Brian Auerbach 

Associate, Ballard Spahr

Area of Practice: Intellectual Property

Volunteer Attorney since 2014 

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney? 

I met Child Advocate Social Work Supervisor, Laurie Ayler when we played trumpet together in Temple’s Night Owl band.  She told me about this amazing organization that helped kids in Philadelphia and was always in need of volunteer lawyers and encouraged me to attend the qualifications CLE. I quickly recognized that volunteering at Child Advocates was a perfect opportunity to gain valuable litigation experience that I might not otherwise be able to get as an associate, while at the same time helping clients in extreme legal need.  Ten years later and I’m still volunteering! 

Why is pro bono important to you? 

While I pursued the law primarily for its career opportunities, I have also always believed in using the skills I’ve developed over my career for the common good.  It’s easy to advocate for those who have resources; it’s much harder to give voice to those that are struggling or are historically disenfranchised from having adequate legal representation.  Volunteering with Child Advocates allows me to put my skills as a litigator directly to the test in defending the interests of some of the most vulnerable clients.   I continue the work, and the work is important to me, because it concerns one of our most fundamental needs as humans: to be safe and secure in the place we call home, so that we can flourish. Child Advocates’ clients deserve that security as much as anyone, and I’m happy to be on the side that fights for it day in and day out. 

Juliana Carter

Associate, Grant & Eisenhofer 

Area of Practice: Environmental Protection and Consumer Protection Litigation 

Volunteer Attorney since 2017 
 

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney?

I became a Volunteer Attorney because I love working with youth (it keeps me young!) and I find it so meaningful that I get to be a trusted adult in my clients’ lives during an often destabilizing, confusing time. From my 8 year old client giving me a drawing she made at school for me, to my 17 year old client telling me that I’d be her “bestie” if I wasn’t her lawyer, there have been so many rewarding interpersonal moments I have experienced in my years as a Child Advocates volunteer. More significant, however, have been the moments where I successfully advocated for tangible improvements in my clients’ lives where no other adult was—transportation to school, access to mental health services, medical treatment, victim services, and more. These kids have their whole lives in front of them, and we as volunteer attorneys have an indispensable role in making sure our clients are provided the care and support they need to thrive—now and well beyond the years they spend in foster care. 

Bess Collier

Associate, Feldman & Feldman, LLP 

Area of Practice: Estate Planning and estate and trust administration 

Volunteer Attorney since 2010 
  

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney?

When I was newly out of law school, I was looking for ways to gain some practical legal experience and have some hands on interaction with clients.  I have also always enjoyed working with children, and service to the community has always been important in my day to day life. Child Advocates provided the perfect opportunity for me both professionally and personally. I strongly believe in the Child Advocates’ mission to advocate for children who have suffered from child abuse and neglect, and I have seen first-hand how Child Advocates helps secure safe, nurturing environments for these children.  

Why is pro bono work important to you? 

The importance of this work cannot be stated strongly enough and I am glad that I am able to provide the legal representation that these children so need. 

Desinee Dwyer

Partner, Cipriani & Werner PC 

Area of Practice: Worker’s Compensation 

Volunteer Attorney since 2008 
  

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney? 

I became a child advocate because prior to law school I oversaw the Americorps program in Centre County and worked at an afterschool program for children who were in a higher risk population.   That time opened my eyes to the challenges that these children faced and often, how there was no one there to advocate for them for a multitude of reasons.  When I started in private practice and became aware of this opportunity it felt like an easy choice because I had the desire and legal education to help them. Over the last 16 years, I have laughed, I have cried, and I have screamed, but every step of the way I knew that I was amplifying the voice of someone who didn’t have anyone to fight for them other than this team and I know that leaving them without that voice is both detrimental to the child and to society.   

Why is pro bono important to you? 

I honestly feel like it is our obligation as lawyers to use our license to help those that need it in some way.  The law was not written to protect only those who can afford it but often that is who we see protected.  This may not be popular with all lawyers but imagine the impact of 10 pro bono hours from every lawyer in Pennsylvania. Imagine how many lives would be improved.  Pro Bono work is emotionally, physically, and intellectually draining. It is easy to stay in the confines of my typical area of the law where I am safe and I know what I am doing without the stress of learning new law or standing in front of new judges.  Yet, if you ask me where my legal license has made the biggest difference to the world, it is here.  The timespan of my involvement in the lives of these children is small and they may never remember me when they get older, but knowing the impact that I had is something that will never leave me.  This work gives me a different perspective on my other legal work and the world as a whole, especially our Philadelphia community.   That perspective makes me a better lawyer, a better member of society, and a better example for my children.     

Ashley Friedman

Associate, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP 

Area of Practice: Insurance, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law 

Volunteer Attorney since 2021 

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney? 

I became a child advocate in order to amplify the voices of children in the dependency system and to help these children navigate a complicated and intimidating legal system and to provide them with support throughout the process.  

I continue to work with Child Advocates because the work I have already done has showed me just how important this work is. It is certainly challenging at times, but I believe this work is essential to help these children access the services and programs they need to thrive and grow. When I first started law school, I knew that I wanted to use my degree to help those who needed it most, and my work with Child Advocates has allowed me to fulfill this promise to myself. 

Why is pro bono work important to you? 

I believe pro bono work is important because it allows attorneys to provide services to clients who need their assistance and otherwise would not be able to afford it. This is especially true when it comes to Child Advocates, as my clients are children with access to very limited resources. Pro bono work is crucial to uplifting the most vulnerable populations of our society, and I am honored to work with Child Advocates to do just that.  

Carly Gardner

Director of Admissions, Widener University Delaware Law School 

Volunteer Child Advocate since 2016 

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney?  

I became a Child Advocate with The Support Center for Child Advocates to make a difference in the lives of children in need. Along the way, I’ve been able to strengthen my legal skills and gain valuable experience that has shaped my professional and personal development. It’s incredibly rewarding to see my advocacy contribute to a child’s well-being, happiness, and ability to thrive and succeed. My Child Advocates clients have taught me so much about resilience and are a constant source of inspiration. These children and their stories are why I continue to serve as a child advocate attorney. The children I represent are why I continue to do this work; my Child Advocates colleagues are how I continue to do this work. My Child Advocates teammates – child advocate social workers, attorneys, and staff – make it possible for me to make a difference. 

Why is pro bono work important to you? 

Helping others is at the heart of why I became an attorney. My pro bono work with Child Advocates has allowed me to use my legal skills and training to tangibly impact the lives of those in need. Children, in particular, are among the most vulnerable in our community and deserve a voice in the legal system. It’s important to me that I help amplify the voices of these children, and in doing so, help change their stories for the better. 

Brad Kushner

Shareholder, Stevens & Lee, PC 

Areas of Practice- Labor and Employment Law 

Volunteer Attorney since 2013 

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney? 

I became a Child Advocate to fill a critical need in the community while diversifying and honing my professional skills.  I’ve continued to do the work for more than a decade because I’ve seen how impactful the work is and I am inspired by the children we serve and the passion and dedication of the Child Advocates staff.  I find pro bono work to be a great way to express my appreciation for the opportunities I’ve been given while strengthening my connections with this great city. 

Lauren Luptak

Corporate Counsel, Zoetis, Inc. 

Area of Practice: Corporate Governance and Securities 

Volunteer Attorney since 2017 

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney? 

I became a Child Advocate with SCCA in 2017 when I moved to the Philadelphia area, and prior to being a Child Advocate with Child Advocates, I was a child advocate in the New York City court system for five years. I continue to do this work because there are so many children in need of advocates, and I hope that through my work I can help to make a small difference in meeting this large need.   

Why is pro bono work important to you? 

I see pro bono work as a way to give back to the community in which I live and work and more generally pro bono as part of being a good citizen of the legal community. Also, on a more personal level, as a parent myself I find working with children as an advocate to be a natural extension of my parental instincts.   

John Ramírez

Partner, Practus, LLP 

Areas of Practice: Asset/Investment Management, Corporate & Securities, Regulatory Compliance, Mergers & Acquisitions 

Volunteer Attorney since 2017 

 
Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney?

To me, helping children in need is the highest form of service and it’s critical to a better world. Child Advocates is a transformational organization and it has been an honor and a privilege to work as a child advocate with them and their tremendous child advocate social workers and staff. We work tirelessly to make a difference in so many young lives, but there is still so much left to do. I believe we work to be the change we want to see in the world. 

Why is pro bono work important to you? 

I value the importance of service and helping others, especially those who are not in a position to help themselves. I have been extremely blessed by the kindness and generosity of others in my life and, in acknowledgment and appreciation of all that has been done to help me, I feel it is my duty to do the same for others. Plus, I believe if we give happiness to others, we will end up happy. 

Sara Richman

Partner, Troutman Pepper 

Area of Practice: Pro Bono 

Volunteer Attorney since 2019 
  

Why did you become a Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney? 

Leah Katz, an Child Advocates board member and longtime volunteer, is my friend and colleague.  She encouraged me to volunteer as a Child Advocate.  I hesitated to get involved for quite a long time, afraid that I did not have the requisite expertise and also afraid that it would be emotionally taxing to work on Child Advocates cases.  Eventually, I got out of my own way.  In terms of expertise, I knew that I could be trained to handle the legal issues and I also knew that I would always have support from the Child Advocates social workers and attorneys.  With respect to the emotional toll, I decided that was a poor excuse not to get involved.  The kids we represent are navigating incredibly difficult circumstances; the least I can do is offer my support and advocacy.  I took my first case in 2019, representing a young boy who was adopted after 2 years in foster care.  Since then, I’ve represented 4 more children, all of them at different stages of their lives and facing a wide variety of challenges.  Serving as a child advocate has become some of my favorite and most rewarding work.  I only regret that I didn’t get involved sooner. 

Why is pro bono work important to you?  

As the Pro Bono Partner at Troutman Pepper, I have the privilege of fully dedicating my time to the firm’s pro bono practice.  I know how large the justice gap is and how essential pro bono service is to filling it.  I also see first-hand the personal satisfaction and professional development our attorneys and in-house partners experience when they dedicate their time to pro bono representation.  There is nothing better than working with an amazing organization like Child Advocates to help a client who needs but cannot afford counsel.  Our pro bono clients benefit, and so do the attorneys.