Pursuing Justice Podcast Episode 43: There is a looming crisis in Philadelphia, where the poverty rate is high, the housing stock is old, and gentrification is transforming traditionally Black neighborhoods. The ability to pass on generational wealth is at risk, as families who thought they legally inherited their homes encounter “tangled titles” and other legal complications. Learn how Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and the pro bono hub Philly VIP are teaming up to clear titles and provide estate planning for the residents of the Sharswood neighborhood.
This podcast provides a behind-the-scenes exploration of pro bono and public interest legal work. These heartening stories are told from both clients’ and lawyers’ perspectives to showcase intimate portraits of lawyers helping those with limited access to justice.
Please note: CLE is not offered for listening to this podcast, and the views and opinions expressed within represent those of the speakers and not necessarily those of PLI.
FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE
Stephen B. Heimann
Stephen B. Heimann is a retired lawyer. After practicing at a major firm in Washington, D.C., Steve moved to Philadelphia to embark on a 25-year career handling corporate transactions, securities, and related corporate matters for Verizon. Since retiring in 2014, Steve has provided pro bono legal services through Philadelphia VIP. Steve is active in his church and in various community and charitable organizations.
Carrie Rathmann
Carrie Rathmann started at Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia in December of2013 as Director of Strategic Partnerships. As a member of Habitat Philadelphia’s leadership team, she’s responsible for partnership development, neighborhood revitalization, community engagement, advocacy, and policy work. Carrie also works on project financing, and supports strategic initiative rollout and construction industry engagement. She joined the Habitat team after five years as Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, another volunteer-driven housing organization that provides critical repairs for low-income homeowners. Prior to entering the housing sector, Carrie was an educator, and taught in Baltimore City for 10 years and worked in Philadelphia educational nonprofits.
Lindsay Schoonmaker
Lindsay Schoonmaker joined VIP as a Staff Attorney in December 2015 focusing on general civil litigation, with a specialization in landlord-tenant law. In 2017, Lindsay became a Supervising Attorney, helping to supervise staff attorneys, pro bono case managers, fellows, and interns, particularly in the areas of homeownership and estate planning. At VIP, Lindsay helps to recruit, train, and support volunteer attorneys to represent low-income Philadelphians in areas of general civil practice.
Prior to joining VIP, Lindsay was an Associate at Pepper Hamilton LLP in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group. There, Lindsay represented clients in federal and state courts, as well as in arbitrations and government investigations. She received her B.A. from Cornell University in 2005 and her J.D. from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 2013. Prior to law school, Lindsay worked as a legal researcher/writer for a law firm that specialized in immigration law.
Leslie and Esther Davis
Leslie and Esther Davis are homeowners and longtime residents of the Sharswood neighborhood in Philadelphia. Leslie probated her grandmother’s estate and received the title to her home with pro bono assistance from Steve Heimann and Philly VIP. Leslie and her mother, Esther Davis, connected with Philly VIP through a clinic with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.
