Philip Parlante, Esq.

The Pro Bono Project is pleased to honor Philip Parlante, a Nassau Suffolk Law Services alumnus, as November’s Attorney of the Month. Parlante recently represented a Pro Bono Project client after her husband stabbed her 17 times and left her for dead. She ultimately recovered after countless surgeries and even returned to work. Parlante and his colleagues at Horn and Horn were able to get complete ownership of the marital residence for her. Another of the many DV cases Horn and Horn handled involved a client whose spouse made dozens of unfounded complaints to Child Protective Services. Ultimately with the advocacy of Horn and Horn, the Court found that the client’s spouse could have supervised visitation only.

Parlante decided to become a lawyer after reading the part of Henry Drummond in “Inherit the Wind” as a youngster. After graduating from the University of Delaware, Parlante attended New York Law School and interned at the New York Civil Liberties Union. Parlante first came to NSLS as an intern and was then hired to work in the Mental Health Unit. During this time, Parlante became interested in practicing family law and transferred to the NSLS Domestic Violence Project. Although he was shocked by the volume of cases, in the Domestic Violence Project Parlante discovered his true legal passion. Parlante greatly enjoys working with people in crisis to untangle the complex knot of legal and personal issues that are almost always lurking in a matrimonial case. Since then, family law became the primary focus of Parlante’s career.

During his time in the Domestic Violence Project, Parlante decided to join Jeff Horn’s practice. Horn and Horn was the only firm that Philip considered because he knew could continue working with DV survivors there. Parlante has now worked at Horn and Horn for over 17 years. Jeff Horn and his colleagues at Horn and Horn have been honored several times as the Pro Bono Attorney of the Month. On behalf of their many pro bono clients, we express deep gratitude for the wonderful advocacy this firm has provided for decades. The attorneys at Horn and Horn relish taking on some of the most challenging cases that are presented to the Pro Bono project, and we deeply appreciate their efforts and acumen.

When Parlante takes on a matrimonial case, he tries to prevent his clients from worrying about housing, child custody and the other issues that are embroiled in the typical divorce. Instead he encourages his clients to focus on the ways their voices can be heard. Sadly, many of our divorce clients come to us with a distrust of our legal system. Many find the Courts both terrifying and inexplicable and conclude that the system is unfair. Part of Parlante’s effort is to regain his clients’ faith in the system. He also tries to give his clients dignity and get them through the divorce in a healthy fashion. Parlante’s main goal is to have his clients find their own answers as he concentrates on giving a voice to their arguments. In this way, Parlante strongly believes that his legal practice has a therapeutic element.

We are so inspired by Parlante’s dedication and determination to help as many of our clients as possible with respect and compassion. It is with the utmost regard that we award Mr. Philip Parlante the distinction of November’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.

The Suffolk Pro Bono Project is a joint effort of Nassau/Suffolk Law Services, the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Suffolk County Pro Bono Foundation. These agencies have joined resources with the goal of providing free legal assistance to Suffolk County residents who are dealing with economic hardship. 

If you are an attorney and would like to volunteer, please contact Carolyn McQuade, Esq., at 631-232-2400, ext. 3325 in Suffolk County or Susan Biller at Susan Biller, Esq. 516-292-8100, ext. 3136 in Nassau County.