CLS is honored to be featured on the cover of the Fall 2026 issue of The Philadelphia Lawyer in recognition of our 60th anniversary. Read a digitized version of the magazine here.

Fall 2026 Vol. 89 No.3

The Philadelphia Lawyer - Fall 2026 Vol. 89 No.3

philadelphiabar.org

LASP’S Staff Retreat Oct. 2, 2026 provided a chance to connect, reflect & learn. Three speakers shared expertise on 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, SNAP & Medicaid changes, & impact & relevance of historical figures from the American Revolution. @amrevmuseum.bsky.social @clsphila.bsky.social

For 60 years, CLS has been all in for justice! If you're in too, celebrate with us on November 5th. Buy your ticket today: clsat60.eventbrite.com

CLS’s Medical-Legal Partnership brings legal aid directly to communities across the city, making it easier to help people who are already visiting their trusted healthcare provider. CLS Attorney Andrew Yang explains how it works, and where you can find us!

We had to use this scene from John Oliver’s recent appearance on Days of Our Lives to share the good news about an important settlement in a federal lawsuit against Cleveland Water for discrimination.

We're hiring a Managing Attorney for our Energy Unit—a team helping ensure low-income Philadelphians have access to affordable utilities. The role offers the opportunity to lead a talented team while working on direct representation, litigation, policy advocacy, and community engagement.

Preparing for our Netflix documentary about the right to safe and healthy housing

Want to follow in LeBron’s footsteps and join a great team? We’re hiring for a number of roles! Apply at clsphila.org/careers (Welcome to Philly, LeBron!)

Pam Walz, Supervising Attorney in the Health & Independence Unit, has spent the last 36 years working with clients to help them access essential benefits. For our 60th Anniversary, Pam shares that the work she does at CLS is exactly what she set out to do when she went to law school.

PA SNAP recipients are one step closer to more secure cards! The latest state budget includes money to switch EBT cards to chips cards, which are far more secure than the current swipe cards. This change will help prevent millions of SNAP dollars from being stolen through skimming devices.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania move forward on chip cards for SNAP benefits to prevent theft

In Pennsylvania, there were at least 5,100 skimming cases in the first five months of 2026, accounting for $2.5 million in stolen benefits.

inquirer.com

It's easier than ever to get FREE legal help from CLS! 👋 We recently expanded our intake hours so we can better serve you. Visit clsphila.org/help for the full list of legal issues we help with and how to get in touch!

Ben Clark is an Attorney & Equal Justice Works Fellow. His fellowship project aims to increase access to programs that help low-income Philadelphians get critical repair work done to make their homes more climate resilient, helping lower utility costs, keeping families safe & comfortable year-round.

CLS Fellowship Spotlight: Ben Clark

YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

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Dennisse Bones-Santiago, Senior Paralegal in our Intake Unit, has been with CLS for nearly thirty years. For our 60th Anniversary, Dennisse reflects on her surprising start at CLS, why she stayed, and an important moment from her career. #CLSat60

On May 4, 1966, Judge Raymond Pace Alexander granted CLS's charter, and our fight for justice began. For 60 years, CLS's cutting-edge advocacy and life-changing legal representation have helped millions of families access justice.

Happy Law Day and International Workers’ Day! CLS Employment Attorney Mariel Mussack shares some information about the Fair Work Week Law and some recent big wins for Philly workers under the law. Watch this video and visit our website to learn how to get legal help from CLS. clsphila.org/help

Next Monday, May 4th, is CLS’s 60th birthday! As we get ready for the big 6-0, we’re kicking off the festivities by resharing last year’s 59th birthday video, featuring many of our staff reflecting on the past and looking ahead to the future. youtube.com/shorts/02LVX...

Happy 59th Birthday CLS!

YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

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We’re grateful to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General for holding MV Realty accountable and putting an end to a predatory home-equity stripping scheme that targeted low-income homeowners. www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-actio...

Attorney General Sunday Secures Settlement with MV Realty over Misleading Homeowner Benefit Program; Company to Terminate All Pennsylvania Mortgages

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a settlement resolving ongoing litigation against Florida-based MV Realty PBC, LLC (doing business as MV Realty of Pennsylvania, LLC) and Amanda Zac...

attorneygeneral.gov

If you have Federal Student Loans and enrolled in the SAVE repayment plan, starting July 1, 2026, you will have about 90 days to switch to a different repayment plan, or you will be automatically placed in standard repayment. share.inquirer.com/XAahi1

Switch repayment plans or you’ll automatically be enrolled in one.

Biden-era SAVE student loan repayment plan has officially ended. Here’s what you need to know.

inquirer.com

If you have any Parent PLUS loans, you must consolidate them into a Direct Consolidation Loan before July 1, otherwise you will lose your right to income-drive repayment & payments as low as $0 per month. CLS Attorney Tamar Hoffman spoke with NBC10 www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/news/n...

New rules for parents who borrowed student loans on behalf of their children

There’s a deadline approaching that can impact parents who borrowed student loans on behalf of their children. NBC10’s Lauren Mayk explain the changes in repayment options.

nbcphiladelphia.com

Thank you social workers ❤️ #WorldSocialWorkDay

If you have federal student loans: Take action now to protect your income and your rights! Federal student loans are changing. If you have federal student loans that you took out for yourself or for your child's education, here are four updates you need to know. ⬇️

We were honored to attend the unveiling of Governor Josh Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, which aims to help increase access to housing for more Pennsylvanians through supports and protections including eviction prevention measures and eviction record sealing for people who were never legally evicted.

2026 marks a big milestone for Philadelphia… Community Legal Services' 60th anniversary! All year long we’ll be reflecting on the last 60 years of increasing access to justice and celebrating the exceptional legal work from our staff and alumni.

Congratulations to CLS Litigation Director, Sharon Dietrich, who retired at the end of January after 38 years at CLS! Sharon has truly had one of the most impactful legal services careers in history.

CLS was proud to support this case and happy to see a strong decision from the Third Circuit defending the rights of people with criminal records. This article also highlights our work to expand local protections for people with records here in Philadelphia. www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/p...

Pa. employers can’t reject job applicants who disclose their criminal history, court rules

A Philly truck driver shared his 15-year-old armed robbery conviction in a job interview. Central Trucking rejected him on the spot. That's not allowed, according to Judge Stephanos Bibas' opinion.

inquirer.com

CLS's Family Advocacy Unit provides resources & services to families affected by the child welfare system, with the goal of keeping them safe & together. This support ensures all parents have what they need for their children to thrive. Archana Prabhakar is an Attorney & Equal Justice Works Fellow.

CLS is proud to share that Vik Patel, Managing Attorney of our Energy Unit, was just elected Vice Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association & will become Chancellor in 2028. CLS was founded as part of a Bar Association initiative & we're grateful for our long history of collaborative advocacy.

CLS recently hosted a training for our clients about the new SNAP work requirements, how to appeal a cutoff notice, and how eligible people can get an exemption. Learn from one of our incredible experts, Attorney Mackenzie Libbey, everything you need to know! youtu.be/xshKFppSHv8

How to Keep Your SNAP Under Work Requirements

YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

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Thank you Nydia Han and 6 ABC Action News for sharing this important information for SNAP recipients, featuring Managing Attorney Lydia Gottesfeld! If you received a cutoff notice in the mail, you should appeal right away, even if the deadline has passed because of mail delays!