December 2019 Right to Counsel for Tenants a 2019 Bench-Bar Enacted in Philadelphia & Annual Conference Photo Retrospective Photo by Thomas E
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Philadelphia ® The Monthly Newspaper of the Philadelphia Bar Association Vol. 48, No. 12 December 2019 Right to Counsel for Tenants A 2019 Bench-Bar Enacted in Philadelphia & Annual Conference Photo Retrospective Photo by Thomas E. Rogers Chancellor Rochelle M. Fedullo (second from left) and course planner Benjamin J. Baer (far right); with “A Supreme Conversation” panel members (from left to right) Justice Kevin M. Dougherty; Photo by Brittany Anne Robertson Pictured: Chancellor Rochelle M. Fedullo (right) and Ethan Fogel, a member of the Association's Civil Gideon Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor; Justice Sallie and Access to Justice Task Force, testify in support of the right to counsel bill at the Oct. 29 hearing held by City Updyke Mundy; and Justice Max Baer of the Council's Committee on Law and Government. Philadelphia City Council unanimously voted to pass the legislation Pennsylvania Supreme Court; at the 2019 Bench- on Nov. 14. Bar & Annual Conference at the Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa on Oct. 11. crisis in Philadelphia is kitchen and living room similar situation. The young Q By George Donnelly More photos on page 14 enormous. Over 20,000 flooded with raw sewage. couple moved into a rental Tenants facing eviction from eviction filings occur each They moved their family property only to learn that their homes deserve a lawyer. year in Philadelphia, with into a hotel, paid hundreds there was no running water In This Issue This has been the aspirational women and people of color of dollars in out-of-pocket throughout the house. goal of the Philadelphia facing disproportionately expenses and withheld Out thousands of dollars 6 Naturalization Ceremony Bar Association’s Civil high rates of eviction. rent as they waited for the they put down for security Gideon and Access to Many of these tenants have landlord to make repairs deposits and without 8-9 Affinity Associations Justice Task Force for the defenses to eviction or had that would allow the Mr. anywhere to go, C.M. was 13 past decade. Thanks to a a suit filed against them in and Mrs. S to return to their forced to walk down to her 50 Years of PILC new law championed by retaliation for exercising home. Instead of an apology basement, fill up a bucket 14 Bench-Bar 2019 Photos Councilmember Helen their legal rights. or rent credit, the family with water coming from a Gym, that dream is now a Consider Mr. and Mrs. received an eviction notice broken connector pipe, walk reality. S, who were forced to flee from their landlord. it up to the kitchen, boil the The scope of the eviction their home when their C.M. and C.H. faced a continued on page 18 THE LAW FIRM FOR INJURED WORKERS. 215.587.8400 paworkinjury.com Workers’ Compensation | Social Security Disability | Long-Term Disability | Veterans Benefits 2 Philadelphia Bar Reporter December 2019 PhiladelphiaBar.org Frontline Editor-in-Chief Elisa C. Advani, Esq. Yes, With Love Associate Editors Regina M. Parker, Esq. Julia Swain, Esq. Mary LeMieux-Fillery, Esq. By Shelli Fedullo I had thought that when the me another equally funny and naughty joke before the bus got to Communications Associate time arrived, vanity would pre- my stop. Brittany Anne Robertson vent me from getting a SEPTA Whether poignant or colorful, these and other conversations The Philadelphia Bar Reporter (ISSN 1098- “Senior Fare Card,” but I pushed have touched my life in the space of a few city blocks and have 5352) is published monthly by the Philadelphia it aside—for the last two years, made me think. I think about how, 80 years later, the heart of a Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th floor, I have cheerfully been riding little girl who lost her father still has not fully healed. I think about Philadelphia, PA 19107-2911. Periodicals post- age paid at Philadelphia, PA POSTMASTER: for free. In addition to the free the former actor whose Burberry coat disguises his homelessness. I Send address changes to Philadelphia Bar Re- rides, I like sitting in one of the think about my own bias in believing that a woman in her late 80s porter, c/o Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 front seats without having to could not possibly tell a risqué joke. Market St., 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107- 2955. Telephone: (215) 238-6300. Association feel guilty. I especially like when, What is it, apart from being over 65, that we folks in the front Web site: philadelphiabar.org. Newspaper e- occasionally, I get “the look” seats have in common? What is the connection? As I think about mail address: [email protected]. The edi- torial and other views expressed in the Phila- from another passenger who it, isn’t it simply the most fundamental and powerful connection of delphia Bar Reporter are not necessarily those questions my entitlement to one of those seats—sure, I pushed my all—which has no age or other restrictions—our shared humanity? of the Association, its officers or its members. vanity aside, but I did not knock it senseless. We just say “yes” to it, and talk until we get to our stop. Advertising rates and information are available from Shawn D. Phillips at American Lawyer There is camaraderie among those of us who ride free and sit In writing this final column, I have been a little tearful—okay, Media, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, up front near the driver. We often help each other in and out of our maybe more than just a little. I also have been struggling with how 19103. Telephone: (215) 557-2340 or e-mail seat, or even offer our seat if someone needs it more. Although, as to wrap it up—I guess I could tell you those two jokes…just kid- [email protected]. one of the youngest of the older people, I usually give more help ding. I am smiling now, and I know I will be smiling for a very than I get, the combination of very high heels, too many bags, and long time as I look back on the experience of a lifetime—connect- bus “take-off” sometimes makes me reach out for a literal helping ing with you, joining you in saying a collective “yes” to our shared hand so I land in a seat instead of on the floor. humanity as we serve others, as we touch the lives of people who The front seat community is a good place for conversation— need our help. and not only small talk. A few weeks ago, I chatted with a lovely Friends, I am almost at my stop, but before I “exit,” I have this woman for eight blocks. It started with a comment about my to share—cherishing the privilege of having served as Chancellor shoes—“I used to wear those high heels, too, when I was young of the oldest and finest association of lawyers in the nation is some- like you”—she was 87. She told me about growing up in the South. thing that this Philadelphia lawyer will always, always do. She was the youngest of five children. Her father died when she was a little girl, and the family struggled to get by. Sometimes, even With thanks, and yes, with love, Tell Us now, when she sees a man holding a little girl’s hand, she misses her father and feels very sad. What You Think! A month ago, after I helped a gentleman get into the seat next to me, we talked for six blocks. He was a stage actor and had lived The Philadelphia Bar Reporter wel- in Manhattan for most of his adult life. He had returned to Phila- comes letters to the editors for publi- cation. Letters should be typed. There delphia, where he had grown up, because there were very few jobs is no word limit, but editors reserve for older actors—he had just turned 80. He said he knew he did the right to condense for clarity, style not look homeless because of the Burberry coat he was wearing, and space considerations. Letters which someone had given to him. He usually sleeps in one of the must be signed to verify authorship, terminals at the airport, which he prefers to a shelter—he com- but names will be withheld upon re- mented that some of the terminals are “quite nice” and usually no Shelli quest. Letters may be mailed, faxed or one bothers him. e-mailed to: Thomas E. Rogers, Senior Rochelle M. Fedullo ([email protected]), partner at Managing Editor, Philadelphia Bar Some conversations have left me a little tearful, but others Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, is Chancellor of the Reporter, Philadelphia Bar Association, have just made me smile. Three days ago, a woman patted me on 1101 Market St., 11th floor, Philadel- the arm and asked if she could tell me a “naughty” joke. Did I Philadelphia Bar Association. phia, PA 19107-2955. Phone: (215) really have a choice except to say yes, plus, how “naughty” could it 238-6345. Fax: (215) 238-1159. E-mail: possibly be—after all she appeared to be, at least, in her late 80s. [email protected]. As it turned out, very naughty, but it was also very funny. She told PhiladelphiaBar.org December 2019 Philadelphia Bar Reporter 3 YLD Update Gratefulness at Year’s End By Michaella Tassinari As this year comes to a hour, organized volunteers for our community activities, Bar Association. I am steadfast in my belief that, for young Bowser close, we look back on manned the phones for legal line each month and orches- lawyers especially, there is no better training in leadership, the year that was and trated logistics for every single event.