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The Equity Stop By Michelle Dempsky, Esq.
Name Change Clinic Last year, the Montgomery Bar Association and the Montgomery County Prothonotary’s office engaged in an exciting joint pilot program to offer free name changes for residents of the county. Seven volunteer attorneys assisted twelve Montgomery County residents with their name change petitions via Zoom, drafting and filing the petitions, along with the waiver of filing fees and publication costs for the posting of the hearing notice in the Montgomery County Law Reporter. Ten clinic participants moved forward with their name change petitions and attended their respective hearings in mid-December. DEI Co-Chair Michelle Dempsky and other volunteers represented them at the hearings in mid-December, and all of the petitions were granted. Given the success of the pilot program, we’re happy to announce a second year of the clinic. While the Montgomery County clinic was open to all County residents, there was a deliberate effort to invite transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming individuals. This year, the clinic is being offered this spring as well; any MBA member can volunteer as well. The clinic is currently being tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2023, between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Anyone interested in volunteering should note that there is no obligation to appear at the hearing itself, only to assist with the petitions. Volunteers can sign up for one-hour slots in this timeframe, to assist, and the MBA currently offers a recorded DEI CLE on the name change process and social awareness for transgender and non-conforming issues relative to legal practice.
Project Linus The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee started off last year with a joint program with the Young Lawyers Section in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The Committee members made over 40 new blankets for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides new handmade blankets to children in need. Due to the success, the project has been renewed for the current year, and is likely to be an ongoing joint project. Volunteers who wish to contribute can appear at the next DEI meeting on March 8, 2023, at 12:00pm.
Wills for Seniors In previous years, the Diversity Equity, and Inclusion and Elder Law Committees have teamed up with volunteer attorneys from the Montgomery Bar Association and the Senior Law Center to offer a free simple will, durable power of attorney, and advance medical directive to Montgomery County Seniors. Due to
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previous successes, the clinic is once again being offered on May 2, 2023. Since the previous in-person clinic was offered in Norristown, this event is being held at the Pottstown Senior Center, 288 Moser Rd #1, Pottstown, PA 19464, to help achieve more coverage across the county. In addition, the MBA offers a free CLE on wills and medical directives and power of attorney for volunteers that wish to assist, and CLE credit will be offered for all volunteers. Meet & Greet with Local Law School Diversity Members 3/30 5:30pm-7:30pm On March 30, 2023, the DEI committee will engage in a new project; a meet and greet with local law school students. The event will be held at the MBA building on March 30, 2023, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. This is a chance for students to meet with judges and attorneys in the county, learn of employment opportunities and DEI initiatives, and to have their resume reviewed. The event is open to wider MBA members, and comes with free hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and is a wonderful opportunity to forge connections with incoming attorneys.
North Penn Rainbow Alliance Supreme Court Mock Trial The DEI committee has previously volunteered attorneys to help guide students in local North Penn High schools in mock Supreme Court oral arguments on real cases involving LGBTQIAA+ issues. The two previous events were a great success, and the DEI committee is eager to assist with the next session, at a date to be determined. Anyone interested in being involved should contact the MBA.
Other Programs: - Robert Slota Diversity Program: the DEI committee is proud to assist in the diversity program for another year. - Diversity Book Club: At the next DEI meeting, members are invited to help select books and participate in our novel diversity book club, selecting authors who highlight important DEI issues worldwide. - Women Networking Event - Collaboration with Women in the Law: the DEI committee is preparing a women’s networking event, at a date to be determined, to foster networking and connections between women in the field of law. - Career Day at Local High Schools: the DEI committee is proud to be creating a presence at various ‘career days’ at local high