Photo: fizkes/Shutterstock

Events

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath's diversity and inclusion committee hosted a panel presentation in Philadelphia focused on advocacy milestones that challenged barriers to inclusion.

The event, which coincided with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania's 100-year anniversary, included panelists Mary Catherine Roper of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Faegre Drinker's Maria Lewis and Daniel Aiken, and Ellery Schempp, the primary student involved in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Abington School District v. Schempp, which culminated in 1963 when the court deemed prayer in public schools to be unconstitutional.

Additions

Blank Rome announced that Jared N. Klein joined the firm's real estate group as of counsel in the Philadelphia office.

Klein joins the firm from Orphanides & Toner.

He has over a decade of experience representing educational institutions, businesses and individuals on real estate, zoning and land use, commercial and business litigation matters.

He appears before the City of Philadelphia Zoning board of adjustment to assist real estate developers in obtaining zoning variances for their projects and serves as counsel to several real estate developers in the Philadelphia region, assisting with their contract, zoning, employment and general business needs.

In addition to his real estate practice, Klein handles a variety of business and appellate litigation.

He previously served as president and vice president and zoning chair of the Passyunk Square Civic Association.

He also served as a board and executive committee member for the Center City Residents' Association as well as a member of the government affairs committee of the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia.

Announcements

Ballard Spahr established the Entrepreneur Legal Relief Program to ensure that entrepreneurs have the resources and counsel required to endure the current coronavirus crisis.

Through ELRP, Ballard Spahr lawyers will provide discounted legal services and other business support to entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies.

Legal services will be offered at an pricing model that includes pro bono, discounted and fixed-fee arrangements, as well as fee deferrals that elongate the payment cycle and give entrepreneurs flexibility with cash flow.

In addition to pricing relief, Ballard Spahr will engage its network of contacts from the business community to provide mentorship, pitch workshop assistance and connections to investors and the firm's technology platforms.

Through ELRP, Ballard Spahr will: Provide an immediate, free consultation with any entrepreneur in need of assistance; Waive the first $2,500 of legal work; offer a 25% discount on additional required legal work; arrange and structure fixed fees where possible; and extend the collection of legal fees to a 90-day pay cycle, deferring certain fees even longer when related to capital raising transactions.

In addition to pricing relief, the firm will provide general business support, including: Matching entrepreneurial clients with mentors and investors seeking networking opportunities, advice and funding; allowing clients to use the firm's virtual meeting technology; and organizing virtual social meetups for entrepreneurs to network, share stories and connect.

ELRP will be led by business and transactions partner Gregory L. Seltzer, who also leads the firm's emerging growth and venture capital group.

The group represents startup companies, venture capital firms, private-equity funds and angel investors.

It also supports the firm's accelerator programs for startup companies, Ballard Academy for Student Entrepreneurs and Project SING.