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My Family Law Attorney
took care of me
so I could focus on what
matters most -
taking care of my child.
ABOUT US
Access to justice in our world is difficult for so many. There is a crushing demand for Family
Law services for low-income families living below the poverty level. Without legal support for critical custody issues, families are torn apart, children are devastated and our entire community is weakened.
That’s why the Dauphin County Bar Foundation’s “We Care About Children Campaign” is so vital. Since 2010, DCBF has funded the Family Law Attorney at the Harrisburg MidPenn office exclusively to help low-income families and children in Dauphin County.
This project provides local families with nowhere else to turn a way to access the court system for a peaceful, fair and orderly resolution. Knowing they have a partner advocating for them can alleviate their moments of deep despair - and provide hope in the place of fear.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Safe Homes
Home shouldn’t be a battlefield. A custody order reduces friction that can lead to domestic violence and deep emotional distress for children.
Stable Families
A safe home is a stable home. An orderly custody resolution provides a clear road map for families, with a court order that clearly defines rights and responsibilities.
Solid Communities
Peaceful resolutions to these problems have such ripple effects. Kids stay in school, reducing community resources spent on troubled youth.
Efficient Resolution
Courts operate more efficiently when family law litigants have advice of legal counsel. 90% of these cases settle without going to trial.
Locally Focused
The program addresses a core community need and shows that lawyers and business leaders care about their community.
Economic Impact
Workplace loss of productivity, emotional stress and absenteeism due to disruptions over custody is reduced or eliminated.
1,072
Cases Closed
2,754
Families Helped
$800
Average Per-Case Cost
*Since December 2010
My Family Law Attorney helped me trade fear for hope and
gave me my sons back.
ENDORSEMENTS
“This program has proven to be an overwhelming success and of great assistance to the Court and the community in resolving custody disputes.”
Hon. Richard A. Lewis, President Judge, Dauphin County
“First National Bank (formerly Metro Bank) is proud to be a leading donor of this Dauphin County Bar Foundation effort. Stable families make for stable communities. As a community bank, we understand the importance of supporting this cause.”
Former First National Bank Chairman, President and CEO Gary Nalbandian
Recipient of the Louis J. Goffman Award which honors commitments to pro bono legal services that make a critical difference in the lives of those disadvantaged Pennsylvania residents in need of legal representation.
Pennsylvania Bar Foundation
CONTACT US
We Care About Children Campaign and sponsorships
Ivy R. Buchan, Campaign Consultant, Helix Strategies
ivy@helixllc.org or (717) 857-7432.
Dauphin County Bar Foundation
Patrice Merzanis, DCBA Executive Director
patrice@dcba-pa.org or (717) 232-7536.
Dauphin County Bar Foundation
213 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101