• • • • •
Helping Children and Families Improve Their Quality of Life
Many of our attorneys serve as child advocates for abused and neglected children . We work through the Support Center for Child Advocates to facilitate safe , secure , and permanent homes for our clients . Our child advocate attorneys represent children in dependency court , often when the children have been removed from the care of their parents , and also represent the child ’ s interests when they are required to testify in a criminal proceeding as a victim-witness . For her child advocacy work , Erin L . Coppock was recognized as Attorney of the Month by the Support Center for Child Advocates in December 2021 and with the Large Firm Management Committee Public Service Award by the Philadelphia Bar Association in July 2022 .
In October , our firm partnered with in-house counsel from Paramount / Viacom and Access Justice Brooklyn at an uncontested divorce clinic in our New York office , where participants guided clients in the process of obtaining a divorce from start to finish . Access Justice Brooklyn ’ s self-represented uncontested divorce program offers free legal assistance to anyone seeking divorce , including those who wish to separate from an abusive partner .
Attorney Helps Woman Gain Independence through Marriage Dissolution
Louise Bowes Marencik Michelle Piscopo
Through Philadelphia VIP , Blank Rome attorney Louise Bowes Marencik , under the supervision of Michelle Piscopo , helped dissolve the marriage of a woman separated , but not divorced , from her husband of nearly 50 years . Louise ’ s assistance meant that her client could pass her property on to her children and grandchildren and that her former husband would not be able to make decisions on her behalf . Without a dissolution of marriage , people remain legally and financially tied to each other , including the ability to make medical decisions for their legal spouse and inherit property . Louise has assisted multiple pro bono clients in this process .
18 • PRO BONO REPORT & COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT