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Engineering Access to Justice
By Donald F. Smith, Jr., Esquire
J
esse L. Pleet and William C. Matthews, II have each been recognized by the Pennsylvania Bar Association for their volunteer work, above the norm, with the Eviction Prevention Project being conducted in the courtroom of Magisterial District Judge Tonya Butler.
Beginning on September 9, 2020, the project has had more than ten attorneys participate, giving of their time on an as-needed basis to help tenants facing eviction. Also present for the hearings have been Kimberly Talbot, Executive Director of Reading’s Human Relations Commission, and representatives of the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness to take applications for rental assistance. The project has received statewide recognition for its success.
Judge Butler praises the program: “Having the Eviction Prevention Project with attorneys, such as Attorneys Pleet and Matthews, in court to represent tenants has been such a blessing. They are empathetic to what is going on in Reading and are able to provide hope to the parties. Equally important, these attorneys provide the necessary resources and education on available rental assistance programs. Landlords and tenants have equally benefitted from the project and the involvement of the attorneys.” When he’s not volunteering, Jesse L. Pleet is often in the cockpit of his 1973 Piper Cherokee. 8 | Berks Barrister
Of the volunteering attorneys assisting in the program, Will and Jesse have logged the most hours and have taken on difficult cases, mediating them successfully. Therefore, at the Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in October, David
