Lawyers on Loan

Lawyers On Loanis a program that partners NLSA and private law firms. The law firms “loan” attorneys to NLSA for a period of time, ranging from six months to one year.

Participating Firms/Attorneys

Dickie, McCamey, and Chilcote : Linda Hernandez, Esq. (2004-2005)

Thorp, Reed, and Armstrong : Jennifer Schnore, Esq. (2004-2005)

Reed Smith :Amelia Joiner, Esq. (2006)

Reed Smith : Beth Thomas, Esq. (2006)

 Importance of Lawyers On Loan

Current statistics indicate only 20% of the civil legal needs of the poor are being met. With continuing budget cuts, even this number may be decreasing. In light of this figure, Lawyers On Loan has played a crucial role in NLSA’s ability to counteract this trend, which is one facing all legal service organizations today.

In recognition of the invaluable service provided to NLSA through this program, both law firms received a Pennsylvania Legal Services Striving for Excellence Award in March 2005. In May 2005, they received the esteemed Louis J. Goffman Award.  

How You Can Participate

 The Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership is an association of law firms, corporate law departments, and the Allegheny County Bar Foundation. The Partnership hopes to establish an ongoing seven year rotation cycle for the Lawyers On Loan program. If this effort succeeds, it will create a program of law firm cooperation to benefit poor and disadvantaged members of the community the likes of which exists nowhere else in the country.

The Board is asking its member firms to examine this valuable program and find a way for their firm to make a one year commitment as part of the Lawyers On Loan rotation group.