Attorney Peter M. Newman, Esq., of the Philadelphia personal injury law firm Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig served as a faculty member at the Philadelphia VIP’s (Volunteers for the Indigent Program) annual training event, Pro Bono Opportunities Day, on October 27, 2009. The legal services organization’s training event focused on preventing homelessness among Philadelphia’s low-income population, offering instruction in mortgage foreclosure, quiet title and public housing matters. As part of Philadelphia VIP’s Foreclosure Rescue Effort (Philly FReE), Newman provided instruction to attorneys interested in furnishing pro bono representation to low-income individuals facing foreclosure. In cooperation with the City of Philadelphia’s Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Project, Philly FReE trains volunteer attorneys in loan modification and payment arrangement negotiations on behalf of homeowners.

“I am honored to be able to give back to the legal community and the residents of Philadelphia by serving as an instructor during Philadelphia VIP’s Pro Bono Opportunities Day,” said Newman. “I believe it is incumbent on all attorneys to support legal services organizations such as Philadelphia VIP by giving of their time and expertise.” 

Newman is a trial attorney representing plaintiffs in catastrophic personal injury litigation, including product liability, medical malpractice, premises liability, bad faith and other complex personal injury and wrongful death actions. During his nearly two decades of practice, Newman has obtained many multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients who suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of medical errors, product defects, industrial equipment malfunctions, motor vehicle accidents and other incidents. Notably, he served as counsel in a bad faith action that resulted in a $7.9 million verdict against an insurer, one of the largest bad faith awards in Pennsylvania history. 

Each year, Philadelphia VIP provides legal services to more than 1,100 Philadelphians whose civil legal problems threaten their basic needs such as shelter, employment, financial stability, education and health. The organization’s clients are among the poorest in the region, with income levels at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

About Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig – Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig has handled cases producing some of the largest verdicts and settlements in Pennsylvania. The firm represents plaintiffs in significant personal injury, class action, and other complex civil litigation. Clients include victims of medical malpractice, defective products, unsafe workplaces, motor vehicle accidents, legal malpractice and insurer misconduct.