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Who We Are

Board & Staff

Administrative Staff

  • Betsy A. Grbenick

    Betsy Grbenick was Administrative Manager for Susquehanna Legal Services from 1975 until 2001 when North Penn Legal Services was formed from a merger of regional legal services programs.  In her current capacity, Betsy is Human Resources Manager and serves as liaison with the Board of Directors.  She earned a BA degree in liberal arts from Penn State and additional academic credits in accounting and human resources. While Pittston is the site of the corporate office, this administrative position is currently in the Williamsport location.

  • John Hurtt, Esq.

    John Hurtt began working for North Penn Legal Services in 1990. He first began as a judicare attorney, then worked as a contract attorney before accepting a full-time staff attorney position in 2000. During his tenure at North Penn, he has held positions as the Compliance Manager for the Pittston Office, the Managing Attorney for the Pittston Office, and most recently Deputy Director for Legal Advocacy for the program. John is a graduate of the University of Scranton as well as the Dayton University School of Law. He is currently based in our Pittston Office.

  • Lori A. Molloy, Esq.

    Lori A. Molloy started work for Lehigh Valley Legal Services in 1997, first as a staff attorney and then managing attorney.  She eventually took on the role of Director of Legal Advocacy for North Penn Legal Services and is now the Executive Director. Ms. Molloy is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Temple University School of Law.  She works out of our Bethlehem location.

  • Sean W. Morrow

    Sean started at NPLS in October 2017, having previously done Development and Communications-related work for Carnegie Hall and Muhlenberg College. He is located at the Bethlehem office.

  • Edward G. Schirra

    Ed Schirra began as our Chief Financial Officer in 2018.  He is l licensed CPA in Pennsylvania. Ed is a graduate of the University of Scranton and DeSales University. He works out of our Pittston location.

  • Timothy W. Smith, Esq.

    Tim Smith started work for North Penn Legal Services in 2009, first as a staff attorney in our Stroudsburg Office and then as the managing attorney of our Towanda Office.  He currently serves as the Deputy Director for Operations.  Tim is a graduate of Yakima Valley Community College, Brigham Young University, and  Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law. He works out of our Towanda location.

  • CiCi Stafiuc, Esq.

    Cici Stafiuc started work for North Penn Legal Services in 2006, first as a staff attorney in Lehighton and Hazleton offices, and then as a managing attorney of our Hazleton and Stroudsburg offices. Mrs. Stafiuc earned her J.D. from Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law in 2006. Prior to that, she earned a J.D. in her native country, Romania, from Al.I. Cuza University School of Law, where she practiced law in the private sector. Mrs. Stafiuc is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Legal Advocacy, and continues managing the two offices. She works out of our Hazleton location.

  • Tarah Sullivan

    Tarah Sullivan started work for North Penn Legal Services in 2005, first as an Americorps Volunteer and Intake Worker then as Central Intake Supervisor. She currently serves as the Compliance Manager. Tarah is a graduate of Lycoming College.

Office Managers

Board of Directors

Join the NPLS Board of Directors

Board members play a critical role in moving any non-profit organization forward. At NPLS, we have openings for attorneys and client representatives to serve as board members. It is vital to NPLS that clients have a voice on our board to ensure quality services are provided to those in need. Client board members can expect to meet four times per year during their three-year term. Additional meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis. Board meetings are convened throughout the NPLS service area.

The main responsibilities of board members include promoting the NPLS mission and purpose, planning and evaluating the organization’s work, and establishing policies to guide that work. All board members are ambassadors on behalf of NPLS helping to make our community in Northeastern, PA a better place to live and work.

Interested individuals may email Lori Molloy, NPLS Executive Director at lmolloy@northpennlegal.org.

Current NPLS Board of Directors:

  • Steven T. Boell, Esq.

    Professional Affiliation: Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba - Shareholder
    Appointing Organization: Lehigh County Bar Association

    Belief Statement: As a student of history and the law, I believe that the cornerstone to a free and just society is access to quality legal counsel for all people regardless of economic status. As a member of this community and of the bar, it is my duty to protect that right and advocate for it to the best of my abilities.

  • Robert Cronin, Esq.

    Appointing Organization:  Lycoming Law Association

  • Melissa Dixon

    Belief Statement:

  • Keya Dobbins

    Belief Statement:

  • Constance Kostelac
  • John J. McGovern, Jr., JD, CPA

    Appointing Organization: Lackawanna Bar Association

  • Constance Nelson, Esq. (President)

    Appointing Organization: Bar Association of Lehigh County

  • Brian Panella, Esq.

    Professional Affiliation:
    Appointing Organization: Northampton County Bar Association

    Belief Statement:

  • Deanna Pealer, Esq.

    Appointing Organization:  Columbia-Montour Bar Association

  • Vathsal G. Rajan

    Belief Statement:

  • Fred N. Smith, Esq.

    Appointing Organization: Bradford County Bar Association

  • Michael J. Vargo, Esq.

    Professional Affiliation: Partner at Spitale Vargo Madsen & Blair
    Appointing Organization: Northampton County Bar Association

    Belief Statement: All attorneys have a moral and ethical responsibility to serve underprivileged and indigent clients. Although I directly serve such clients in my practice, I believe that I should do more. Serving on the Board of Directors of North Penn Legal Services is one additional step I have taken to help fulfill my duty to serve those who could not otherwise afford the assistance of an attorney.

Upcoming Board Meeting Dates:

To join an upcoming public meeting, please contact Evangelina Shelly at eshelly@nplspa.org or Betsy Grbenick at bgrbenick@northpennlegal.org.

Thursday, March 21, 2024
5:00 pm6:00 pm

Thursday, May 23, 2024
5:00 pm6:00 pm

Thursday, October 24, 2024
5:00 pm6:00 pm

Monday, December 16, 2024
5:00 pm6:00 pm
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