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John S. Whitelaw rejoined CLASI as it first Advocacy Director in December 2017. In this position, he works with our advocates to pursue creative strategies to address systemic problems faced by our clients. He also provides supervision and mentorship to our advocates in government benefits and SSA matters. John has more than thirty years of experience representing low income and other vulnerable clients in various legal aid programs. Previously John was Co-Director of the Aging and Disabilities unit at the North Philadelphia office of Community Legal Services, Inc. of Philadelphia. He was with CLS for almost twenty years. For much of his career John has represented clients in matters involving government benefits (TANF, GA, Food Stamps or SNAP, and Medical Assistance) and the Social Security Administration. John has represented claimants at all administrative levels and in federal and state court.
For the past several years, John has also managed CLASI's Landlord Tenant and Fair Housing work. He has done substantial work representing homeowners in disputes with of manufactured housing community owners, including legislative advocacy that resulted in significant rent rent stabilization and limits.
John received his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1986. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1983 where he majored in History.