Duffy Fellows at HAP Mark 11th Year of Critical Legal Support for Homeless in Philadelphia
(Philadelphia) – For more than a decade, The Duffy Firm’s fellowship at the Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) has been a driving force behind free, high-impact legal services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. From securing disability benefits to helping clients obtain ID documents, Duffy Fellows work on the front lines of housing justice. The fellowship—funded through the ongoing generosity of attorney and HAP Board Vice President Tom Duffy — currently supports two full-time staff attorneys: Joel Sobel and Andrew Feigenbaum.
Tom Duffy and Homeless Advocacy Project Executive Director Amal Bass (standing) congratulate Duffy Fellows Joel Sobel (left) and Andrew Feigenbaum (right) on their incredible work for the homeless in Philadelphia.
HAP’s attorneys address a wide range of legal challenges that intersect with homelessness, including access to disability benefits, public assistance, custody issues, and education rights. A disproportionate number of clients also live with chronic health conditions or mental illness—factors that should not result in housing loss, but too often do. Often, the first step in overcoming homelessness is obtaining identification—a process that can be unexpectedly complex. Whether the barrier is cost, missing documents, administrative hurdles, or simply not knowing where to start, HAP provides the legal guidance to move forward.
Now in his sixth year as a Duffy Fellow, Sobel serves as HAP’s Director of Intake and Outreach. He leads legal clinics across the city, oversees HAP’s embedded attorney program, and contributes to systemic advocacy efforts. Feigenbaum, who was named to the second Duffy Fellow position in 2024, helps clients secure federal disability benefits through the SOAR Project and coordinates clinics in partnership with local nonprofits. Both bring deep experience in public interest law to their roles.
The Duffy Fellowship has been a cornerstone of HAP’s legal service model since 2014. HAP was founded in 1990 and has since provided over $106 million in free legal services to more than 60,000 clients. The fellowship enables the organization to maintain continuity in its staff and services during a time of growing need.
“Tom Duffy’s continued support has allowed us to keep skilled attorneys on the front lines of service,” said Amal Bass, HAP’s Executive Director. “This consistent investment in legal talent has made a lasting difference for thousands of individuals and families across Philadelphia.”
Established in 2012 by The Duffy Firm, the Duffy Fellowship was created to strengthen legal aid infrastructure in Philadelphia by funding attorney positions at leading public interest organizations. HAP is one of several nonprofits supported through this initiative, which continues to expand access to justice across the city.
To learn more about the firm, visit www.duffyfirm.com.