This is the second entry in our occasional series, “Board Members Speak Out,” collecting stories and testimonials from members of our board of directors about why our work matters to them.

Charles Lange, an associate attorney with Faegre Drinker, joined the Law Center’s board of directors in 2022.

October 27, 2023 – I joined the Public Interest Law Center board because I am passionate about advancing social justice and making a positive impact on my community. I believe in the Law Center’s mission of addressing systemic inequalities, advocating for marginalized groups and promoting access to justice for all in the Philadelphia region. I am honored to be part of such an amazing organization.

I first became involved with the Law Center through the Philadelphia Bar Association’s board observer program. It quickly became clear that everyone in the organization cared deeply about righting systemic inequities, and I knew that I wanted to continue to support and promote the Law Center. Coming from a family of public educators, I was excited to share the Law Center’s updates on the PA school funding case as they happened, and was proud of the monumental impact a fair public school funding system could have for students across the Commonwealth. The Law Center’s focus on driving broad-based change through high-impact legal strategies resonated with me, and I am continually impressed with the dedication and hard work in all their efforts.

Serving on the board gives me an opportunity to leverage my experience to help shape policies and contribute to meaningful change. It also allows me to collaborate with like-minded people and build a stronger network within the Philadelphia community. It feels great to be able to support an organization that is pushing for institutional change. I look forward to continuing to serve.