Clark Hill Attorney Joann Needleman Recognized for Pro Bono Work at City Hall Ceremony

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Joann Needleman, leader of Clark Hill’s Consumer Financial Regulatory & Compliance Group in the firm’s Philadelphia office, was recognized by the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, for her extraordinary Pro Bono work. 

Needleman is credited with helping the Credit Card Pilot Program get off the ground.  The Program was initiated to create better consumer participation in debt collection cases filed with the Court.  The idea was to devote specific days where volunteer lawyers would be available to assist pro se consumers who have been sued for unpaid accounts like credits cards, auto loans and consumer lines of credit. Creditors must come to court with some evidence that shows the creditor owns the debt along with a contract or last statement that shows activity on the account by the consumer and the balance owed. The consumer will have a lawyer to counsel them on that day. If the parties cannot work out a settlement, the case will be tried.

The First Judicial District recognizes the importance of performing Pro Bono work in order to ensure justice for the citizens of Philadelphia. Needleman was honored at a ceremony at City Hall on October 29, 2015 where she was added to the 2015 Pro Bono Roll of Honor.

Needleman is the immediate past President of the National Creditors Bar Association (NARCA) and also serves on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Advisory Board. She has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts, successfully defending creditors against claims brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act as well as state statutes.  Needleman provides counsel, consultation and litigation services to financial institutions, law firms and debt buyers throughout the country.

Firm Profile

Clark Hill PLC is an entrepreneurial, full service law firm that provides business legal services, government & public affairs, and personal legal services to our clients throughout the country. With offices in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia, Clark Hill has more than 300 attorneys and professionals. For more information on our firm and our services, visit www.clarkhill.com.