This article, written by VIP Supervising Attorney Denise E. Lynch and VIP volunteer attorney Gregory S. Hyde, was published in the Summer 2025 issue of the Philadelphia Lawyer.
Ask anyone who has practiced in Family Court and they will tell you about the life-changing impact of legal representation for pro bono clients there. Litigants who cannot afford a lawyer’s help are often on their own with serious problems, including divorce, domestic violence, child support issues, and custody disputes after the breakdown of a relationship.
From our perspectives as a volunteer lawyer and as a Supervising Attorney at Philadelphia VIP, we are keenly aware that many non-family law practitioners hesitate to volunteer in this space because they doubt they have the relevant expertise. If you count yourself among them, let us assure you that your skills as a lawyer are far more beneficial than your ability to recite family law doctrine chapter and verse. The reality is that most attorneys are already equipped with the skills needed to handle a pro bono family law case effectively. By doing so, you might just change someone’s life.
Gregory S. Hyde, Esq.
Founder, The Hyde Law Firm P.C. and VIP Volunteer
As an experienced family law attorney and volunteer mentor, I have seen the impact pro bono representation can have, whether from a lawyer who is brand-new to Family Court or from a veteran practitioner like me. Regardless of your background, if you can set realistic expectations and communicate effectively, you can be a fantastic pro bono attorney in Family Court.
Pro bono work is not about mastering every aspect of divorce, custody, or child support law. It is about being present, listening, and guiding clients through one of the most challenging periods of their lives and using the law to restore a sense of normalcy. If you have ever helped a nervous client through contract negotiations, advised a business on risk management, or explained legal processes to someone unfamiliar with the law, you already have the fundamental skills needed to succeed in pro bono family law work.
Let me share a story that highlights the importance of advocacy and expectation management in Family Court. I once had a pro bono client who struggled with child support payments. He had gone to court without legal representation, and because the court lacked accurate income information, his child support obligation tripled. He left feeling ignored, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next.
When this client came to me for help, my first priority was setting expectations. I explained the process of modifying child support, the necessary documentation, and what a realistic outcome might look like. His experience made him understandably frustrated, but having someone guide him through the process provided reassurance.
When we returned to court together, I presented the correct income documentation, clarified the errors in the temporary order, and successfully advocated for a significant reduction in his child support obligation. Beyond the financial relief, my client walked away with a sense of empowerment, knowing he had been heard and treated fairly. His gratitude reinforced for me the effect pro bono legal advocacy can have on someone’s life.
Although the legal issues are important, for many clients, the most useful thing a lawyer can provide is guidance, stability, and a clear roadmap for what lies ahead. Oftentimes, family law clients feel powerless because they have never interacted with the court system before and are terrified by the prospect of doing so alone. By equipping clients with knowledge and helping them understand their options, you ease their anxiety, empower them, and instill confidence independent of the case’s outcome. The more you can demystify the process of going to court, the better the overall experience will be for you and your client.
Denise E. Lynch, Esq.
Supervising Attorney at Philadelphia VIP
In my role at Philadelphia VIP, a legal services nonprofit which trains volunteer attorneys to represent low-income clients in civil matters, I oversee our family law program which assists with child custody, support, divorce, and more. Prior to joining VIP’s staff in 2020, I was a VIP volunteer for nearly ten years. As a former volunteer, I fully understand the trepidation family law cases can instill in non-family law practitioners.
Shortly after I graduated from law school, one of my deans, Sara Woods, became VIP’s Executive Director. Sara wasted no time in getting me involved with VIP as a licensed attorney. Initially, as a non-family law attorney at the time, I did not want to take on family law matters because I did not feel equipped to do so, even with VIP’s in-depth training. The cases seemed highly fraught and complicated, mostly because of the “human factor” and not necessarily the law itself. I was afraid to have such a crucial point in someone’s life at the mercy of my inexperience.
Nonetheless, my first VIP case was a divorce matter. It seemed straightforward until I learned the client had previously been married in another country and had not gotten divorced before marrying her second husband. The case was further complicated by issues of domestic violence and immigration status.
I could have given up and handed the case back to VIP, but the organization provided me with incredible support. Then-Staff Attorney Mike Viola, and my volunteer mentor Sayde Ladov, were knowledgeable and invested in my and the client’s success. With their help, I prevailed in having the client’s second marriage declared void.
My experience is proof that with proper guidance and support, attorneys inexperienced in family law are more than capable of being excellent volunteers. Having an attorney is better than having no attorney in Family Court. And most clients just need the support of someone who speaks the language of the Court to support them throughout the process.
With VIP’s training, mentorship, and guidance, you could be that attorney. Set aside any doubts, take advantage of available resources, and consider taking on a pro bono family law case with Philadelphia VIP today. Your willingness to step up and offer your time could have a lasting, positive impact on a Philadelphia family.