Philadelphia Bar Association | Today's News

Crime and Punishment Chancellor's Forum Sept. 10

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham and Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey will be among the panelists for the Wednesday, Sept. 10 Chancellor's Forum "Crime and Punishment — The Philadelphia Story."

Abraham and Ramsey will be joined by Everett Gillison, deputy mayor for public safety; Mark Harrell of Men United for a Better Philadelphia; and David Rudovsky, senior fellow at University of Pennsylvania Law School. The panel will be moderated by Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Chris Satullo.

The panel will discuss the problems and challenges surrounding the issue of crime and punishment in Philadelphia and the ways in which community and civil rights groups can work with law enforcement to reduce crime in the city.

The program begins at 12:15 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. There is no charge for lunch, but registration is required. Click here to RSVP for this program.

Register Online for Bench-Bar and Annual Conference

Sat, 9 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Association members and non-members can register online for the 2008 Bench-Bar and Annual Conference at Bally's Atlantic City on Sept. 19-21.

This year's conference is expected to bring together more than 500 lawyers and judges from the Philadelphia area for three days of CLE programming that lets practitioners and the judiciary share ideas and best practices. The theme of this year's conference is "The Sound of Philadelphia."

Registration for the full three days of the conference is $629 and includes all meals and CLE. For public interest attorneys, government attorneys and members of the Young Lawyers Division, the full conference registration fee is $479. Other one-day and two-day registration packages are available. For those prices, visit philadelphiabar.org.

Bally's is now accepting hotel reservations for attendees. Book early for the best rates: rooms on Thursday, Sept. 18 are $99; rooms Friday, Sept. 19 are $144, and Saturday, Sept. 20 rooms range from $189 to $209. A limited number of rooms are available for the $189 rate on Saturday night. Call 1-800-345-7253 for reservations and mention you are attending the Philadelphia Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference to get these special room rates. Sponsors of the event are:

Bar Foundation Seeks Award Nominees

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is seeking nominations for two awards to be presented at the Andrew Hamilton Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the First City Troop Armory, 22 S. 23rd St.

The Citizens Bank Pro Bono Award is presented by Citizens Bank, the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, and is given annually to a Philadelphia law firm or corporate legal department demonstrating outstanding volunteer efforts to help provide legal services to those in need. The recipient of the Citizens Bank Award designates that the award will be given to a qualifying law-related public service agency.

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation Award is given to an attorney who is working in the nonprofit legal services community. A $2,500 award will be presented each year to an attorney who is providing direct legal services to the poor and the underprivileged in Philadelphia.

Click here for more information. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Sept. 12.

Volunteer for Philadelphia magazine's Design Home 2008® to benefit the Ronald McDonald House

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

On Sunday, September 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the YLD will host Philadelphia magazine's Design Home 2008® in Lower Gwynedd, PA to benefit theRonald McDonald House. A limited number of volunteers are needed to welcome guests, collect tickets and provide information on the organization. The Ronald McDonald house was founded in 1974 as a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children who are receiving care at local hospitals.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kristin McKenna at KMcKenna@stradley.com.

Brennan Award Nominations Being Accepted

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Nominations are being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's prestigious Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award. The award will be presented at the Association's October Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon.

The award recognizes a jurist who adheres to the highest ideals of judicial service. Any member of the state or federal bench, whether active or retired, who has made a significant, positive impact on the quality or administration of justice in Philadelphia is eligible for consideration. Examples of accomplishments worthy of nomination include innovations in court administration, implementation of pioneering case management techniques, assumption of a leadership role in areas affecting the administration of justice, publication of a significant opinion, article, or other scholarly work, or the like.

This year's Brennan Award Committee is chaired by Rhonda Hill Wilson. Nominations for the Justice Brennan Distinguished Jurist Award should be forwarded to: Brennan Award, Attn: Tracey McCloskey, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

All nominations should include the full name, address and telephone number of both the nominee and the person submitting the nomination, a summary of the nominee's accomplishments, and any pertinent supporting material the committee should consider. All nominations must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2008.

Bar Association to Sponsor “Law School” for Non-Lawyers

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Area residents can receive basic information about areas of the law most likely to impact their daily lives when the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association presents The People's Law School — a six-session education program for non-lawyers beginning Tuesday, September 9.

In-person registration for the program begins at 6 p.m., and the class runs from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. at the Criminal Justice Center's Jury Assembly Room, 13th and Filbert Streets, in Center City Philadelphia. Classes are scheduled for September 9, 16 and 23 as well as October 7, 14 and 21. Total cost for the program is $40, including a detailed course book.

Topics to be covered include: labor and employment law, family law, municipal courts/small business claims, personal injury law, landlord/tenant law, real estate law, criminal law and immigration law. Each week, local attorneys from both the public and private sectors will speak on topics related to their area of practice. Time will be provided for questions at the end of each session.
The People's Law School is a community outreach project of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. The program provides adult legal education to Philadelphia-area residents at a nominal cost. The program provides basic, non-technical knowledge of areas of the law in clear, easy-to-understand terms.

Save the Date for PhiLAWpalooza on Oct. 2

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Join the YLD for PhiLAWpalooza on Thursday, Oct. 2, as attorney musicians play at the legendary JC Dobbs on South Street.

If you are an attorney musician and are interested in performing at PhiLAWpalooza or if you are interested in connecting with other attorney musicians to play PhiLAWpalooza, please contact Stephanie Mensing. Registration information will be coming shortly.

Senior Lawyers, YLD Team Up for Mentoring

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Young attorneys will once again have the opportunity to gain valuable insights from senior practitioners under the Young Lawyers Division's Attorney Mentoring Program.

More than 20 senior lawyers have agreed to serve as mentors to members of the Young Lawyers Division. These distinguished lawyers come from diverse backgrounds and include solo practitioners, attorneys from large firms and attorneys who have been in government service.

If you are interested in being matched with a mentor through this program, please contact Michael B. Hayes at mhayes@mmwr.com.

Free One-Year Bar Memberships Now Available

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Attorneys working full-time for a federal, state or local governmental agency or a public interest agency who have never before been members of the Philadelphia Bar Association are now eligible for a free-one year membership in the Association.

"We want these attorneys to be a part of the Bar, and to introduce them to the many benefits of membership," said Chancellor A. Michael Pratt. "Plus, if they join anytime between now and the end of 2008, they'll receive the remainder of 2008 and all of 2009 free. That’s up to 19 months of free membership!"

Among the benefits of membership touted by Pratt:

You'll make invaluable contacts that will continue to help you throughout your career. Access career planning and placement services through our partner, JuriStaff, Inc., enjoy the advantages of a dynamic Legislative Program that champions your interests to lawmakers, a Lawyer Fee Dispute Resolution Program, and more.
With more than 50 committees, nine sections and two divisions, including our new Law Practice Management Division, you’ll have a unique opportunity to meet and network with colleagues in every possible area of practice. Plus, you’ll have access to our extensive network of consultants to provide solutions in your daily work.
You will receive significant discounts on selected continuing legal education courses offered through the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to attend Chancellor's Forums, meetings and special events, including our Quarterly and Annual Meetings and our Bench-Bar and Annual Conference.
* You will automatically receive The Philadelphia Lawyer quarterly magazine offering substantive law articles on emerging trends, and the Philadelphia Bar Reporter monthly newspaper. In addition, the Association's award-winning Web site, audio and video podcast library, list serve network and bi-weekly Bar Reporter Online e-newsletter will connect you to colleagues in dozens of practice areas.
You'll enjoy special value rates on the Philadelphia Bar Association Platinum Plus® MasterCard® Credit Card with WorldPoints® Rewards, Alamo® and Avis® car rentals, and the GlobalFit® Corporate Fitness Program.
"Since 1802, the Philadelphia Bar Association has proudly served the public and the profession. Now, everyone can share in that pride and collegiality," Pratt said.