Bucks Writs - Summer 2021 - 16

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Access to Justice
BUCKS COUNTY'S
UNIQUE PROGRAM ENSURES
REPRESENTATION IN PFA CASES
By Marion Hoffman Fraley
Communications Director, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
PRO BONO ATTORNEYS ARE THE KEY TO
BUCKS COUNTY'S UNIQUE " ACCESS TO
JUSTICE " PROGRAM FOR PROTECTION
FROM ABUSE (PFA) HEARINGS.
Built on Bucks County's long tradition of volunteer service,
the program offers free pro bono legal representation to
both plaintiff and defense at PFA court hearings, if either or
both parties have not retained an attorney. They simply fill
out a form when filing at the Bucks County Prothonotary's
Office, noting whether or not they or the opposing party
have retained counsel. But to be eligible for free representation
at Wednesday hearings, the plaintiff or defendant
MUST attend their assigned hearing. Hoping to inspire
more volunteers, the Bucks County Bar Association' Pro
Bono Committee presented a virtual CLE May 17, entitled
" Anatomy of a PFA Case. "
Barbara Kaner, Esq., Staff Attorney for Legal Aid of Southeastern
PA (LASP), outlined Bucks County's 27-page PFA
petition form. She noted, " The program is a benefit
to litigants in Bucks County, offered because the Bar
Association is so generous in providing volunteers " to
support the program.
Amir Stark, Esq., attorney with Penglase & Benson,
explained the timeline for case distribution, usually on
Friday, and the procedure before and during PFA hearing
day. He generally receives the petitioner's filing on Friday,
with several days to prepare before the Wednesday hearing.
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Shari Gelfont Williams, Esq., of Gelfont Williams Law,
explained defense representation. " Always make sure to
review the proposed order for accuracy and go over it with
your client, " she said.
Hon. James M. McMaster, Hon. Charissa J. Liller, and
Hon. Jordan B. Yeager discussed the proceedings in their
courtrooms. Judge McMaster encouraged increased participation
to prevent burnout among volunteer attorneys
already contributing pro bono service.
Judge Yeager said, " We are very appreciative of people's
volunteer efforts, and we know that it's a significant
amount of people's time. It's a big help to the community to
have you there. "
Top 3 reasons to volunteer for the plaintiff or
defense in Bucks County PFA Court:
1. You'll provide access to justice through Bucks County's
unique program for PFA hearings, in which both plaintiff
and defense have the opportunity for legal representation
as long as they appear in court for their assigned
hearing. " If you volunteer as a plaintiff's attorney or
if you volunteer as a defense attorney, you're doing
a great service because your pro bono commitment
as attorneys is something that we should all aspire to
do, " Williams said. " I also want you to understand that
it helps the bench more than you can imagine, as we
always have multiple judges assisting us on PFA day
besides the assigned PFA judge on the fifth floor and
the one on the third. "
Bucks Writs - Summer 2021

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