Program & Staff News

2008

In March Attorney Karen Klapsinos was hired to fill the position in the Erie Office. Karen's focus will be on family law and she comes to us with approximately 12 years experience in private practice. We are happy to have her join our program.

Two new employees in February: Ericka Gould is hired as Erie office secretary and Marisol Amador is hired as an Intake Screener in our Erie Intake Unit! Welcome aboard!

2007

It is a pleasure to announce that Attorney Andrea Amicangelo has accepted a position with our Erie Office. Andrea's focus will be on consumer law representation and also help with our Telephone Advice Unit. Welcome Andrea!

Kel McDonald celebrates nearly 22 years as the Fiscal Manager and will retire effected September 30th. We wish you happiness in your endeavors and we will miss you very much.

Welcome to two recent hires at NWLS. Rami Sorge has joined our program, filling the Fiscal Manager vacancy and Stacey Wallace has accepted a position as staff attorney in our Bradford Office. Welcome to both of you!

NWLS broadcasts bi-weekly Radio Talk Show, Access to Justice. Get Details & Listen Now!

Welcome back to Deanna "Tippy" Felmlee who will begin work with NWLS in July as a part time secretary in our Bradford Office.

In May, 2007 NWLS hired two new Staff Attorneys. Autumn Johnson is a graduate of Widener University Law School and works in our Farrell office. Jeffrey Nicholson has been a law clerk for Judge Vardaro in Meadville for several years and has joined our staff in the Franklin Office. Welcome to both!

Attorney J. Gregory Moore as 2007 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, presented by the Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services. See details.

Attorney Thomas Tupitza - Receives 2007 'Everyday Leader' Award from PBA

Legal Aid Volunteer Attorney member and former NWLS Board President, Thomas A. Tupitza, Esquire was named the 2007 Everyday Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
See full article.

NWLS publishes 2006 Annual Report. Now available online.

NWLS is currently undergoing a Legal Needs Assessment to determine the needs of our clients. We surveyed the community and are seeking input on our case priority setting process. Several Public Meetings will be held throughout our service area.

2006

In November NWLS gained 2 new attorneys. Jennifer Krause joined our Erie Office and Tami Chin joined our Meadville Office. Welcome to both of you! See full article.

Attorney Julia Bandecca at NWLS accepts position with Elder Law Project, focusing on the legal needs of low-income seniors.

In June, Joy Smith accepted a part-time staff attorney position in our Erie. Joy will be focusing on bankruptcy representation and comes to us with previous legal services experience from the Albany and Pittsburgh programs. Welcome!

Attorney Paul Troskosky, NWLS Bradford Office Managing Attorney is awarded PLAN Excellence Award. Paul was recognized for "his profound commitment to legal aid, collegial mentoring and “unfailing professionalism while providing quality services to low-income clients.”

Video Viewable www.palegalservices.org/wmv/Troskosky.wmv [Windows Media Play]
See Press Release

New Attorney hired: In February, Christopher Antalics joined our staff, providing client services through our Bradford Office. Welcome Aboard, Chris.

Attorney Dionis Blauser is promoted to Managing Attorney of NWLS Farrell Office. Congratulations, Dionis!

NWLS' quarterly newsletter is now "Access to Justice". Viewable on-line at www.nwls.org/Newsletter/

In February, Carin Rauenzahn accepted a position at NWLS as part-time secretary in our Warren Office. Welcome!

Sal Parco, Community Educator and editor of “The People’s Voice” has left Northwestern Legal Services after nearly thirteen years of service to our agency and the low-income community. Over the years, Sal delivered hundreds of presentations to thousands of individuals and families about the importance of legal aid for those people with civil cases who could not afford to hire an attorney on their own. We wish Sal the very best in the years to come.

After 32 years of service to NWLS, Paul Troskosky, has announced his retirement effective May 1, 2006. Paul is the Managing Attorney of our Bradford Office and has served countless clients and worked with our client community. Paul has also served as a mentor and trainer for staff and we will long remember his contributions to our program. Good luck to you, Paul!

William Creighton leaves his employment with NWLS to accept another position. We wish Bill all the best!

NWLS will host 2nd Annual & (Pool) Halls of Justice Pool Tournament and fundraiser on March 7, 2006 at Andy’s Pub. The event is open to all Erie County Bar Association Young Lawyers and their spouses/significant others.