The Law Center is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of prominent civic leaders drawn from law firms, the business community, and advocacy organizations. Check back each month as we highlight one of our board members.
April 2016: David Caputo, Kline & Specter, P.C.
David Caputo is a partner at Kline & Specter, P.C. His practice includes the full range of catastrophic injury litigation handled by the firm and representing individuals pursuing claims under the federal False Claims Act and IRS and SEC whistleblower programs. Mr. Caputo has served on the Law Center board since 2014, and this year he is acting as co-chair of the Event Committee.
“I have long admired the Law Center’s work but since joining the Board a couple years ago, I have gained a completely new appreciation for the talent and dedication of the Law Center’s attorneys and staff. I am truly inspired by the extraordinary results that the Law Center achieves for its clients, both on its own and in cooperation with its pro bono partners.”
March 2016: Rachel Gallegos, Steve Harvey Law LLC
Rachel Gallegos is a business litigator and trial attorney. She has served on the Law Center board since 2011, beginning as an ex officio member from the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania before becoming a full board member. Rachel also served as board secretary for two years.
“It is a tremendous honor to be associated with the Law Center. It is at the forefront of many major legal issues facing our City and Commonwealth, and I watch in amazement every day as the staff works tirelessly to advocate for what is right and for those who would otherwise not be heard. The Law Center employs some of the best legal minds in our profession and they have changed countless lives for the better as a result of their efforts.”
January 2016: Nicholas Chimicles, Chimicles & Tikellis LLP
Nicholas Chimicles has been lead counsel and lead trial counsel in major complex litigation, antitrust, securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty suits for over 30 years, and he has served on the Law Center board for more than a decade.
“I joined the board of the Law Center more than a decade ago. There was little active representation of plaintiffs’ firms on the board at that time and it has been heartening over the years to see that condition change, thereby achieving essential balance and diversity in our board membership. I serve on a number of non-profit boards, but I do not think there is a harder working and more committed board than the Law Center’s. And the energy at the board level is driven by the unparalleled dedication of the staff under Jenny Clarke’s leadership which has as its sole objective the improvement of the lives of ordinary citizens in Philadelphia and beyond by leveling the playing field in the judicial system. It is exciting to be a part of such a noble endeavor.”
November 2015: Ellen Friedell, Reaching Agreement ADR LLC
Ellen Friedell is founder and principal of Reaching Agreement ADR LLC, a dispute resolution firm, and an attorney with extensive experience in litigation and litigation management. She has served on the board since 2010, and has been treasurer of the board since 2012. She participates or has participated in multiple board committees, including audit/finance and personnel. She has also been an instrumental part in the Law Center’s successful annual events in 2014 and 2015.
“Our lawyers are in court on cases that really matter (voting rights, pubic education, medical care, overcoming urban blight, etc.) as we strive for a better world and a more just society. I am grateful to be able to play a part, as a board member, to support the amazing work of the Law Center. I am especially moved by the courage and fortitude of our clients and by the stories they tell of how much our work means to them and their families.”
September 2015: Brian Feeney, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Brian Feeney is shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. He has more than 15 years of experience representing major financial institutions, Internet companies, education companies, major retailers, and other corporate clients in a wide variety of commercial and business disputes. He became board chair in June 2015.
“I love when we hear directly from the Public Interest Law Center’s clients, who tell us the stories of how the work of our gifted and determined lawyers has brought dramatic improvements to their lives. It’s a great reminder of the invaluable return we realize on the modest amount of time we invest serving as board members.”
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July 2015: H. Laddie Montague, Jr., Berger & Montague, P.C.
H. Laddie Montague, Jr., is president, shareholder, and chairman of the Antitrust Department, of Berger & Montague, P.C. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Public Interest Law Center for more than 10 years and has been integral in helping the organization grow and stabilize. We are excited to honor him at this year’s Annual Event, and proud to showcase him as our Board Member of the Month.
“Accepting Tom Gilhool’s and Donald Joseph’s invitation to become a Public Interest Law Center board member was easy, having known both of them for a long time and admiring their commitment. My being able to make any contribution to the excellent staff of dedicated attorneys has been rewarding. Attending board meetings and learning of the accomplishments of the Law Center, which do so much good for so many people, and hearing at the annual meetings the gratitude of the clients is a joy.”
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June 2015: Eric Rothschild, Pepper Hamilton LLP
Eric Rothschild is a partner in the litigation and dispute resolution department of Pepper Hamilton LLP. He served as board chair for four years, relinquishing that role in June 2015.
“I became a board member of the Public Interest Law Center when my friend and mentor David Richman, a long time board member, recommended me for the board to transition Pepper’s involvement with the Law Center to the next generation. I enjoy my membership on the board because Public Interest Law Center lawyers and staff are always punching above their weight to impact civil rights and equality for the citizens of Pennsylvania and because board members and staff have become my friends. My favorite moment with the Public Interest Law Center was when the Law Center jumped in to save funding for the Chester Schools, when the state of Pennsylvania was prepared to let the children in that district go without an education.”
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May 2015: Nicole Perkins, Hawthorn
Nicole Perkins is senior vice president at Hawthorn, a member of the PNC Financial Services Group. She serves on the Governance Committee, and she has been instrumental in helping us with some of our fundraising programs.
“I joined the Public Interest Law Center because I was deeply concerned with the issues it supports. I enjoy volunteering for the Public Interest Law Center because I have an opportunity to be both educated on issues as well as to be involved with making decisions that have a direct impact on the ability of the Public Interest Law Center to take action. My favorite moment at the Public Interest Law Center was the day I met with Jennifer Clarke (executive director) and fellow board member Brian Feeney to discuss joining the board of directors and saw first hand the compassion and dedication of those involved.”
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April 2015: Marc Topaz, Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
Marc Topaz is a partner at Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, overseeing case initiation and development, and he is a co-chair of our 2015 Annual Event Committee. Marc and his firm have been longtime supporters of the Law Center, both financially and in terms of pro bono support.
“Our firm got involved with supporting The Public Interest Law Center around five years ago because we really believe in its mission of taking on matters that have an important social purpose, while also providing legal services to people in need who can’t afford the cost of those services. Serving on the board has been incredibly fulfilling. I leave every board meeting inspired by the work that the Law Center is doing. Our firm has recently started to work on cases with the Law Center and it has been a great experience for our lawyers who have participated. We look forward to continuing our close relationship with the Law Center and supporting its important mission.”
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March 2015: Joseph B.G. Fay, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP
Joe Fay counsels clients defending class actions and facing other complex litigation problems, in a wide variety of contexts at Morgan Lewis. He has advised clients in the oil, insurance, financial services, pharmaceutical, railroad, airline, and professional sports industries in antitrust and other class action disputes. He serves on the Law Center’s Governance and Litigation Committees.
“There are few things to which one can devote time and energy that create the unqualified satisfaction of simply ‘doing good.’ To be involved in such an endeavor with the kind of intelligent, dedicated, and well-spirited people who work at the Law Center is a privilege.”
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February 2015: Ellen Meriwether, Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP
Ellen Meriwether has been a litigation partner with Cafferty Clobes since its inception in 1992 and has quickly become an active member of the Law Center Board of Directors since joining in 2014. She is co-chair of the 2015 Event Committee, which will look to build on the tremendous success of our 2014 Annual Event. She also serves on the Nominations Committee.
“Almost 25 years ago, in my first year of practice, I learned about PILCOP and the incredible work it was doing on behalf of our under-represented communities. When I was asked to consider joining the Board, I leapt at the opportunity and I have found my involvement with PILCOP to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. It is wonderful to be part of an organization working to make positive changes in people’s lives and in their communities.”
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January 2015: Donald Joseph, Rutgers School of Law – Camden
Donald Joseph has worked with the Law Center in one fashion or another for many years. Donald is also a long-time Board Member, including spending time as Board Chair. He serves on the Audit-Finance Committee and the Nominations Committee, and he is a tremendous fundraiser for the organization.
“I have been fully engaged for more than two decades with PILCOP, by far my most important pro bono activity. It is committed to “opportunity and justice for all.” The impact work it does is meaningful and important; the quality is first rate; and the people are committed and down to earth with great values. I gain much satisfaction from being associated with this gem of a public interest law firm in Philadelphia and its achievements.”
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November 2014: Lea Knight, Johnson & Johnson Consumer
Lea Knight is senior finance director at Consumer Products Company, a division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer. She is co-chair of the Law Center’s Audit-Finance committee, and she serves on the Pension Investment Committee.
“I joined the Board of PILCOP because it has the power to positively touch and change peoples’ lives. At our core, we provide access to resources so that all people have the opportunity to lead happier, fuller lives. I am excited to be part of an organization that has such an impact on our community!”
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October 2014: Aneesh Mehta, Volpe & Koenig, P.C.
Along with serving on the Law Center’s Board of Directors, Aneesh Mehta is both chair of and a very active member of the Communications Committee. His practice at Volpe & Koenig, P.C. focuses on strategic acquisition IPR, including prosecution, mining, and purchase of assets as well as the analysis and development of assets for defensive purposes and monetization.
“My first involvement with PILCOP came as an ex-officio board member through the Young Lawyers Division. Almost immediately I hoped to have the opportunity to become more involved. PILCOP has leveraged its first-rate staff with law firm partnerships to take on legal matters that not only improve individuals’ lives but change communities in and around Philadelphia. My involvement with PILCOP has truly been an amazing opportunity for me.”
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September 2014: Phil Wilson, Shareholder, Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller
Phil Wilson is a shareholder at Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller where he represents corporate clients and individuals in business litigation and has more than a decade of experience representing some of the country’s leading insurance companies in his insurance coverage practice. He and his firm were a massive help to the Law Center recently, offering us the use of office space when an issue caused our building to be closed for three days.
About joining the board, he said, “I can’t say I dreamed about joining PILCOP’s Board as a kid, but after my first experience with PILCOP working with Michael Churchill on the Lower Oxford/Lincoln University voting rights case, I knew I wanted to do more with these people on this mission. Now, having spent a few months ‘behind the curtain,’ I am even more impressed with the passion, commitment and vision that animates this organization, and am honored to be a part of it.”
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August 2014: Richard Pasquier, Assistant General Counsel, FMC Corporation
Richard Pasquier is assistant general counsel at FMC Corporation where he is the lead business lawyer for the Industrial Chemicals Group and the lead in-house lawyer for corporate financing activities. He is co-chair of the Law Center Nominations Committee.
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July 2014: Jeffrey Moller, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
Jeffrey Moller is serving his first term as a Law Center board member, beginning in 2012. He currently serves on the Law Center Event Committee. He is a partner at Blank Rome LLP and leader of its Products Liability, Mass Tort and Insurance Litigation Practice Group.
“My reason for wanting to serve on the PILCOP Board is simply because the Law Center has, throughout my career here in Philadelphia, been handling the kinds of cases that were socially and politically meaningful. I wanted to do something to support the Center’s excellent attorneys in that work.”
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June 2014: Paul Saint-Antoine, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Paul Saint-Antoine has been a Law Center board member since 2006, and currently serves as co-chair of the Litigation Committee. He is a partner in the Litigation Department of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and a co-chair of the firm’s Antitrust Practice Group. He is also a current co-chair of the Intellectual Property Committee of the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section
“I was aware of PILCOP’s outstanding reputation in the public interest arena from my pro bono representation of foster children in the Baby Neal class action, and I was an admirer of Jennifer Clarke’s legal skills from our work together on antitrust litigation. Later, when she asked me if I was interested in joining the PILCOP Board of Directors, it was an easy decision. I am constantly impressed by the talent and dedication of the PILCOP staff and my fellow board members, and working now as co-counsel with Sonja Kerr and Michael Churchill on educational issues has been both a pleasure and a great learning experience for me.”
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May 2014: Stacy Hawkins, Diversity Consultant; Visiting Professor, Rutgers School of Law – Camden
Stacy Hawkins has been a Law Center board member since 2008. She teaches courses in Employment Law and Diversity in the Law at Rutgers School of Law, and she maintains a practice as an independent diversity consultant.
“I became a lawyer because I wanted to advocate for civil rights on behalf of poor and minority communities. Although I have had a rewarding career as a corporate lawyer (and now academic), I was drawn to PILCOP because it offered me the opportunity to become part of an organization at the forefront of the kind of legal work that I think is the most important work we can do as lawyers. I find so much personal and professional fulfillment supporting the wonderful work PILCOP does helping poor and minority communities gain access to basic rights that many of us take for granted, like voting, education, employment, healthy communities, and medical care.”
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