Growing the Pie

By Thomas A. Brophy ([email protected]), president and CEO at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, P.C., and president of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

Contrary to the wisdom of Yogi Berra, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation ultimately aims to grow the pie. We must meet the challenge to significantly increase philanthropy for access to justice and legal aid in our region. The need is clear and greater than ever before:

• Philadelphia has the worst poverty rate of the largest U.S. cities.
• 28 percent of Philadelphians – more than 430,000 people – live below the federal poverty level.
• Only 1 in 5 low-income individuals and families in Philadelphia receive the civil legal assistance needed for crucial problems affecting their lives.
• The lack of access to justice often leads to lost opportunities for education, employment, housing, family unity, health care, safety and much more.

Download the full article below.