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Student Pro Bono Projects  

  • Student projects form the core of Penn Law’s pro bono experience by offering unique leadership and practical opportunities while helping under-served populations.

     

All organizations
 
Animal & Environmental Civil & Political Rights Criminal Justice Economic Justice Education Global
  • Aequitas at Penn

    The purpose of Penn AEquitas is to improve the quality of justice in sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking cases by developing, evaluating and refining prosecution practices. Our group is a partnership  with  AEquitas , which is a national legal organization. There is no set time commitment. Rather, group members receive an email when there is a project available describing the nature of the work and the anticipated commitment. It is entirely up to each member whether to respond and ask to take the assignment. The assignments are given on a first come, first serve basis. Penn  AEquitas  gives students the opportunity to work with leaders in the field, honing their research and writing skills. Past students have transformed their work product into advocacy and outreach material for distribution on local and national levels. Penn  AEquitas  is an exciting opportunity to take a passion for advocacy and give it systemic impact in the criminal justice system.

     

    Student Leader

    Devin Troy Director

  • Animal Law Project (ALP)

    The Animal Law Project (ALP) focuses on protecting the interests of animals through the legal system. We welcome students with diverse views who are interested in helping animals and learning more about animal law. ALP works with various organizations on legal research and writing projects aimed at improving the welfare of animals. Our clients range from local SPCAs to national organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The time commitment expected from each volunteer varies significantly depending on what type of project a volunteer signs up for, as our assignments are generally standalone projects. Specific time expectations will be communicated when an available assignment is sent out to the volunteers on our mailing list. Students can selectively express interest in projects that fit in best with their schedules. The primary skills gained from volunteering with ALP are legal research and writing. Many of our projects take the form of legal questions animal welfare organizations need answered, so research and writing make up the majority of volunteer tasks. Other skills important to volunteering with ALP include communication and collaboration, editing, and time management. Volunteering with ALP is a great opportunity to use the skills that are central to your legal education to help animals. It is very fulfilling to be able to use what you learn in law school to do work that you are passionate about. ALP volunteers are passionate about offering legal assistance to innocent parties that are unable to use the legal system without human intervention on their behalf. If this sounds like you, we hope you will volunteer with ALP!

     

    Student Leaders

    Stevie Flanery Co-Director
    Erin Smith Co-Director
    Jane Tomic Pro Bono Coordinator

     


  • Civil Rights Law Project (CRLP)

    The CRLP is a research based pro bono organization with flexible scheduling that allows volunteers to work on projects that suit them best. We are committed to protecting and promoting civil rights and social justice. CRLP works with organizations such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Southern Poverty Law Center, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. We have supported these organizations in their efforts to advocate for felons being denied the right to vote, protect children from public school environmental health issues, support employees filing workplace harassment suits, protect the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act, and support migrant workers.

    Work with the CRLP is project-based. Members have an opportunity to volunteer for work with these organizations, completing multiple drafts of research memos used in impact litigation and direct service support. Volunteers will greatly improve their legal research and writing through supervised drafts, including line-editing from supervising students and attorneys.

    Working with the CRLP, you will love being involved in interesting, challenging legal issues while remaining client-focused. When you work with these amazing organizations, you are not only supporting their clients directly, but also supporting all similarly-situated citizens and all of us in the protection of our constitutional liberties.

     

    Student Leaders

    Tom Campbell Co-Director
    Katie King Co-Director
    Sarah Smith Research Editor
    Robert Gregory Research Editor
    Nelson Castano Research Editor
    Laily Sheybani 3L Rep

  • Criminal Record Expungement Project (CREP)

    The Criminal Record Expungement Project (“CREP”) aims to ameliorate the negative effects of criminal records on the Philadelphia community.  Since background checks have become routine throughout the country, it is increasingly difficult for individuals with a criminal record to pursue opportunities regarding employment, housing, benefits, and education.  The goal of the project is to connect law students with the communities of North and West Philadelphia in order to assist in the expungement of non-conviction data from the clients’ criminal records.  

    CREP is encompassed within the Philadelphia Lawyer’s for Social Equity (“PLSE”), a non-profit legal aid organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income individuals who are affected by the Pennsylvania criminal justice system.  The clients that CREP assists are low-income residents of North and West Philadelphia who have criminal records.

    The time commitment of each volunteer will vary, depending on which of CREP’s various projects the student wishes to partake in.  There are three ways that students can get involved with CREP: 1) intakes; 2) draft petitions; 3) be involved in litigating cases.  There are three intakes per semester (running from approximately 11:30am-3:30pm on Saturdays), and a few hours of follow-up work required where students are asked to write short summaries for the clients they meet with as well as upload forms to the Google drive.  Students may attend any of the three intakes, depending on availability. Volunteers taking part in the petition drafting portion of the project should expect to complete the hour-long petition drafting training and spend a few hours drafting petitions based on the number of docket/cases they are assigned. Volunteers interested in advocating for clients in court must attend the hour-long litigation training session to become court certified. Upon being certified, volunteers will be assigned cases to litigate and the time commitment will vary depending on how many cases are assigned to the student (CREP tries to limit each volunteer’s commitment to approx. 5hrs for the litigation portion).

    CREP volunteers will gain a number of vital skills from this project.  They will obtain a much deeper and personal understanding of the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania and how the expungement process works.  Additionally, those that partake in petition drafting and litigation will improve their writing abilities and advocacy skills.  Students will also develop their communication skills by having the ability to engage with the community members and supervising attorneys.

    There are many positive aspects of CREP, but what we love about the project most is the ability to learn from the individuals in our community and listen to their stories and experiences. This allows us to become more informed and compassionate law students and community members generally.  Among many things, CREP has given us the ability to understand the criminal justice system at a deeper level and to be able to think critically about how we can best serve our community as lawyers in training.

    Student Leaders

    David Pennant Chair
    Brittany Sherman Chair
    Mary Maginnis Litigation Coordinator
    Emily Lubin Intake Coordinator
    Abby Samuels Case Manager
    John Martin Social Outreach Coordinator

  • Custody and Support Assistance Clinic (CASAC)

    CASAC’s primary purpose is to assist low-income Philadelphians as they confront one of the most challenging and intimate legal battles one can face: a dispute over child custody.  We advocate for our clients in establishing, maintaining, and expanding custodial relationships with their children. We also provide assistance to survivors of domestic violence who seek protection from abuse orders. We work one-on-one with clients to prepare them for pro-se appearances in court, and also provide assistance in drafting legal documents. Our clinic serves low-income Philadelphians involved in custody disputes, as well as survivors of domestic violence. We are supervised by the attorneys of Philadelphia Legal Assistance. Advocates are expected to be available for one shift a week. Each shift lasts approximately 4-5 hours. Advocates will have the opportunity to see clients one-on-one from their very first shift. Advocates learn how to develop effective client relationships and manage their own caseload. Advocates also gain legal writing skills through drafting documents for clients. Our advocates help our clients navigate an often confusing legal system as they deal with some of the most emotionally-taxing challenges of their lives. Our work matters profoundly to our clients. Knowing the impact our successes and failures can have on our clients’ lives is the greatest privilege and responsibility of a CASAC advocate. 

     

    Student Leaders

    Chase Morgan Executive Director
    Dorothy Hazan Program Director
    Anya Perret Professional Development
    Bill Fedullo Training and Recruitment Director
    John Schifalacqua Resource Director
    Anna D’ginto Public Relations & Events Director

     


  • Democracy Law Project (DLP)

    The Democracy Law Project (DLP) tackles crucial issues in election law, focusing on campaign finance reform, redistricting, and voting rights. We want to ensure that everyone has equal access to the ballot box, and that elections are conducted as fairly as possible, in order to fulfill our broader goal of helping to strengthen the United States’ democracy.

    The DLP’s primary work is twofold. First, the DLP partners with local and national organizations to perform research for their legal matters. For example, two of our partner organizations—the Philadelphia-based Committee of Seventy and the DC-based Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington—are leaders in advocating for redistricting and campaign finance reform, and we have worked with them in the past to provide research for upcoming lawsuits. Second, and new this year, the DLP visits local high schools to inform students—in particular, those who will be of voting age in 2018—about their voting rights, as well as to teach them about the 2018 midterm elections and current events in politics.

    The DLP’s general time commitment is extremely flexible. We understand that the school year is extremely busy—particularly for 1Ls—so we can adjust project time commitments to each individual person. No matter how much time they commit, DLP members will gain invaluable skills in research, writing, public speaking, and presentation, and stay up to date on what’s going on in politics. Personally, I’ve loved my time on the DLP because it’s given me a chance to do something and make an impact, especially with all that has been going on in politics recently. The DLP’s issues are very timely and important, and we’d love for you to help us confront some of the most pressing issues in our democracy. 

     

    Student Leader

    Danielle Lazarus President
    Christopher Cruickshank Senior Director of Projects
    Mason Smith Director of Projects

  • Domestic Violence Assistance Project (DVAP)

    The Domestic Violence Assistance Project aims to assist survivors of domestic violence in Philadelphia who are seeking Protection from Abuse Orders, or PFAs. Volunteers meet with individuals who have filed petitions for PFA and provide them with vital information about service of process, how to prepare for their PFA hearing, what to expect at the hearing, and how to address abuse after obtaining a PFA order. Volunteers also provide litigants with information about available resources as well as informational brochures. The time commitment is what you make it – the group has an online calendar where you can sign up for shifts – typically around 2 hours each – and you can sign up for as few or as many as you’d like. This project is so exciting because you get to go right into the courthouse and provide assistance directly to individuals during what may be the scariest, most intimidating experience of their life. It’s a fantastic way to give back to the community while learning the civil legal PFA process inside and out and getting invaluable direct client experience.

     

    Student Leader

    Devin Troy Project Coordinator

  • Employment Advocacy Project (EAP)

    The purpose of the Employment Advocacy Project (EAP) is to represent low-wage workers who have been denied unemployment compensation benefits.  The project is supervised by Philadelphia Legal Assistance, a legal services organization that provides free legal services to low-income Philadelphians. EAP Student Advocates represent unemployment compensation claimants who have been unfairly denied benefits. Students represent clients at administrative hearings, which are like mini trials, or by assisting with appeals to the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review in the form of written briefs. Advocates are required to have two non-adjoining 3-hour time periods between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm free each week to attend hearings.  By joining the EAP, advocates will become skilled at communicating with clients from diverse backgrounds, improve their public and trial advocacy speaking skills, gain knowledge about the rules of evidence, and become familiar with unemployment compensation law.

    I love the opportunity to give back to the Philadelphia community, work with fellow students similarly committed to giving back, and practice my legal skills by representing claimants in hearings.  Unemployment compensation is a vital social safety net that keeps workers in their homes and with food on the table as they look for a new job.

     

    Student Leaders

    Oluwaseun (Shay) Familoni President
    Greg Bischoping Managing Advocate
    Dana Bach Intake Coordinator

     


  • Environmental Law Project (ELP)

    The Environmental Law Project fosters campus discussion of environmental issues and connects interested students to opportunities to explore environmental legal practice. In past years, we have assisted local and national environmental organizations with legal research and report drafting, published an EPA rulemaking comment in the Federal Register, sent teams to environmental moot court competitions, hosted campus talks and green career panels, and begun coordinating our efforts with other environmental organizations at Penn. EarthJustice International, Southern Utah, Wilderness Alliance and the Delaware Riverkeeper are among the organizations ELP has worked with.

     

    Student Leaders

    Adeline Rolnick Chair
    Nick Bellos Vice Chair
    Stevie Flanery Senior Director of Impact Litigation
    Paul Stephan Senior Director for Regulatory Project
    Chloe-Lynn Myktyn Director of Impact Litigation
    Garrison Todd Director of Regulatory Project
    Jen Ko Director of Professionalism and Events

  • Financial Literacy Project (FLP)

    What is the purpose of the project? The purpose of the project is to improve financial literacy among both children and adults in underserved communities in Philadelphia through presentations, question-and-answer sessions, and one-on-one counseling. The underlying principle of why we do what we do is that there is a lot of information asymmetry when it comes to people’s basic financial decisions. For people who don’t grow up having access to this information, it’s difficult to know what the right choices are, and decisions made at the beginning of adulthood can affect the rest of your life. We want to give information to people to both make informed decisions and improve their financial well-being throughout their lives.

     

    Who does your project work with (what kind of clients? What organizations?) We work with schools throughout Philadelphia (especially in North and West Philadelphia), in addition to community centers and nonprofit organizations like the People’s Emergency Center and Community Legal Services.

     

    What is the general time commitment expected of each volunteer? As much as you like! After attending an initial training with a mock presentation, we have people sign up for different events, and the group may meet before the event for event-specific training. There is no minimum amount of participation, and you can sign up for as many events as you like, provided that there is room.

     

    What skills will volunteers gain by taking part in this project? Volunteers will learn more about financial literacy topics relevant to primary school students (spending/saving, credit scores, loans, saving for college) as well as particular economic challenges faced by underserved adult Philadelphians.

     

    What do you love about this project and what have you learned from it? It is incredibly rewarding when students are really engaged in the topic or when we’re able to assist people with their specific problems. In addition, working on FLP has helped crystallize, for me, the role of generational wealth in societal inequality. Information about banks, mortgages, loans, etc. is not usually taught as part of school curriculums and is difficult to parse without assistance, making it difficult for students and adults alike to make sound financial choices without outside assistance. It is incredibly rewarding to be part of breaking that information barrier and to help create more informed consumers.

     

    Student Leaders

    Sophia Yan Co-Director
    Ben Barocas Co-Director

     


  • Guild Food Stamp Clinic (GFSC)

    The purpose of the Guild Food Stamp Clinic (“GFSC”) is to allow students the opportunity to work directly with clients to gain successful, tangible results. The team of students at Penn Law will work with attorneys in Philadelphia to advocate for those who cannot afford legal representation, but are entitled to food stamps and other public resources. The GFSC partners Penn Law students with attorneys at the Philadelphia Legal Assistance to work with clients who are eligible for food stamps. More specifically, the team assists people in applying for food stamps and appealing terminations or reductions in food stamp benefits. Each semester, approximately 15 law students volunteer to serve 3-hour shifts at the Philadelphia Legal Assistance. These students work with the co-leaders to arrange their schedules, depending on their availability. Student advocates are placed into teams and are responsible for overseeing the needs of a certain number of clients. All work is done within each student’s designated 3-hour time block – no outside work is required. Volunteers will communicate, advocate, and act as a voice for those who are entitled to food stamps but need assistance obtaining them. During their shifts, students will handle clients who come directly to the office and will manage ongoing cases as required. Students will learn the proper individuals to communicate with to help each client. Any questions can be answered by the attorneys at the Philadelphia Legal Assistance, who sit right down the hall, or the project’s co-leaders. The pro bono project is one of the few at Penn Law that allows students to communicate and work directly with people in the Philadelphia community. There is a feeling that each student volunteer is making a direct and positive impact for each client, and that is extremely rewarding. Additionally, each student is able to develop his/her communication and problem-solving skills, which are incredibly useful in any lawyer’s daily tasks.

     

    Student Leader

    Alexandra Munson Leader
    Christine Jeong Leader

  • Health Law and Policy Project (HeLPP)

    The Health Law and Policy Project (HeLPP) is a pro bono group at Penn Law that aims to provide opportunities for Penn Law students to gain practical experience in the field of health law and policy in a pro bono setting. Our projects focus on increasing healthcare access and quality, especially for underserved populations, through opportunities to directly support patients and to conduct research on healthcare delivery and policy through partnerships with providers and researchers.

     

    Student Leaders

    Allie Cohen Managing Directors
    Jason Sloan MLCP
    Emily Purtill Know Your Rights
    Joshua Abraham Pennsylvania Health Law Project Director
    Ben Barsky Expansion Director

     


  • If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

    As a chapter of the national organization If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, Penn If/When/How is dedicated to fighting to ensure that all people can decide if, when, and how to create and sustain families. Volunteering with Penn If/When/How means exposure to both great organizations and great direct client work. We collaborate with the Women’s Law Project, the Public Defender’s Office, Planned Parenthood, and the Philadelphia Women’s Center. The two main services we provide are judicial bypass and legal research. In Pennsylvania, women younger than eighteen must get parental consent to obtain an abortion – a judicial bypass is when a judge can grant permission to bypass this parental consent. Our volunteers help these young women at clinics fill out the necessary judicial bypass paperwork and schedule them with a Public Defender for their hearing. There is no set time commitment for volunteers. For judicial bypass, a spreadsheet is emailed out with available shifts, which are around one-to-two hours each, and then you can sign up for as many shifts as you’d like. For research, assignments are emailed out as they become available with their expectations for time commitment, and they are assigned at a first come, first serve basis. This project is an incredibly rewarding way to immerse yourself in Philadelphia’s community and work directly with individuals who need your legal assistance. Your work has a very tangible impact on these young women’s lives. And those who choose to do research can have a systemic impact on access to reproductive justice not just in Philadelphia, but nationwide.

     

    Student Leaders

    Devin Troy Pro Bono Projects Chair
    Noel Lee Student Outreach Chair
    Elana Stern Direct Service Director
    Carolyn Jackson Research Director
    Anya Perret R&D Coordinator
    Alyssa Chai Events Coordinator
    Erin Quick Direct Service Coordinator
    Karin Shmulevich Research Coordinator
    John Plotz Advocacy & Community Engagement Coordinator

     


  • Innocence Project

    The purpose of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project is to exonerate those convicted of crimes they did not commit and to prevent innocent people from being convicted. The Innocence Project works with convicted individuals who have exhausted all appellate proceedings, meaning that they are past the post-conviction relief stage and can take no further steps. New volunteers typically begin with a stage two review. The stage two review involves analyzing a potential client’s case and making a recommendation concerning his or her innocence and the likelihood of new evidence or testimony. This will usually take a few hours and can be completed in one visit to the office. Volunteers will gain investigative and practical skills, by working on a potential client’s case and applying the Innocence Project guidelines.

    I love having the opportunity to do hands on work and actually playing a role in such a great organization. Having the responsibility of assessing a case and making an initial screening decision has been extremely rewarding. I have learned a lot more about our judicial system, areas in dire need of improvement, and various paths that lead to exoneration.

     

    Student Leaders

    Wendy Dickieson Executive Director
    Alexa Jacobson Recruitment and Training Director

     


  • International Human Rights Advocates (IHRA)

    Founded in 2006, the International Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) pro bono organization supports the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world. Students work to advance human rights internationally, learn about emerging issues in human rights, directly help individuals who have had their human rights violated, fulfill pro bono requirements, participate in international fieldwork, and learn about career opportunities in human rights.

    IHRA provides a variety of projects for students, including new projects initiated by student leaders as well as ongoing ones that IHRA has committed to year after year. We work with individual lawyers and professors, civil society organizations, other Penn Law pro bono groups and clinics, non-profits, and direct service organizations. Our goal is to not only provide legal assistance to those whose rights have been violated, but also work to spread the concept of international human rights through research, advocacy, and fundraising.

    Time commitments are flexible and IHRA project managers can tailor your assignment to the number of hours desired. Every year we spend all of spring break in a region for an educational and service trip. However, this trip is optional and has limited spots for our volunteers.

    IHRA seeks to advance human rights internationally by conducting research, undertaking advocacy campaigns, and educating colleagues on contemporary issues of international human rights. Projects typically focus on legal research and writing and out-of-court advocacy to support the delivery of legal recourse to individuals suffering from human rights abuses. Through events and lectures, IHRA creates awareness of international human rights concerns. IHRA’s research projects provide exposure and substantive research experience concerning international human rights to our student volunteers.

    IHRA has a unique international outlook that is especially relevant and necessary in today’s climate. Our leadership and ambassadors consist of a tight-knit group of people, who have the ability to pursue diverse interests but share a belief in the fundamental importance of human rights. We are also able to work with other internationally- and multi-culturally-focused student groups to make the biggest impact possible. It gives us skills we can’t really learn in the classroom, such as international research skills and working with the most diverse clients possible. IHRA is excited to welcome our new both new and old volunteers for a great year!

     

    Student Leader

    Leah Wong Co-Director
    Joanna Hoodes Co-Director
    Allyson Reynolds Fieldwork Coordinator
    Akbar Hossain Project Manager
    Austin Gassen Project Manager
    Barrett Greenwell Project Manager
    Emilie Raber Project Manager

     


  • International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)

    The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) harnesses the power of law students, law schools, and practicing attorneys to work on behalf of vulnerable refugees and forced migrants. Law students from participating institutions are paired with pro bono attorneys and individual clients in various stages of the migration and resettlement process. In addition to the direct legal representation IRAP provides to refugees oversees, the organization works with government officials and policymakers in the US to advocate for more thoughtful and evidence-based policies in line with international human rights standards.

    IRAP, formerly the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project, was first focused on assisting the wave of forced migrants created as a result of the US invasion of Iraq but, as reflected in the name change, the organization’s work has expanded to reach other refugees in the Middle East and in Africa. IRAP’s clients include some of the most at risk communities around the world, including LGBTI refugees, women, and religious/ethnic minorities.

    The time commitment is variable based on the needs of the organization and the preferences of the student volunteers. Volunteers conducting casework are assigned a resettlement case and placed in teams of 2-3 students under the supervision of an upper level classmate and a pro bono attorney. Depending on the complexity of the case, the needs of the client and their availability, and external deadlines of agencies like USCIS, IOM, and UNHCR, volunteers can spend 4-5 hours per week.  Based on the nature of these applications and dealing with government organizations some weeks will be busier than others.

    Volunteers conducting intake interviews for individuals who might benefit from IRAP’s services will work directly with the attorneys in the national office.  They will receive new intake assignments as they are able to complete them.  Each intake interview takes about 3-4 hours with an estimated 15 hours of follow up.  Volunteers who participate in IRAP’s community service projects in the Greater Philadelphia area are called upon on an “as needed” basis to assist with single events such as assisting resettled refugees with permanent residency (green card) applications.

    Volunteers with IRAP will learn or expand on effective client and case management skills.  They will learn about the international and national legal framework governing forced migration and refugee resettlement.  By engaging with government and non-governmental organizations on consistent bases, volunteers will gain valuable experience advocating on behalf of clients forced to navigate multiple complex systems.

    This project exposes students to the ins and outs in of the international refugee system, as well as the workings of US Immigration.  In addition, you get to work with other students and supervising attorneys, making ties with people working in a number of fields.  IRAP’s status as a national non-profit means that you’re part of a system that helps an enormous number of refugees and asylum-seekers every year, and because each case is a totally different story and possibly even a different visa category, you can learn about all different parts of a sometimes years-long process. It can be frustrating work, but there’s nothing like hearing that your client has landed safely in their resettlement country.

     

    Student Leaders

    Arhama Rushdi Co-Director
    Sam Scott Co-Director
    Shelby Stanton Legal  Director
    Emma Morgenstern Legal Director
    Shaunee Morgan Events Director
    Gabriela Siegel Community Outreach Director

  • Legal Education Partnership (LEP)

    The Legal Education Partnership builds a relationship between Penn Law and a local charter high school named Boys’ Latin, a college preparatory academy. We host two after school programs for students – debate and mock trial. Our organization has two goals: 1) to allow Penn Law students to use their skills to coach high school students in legal-related subjects, and 2) to help high school students hone invaluable speaking, writing, and general communication skills to prepare them for college and beyond. Because debate and mock trial each meet once a week, volunteers are encouraged to attend the program of their choosing  once a week; we have found that the program is most successful when high school students can connect with and learn from the same volunteers on a regular basis. However, v olunteers can commit as much or as little time to LEP as they are able.  Volunteers must be available from 3:30-5:30 on either Tuesdays or Thursdays to participate in this project. By volunteering with LEP, Penn Law students will not only hone their own teaching, communication, and legal skills,  but  will also have the opportunity to really impact young minds and help them develop important academic and life skills. Joining LEP is the perfect opportunity for those students who want to get out into the local community and truly make a difference.  

     

    Student Leaders

    Brittany Beyer Executive Director
    Josh Mehta Mock Trial Coordinator

  • Pardon Project
    The Penn Law Pardon Project empowers people to move past their prior convictions. Despite having already paid for their crimes in bail, jail time, and court costs, formerly convicted persons continue to face discrimination when they try to get jobs, go back to school, apply for housing, and register to vote. In Pennsylvania, the only way to remove a felony or non-summary misdemeanor conviction from a record is by receiving a pardon from the Governor. 
    The pardon process requires an extensive application, including several essays describing the conviction, explaining why the applicant is requesting a pardon, and persuading the Board that the applicant has “reformed” since the completion of parole or probation. Penn Law students work alongside the client and our supervising attorneys from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) to request necessary documents and complete the application and essays. The three best things about the Pardon Project are: 1) direct client experience; 2) flexibility and freedom to meet with your clients when your schedule permits; 3) an opportunity to gain an intimate understanding of the hurdles that people who have long completed their sentences continue to face. 

     

    Student Leader

    Erin Sweeney

    Co-Director

    Michael Crosson

    Co-Director


  • Penn Housing Rights Project (PHRP)

    The purpose of the Penn Housing Rights Project (PHRP) is to help Philadelphia tenants navigate legal disputes with their landlords. We work with local law firms (e.g. Dechert) and nonprofits (e.g. Community Legal Services) to ensure that tenants have adequate legal representation in housing court. Volunteers are required to attend two short training sessions (totaling less than 5 hours total) at the beginning of the school year, and then the additional amount of hours they’d like to volunteer is completely up to them. Volunteers agree to take on “cases” as their schedules allow with each case consisting of roughly 2-6 hours over the course of about a week. The work allocated to student volunteers is relatively flexible and determined in conjunction with the supervising attorney assigned to the case. PHRP helps students develop an understanding of the fundamentals of housing law. In addition, volunteers will have the opportunity to develop new skills by completing research tasks, communicating with clients, negotiating with opposing counsel, and even arguing cases in front of municipal judges upon certification during 2L year. Volunteers can learn at their own pace and take on additional responsibility as their skills develop. We love this project because it allows us to make a difference in our Philadelphia community. We enjoy having the chance to help our clients overcome difficult and often stressful circumstances. We’ve learned that giving a client a shoulder to lean on can make all the difference in helping them resolve their housing troubles and get back on their feet.

     

    Student Leaders

    Shelby Rokito Board Member
    Nicole Pennycooke Board Member
    James Wieler Board Member
    Jesse Treverton Board Member

  • Penn Law Advocates for the Homeless (PLAH)

    Penn Law Advocates for the Homeless (PLAH) is a student-led pro bono project that provides civil legal services to homeless and low-income populations in the vicinity of Penn Law’s campus. In order to accomplish its mission, PLAH partners with local churches and other UPenn professional schools to host a weekly clinic in the West Philadelphia neighborhood. Volunteers are expected to attend at minimum three to four clinics per semester; clinics last roughly an hour and a half.

    As a direct legal services project, PLAH provides a real-world forum for volunteers to strengthen their client interviewing skills through identifying legal issues and appropriate remedies. Volunteers also gain exposure and develop comfortability with completing government paperwork such as Birth Certificate and Social Security Benefits applications. Aside from providing practice legal experience, PLAH enables volunteers to immerse themselves in the Penn Law and greater West Philadelphia community by building relationships with community members and fellow law students.

     

    Student Leaders

    Anna Marion President
    Robert Thrasher Board Member
    Abdul Alwattar Board Member
    Darien Wynn Board Member

  • Penn Law Immigrant Rights Project (PLIRP)

    The Penn Law Immigrant Rights Project advocate on behalf of immigrants in the Philadelphia community and across the country. Our client base is primarily immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the Philadelphia area who need assistance with immigration-related legal issues. We partner with local organizations such as Nationalities Services Center, Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition, Friends of Farm Workers, HIAS and AFRICOM. We are looking to expand abroad and partner with organizations like CDM law firms like Reed Smith. We also do general advocacy work, like phone banking, marching, and fundraising for our partners. We have a variety of long and short term projects available, depending on what you are looking for. For example, you could work on a clinic that lasts a few hours, or take on a long term client project. This project provides opportunities to engage directly with a diverse community in need through direct client services and clinics, contribute much-needed language skills, and learn about the US immigration system.

    We also have tons of fun. We love being able to make an impact on one of the most critical legal issues of our time. The PLIRP community has JD and LLM students from around the world, and all share a passion for our issues! PLIRP is a family and a safe-haven for all who believe that our country is better when we welcome immigrants to enrich our communities

     

    Student Leaders

    Kimberly Grambo Co-Managing Director
    Maggie Kopel Co-Managing Director
    Emma Fleming Client Service Director
    Greta Wiessner Client Service Director
    Austin Gassen Research & Policy Director

  • Project PEACE

    Project peace is a peer-mediation, anti-bullying and youth court training program that enhances the skills of non-violent conflict resolution and active civic engagement in Edward Heston Middle School students. The program empowers children with important life-skills that promote constructive communication, problem solving, critical thinking and self-esteem. Project Peace has a very reasonable time commitment. Excluding planning sessions, and volunteer lesson planning preparation, volunteers will need to attend seven sessions in the first semester and nine sessions in the second semester. The sessions are held on Friday afternoons from 11:30 am-1:00pm.  While steady attendance is expected, arrangements can be made to accommodate the volunteer’s scheduling conflicts. Volunteers will gain valuable client contact information as they practice imparting complex legal issues to those that are unfamiliar with the legal system by disseminating “Know Your Rights information,” and instructing the children to operate a Youth Courts and Mock Courts.

    I love seeing the tangible impact that a session can have on a child’s life. During the anti-bullying session, one student recognized that he had bullying tendencies and vowed to be more considerate to the emotions of his peers. One of our most productive sessions was the College and Academic Success session. We discussed professional goals, potential colleges, and the steps each student must take to fulfil their academic goals. I have learned the importance of prioritizing public interest projects such as this, and the value of representation. These students truly respond to students and professionals who have had similar backgrounds, experiences, and tribulations as them, and they rarely receive individualized attention of this nature, in this context. 

    Student Leader

    Jordan King Coordinator

     


  • School Discipline Advocacy Service (SDAS)

    The mission of School Discipline Advocacy Service is to work towards ending the school to prison pipeline by representing public school students in disciplinary proceedings, such as suspensions and transfers. Advocates work with students and their families to prevent school exclusion and protect students’ due process rights. The students we serve come from Philadelphia public schools. A third of Philadelphia’s children live below the poverty line and Philadelphia is the poorest of the nation’s 10 biggest cities. So the students we represent face many challenges, and under-resourced schools too often resort to exclusionary measures when dealing with behavioral issues. Philadelphia students are extremely resilient, bright, and talented. The time commitment for this project is very flexible, you pick up cases as they fit with your schedule, you spend about an hour reviewing the file and calling the family and you spend about 2 hours at the district office attending the impartial hearing.  Student volunteers gain skills in interviewing clients, creating a theory of the case, and advocating for students so that their due process rights are protected and their voices are heard. 

    Student volunteers have said that they love that SDAS puts the interests of students and their educational rights and needs first and that advocates work directly with students’ families to work for their best interests.  This is not a project where you sit behind a screen. Through this work, you will get to know kids and their families and you will practice legal advocacy skills. 

     

    Student Leaders

    Sara Lynch Director
    Ilana Saltz Leader
    Stefanie Ramirez Director of Recruitment

     


  • Street Law

    The purpose of Street Law is to educate Middle School- and High School-aged students on law and government, and why they are important.  We work with students at two schools close to the law school for approximately two hours per week.  By working with Street Law, law students will learn to strengthen organizational and speaking skills by putting together lesson plans and teaching classes.  I love working with the students and watching them learn and grow each week.  I love seeing that lightbulb moment when they understand.  I hope you are interested in Street Law too!

     

    Student Leaders

    Kyla Risko President/ Executive Director

  • Students for Technological Progress (STP)

    STP is focused on researching cutting edge tech and policy issues in support of non-profits, working with these groups to navigate emerging areas of technology law and policy. This often involves diverse areas of law, including but not limited to privacy, data security, and intellectual property.   STP works with think tanks, policy setting organizations, and non-profit technology groups, like the Center for Democracy and Technology. You can expect the typical assignment to take 8-10 hours with a turnaround of 2 weeks, though this may vary based on the needs of the client and depth of the research. Volunteers will gain valuable writing skills and, depending on client needs, may interface directly with the client to present research results. Deliverables are typically written work product in the form of detailed research memos providing valuable information and context regarding an emerging issue, or sections of federal amicus briefs supporting non-profits in high stakes issues of first impression. 

    I love STP because it helps me stay at the forefront of technology while improving my practical legal writing and analytical skills. These skills will undoubtedly help you in your legal career, regardless of your path, because you will be able to hone those valuable LPS skills while expanding your research into non-traditional sources, like tech journals and speeches from CEOs.

     

    Student Leaders

    Dan Roberts Director

     


  • Veterans Law Project (VLP)

    The Veterans Law Project (VLP) provides quality and individualized pro bono legal assistance to American military veterans and their spouses in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Volunteers provide critical support to the Military Assistance Project, a non-profit organization comprised of civilian attorneys dedicated to serving those who gave so much for our country. Volunteers are expected to work about 2 hours per week in either the Bankruptcy or Veterans Benefits practice. Every case is different in terms of the scope and depth of assistance that is necessary, exposing volunteers to a wide array of work. Students gain extensive hands-on experience by overseeing files from start to finish while positively impacting lives in the process. Volunteers also have the opportunity to engage with clients directly. If you love America, you’ll love volunteering with the Veterans Law Project.

    Student Leaders

    Aaron McKenney Co-Director
    Zach Feldman Co-Director

  • Youth Advocacy Project (YAP)

    The Youth Advocacy Project aims to leverage the skills and dedication of both social policy and practice students and law students to provide comprehensive support to youth prosecuted as adults. We work directly with The Youth Sentencing & Reentry project to advance its mission to develop holistic, humanizing narratives that mitigate the facts of each case; get cases transferred to the juvenile system; and make crucial connections to community resources providing education, healthcare, housing, and employment YAP works with youth in Philadelphia who are facing adult criminal charges. Children and their families work with the Youth Advocacy Project to convey to judges that a young person should not be defined by the crimes of which they are accused. YAP aims to communicate a fuller picture of each child’s life and highlight their strengths, resiliency, and capacity to change. YAP also continues to support the young person once he or she returns to the community. Besides an hour a week team meeting, there is no set time commitment required. However, we expect fellows to uphold their commitments to our clients, which means showing up for in person meetings with the youth and their family, collecting records, and drafting timely mitigation reports. Around report writing time, you can expect to spend more time on this project, but you will have a strong team of at least three people supporting you.  Fellows report that they love this project because at its core, this work is about humanization. Fellows learn about the young person in a holistic way—they learn about the youth’s background, present, and future goals. This project also connects law and social policy and practice students with families throughout Philadelphia.

    Co-Founders/Co-Directors: Elizabeth Levitan & Martha Hanna

     

    Student Leaders

    Sara Lynch Co-Director
    Raquel Chavez Co-Director
    Eliza Novick-Smith Case Director
    Bradie Williams Case Chair
    Ariana Brill Development Chair

  • Youth Education Program (YEP)

    The Youth Education Program places Penn Law students in under-resourced high schools throughout Philadelphia to teach students basic Constitutional principles. Through the curriculum, Penn Law students strive to hone the student’s argumentation skills and increase their civics knowledge, while giving students concrete examples of how the law impacts their lives. Volunteers provide a unique opportunity to make the law relatable and understandable for high school students. Not only do the Constitutional principles YEP teaches prove incredibly relevant to these students’ lives, but Penn Law students also become an integral part of their surrounding community. Following the basic lessons, Penn Law students then prep their students on a fact pattern meant to highlight all of the learned principles. The students will then compete against their peers from all the participating high schools in a Moot Court Competition which takes places at the Law School. Each student prepares a set of oral arguments and competes against other high school students. In short, the Youth Education Program offers real-world, hands on experience in enriching the community and in becoming a more skilled, engaged future lawyer, as law students prepare students to confront current problems and solve future ones.

     

    Student Leaders

    Carolyn Carpenter Internal Executive Director
    Bryan McIntyre External Executive Director
    James Kim Academic Director
    Adrian Parlow Tournament Director
    Tom Mandracchia Teaching Director
    Jenna Smith Teaching Director
    Zach Feldman Teaching Director
    Jimmy Schuster Special Projects Committee
    Kaitlin Gottlieb Special Projects Committee
    Pratik Agarwal Special Projects Committee

     


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