Volunteer Spotlight: Blank Rome
Blank Rome attorneys have been volunteering with Pro Bono Partnership (PBP) for 15 years, during which time they have assisted over 50 clients with 70 unique legal matters in all three of the states that PBP serves-Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
Last year, Dade Thornton, an associate in Blank Rome’s Philadelphia office, assisted long-standing PBP client, New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC) with an interesting real estate matter. NJCC, a PBP client since 2001, is a nonprofit community development financial institution that provides innovative financing and technical assistance to foster the creation of quality homes, educational facilities, and employment opportunities in underserved communities in New Jersey. NJCC has invested over $630 million in New Jersey communities and is recognized as the foremost pioneer of neighborhood stabilization strategies.
NJCC came to Pro Bono Partnership seeking assistance with reviewing and drafting changes to a city ordinance aimed at providing different ways of addressing distressed real estate. Dade and NJCC worked together to research legal questions and craft new options for the city and ultimately, a new ordinance was enacted. Diane Sterner, NJCC’s Community Strategies Director, gave Dade the highest praise for his work. Diane noted that “Dade was not only a great researcher, a quick study and a gem to work with, he was willing to roll up his sleeves and collaborate to help us. We can now use the results of that joint effort to help other municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and community residents to address their problem properties and improve neighborhoods.”
PBP is proud to support the work of impactful nonprofits such as NJCC. We are grateful to Dade and all of our Blank Rome volunteers for their continued efforts to help us achieve our mission.
"Volunteer Spotlight: Blank Rome," was published by Pro Bono Partnership on November 26, 2019.