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North Penn Legal Services

Website
Telephone
5703208712
Location
33 N. Main St. Ste. 200
Pittston
PA
18640
US

About North Penn Legal Services:

NPLS’ service area covers twenty counties in Northeast Pennsylvania that includes the Pocono Mountains. The service area is a mix of rural and urban areas and includes the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, Williamsport, Scranton, Easton and Wilkes-Barre. The largest city in the service area is Allentown. NPLS has nine offices; its corporate office is in Pittston.

NPLS’ service area is geographically the largest Legal Services Corporation (LSC) service area in Pennsylvania with a poverty population of 279,665. Approximately 77% of the poverty population is White, 9% is African American, 0.7% is American Indian/Alaska Native, 1.8% is Asian, 8% is another race, and 4% identifies as two or more races. 22% of the poverty population is Hispanic/Latino.

Established in January 1, 2001, NPLS is the result of a merger of four programs, Legal Services of

Northeastern Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley Legal Services, Northern Pennsylvania Legal Services, and Susquehanna Legal Services.

Strengths of NPLS include:

  • maintaining financial stability and responsibility with its entrusted funds
  • delivering services across its 20 county service area
  • use of technology to assist client services and programmatic efficiencies
  • maintaining quality programs and ensuring effective legal advocacy, and
  • dedicated and caring staff

Challenges for NPLS going forward include:

  • developing leadership as experienced staff members retire or depart
  • strengthening the involvement of private attorneys in the delivery of legal services to clients
  • developing the expertise of board members including attorney and client board members in financial, programmatic and committee responsibilities
  • engaging in a needs assessment and strategic planning process with board and staff
  • bringing together administrative, technology and advocacy staff across multiple offices

NPLS provides a full-range of legal services, including individual representation, information and advice, community legal education, pro se assistance, and a pro bono program. It priorities are broad including:

  • preservation of housing and related housing needs
  • support for families
  • maintaining and enhancing income and economic stability
  • ensuring safety, stability and well-being
  • assisting populations with special vulnerabilities

In 2017, it closed nearly 10,000 cases.

NPLS has 67 employees, including 30 attorneys, 15 paralegals and 22 administrative staff.

For more information about NPLS, visit www.northpennlegal.org.

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