Expert and Content Manager for LSC’s multi-partner Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center website and the Disaster Assistance Recovery Tool. Ms. Kothari is a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness and the Vice Director of Implementations ABA Young Lawyers Division’s Disaster Legal Services Program.

• Charles L. Burrows, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Disaster Relief Attorney, joined LASP in 2022. He is based in the Community Engagement Unit in Norristown. 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. LASP continues to help survivors of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Charles holds a J.D. from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. He holds a B.S. in Management and B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, from Penn State Schreyer Honors College. He can be reached at cburrows@lasp.org.

FEMA webpage for Tropical Storm Debby in PA

• https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4815

NORRISTOWN - Join the Montgomery Bar Association's Criminal Defense & Pro Bono Committees for a CLE, "Basics of Clean Slate 3.0" on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the MBA, 100 W. Airy St., Norristown, PA 19401. 

Register through MBA: https://bit.ly/MBA-2-22-2024.

Learn the basics of Pennsylvania's newly expanded Clean Slate law. This CLE will be valuable to any practitioner who has to advise clients on how and in what circumstances criminal records can be sealed. 

Whether you are a criminal defense attorney or a volunteer attorney at a record-clearing clinic, this is the CLE for you.

Lunch & registration: 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | CLE: 12-1 p.m.

1 CLE credit, Substantive

Presenters

• Laurel Anderson, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney

• Noelle Gambale, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney

Moderator

• Kathryn Palladino, LASP Norristown Managing Attorney & MBA Pro Bono Committee co-chair

LASP’s Pro Bono Program presents a virtual CLE training for attorneys, Paralegals & LASP staff on “Clean Slate 3.0: Sealing More Records, More Quickly.” Join us Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. LASP is an accredited CLE provider.

Did you know? Pennsylvania’s expanded Clean Slate 3.0 law goes into effect Feb. 12, 2024. For the first time, certain felonies & more misdemeanors can be sealed. Some wait times will be shortened.

Learn how the law will work & consider taking a case that will help a LASP client get a fresh start & improve their access to jobs, education and housing.

Register: bit.ly/clean-slate-cle-2-7-2024

• Free for LASP Staff.

• Free for pro bono volunteers who take a record-clearing case or assist at a record-clearing clinic, or $20 donation: bit.ly/cle-donation-2-7-2024.

Presenters:

• Erica Briant, LASP Director of Community Engagement & Training

• Noelle Gambale, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney

Flyer (1-page PDF): download, print, share

DOYLESTOWN - The Bucks County Bar Association’s annual Pro Bono Celebration will be Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 from 4-7 p.m.

• 4-5 p.m. CLE #2370: "Bucks County PFA Practice - From Nuts to Bolts"

• Presenters:

  • Martin N. Ghen, Attorney, Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C.

  • Amir M. Stark, Family Law Attorney, Zlock & Grisillo

  • Shari R. Gelfont Williams, Family Law Attorney, High Swartz

• 5-7 p.m. Awards & Reception

Register: https://bit.ly/bucks-pro-bono-10-26-2023

DOYLESTOWN - The Bucks County Bar Association (BCBA) Pro Bono Committee will present a CLE for attorneys, “Representing Disadvantaged Clients in 'Simple' Divorce Cases” on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 12:30-2 p.m. The CLE will be hybrid. Join us virtually or in person at BCBA, 135 E. State St., Doylestown, PA 18901.

Presenters:

• Jennifer Pierce, Esq., Pro Bono Director, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA

• Shari R. Gelfont Williams, Esq., Bucks County Family Law Attorney, High Swartz LLP

• Matthew B. Garry, Esq., Lead family law master in Bucks County

• Amir M. Stark, Esq., Partner, Penglase & Benson, Inc.

This course will provide an A-Z training for attorneys representing low-income clients seeking a "simple" divorce, i.e., where no economic relief is sought.

Register at bucksbar.org/calendar.

• 1.5 CLE credit (.5 ethics, 1 sub.)

• $35 members, $60 non-members

• Free lunch, sponsored by Roc Hous Real Estate LLC.

• Attendees who volunteer with LASP following this CLE will earn a voucher for a future 1-hour BCBA CLE.

Questions? Contact: Kelly Myers at kelly.myers@bucksbar.org.

For more LASP pro bono opportunities, contact Megan Reinprecht, Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney, at mreinprecht@lasp.org.

Flyer (1-page PDF): print, download, share!

DOYLESTOWN - The Bucks County Bar Association (BCBA) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will present a CLE for attorneys, “Expungements, Limited Access, & Pardons in PA,” on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The CLE will be hybrid. Join us virtually or in person at BCBA, 135 E. State St., Doylestown, PA 18901.

Presenters:

• Megan Reinprecht, Esq., Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney

• Laurel Anderson, Esq., LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney

• Sarah A. Steers, Esq., Associate Attorney, Curtin & Heefner LLP

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) attorneys will explain criminal record-clearing for expungements, limited access, and pardons. They will train on advising individuals in a clinic setting and working with individuals from low-income communities. Ms. Steers will present on volunteering pro bono in a clinic setting.

• Free CLE for BCBA members E ( 1 credit, Substantive)

• Free lunch

• Commitment to volunteer at expungement clinic on July 20 or at future clinic

• Register: Save the date and look for registration at bucksbar.org/calendar.

For other LASP pro bono opportunities, contact Megan Reinprecht, Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney, at mreinprecht@lasp.org.

Flyer (1-page PDF): print, download, share!

NORRISTOWN - The award-winning Eviction Prevention & Intervention Coalition (EPIC) program helps to stabilize vulnerable families and individuals in Montgomery County who are facing eviction by providing them with free legal and social services support on the day of their eviction hearing.

Volunteer attorneys appear in court to help those facing eviction. It is anticipated that the need for volunteers will skyrocket in coming months. This CLE will teach you the basics of appearing in landlord-tenant court and how to volunteer for EPIC.

Please join the Montgomery Bar Association Pro Bono, Access to Justice & Community Service Committee for this CLE, which includes coffee & refreshments.

Attendees who volunteer for EPIC will have their registration fee refunded.

Register through the Montgomery Bar Association: https://bit.ly/epic-cle-5-31-2023

CLE format: In-person at the MBA CLE Room at 100 W. Airy St., Norristown, PA 19401

Speaker: Michelle R. Dempsky, Esq., Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Staff Attorney & Lead Attorney for EPIC.

Moderators: Montgomery Bar Association Pro Bono Committee co-chairs Timothy M. Knowles, Esq. & Kathryn M. Palladino, Esq., Legal Aid of Southeastern PA Staff Attorney & Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator.

CLE Credits: 1.5 Substantive

DOYLESTOWN - The Bucks County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee will present a HYBRID CLE, "Representing Tenants Facing Evictions in Magisterial District Court," on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Attend virtually or in-person at BCBA, 135 E State St, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Register through BCBA: https://bit.ly/bcba-5-8-2023

Presenters:

• Judge Corryn Kronnagel

• Ron Smolow, Esq.

• Shari Williams, Esq., High Swartz

• Robert Kim, LASP Staff Attorney

• Tesla Thomas, LASP Staff Attorney

• Sharon Reed, Bucks County Opportunity Council

• Kari Howatt, Bucks County Opportunity Council

The training will provide an overview of landlord-tenant law in order for an attorney to represent a tenant in an eviction proceeding. This will include Magisterial District Court Judge Corryn Kronnagel's practice pointers as a judge who presides over evictions. The presentation also will include representatives from the Bucks County Opportunity Council to discuss how tenants can obtain rental assistance and/or mediation with their landlord through their organization.

Fee: FREE for members; $60 non-members.

Questions: Contact Kelly Myers at kelly.myers@bucksbar.org.

MEDIA - The Delaware County Bar Association Pro Bono and Legal Services to the Poor Committee presents the CLE, '“Mental Health & The Law: Keys to Effective Representation, Cross-Systems Advocacy & Recovery.” The CLE will be Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the DCBA, 335 W. Front St. Media, PA 19063.

Register through DCBA: https://bit.ly/delco-pro-bono-2-2023

Cost: $80 DCBA Members/$110 Non-Members (FREE to any attorney who agrees to take a pro bono case, including current LASP pro bono volunteers. To take a case and register for the CLE at no cost, contact Jackie Csop at 610-566-6625, ext. 221.)

Details

Attorneys must often offer expert counsel and advocacy in situations where mental health challenges are a major issue for clients and their families. This CLE will equip lawyers to better represent their clients by providing the keys to effective representation in these situations. Lawyers will be trained to understand mental illness; how to best address mental health challenges with your client; and how to access mental health resources and long-term recovery. Mental health impacts our community in many different ways, so the CLE will have panelists from a variety of legal and behavioral health disciplines to share their expertise, experiences, and the keys to effective representation.

Topics covered will include family law; criminal justice; the educational setting (K12 schools and colleges); crisis; recovery; and our mental health system.

Panelists will include representatives from the Family Law Division of our Courts; MDJ Tammi Forbes; Assistant District Attorney Jenna Smith; the Public Defenders; the Office of Mental Health; and moderator Michael J. Harper.

Credit

Credit has been approved with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 2.00 Substantive credits.

DOYLESTOWN - Please join the Bucks County Bar Association at the 2022 BCBA Pro Bono Week Celebration that includes a FREE Ethics CLE for BCBA members, awards ceremony, and reception. The celebration is Thursday, Oct.. 27, 2022 from 4-6 p.m. at the Bucks County Bar Association, 135 E. State St., Doylestown, PA 18901. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3EXsxkM.

NORRISTOWN - The Montgomery Bar Association will present a CLE, Breakfast Reception & Pro Bono Award Presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 from 8-10 a.m. at the MBA, 100 W. Airy St., Norristown.

• CLE for attorneys: PBA Free Legal Answers, LASP, and the MBA: Working Together for the Common Good

• Includes Breakfast Reception & Pro Bono Award Presentation

• Register: https://bit.ly/3RCUXnq

• FREE

Please join us as the Montgomery Bar Association celebrates National Pro Bono Week with a morning of CLE, awards, and breakfast!  The 2022 Celebration is built around the theme of Law in Everyday Life and highlights the ways in which access to legal assistance affects historically excluded and low-income individuals across the country and throughout our county in all aspects of life. As part of this year’s Celebration, we highlight the need for pro bono assistance, educate individuals about the availability of legal services, and assist individuals with their legal needs utilizing the Pennsylvania Free Legal Answers online tool. Pro bono lawyers make an incredible difference to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities, and most of all, to the clients they serve.

Our celebration is FREE to attend and includes breakfast, a CLE (1.5 Hour Substantive Credit), and a Pro Bono Award Presentation!

Staff Attorney Deborah Steeves will discuss legal aid services at a Virtual Roundtable on community resources hosted by PA Rep. Melissa Shusterman. The free event will be Thursday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tune in live at pahouse.com/Shusterman.

Whether you are in need of assistance, or you are looking to volunteer and get involved, join multiple community partners to discuss the services offered in our area. https://www.facebook.com/events/969657926775014

Community Engagement Unit Supervising Attorney Erica Briant will explain the nuts and bolts of criminal record clearing in Pennsylvania. Advance registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUudumqrjgpGNWdhhzwP-4JWzjgraPODDq9

LASP Board Treasurer Catherine Voit, Esq. and Chester County Managing Attorney Rachel Houseman will explain how to obtain a simple divorce for clients. They will address: simple divorce filing procedure, limited asset issues, concerns for those representing low-income domestic violence clients who may be entitled to alimony and assets, and guidance on how to determine when a divorce case should be referred to the local bar association. Advance registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuce-trjIjHdwQl4WQhM7vuaFyFrmM9hsD