Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin has received the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s prestigious 2010 Pro Bono award in recognition of its outstanding commitment to providing volunteer legal services. Hangley Aronchick served as co-counsel in the Luzerne County judicial corruption case and shares the award with Gay Chacker & Mittin.
In early 2007, attorneys at the Juvenile Law Center began investigating irregularities in the trials and sentencing of youth accused of delinquency in the Luzerne County juvenile court. They found that hundreds of children and teenagers had been tried, convicted, and, in many cases, placed in residential programs, without being represented by counsel. The center sought pro bono help to file a federal civil rights damage action. Hangley Aronchick responded to the need and provided the time and talent of shareholder Daniel Segal, associate Rebecca Santoro, and paralegal Robert Hrouda. Over a period of two years, the Hangley Aronchick team contributed more than 2,200 hours to the effort.
“This is a case that shook an entire community and affected the lives of hundreds of juvenile victims. Our team worked tirelessly to bring a federal class action for damages to ensure justice had been served,” said Daniel Segal, shareholder at Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin. “I am honored to accept this recognition on behalf of the firm and hope that it will inspire future attorneys to take on the cases of the disadvantaged.”
“We believe that lawyers have a special responsibility to ensure equal access to excellent counsel,” said Amy B. Ginensky, President of the Bar Foundation and Partner at Pepper Hamilton. “Through their extensive pro bono work, both Gay Chacker & Mittin and Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin exemplify this ideal, and we are proud to celebrate their level of excellence by presenting them with this award.”
The award was presented to Hangley Aronchick at the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s 2010 Alexander Hamilton Benefit, which was held on November 6. Co-chaired this year by Thomas A. Brophy of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Coggin and Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney’s Rudolph Garcia, the Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor-elect, the benefit raises funds to support the foundation’s grants program, which funds a network of 33 public interest legal organizations that provide civil legal services to those struggling with discrimination, abuse, and poverty.
Pictured: Philadelphia Bar Foundation President Amy Ginensky, Daniel Segal, and Rebecca Santoro.
About the Philadelphia Bar Foundation:
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is dedicated to promoting access to justice for all people in the community, particularly those struggling with poverty, abuse, and discrimination. The foundation is the embodiment of the Philadelphia legal community’s commitment to this fundamental principle. The Philadelphia Bar Foundation accomplishes this mission by providing grants and technical assistance in support of quality legal services, addressing unmet legal needs, and providing education on matters in the public interest. For more information, please visit philabarfoundation.org.
