Lynndon Groff
Tell us about your recent pro bono experience.
I represent children in Philadelphia Family Court through the Support Center for Child Advocates. I advocate for my clients by visiting with them alongside Support Center social workers, interacting with government workers, foster parents, and other attorneys, and appearing at recurrent court hearings, including by questioning witnesses and making closing argument-style recommendations to the presiding judge. This work can be emotionally challenging but also very rewarding. I find my clients’ resilience inspiring, and I hope I have been able to make a difference in their lives in my own small way.
I have also participated in Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent (“Philadelphia VIP”)’s “Tangled Title” program to assist homeowners in obtaining clear title to their properties and helped individuals secure name changes.
How did you select an organization to support? What would you want someone to know about this organization?
I inherited a child advocacy case with the Support Center for Child Advocates from an attorney at my firm who went in-house. I have found that the Support Center lives up to its name – it has been extremely supportive of what I do as a volunteer Child Advocate. Support Center staff members are passionate and highly qualified, and they are more than happy to share their wealth of knowledge and experience. A Support Center social worker always goes along with me on my visits with clients, handles discussions with other parties as appropriate, and attends hearings with me. If I have time conflicts, the Support Center has staff attorneys who can cover for me. The Support Center also conducts a thorough training process before attorneys can begin volunteering.
Why should other lawyers get involved in pro bono service?
Lawyers should get involved in pro bono service for a multitude of reasons.
First and foremost, it is the right thing to do. Many people lack access to justice because they cannot afford legal services. Pro bono work helps to fill in that gap in our legal system, assisting people in achieving their goals and protecting their interests.
Second, by expanding access to justice, pro bono services strengthen the communities in which lawyers live and work.
Third, lawyers can learn from their pro bono clients who have different experiences and perspectives. Everyone benefits when diverse views are shared.
Fourth, pro bono work can improve practice skills. Lawyers typically have a significant degree of responsibility in their pro bono cases no matter the size of their law firm or their level of seniority. Pro bono service gives lawyers an opportunity to perform tasks that they might not otherwise be entrusted with. It also gives lawyers the chance to handle matters they would not normally handle in their usual practice.