"Law Week 2013" To Feature Free Legal Advice, Community Programs

PHILADELPHIA, April 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association will celebrate Law Week 2013 (Monday, April 29 – Friday, May 3), with free legal advice for residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, and other community service events presented by volunteer lawyers.

Law Week 2013 is led by Association Chancellor-Elect William P. Fedullo and coordinated by the Association's Young Lawyers Division with scores of lawyer-volunteers.  It is co-chaired by attorneys Maria E. Harris and Eileen F. Carroll.

Legal Advice Live!: Monday, April 29

Lawyers will provide free, in-person legal advice from 12 to 2 p.m. at four branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia: Central (1901 Vine St.); Ramonita de Rodriguez (600 W. Girard Ave., Spanish-speaking attorneys available); Haverford (5543 Haverford Ave.); and Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. (1935 Shunk St.).

Lawyer in the Classroom: Tuesday, April 30 and Wednesday, May 1

Lawyers will visit Philadelphia schools to answer students' questions about the law.  A complete list of schools can be found at philadelphiabar.org.

Naturalization Ceremony: Wednesday, May 1

A dramatic ceremony welcoming dozens of new U.S. citizens will be held at the U.S. Courthouse, 6th and Market Streets, at 10:30 a.m., with remarks by Association Chancellor Kathleen D. Wilkinson.  The Edward F. Chacker Essay Contest scholarship winner will read his or her essay.

LegalLine Free Legal Advice Hotline: Wednesday, May 1

Lawyers will provide free legal advice to residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties who call the LegalLine hotline from 5 to 8 p.m. at 215-238-6333.  The lawyers will staff a phone bank at Association headquarters, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor.

"Goldilocks," "The Big Bad Wolf" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" Mock Trials: Friday, May 3

Judges from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and lawyers dressed as fairytale characters gather at City Hall Room 653 at 9:30 a.m. to use story facts to act out mock criminal trials for 350 Philadelphia grade school children.

Lawyer for a Day: Friday, May 3

Philadelphia high school students accompany lawyers into city courtrooms to witness live proceedings.  At 12 p.m. at Association headquarters, University of Pennsylvania Law School Professor Louis S. Rulli offers a moving presentation on the 50^th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright.  Winning posters from the Law Week Poster Contest for grade schools will be on display. 

SOURCE Philadelphia Bar Association