For Immediate Release                Contact: James Kearney, Development Director

July 18, 2012                                    717-299-0971 x2215   717-725-3285 (Cell)

Funds to Establish Consumer Protection Attorney

A donation resulting from a consumer class action has helped create an innovative Consumer Protection Attorney post.  Consumer attorney Cary L. Flitter, center, of the Narberth, PA law firm Flitter Lorenz, P.C. presents a check for $185,321, to MidPenn Legal Services Executive Director Rhodia D. Thomas, on left.  The funds are part of a settlement valued at over $10 million from a successful challenge to an auto lender’s repossession practices.  Attorney Thomas expressed her gratitude to Attorney Flitter, “This is a significant win for local low-income consumers. Establishing this new post will help a lot of poor families with serious consumer problems. This economy is tough on everyone but the families at the bottom are suffering the most.”

MidPenn Legal Services, which provides free legal aid to the poor in civil matters, will use the donation to establish a Consumer Protection Attorney position, to be filled by Attorney Nancy L. Datres, on right, of the Harrisburg MidPenn office.  Attorney Flitter said, “It is great to see consumers get increased access to attorneys.”  Mr. Flitter was in Harrisburg on July 17 to help train MidPenn attorneys in spotting consumer issues. 

MidPenn Legal Services is the “legal emergency room for the poor,” a legal safety net for very low-income families in Central Pennsylvania.  MidPenn provides help in civil law matters including: domestic violence, custody, housing, health care, consumer, elder law and public benefits.  Last year MidPenn handled nearly 15,000 cases in 18 counties in Central Pennsylvania at an average cost of less than $600 per case.