Bethany Nikitenko Honored with Philadelphia VIP Champion Award

Feldman Shepherd is pleased to announce that attorney Bethany R. Nikitenko was honored as one of four recipients of Philadelphia VIP’s Champion Awards at the organization’s Fortieth Anniversary Gala on May 7, 2022, at the National Constitution Center.

Since 1981, Philadelphia VIP has helped low-income Philadelphians access pro bono legal services through volunteer lawyers. The Champion Awards recognize the scope and quality of each volunteer’s advocacy for VIP’s clients and their longstanding commitment to VIP’s mission of expanding access to justice in Philadelphia. The awards are presented in four categories that correspond to VIP’s priority areas of preserving income, preventing homelessness, supporting family stability and promoting community economic development. Nikitenko received the award in the category of preserving income, in recognition of her work on behalf of VIP clients in debt collection defense and tort/auto accident defense cases.

At Feldman Shepherd, Nikitenko represents individuals and families who have been catastrophically injured by medical malpractice, auto and motor vehicle accidents, unsafe buildings, defective products, and sexual abuse. She presently serves on the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association for the 2022 through 2024. In 2018, she was honored by the Philadelphia Bar Association with its Craig M. Perry Service Award for her numerous volunteer activities which, in addition to her pro bono work with VIP, have also included serving as a member of the Development Committee for Women Against Abuse, and serving on the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania has recognized Nikitenko on its annual Pro Bono Role of Honor every year since 2016.

“The unfortunate reality of our civil justice system is that those without legal representation are at a severe disadvantage and face economic consequences that may follow them for a lifetime. As an attorney, I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to protect those who are denied equal justice because of economic hardship. It is truly an honor to be recognized by Philly VIP for my efforts,” said Nikitenko.

“Bethany continues the tradition of service to our community and to our profession that has always been part of the culture here at Feldman Shepherd,” said Co-Managing Partner Alan M. Feldman. “We applaud her important pro bono work for folks who desperately need legal representation, and congratulate her on receiving this special recognition.”