SIDEBAR Fall 2018 - 16

MONTGOMERYBAR.ORG

SIDEBAR FEATURE

Shawn Boehringer, new Executive Director,
brings a long career in civil legal services
to Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
LASP's new Executive Director, Shawn
Boehringer, has dedicated his career to
civil legal services in Maryland, Florida
and Kentucky, but in joining LASP, he's
returning to his native Pennsylvania. Since
arriving at LASP July 19, he worked with
departing longtime Executive Director
Elizabeth Wood Fritsch to ensure a
smooth leadership transition. Following
a national search process, Boehringer
officially assumed leadership of LASP on
Aug. 1.
LASP is a major regional resource
for low-income and vulnerable
people needing civil legal services in
Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and
Delaware counties.
"The Board of Directors' Search
Committee, along with staff
representatives, undertook a rigorous
national search for our new executive director," said Judith
Algeo, Esq., President of the 2018-19 LASP Board of Directors
and chair of the Search Committee. "There were exceptional
applicants, but Shawn Boehringer was beyond impressive. His
depth of practical experience in the field, his knowledge of the
Legal Aid mission, along with his personal commitment to equal
justice for all, brings to the position of Executive Director a
person uniquely qualified to lead this agency. The Board is very
excited for the future of LASP and strongly believes that LASP
will be well-served with Shawn as Executive Director."
Since 2009, Shawn served as Chief Counsel for Maryland
Legal Aid in Baltimore. He previously worked as Director
of Advocacy for Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida from 2000-2009, as Staff Attorney for
Legal Services of Greater Miami from 1997-2000, and as Staff
Attorney for the Appalachian Research & Defense Fund of
Kentucky, based in Prestonsburg, from 1993-1997.

16 SIDEBAR

Shawn grew up in Adamstown
(near the border of Lancaster and Berks
counties). He graduated from Governor
Mifflin High School, Shillington;
Gettysburg College (B.A.); and the State
University of New York at Buffalo Law
School (J.D.).
"The opportunity provided me by
LASP's Board of Directors to lead an
organization with such a meaningful
mission and history is deeply appreciated
and carries with it an awesome
responsibility," Boehringer said. "At its
core, LASP is a human rights law firm,
providing voices to those who are often
voiceless in those forums where civil
disputes are decided. The work of LASP
is essential in ensuring that fundamental
needs are met, including protection
from abuse, stabilization of families, and
maintenance of income and affordable
and livable housing. LASP will remain a committed community
partner advocating for fairness, equity, and due process for those
who access our services."
Boehringer succeeds Elizabeth Wood Fritsch, Esq., who
served as LASP's Co-Executive Director and Executive Director
for 21 years. When suburban legal aid agencies joined forces to
form LASP in 2001, Fritsch was Executive Director of Bucks
County Legal Aid. She became Co-Executive Director of LASP,
and served as Executive Director since 2013. "As I move on to
explore other opportunities and to spend more time with family,
I leave knowing that LASP's experienced and committed staff,
led by a talented new Executive Director, Shawn Boehringer, will
continue to have a significant impact on those LASP serves and
to fulfill its mission of making access to justice a reality," Fritsch
said.
https://montgomerybar.org/
SIDEBAR Fall 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SIDEBAR Fall 2018
