The Public Interest Law Center elects new board leadership at their 2023 annual meeting
Molly Flynn, a partner with Barnes & Thornburg, was elected Chair. Mark Kasten, counsel with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, was elected Vice Chair
Philadelphia, PA – At their May 18, 2023, annual meeting, the board of directors for the Public Interest Law Center elected new leadership. Molly Flynn, a partner with Barnes & Thornburg, was elected Chair. Mark Kasten, counsel with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, was elected Vice Chair. They will each serve two-year terms in their new roles.
The Law Center, based in Philadelphia, has a more than 50-year history of using high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. In February, the Law Center secured a major victory for public school students when Commonwealth Court declared that Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutionally shortchanges school districts in low-wealth communities. In a 2018 Pennsylvania case, the Law Center won the nation’s first successful challenge to partisan gerrymandering resulting in a redrawn statewide congressional map.
“Molly and Mark are brilliant lawyers who are dedicated to building a better future for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania,” said Brenda Marrero, executive director of the Public Interest Law Center. “Throughout their service on the board, they have supported our mission with a deep passion for justice and they have helped all of us at the Law Center provide the best possible advocacy for our clients and the communities we serve. I’m excited to work with them as they lead us through the next chapter in our history.”
Law Center board Chair Molly Flynn, a partner and trial attorney with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, has served as a board member since 2017, most recently as Vice Chair. In her litigation practice, Ms. Flynn has vast experience in complex and mass tort litigation involving the pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer goods industries. She maintains an active pro bono practice, serving as co-counsel with the Law Center on housing discrimination cases and with the International Legal Foundation.
“I have been privileged to work with the Law Center for most of my legal career, first as a pro bono partner, then as a board member, and now as Chair of the Board,” said Molly Flynn. “I am continually impressed by the Law Center’s innovative approach to seemingly intractable problems. I look forward to working with Brenda, Mark, and the rest of the Board to support the Law Center as it fights against discrimination and inequality in Pennsylvania.”
Law Center board Vice Chair Mark Kasten, counsel with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, joined the board in 2020. Mark represents corporations and individuals in government investigations, antitrust matters, and white-collar litigation. In his pro bono practice, Mr. Kasten has represented indigent criminal defendants in federal prosecutions and undocumented immigrants seeking asylum.
“Buchanan has long supported the Public Interest Law Center’s fight for the equal rights of communities across the Commonwealth, and we are thrilled that Mark has been elected Vice Chair of the Board of Directors,” said Joseph Dougherty, CEO, of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.
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The Public Interest Law Center uses high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We use litigation, community education, advocacy, and organizing to secure their access to fundamental resources and services in the areas of public education, housing, health care, employment, environmental justice and voting. For more information visit or follow on Twitter @PubIntLawCtr
