Fox Rothschild has a long history of giving back to the community by providing free legal services to those in need. Our broad-based pro bono program includes legal services at no cost for individuals who need assistance as well as services to various religious organizations, community groups, non-profit associations, social welfare, and human resources organizations.
We were one of Philadelphia’s first major law firms to establish a policy of mandatory pro bono service for our first-year and second-year associates. This required participation benefits the greater community, and gives our associates meaningful responsibility and early client contact.
Lawyers and paralegals participating in the pro bono program receive credit for the time spent on those matters. Pro bono hours are also a factor used to determine base salaries and bonuses.
Our dedication to pro bono work spans our national network of 15 offices, directly benefiting the communities where our attorneys live and work. By making a concerted effort to donate their time and services, our attorneys are involved first-hand in making a lasting impact on those communities.
First-year and second-year associates in the Philadelphia Office, for example, receive hands-on experience with the agency Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (known as Philadelphia VIP). Each attorney is assigned a case through the VIP and works with a senior mentor to provide comprehensive legal services.
Our lawyers provide a wide range of legal services to a diverse group of civic, cultural, and social organizations. In the Philadelphia office, for example, much of our pro bono work is done through community service organizations including:
Community Legal Services, Inc., of Philadelphia - www.clsphila.org
Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project (CBAP) - www.pabankruptcy.org/cbap.htm
Philadelphia Child Guidance Center
Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts - www.pvla.org
Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP) - www.phillyvip.org
Support Center for Child Advocates - www.advokid.org
National
American Civil Liberties Union
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
National Business Institute
Sunshine Foundation
The Poison Control Center
Greater Philadelphia
Atwater Kent Museum
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Chester County AIDS Support Services, Inc.
Darlington Fine Arts Center
Doctor/Lawyer in a Classroom Program (Philadelphia Bar Association)
Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center
Free Library of Philadelphia
Homeless Advocacy Project (Philadelphia Bar Association)
Jewish Federation of Bucks County
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
National Gaucher Foundation, Delaware Valley Chapter
Opera Company of Philadelphia
Penn Legal Assistance Office
Please Touch Museum
SeniorLAW Center
West Parkside Small Business Development Center
New Jersey
Boys and Girls Club of Delaware Valley (Trenton)
Exploratory Committee of the Urban League of Atlantic County, NJ
Jewish Federation of Mercer County
South Jersey Aids Alliance
Because of our close collaboration with local partners, we encourage individuals seeking reduced-fee legal assistance to first contact a community organization listed above or local city or state Bar Association. www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm
Please direct any questions regarding the firm’s pro bono programs to Jacqueline M. Carolan, Chair of the Pro Bono Committee at 215.299.2863 or jcarolan@foxrothschild.com.
