Dilworth’s Matthew I. Whitehorn To Receive Award For Public Service From Villanova Law School Alumni Association

The Villanova Law Alumni Association (VLAA) will honor Dilworth Paxson Partner Matthew I. Whitehorn with the VLAA Award for Public Service at its 5th Annual Reception and Awards Presentation. The award recognizes outstanding service by alumni to society, exemplifying the University’s Augustinian Catholic values. It is presented to alumni who have dedicated time and energy to the public welfare to ameliorate the lives of the less fortunate and society at large.

The Association’s Annual Reception and Awards Presentation will be held at The Union League of Philadelphia (140 S. Broad Street) on Tuesday, April 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

Matt is the Chair of the Employee Benefits Group, Chair of the Pro Bono Committee, board member of Philadelphia VIP, Inc.(Volunteers for the Indigent Program), and a member of the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT). He is also a member of the American Bar Association Tax Section’s Low Income Taxpayer Committee.

Each month, Matt challenges his colleagues at Dilworth Paxson to positively affect the lives of low-income residents and business owners in the Philadelphia area through unique pro bono opportunities in partnership with Philadelphia VIP. Under Matt’s leadership, our lawyers, paralegals, secretaries, and office staff have been honored to work side-by-side with members of our community to:

• Negotiate mortgage foreclosure repayment plans for disabled children of deceased homeowners;
• Generate birth certificates, name changes, and identification documents for children in the foster care system;
• Facilitate payments of life insurance proceeds to low-income children through opening of their deceased parent’s estates; and
• Secure business licenses, business planning, and back tax abatement for non-profit community organizations. 

In addition to coordinating these pro bono and community service efforts, Matt also serves as a mentor to younger attorneys in the firm and through the bar association. These young lawyers routinely cite Matt as among the most influential people in their professional development. 

Most importantly, Matt’s humble yet joyous service is reflective of his long-standing tradition of infusing Villanova values throughout his professional life. From inviting Villanova Law School deans to speak at firm events about ethical practice to reminding fellow Villanova Law School alums to heed the call to serve to enrich the lives of our neighbors, Matt is the epitome of service in the Catholic and Augustinian traditions and a most worthy candidate for receipt of the Alumni Association Award for Public Service. 

For registration information about the Association’s Annual Reception and Awards Presentation, please click here.