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Client Partnerships
Partnership with Constellation Energy to Help Transgender Clients
In October , a team from Washington , D . C . -based Whitman-Walker Health Legal Services made a presentation on Transgender & Nonbinary Legal Basics to in-house counsel from client Constellation Energy , along with members of our firm . The presentation focused on the challenges facing the LGBTQ + community and the difference that aligning name and gender identity with legal documents can make in a person ’ s life . Counsel from Constellation Energy and Blank Rome volunteers will be working together on future Whitman-Walker pro bono assignments .
Partnership with In-House Legal Departments to Complete Life Planning Documents for Low-Income Seniors
Working with the SeniorLAW Center , volunteers from our firm partnered with attorneys from the legal departments of Comcast , PNC Bank , and PECO / Exelon in three separate clinics to draft wills , living wills , and healthcare and financial powers of attorney for low-income Philadelphia seniors , providing them with peace of mind . These life-planning documents are critically important to ensure that the seniors ’ final wishes are respected and carried out . These services also avoid the common issue of tangled titles in real estate and allow the seniors to pass their property along to their family members and avoid future complications .
Partnership with Paramount / Viacom and Access Justice Brooklyn for Uncontested Divorce Clinic
In October , our firm partnered with in-house counsel from Paramount / Viacom 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 . Through Access Justice Brooklyn ’ s Pro Se Uncontested Divorce Clinic , attorneys worked together to draft initial divorce papers , effectuate service of process , and draft final divorce papers for the clients .
Partnership with PNC Bank for Veterans Discharge Upgrade Clinic
In October , in partnership with The Veterans Consortium (“ TVC ”) and volunteers from the in-house legal department of PNC Bank , attorneys from our Pittsburgh office attended a Military Discharge Upgrade clinic at the VA Medical Center in Butler , Pennsylvania . At the clinic , volunteers assisted former military members in determining whether they might qualify for a military discharge upgrade . Many of these clients had been discharged from the military due to conduct related to trauma , traumatic brain injury , and service-connected mental illness . Receiving a discharge upgrade will significantly impact the client ’ s ability to access critically needed Veterans benefits , including access to housing and healthcare .
PRO BONO REPORT & COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT • 23