At its annual awards ceremony held on March 10, 2010, at the Ceremonial Courtroom in City Hall, Philadelphia legal services organization Philadelphia VIP (Volunteers for the Indigent) honored Philadelphia personal injury law firm Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig with its “Chancellor’s Award.” In addition to receiving the Chancellor’s Award, Feldman Shepherd is pleased to announce that Law Firm Administrator Gilbert J. Marquez was honored with the VIPeoples Choice Award for his outstanding support and services to the staff of VIP. Marquez is a long-time supporter of pro bono legal services, having chaired VIP’s Communications Committee, served on its Executive Committee and served two terms on the organization’s Board of Directors.

“Feldman Shepherd has always recognized and emphasized the importance of pro bono work in our local legal community and our attorneys routinely handle a number of pro bono cases for indigent clients,” said Feldman Shepherd Co-Managing Partner Mark W. Tanner. “Additionally, Feldman Shepherd lawyers have taken leadership roles in a number of pro bono activities including serving on the boards of the Homeless Advocacy Project, the Senior Law Center, the Support Center for Child Advocates, Community Legal Services, the Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP) and other related efforts.”

Each year, Philadelphia VIP renders legal services to more than 1,500 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. In 2009, VIP received a staggering 2,500 requests for legal assistance from low-income Philadelphians who could not afford an attorney. Fortunately, the city’s legal community responded by working tirelessly to support VIP’s clients and help ensure access to justice for all citizens.

“It is a privilege to be able to give back to Philadelphia residents and the legal community by assisting Philadelphia VIP,” said Marquez. “Virtually all of Feldman Shepherd’s lawyers provide pro bono legal services to those in need, and I am pleased to join them in these efforts.”

In addition to his work with VIP, Marquez is an active member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, serving as co-editor of the chapter newsletter. He is an Associate Member of the Philadelphia Bar Association and sits on the Practice Technology Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Division. Prior to joining Feldman Shepherd in 2006, Marquez was a principal in a company that provided computer network services, hardware, software and support to mid-Atlantic region law firms for 20 years. He had previously held administrative positions with several Philadelphia law firms.

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. To learn more about the Philadelphia personal injury law firm, visit www.feldmanshepherd.com.