Philadelphia Bar Association | News Releases

Legal Community Invited to Military Assistance Program Ceremonial Event

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Philadelphia Bar Associations honors military personnel and veterans for their commitment to our nation. The Association's Military Assistance Program (MAP) provides pro bono legal assistance to deployed and mobilized military personnel and their families as well as to veterans of recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Attorneys are needed to help service men and women make sure their legal affairs are in order, and to plan for their families in their absence. Legal assistance is needed in a variety of practice areas, including bankruptcy, family law, wills and estates, consumer, employment, housing and tax. For veterans, legal assistance is needed in the areas of veterans’ service related compensation, VA health care and discharge upgrades.

Clients can contact the MAP through a hotline that has been established in the offices of the
Association's Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS). The hotline number is 215-238-6388. These clients will be matched with volunteer attorneys who have registered with MAP.

To volunteer for this program an attorney must be licensed to practice in Pennsylvania; carry professional liability insurance; and possess a willingness to provide pro bono services on short notice. Membership in LRIS is not required to volunteer for this program.

If you have any questions, please contact Association director of public and legal services Charles Klitsch at 215-238-6326 or cklitsch@philabar.org. Download the Military Assistance Program volunteer form by clicking here.

All members of the legal community are invited to attend a ceremonial event on Monday, May 21 at 1 p.m. in City Hall Room 450. At the event, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, Justice Seamus P. McCaffery and Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor John E. Savoth will announce a collaboration with Veterans Court through the Association's Military Assistance Program. No RSVP is required.

Bar Foundation Golf Classic June 25 at Green Valley CC

Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation Golf Classic will be held Monday, June 25 at Green Valley Country Club. We are excited to announce that Wilkie Lexus of Cherry Hill has chosen the Philadelphia Bar Foundation as a participant in the Lexus Champions for Charity golf tournament. Thanks to the generosity of Wilkie Lexus, our auction will feature a spot on the roster for the three-day Lexus Champions for Charity tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any golf enthusiast.

If you are not a golfer, but want to be part of the fun, please join us in the afternoon for a round-robin tennis tournament. The day will be capped off with an open bar surf-and-turf reception and auction on the beautiful lawns of Green Valley Country Club. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a presenting sponsor of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation Golf Classic.

Why support the Philadelphia Bar Foundation? The mission of the Bar Foundation is to provide equal access to justice for all. As a practical matter, access to justice only exists when education, representation and advocacy combine to allow people to take full advantage of their legal rights. In a position to look at the legal services community as a whole, the Bar Foundation is a key provider of both resources and solutions with the greatest impact on this ambitious goal.

Through the awarding of annual grants, the Bar Foundation provides much needed operational funding for more than 30 public interest law groups. Each grantee has a distinct mission: advocating for the homeless, protecting children in crisis, working with distressed homeowners to prevent foreclosure, protecting elders from abuse, preventing discrimination – the issues are countless. What these distinct groups have in common is the fight for access to justice. The Bar Foundation exists to support this common goal.

The annual Golf Classic raises substantial funds to meet our mission. The money raised at the Golf Classic goes directly into funding our 35 legal service grantees. Please join us in our mission. Click here for more information or to register.

Order 2012 Legal Directory by May 18, Save 25 Percent

Wed, 9 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Covering Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester and Bucks Counties, The Legal Directory has been the No. 1 resource in the legal profession for more than a century! Order by Friday, May 18 and save 25 percent!

When you order The Legal Directory, you'll get three-way access (print, web and mobile), so no matter where you are you will have access to thousands of listings. To order, visit www.lawcatalog.com/ld12, or call 800-722-7670 X2453

Statement of Chancellor John E. Savoth on the Passing of Hon. Louis H. Pollak

Wed, 9 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor John E. Savoth issued the following statement on May 9 regarding the passing of Senior Judge Louis H. Pollak of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania:

"Judge Pollak had a tremendous influence on the quality of justice in the Eastern District. He distinguished himself in several legal careers -- as a judge, a lawyer, a law school professor and dean. But most of all, he was beloved by lawyers and judges alike for his brilliance, independence and fairness, as well as his graciousness."

The Chancellor noted that Judge Pollak was honored with the Philadelphia Bar Association's William J. Brennan Distinguished Jurist Award in 2003, which recognizes a jurist who adheres to the highest ideals of judicial service, and who has made a significant, positive impact on the quality or administration of justice in Philadelphia.

Prior to joining the bench, Judge Pollak was associated, first as a volunteer lawyer and later as a board member and vice president, with the N.A.A.C.P. Legal Defense Fund. He was among those who assisted Thurgood Marshall and his fellow Legal Defense Fund attorneys in drafting the briefs in the several school segregation cases culminating in Brown v. Board of Education.

"On behalf of the entire legal community, we extend our condolences to Judge Pollak's family at this difficult time," Savoth said. "We do this gratefully with the knowledge that they and we are sustained by the warm and shining memory of this great man."

Bar Association Annual Report Available Now

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The 2011 Annual Report of the Philadelphia Bar Association is now available in digital form. Click here for the Annual Report.

The work of our Association is performed by many dedicated volunteers, including those who serve on our Board of Governors and as leaders or members of our Sections, our Young Lawyers Division and our many Committees. We also benefit from close and cooperative relationships with both the Judiciary and the City of Philadelphia. And, of course, invaluable support is always provided by our exceptional professional staff. This potent combination has led to extraordinary accomplishments, many of which are showcased in this report. Click here for the Annual Report.

Save 25 Percent on Legal Directory Through May 18

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Covering Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester and Bucks Counties, The Legal Directory has been the No. 1 resource in the legal profession for more than a century! Order by Friday, May 18 and save 25 percent!

When you order The Legal Directory, you'll get three-way access (print, web and mobile), so no matter where you are you will have access to thousands of listings. To order, visit www.lawcatalog.com/ld12, or call 800-722-7670 X2453

2012 State of the Commonwealth’s Courts

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

In recent years, the chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued a report to the people on the state of the Commonwealth's courts.

This year's report highlights programs and initiatives that save taxpayer dollars and improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.

The report also explores the critical issue of underfunding that is crippling the nation's courts. The Pennsylvania judiciary had experienced nearly a decade of underfunding when, last year, the legislature and governor took a first step to resolve the courts' funding challenges.

Interestingly, Pennsylvania's courts collect in fines, fees, cost and restitution that are established by statute, much more than their annual state appropriation. However, that money is channeled to state and local governments for general use and does not, for the most part, flow back to the judiciary.

Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille invites you to take a few moments to read the State of the Commonwealth's Courts and thanks you for your interest. Click here to read the report.

O'Connor Award for Jane Dalton; Mary Frances Berry to Present Higginbotham Lecture June 26

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Jane Leslie Dalton, who has served as Chancellor, chair of the Board of Governors and co-chair of the Women in the Profession Committee, will be presented with the Association's Sandra Day O'Connor Award at the Tuesday, June 26 Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon. Click here to purchase tickets.

The O'Connor Award is presented to a woman attorney who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and has furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community.

Dr. Mary Frances Berry, former chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, will deliver the Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Memorial Public Interest Lecture at the event, set for 12 p.m. at the Hyatt at The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets. Dr. Berry is currently the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania. She has written numerous books including "Power in Words: The Stories behind Barack Obama's Speeches, from the State House to the White House."

New members of the Association's 50-, 60-, 65- and 75-Year Clubs will also be honored at the event, set for 12 p.m. at the Hyatt at The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets. The Year Clubs recognize attorneys who have been practicing law for 50 years or more. Click here to purchase tickets.

Free Legal Advice, Student Programs Mark Law Week 2012, April 30 – May 4

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Philadelphia Bar Association will celebrate Law Week 2012 next week, April 30 – May 4, with a range of student and community service events presented by volunteer lawyers and coordinated by the Association's Young Lawyers Division.

Attorneys will offer free legal advice, visit high school classes, guide children on tours of the city's courtrooms, and present mock criminal trials for grade school students during the weeklong fest, which is one of the most ambitious public outreach efforts of its type in the nation and reaches thousands of citizens. This year's theme is "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom."

The following is a schedule of Law Week 2012 activities:

Legal Advice Live!, Monday, April 30

LAL! kicks off the week with dozens of Philadelphia attorneys gathering to provide free, in-person legal advice from 12 to 2 p.m. at four branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia: Central (1901 Vine St.), Ramonita de Rodriguez (600 W. Girard Ave.; Spanish-speaking attorneys will be available); Haverford (5543 Haverford Ave.); and Donatucci (1935 Shunk St.). Attorneys will provide answers to legal questions on a broad range of topics including personal injury, medical malpractice, landlord/tenant law, divorce and child custody matters, wills and estate planning, real estate law and employment law.

Edward F. Chacker Essay Contest and Naturalization Ceremony, Tuesday, May 1

On Tuesday, May 1, a Naturalization Ceremony welcoming dozens of new U.S. citizens will be held at the U.S. Courthouse, 6th and Market Streets, at 10:30 a.m. Here, the winner of the Edward F. Chacker Essay Contest – named after a past Chancellor of the Bar Association – will read aloud his or her essay. The winning Philadelphia high school senior will be awarded a $1,000 college scholarship.

Lawyer in the Classroom, Tuesday, May 1, through Thursday, May 3

This program features lawyers enthusiastically visiting different schools throughout the week to address students' concerns about the law and the legal issues that affect them as they enter adulthood and answer questions about the legal profession.

Legal Line, Wednesday, May 2

Free legal advice will be given to those who call the Legal Line hotline from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 2. The program is being sponsored by Fox Rothschild LLP. Area residents can call lawyers at 215-238-6333 and have their legal questions answered confidentially without a fee. The lawyers will staff a phone bank at the headquarters of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor.

Lawyer for a Day, Friday, May 4

Volunteer attorneys from the Philadelphia Bar Association will accompany Philadelphia high school students into the city’s courtrooms to witness live court proceedings on Friday, May 4, as part of “Lawyer for a Day,” the culminating event of the Bar Association’s Law Week 2012 celebration.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, before students embark on their courtroom tours at 9 a.m. The event concludes with a 12 p.m. luncheon back at Bar Association headquarters, where Philadelphia City Solicitor Shelley R. Smith will speak to the students. Bar Association Chancellor-Elect Kathleen D. Wilkinson will also address the audience.

The Trials of Goldilocks and the Big Bad Wolf, Friday, May 4, 9:30 AM, 653 City Hall

Volunteer attorneys and judges dress in costume and use facts from the fairytales “Goldilocks”, “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “The Three Little Pigs” to act out mock criminal trials for grade school children at seven different City Hall courtrooms. Volunteers act as prosecutors, defense attorneys and witnesses in the criminal trials, which include opening statements, examinations and cross-examinations of witnesses, closing arguments, and instructions of the juries. At the conclusion of each trial, the students act as the jury and determine whether the Big Bad Wolf or Goldilocks is guilty of a crime.

All of the Law Week activities are under the direction of Bar Association Chancellor-Elect, Kathleen D. Wilkinson, and are coordinated by the Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) with the help of scores of lawyer-volunteers. The Law Week 2011 co-chairs are Roxane Crowley and Matt Laver.

Gov. Rendell to Moderate Election CLE May 24

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Former Gov. Ed Rendell will moderate a panel of attorneys and journalists at the Thursday, May 24 CLE program “Divided We Fall: How Will the Presidential Election Impact Law, Policy and Politics?”

Panelists include political adviser and commentator Ron Christie; political communications strategist Penny Lee; U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan; and radio host and columnist Michael A. Smerconish. This distinguished panel will weigh in with their opinions on what might happen in the 2012 election and tackle the question: can the citizenry of the United States and the politicians in D.C. be reunited with a common goal to affect changes in law and policy that will put the country back on a positive course?

If you are interested in politics, policy, and the future of the United States of America, you won’t want to miss out on this dynamic debate about where our country is headed.

The program begins at 12 p.m. at The CLE Conference Center on the 10th floor of the Wanamaker Building, Market and Juniper streets. Check-in and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m. Click here for more information or to register.

Statement of Chancellor John E. Savoth on the Passing of Hon. Frank J. Montemuro Jr.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor John E. Savoth issued the following statement on the passing of former Philadelphia Common Pleas Court and Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Frank J. Montemuro Jr.:

“Justice Montemuro was a hard-working jurist who was well-respected by lawyers for his integrity, compassion, courtesy and devotion to the law,” Savoth said.

“He was an ardent supporter of greater uniformity in Pennsylvania’s court system to improve the quality of justice in the state. He was also a life-long leader in the Italian-American community, who exemplified the highest ideals of personal character and sound judgment. The Philadelphia Bar Association proudly presented its Wachovia Fidelity Award to Justice Montemuro in 2004 for his significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice. On behalf of the entire legal community, we extend our condolences to Justice Montemuro’s family at this difficult time.”

Viewings will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 9304 Old Bustleton Ave., Philadelphia, and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, April 2, at St. Andrew Church, 81 Swamp Rd., Newtown, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass there. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.

Bar’s 33rd Annual 5K Run/Walk May 20

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The 33rd annual Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk will be held Sunday, May 20 with more than 1,000 runners and walkers expected to participate. The 5K benefits the Support Center for Child Advocates. Click here to register.

Race Start

The 5K begins at the entry to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (West River Drive), adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, at 8:30 a.m. The 5K Walk begins at 8:35 a.m.

Registration Info

The registration fee for Bar Association members is $40. General registration for the 5K Walk is $20. Family registration for the Walk is $60. There is no fee to compete in the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney 200-Yard Kids Dash for children ages 5 to 10. The Kids' Dash begins immediately after the Run/Walk starts. All participants will receive a Race give-a-way. Child-friendly activities will be offered all morning. Registration is required for each child. A parent or guardian must be present.

Law firms and companies may enter 5K Run teams. For an application contact Michael Berkowitz at mjberkowitz@crbcp.com or 215-567-2010 (ext 132). Deadline for team registration is May 6.

$200 Bounty

Neill W. Clark has won the Legal Competition for a record 13 consecutive years. His friends at Philadelphia Runner will award $200 to the first registered Philadelphia Bar Association runner who beats Neill's 2011 time. When you beat your 2011 Race time, you'll receive a Brooks gift at Philadelphia Runner. So, start training now! All recipients who beat their 2011 Race time will be notified by email.

Race Packet Pick Up

Pick up your race packet in advance when you register by May 13. Packets are available on Friday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Philadelphia Runner, 1601 Sansom St.

Participant Footwear Discount

Registered participants can receive 20 percent off Brooks footwear, apparel and accessories at all three Philadelphia Runner stores. Visit www.philadelphiarunner.com for store locations.

Awards

Silver bowls will be awarded to the first-place male and female runners in the 5K Run; Philadelphia Runner gift certificates will be awarded to the first-place male and female runners in each age group; and commemorative awards will be given to the first-, second- and third-place finishers, both male and female, in each age group. T-shirts will be given to all participants who finish the Run or the Walk.

Click here to register for the 33rd Annual 5K Run/Walk.

Meet the Diverse Media April 11

Mon, 5 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Bar-News Media Committee and the Diversity in the Profession Committee will present "Meet the Diverse Media" on Wednesday, April 11.

Panelists include Diego Castellanos of 6ABC; Hank Grezlak of The Legal Intelligencer; Pamela Tsai, Senior Reporter, Epoch Times Philadelphia; Arturo Varela of Al Dia; and Irv Randolph, managing editor, Philadelphia Tribune. The moderator is Gina Furia Rubel.

The panelists will share their experiences and challenges reporting on law-related issues while providing attendees with insights on how to become a better resource to the news media. The event will also include a discussion of local news coverage of diversity issues and the intersection of the practice of law.

The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $8 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association and $9.50 for non-members. Click here to register.

New Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Profiles to Help Bar Members Promote Practices

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Association members can now showcase their professional profile on the website of the oldest association of lawyers in the United States.

“Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Profiles” is a new premium advertising opportunity available exclusively to members of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Members can enhance their business development efforts by having their full professional profile displayed on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s website at philadelphiabar.org.

Additionally, “snapshots” of each profile with attorney photo, firm name and practice synopsis rotate directly on the homepage of the Association’s website, linking to the attorney’s full profile. All profiles are searchable by attorney name or firm name.

As a bonus, participants also receive a customized link to their Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Profiles full-profile page, which they can use for promotional purposes on their website, blog, social media and other marketing vehicles.

Profiles can be created in just a few easy steps, and are instantly posted to the Association’s website for immediate viewing by colleagues, friends, family and potential clients everywhere.

To maintain exclusivity, only 300 profiles are available as part of this unique service. The service adds instant value to Association membership.

Association members can join Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Profiles for only $150 a month. The member’s credit card will be automatically billed on a monthly basis.

Alternatively, members can join for one year at the special rate of $1,495 and save more than 15 percent off the regular price of $1,800. Members may cancel their Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Profiles subscription at any time without penalty.

“Attracting and retaining clients continues to be a challenging prospect for many of our members in this recovering economy,” said Chancellor John E. Savoth. “We are proud to introduce this new program to help members with their ongoing business development efforts.”

To enroll in Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Profiles, visit lawyerprofiles.org or contact Matt Hartman, account manager at ALM, at 215-557-2393, or mhartman@alm.com. For technical questions, contact Barry Greenspan, chief technology officer, at 215-238-6327, or bgreenspan@philabar.org.

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor-Elect Urges Adoption of House Bills 1815 and 1816 on Selection of Appellate Judges

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Kathleen D. Wilkinson, Chancellor-Elect of the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association, provided detailed comments today (Thursday, March 1) to the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee supporting adoption of House Bills 1815 and 1816 regarding selection of appellate judges.

"With little relevant information about judicial candidates, voters often make choices for reasons that have nothing to do with qualifications for judicial office," Wilkinson said. "In primary elections, ballot position can determine an election. In the general election, voters often choose a candidate based on an identity of ethnicity, residence or the appeal of a television ad."

"The time has come," Wilkinson said, "to stop electing appellate court judges, to restore the confidence of the electorate in our judicial system, and to open the process to a wider and more diverse pool of well qualified candidates."

Wilkinson noted that the Philadelphia Bar Association has long supported changing the way appellate judges are selected in Pennsylvania.

Additionally, she suggested revisions to the current bills including that an Appellate Court Nominating Commission be required to conduct the interviews of candidates and obtain the documents described in House Bill 1816 for all candidates whose names are ultimately submitted to the Governor, rather than making interviews optional as presently provided in those subsections. She also recommended that the commission be required to include more specific selection criteria in the rules of procedure.

"We would prefer amendment of the bills to include the revisions suggested, but even without those amendments, the proposed selection process would be far better than our current system of partisan elections," Wilkinson said.

The full text of the testimony can be found by clicking here.

Announcing a New Court Reporting Services Benefit - Exclusively for Bar Members

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Philadelphia Bar Association is now offering its members a substantial discount on court reporting services offered though Love Court Reporting, Inc. Available exclusively to Association members, the special discounted pricing and other exclusive benefits provide significant saving over standard rates. The larger your needs, the more you save!

Call Love Court Reporting at 215-568-5599 for discount pricing details, and mention your Philadelphia Bar Association membership. Plus, your first transcript is half off the discounted rate!

Love Court Reporting clients receive individualized customer service from the company that was voted "Best of 2011" by readers of The Legal Intelligencer. Available around-the-clock with offices in Center City and the suburbs, Love Court Reporting offers meeting rooms, videography and videoconferencing at a moment's notice.

Love Court Reporting is a full-service company with U.S. and worldwide coverage. Their experienced certified and registered court reporters provide high-quality service including real-time reporting along with a wide range of technical and complex litigation experience. Reporters are strategically located throughout the U.S. This complete coverage allows clients to have a single point of contact for all of their court reporting needs.

Love Court Reporting is the only official provider of discounted court reporting services exclusively for Philadelphia Bar Association members.

Discounts only available to counsel taking the deposition in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Ginsburg Essay Entry Deadline is May 9

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Entries are now being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2012 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Pursuit of Justice Legal Writing Competition.

Candidates may submit a law review quality submission on any topic relating to rights, privileges and responsibilities under federal law. The Bar Association recognizes the importance of excellence in legal analysis and writing skills, and seeks to award a student enrolled in an American Bar Association-approved or provisionally approved Philadelphia-area law school for authoring a top-quality competition submission. Entries must be received by Wednesday, May 9 at 4 p.m.

This competition is open to full- and part-time law students who are in their second or third year of study during the 2011-12 academic year at one of the following six institutions: Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Rutgers University School of Law – Camden,Temple University Beasley School of Law, Villanova University School of Law and Widener University School of Law (Delaware Campus). Part-time law students in their third or later year of study are also eligible. Students must be in good standing at their institutions.

The submission may not have been published previously, although it may have been prepared in connection with a law school course or for a law journal. The submission also may not have been submitted for any other competition during the time when it is under consideration for this competition, until after the time when awards are announced. The submission must be the work of one author alone (joint submissions will not be considered), and the author must certify that the submission has been prepared without substantial editing from others.

The co-chairs of the competition are Bar Association Chancellor-Elect Kathleen D. Wilkinson, partner at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman and Dicker LLP, and Diane Penneys Edelman, Director of International Programs and Professor of Legal Writing, Villanova University School of Law.

"This competition began in 2003, which shows the Bar Association's commitment to the importance of legal writing," said Wilkinson.

Competition judges include U.S. District Court Judge Gene E.K. Pratter; Board of Governors Chair Brandi J. Brice; Young Lawyers Division Chair Melanie Taylor; Iva Johnson Ferrell, Legal Writing Professor, Widener University School of Law (Delaware); Wanda Flowers, Wanda Flowers and Associates and chair of the Business Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association; Deborah S. Gordon, Assistant Professor of Law, Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law; Karen M. Gottlieb, Associate, Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP; Sandra A. Jeskie, Duane Morris LLP; Anne Kringel, Legal Writing Director and Senior Lecturer, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Mitch Nathanson, Professor of Legal Writing, Villanova University School of Law; Robin Nilon, Assistant Professor, Temple University Beasley School of Law; and Sandra Simkins, Clinical Professor, Rutgers School of Law – Camden.

The author of the winning submission will receive a cash award of $2,500, and have the essay published in The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine, on the Bar Association's website and/or in an appropriate Bar Association publication. The winner will be invited to a Quarterly Meeting of the Bar Association, at which time the award will be presented.

All entries should be sent to Dawn Petit, c/o Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. For more information, contact Petit at 215-238-6367 or email dpetit@philabar.org.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE COMPETITION RULES

MSNBC's Mike Barnicle at March 28 Quarterly Meeting & Luncheon

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Award-winning print and broadcast journalist Mike Barnicle, a frequent contributor and occasional guest host on MSNBC's popular "Morning Joe" and "Hardball with Chris Matthews," will be the keynote speaker at the Bar Association's Wednesday, March 28 Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon with special guest Edward G. Rendell, 45th Governor of Pennsylvania.

The Bar Association will also present the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award at the program. The award publicly acknowledges, recognizes and honors an individual or entity that has demonstrated a strong commitment, and has made a substantial contribution, to diversity and promoting full and equal participation and inclusion in the legal profession.

Also at the event, Immediate-Past Chancellor Rudolph Garcia will be presented with a gold box, an exact replica of the one presented to Andrew Hamilton for his defense of John Peter Zenger in 1735. The gold box is presented annually to the immediate-past Chancellor and is inscribed with the message "acquired not by money, but by character."

The inaugural Justinian Society and Cominsky Family Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Marvin Comisky and Judge G. Fred DiBona will also be presented to retired Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Edward J. Bradley.

Tickets are $55 for Bar Association members and $70 for non-members. Visit philadelphiabar.org to purchase tickets to the March 28 Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon.

Sponsored by

O’Connor Nominees Sought by April 2

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Women in the Profession Committee is seeking nominations for the 2012 Sandra Day O’Connor Award.

Deadline for nominations is Monday, April 2, 2012.

The award is conferred annually on a woman attorney who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and has furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community.

The committee established the award in 1993 to recognize the important contributions that women attorneys in Philadelphia have made to the legal profession.

That year, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor presented the first award to U.S. District Court Senior Judge Norma L. Shapiro. The award has since been presented to the late Juanita Kidd Stout, former justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; Deborah R. Willig, first woman Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association; Professor Marina Angel, of the Temple University Beasley School of Law faculty; Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Dolores K. Sloviter (former Chief Judge); U.S. District Court Judge Anita B. Brody; Leslie Anne Miller, first woman president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association; Lila G. Roomberg of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP; the late Judge Judith J. Jamison; Ellen T. Greenlee, chief defender of the Defender Association of Philadelphia; former Chancellor Audrey C. Talley; U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie O. Rendell; former Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Phyllis W. Beck; Roberta D. Pichini of Feldman, Shepherd, Wohlgelernter, Tanner, Weinstock & Dodig; Lynn A. Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts; Roberta D. Liebenberg of Fine, Kaplan and Black, R.P.C.; JoAnne Epps, dean of Temple University Beasley School of Law; Stephanie Resnick of Fox Rothschild LLP and U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia M. Rufe of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Please send nominations to the attention of Dawn Petit, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 by email to dpetit@philabar.org.

Click here to download a nomination form.

Sotomayor Diversity Award Nominees Sought by March 9

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Philadelphia Bar Association is seeking nominations for the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award.

The purpose of the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award is to publicly acknowledge, recognize and honor an individual or entity that has demonstrated a strong commitment, and has made a substantial contribution, to diversity and promoting full and equal participation and inclusion in the legal profession. Nominations for the award are accepted from any member of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

The award shall be granted to an attorney, jurist, law firm, law department, legal services organization or law school in Philadelphia, or an individual or entity that has made a substantial impact upon the Philadelphia legal community. Nominees should demonstrate a sustained and continuous contribution, or a single outstanding contribution, to diversity and full and equal participation and inclusion in the legal profession in furtherance of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Statement of Diversity Principles. Nominations of individuals should be based upon their personal contributions to diversity, and nominations of entities should be based upon programmatic activity.

Complete and return the nomination form by 5 p.m., Friday, March 9 to Naomi K. McLaurin, Esq., Director of Diversity, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2955, phone (215) 238-6340, fax (215) 238-1159, nmclaurin@philabar.org. Nominations will be reviewed by the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award Committee, and the recipient will be notified shortly thereafter. The award will be presented at the Quarterly Meeting on March 28 at the Hyatt at the Bellevue at noon.

To download materials, please click here.

Chancellor's Forum on Strauss-Kahn Case March 15

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Chancellor's Forum "The Arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn: A Comparative Study of French and U.S. Law and the Media" will be presented on Thursday, March 15.

The arrest and release of Dominique Strauss-Kahn will provide the nexus for a comparative discussion regarding U.S. and French law, cultural and political norms, and the role of the news media in both countries. Strauss-Kahn was the director of the International Monetary Fund when he was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York City in May 2011. The charges were eventually dismissed against Strauss-Kahn but he still faces a civil suit.

The discussion is presented in partnership with IHEJ - Institut des Hautes Études sur la Justice, Paris; the International Law Committee; and International Law Society of Villanova University School of Law. Panelists for the program include Professor Irène Théry, a sociologist with École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales; Michelle Madden Dempsey, associate professor of law, Villanova University School of Law; and reporter Emilie Lounsberry of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Chancellor John E. Savoth will present welcoming remarks.

The program begins at 4:30 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. A wine and cheese reception will follow at 6 p.m. There is no charge to attend this program, but reservations are required. to register for this event, please click here.

ABA New Partner/In-House Counsel Conference March 2-3

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Philadelphia Bar Association is proud to sponsor the American Bar Association's 2012 New Partner and In-House Counsel Conference at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia on March 2-3.

Lawyers who have made partner or have gone in-house in the last three years are encouraged. You do not have to be an ABA member or qualify as a young lawyer in the ABA to attend. Rewards of partnership or transitioning to in-house counsel come with a host of new opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges. This conference is specifically designed to help prepare lawyers for their new role and ultimately their long-term success.

Structured over two days, the conference provides learning and networking opportunities to help individuals:

• Understand expectations and anticipate needs
• Build or expand their referral network
• Handle internal firm/company dynamics, ethical issues and risks
• Mitigate the cost of managing electronic discovery
• Engage with top national practitioners including General Counsel

The early bird registration rate of $415 has been extended for all Philadelphia Bar Association members. Please note that we are also offering daily rates and group rates: $250/day; a 30 percent discount for all attendees for law firms or corporations that send three or more individuals; and a 30 percent discount for all attendees when a law firm registrant brings a corporate counsel registrant. More information is available at ambar.org/newpartner.

Protecting Our Children All-Day CLE Feb. 27

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

In the past few years, numerous high profile stories have arisen concerning allegations of sexual abuse of children within well-respected institutions and organizations.

The myriad of legal issues created by such allegations and the ways in which the system might need to change in the future to better protect our nation's children are the subject of a new two-part CLE seminar "Protecting Our Children - The Responsibility of Organizations, being offered Monday, Feb. 27 at The CLE Conference Center on the 10th floor of the Wanamaker Building, Market and Juniper streets.

The morning session, "Protecting Children from Abuse," begins at 8:30 a.m. The afternoon session, "Corporate and Nonprofit Management," features guest speaker Dr. Richard James Gelles of School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania.

Other panelists for the program include Frank P. Cervone, executive director, Support Center for Child Advocates; Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr., Cozen O'Connor; Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Family Division; Ellen C. Brotman, Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP; Larry Ceisler, Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy; Anthony L. Crisci, Crisci Associates; Michael Exler, general counsel, Drexel University; Lawrence J. Fox, Drinkler Biddle & Reath LLP; Deirdre D. Fruh, legislative aide to U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr.; Leslie M. Gomez, Ballard Spahr LLP; Valerie I. Harrison, associate university counsel, Temple University; Kelly B. Hodge, Philadelphia Safe Schools Advocate, PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency; Walt Hunter, CBS3 News; Sarah A. Kelly, Cozen O'Connor; Jeffrey Lindy, Lindy Law Firm; Natalye Paquin, CEO, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania; Charles E. Schmidt Jr., Schmidt Kramer, PC; Theodore Simon, Law Offices of Theodore Simon; Gina M. Smith, Ballard Spahr, LLP; Vicki J. Wilken, staff counsel, state Sen. Kim Ward (Chair, Senate Aging and Youth); Dr. Barbara E. Ziv, forensic psychiatrist; and Barry Zakireh, PhD, director of the Adult and Forensic Program, The Joseph J. Peters Institute.

To register for this 7 substantive, 1 ethics CLE credit program, click here.

Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center Opens Jan. 30

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Advocates for access to justice and leaders of the Philadelphia courts are launching the first Philadelphia Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center on Monday, Jan. 30, providing access to free legal information, advice, and limited representation for unrepresented, low‐income individuals of all ages who are facing eviction and other legal rental housing problems in Philadelphia.

This independent project, housed in Municipal Court, will be coordinated by SeniorLAW Center, a nonprofit organization that protects the rights of older Pennsylvanians, and will be staffed by a supervising attorney, volunteer attorneys and law students. The center will be on the 5th floor of the Municipal Court Building, 34 S. 11th St. Members of the Housing Working Group of the Civil Gideon Task Force of the Philadelphia Bar Association, including SeniorLAW Center, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Community Legal Services, Regional Housing Legal Services, Homeless Advocacy Project, VIP, TURN, and pro bono leaders at Dechert LLP and Pepper Hamilton LLP, were instrumental in crafting this project over the past year, with the support and leadership of Philadelphia Municipal Court President Judge Marsha H. Neifield and her staff.

While housed at the court to make access meaningful, the project is an independent and collaborative venture of legal services agencies and pro bono leaders.

“More than 95 percent of low‐income tenants regularly face the legal system and eviction from their homes without an attorney and without basic information about their rights and the legal process,” said Karen C. Buck, executive director of SeniorLAW Center and co‐chair of the Housing Working Group. “While our ultimate goal is to provide a true right to counsel and individual representation for low‐income tenants facing the loss of shelter, this project is a first step towards expanding access to basic legal information and an opportunity to talk through their problems and learn about their rights in an area of essential human need.”

“Philadelphia Municipal Court is pleased to be able to work with SeniorLAW Center, the Civil Gideon Task Force, and the Bar Association to provide a location for volunteer attorneys to meet with unrepresented, low income individuals who are facing rental and eviction issues,” added Judge Neifield. “We anticipate that the Philadelphia Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center will be a tremendous resource for those who are eligible for this service and that the opportunity to consult with counsel will enable the cases to be addressed more easily by the court.”

Gerald A. McHugh Jr. of Raynes McCarty and president of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network sits on the Civil Gideon Task Force and is also Pennsylvania state chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He took the project to the Foundation of the College, proposing a challenge match: if the Foundation would fund half of the cost, he would raise the remainder from Pennsylvania Fellows.

The proposal was accepted. “This represents an historic undertaking for the American College, because it is the largest grant its Foundation has ever made independent of its annual award for public interest law, and it marks the first time Fellows of the College are contributing directly as part of a matching campaign,” McHugh said.

“Without the College’s grant, and the generosity of its Fellows, this project would likely still be on the drawing table,” noted Anita Santos Singh, executive director of Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and Housing Working Group co‐chair.

The Philadelphia Landlord/Tenant Legal Help Center will provide limited representation legal services, but also outreach, community education, a web presence, volunteer recruitment and training, and, eventually, services through a legal helpline for low‐ income tenants. Legal advice and information will also be provided to low‐income individual landlords through an initiative of the landlord bar, headed by David Denenberg and Todd Baritz.

For more information, please contact Karen Buck at kbuck@seniorlawcenter.org or call 215‐701‐3201 or Michele Cohen, Help Center supervising attorney at mcohen@philalegalhelpcenter.org or call 215‐ 523‐9577.

Get Admitted to U.S. Supreme Court May 14

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Philadelphia Bar Association will move up to 50 of our members for admission to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court on Monday, May 14. The admission ceremony will be made to the full court sitting in Washington, D.C.

The court's requirements for a group admission ceremony are very comprehensive. To review these requirements and to download the forms for admission please visit the Supreme Court's web site at supremecourtus.gov. Select the Bar Admissions tab on the left-hand side and this will bring you to the link for the Bar Admissions Form and Bar Admissions Instructions. Please read the instructions carefully. Once you have determined that you are eligible for admission, please print out and complete the Admission Form. The instructions and guidelines are very specific and must be followed scrupulously. Do not fold the application or use staples. Use paper clips only.

Once you have successfully completed the Admission Form, please mail it along with a check made payable to the Philadelphia Bar Association. The cost to attend the ceremony is $225 which includes your application fee and a continental breakfast. Please include an additional $25 if you plan to bring a guest. Per the Supreme Court’s rule, each inductee is permitted to bring only one guest. Please send payment to: Attn: Dawn Petit, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
Do not send the application directly to the Supreme Court.

The event will be on a first-come, first-served basis and all applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2012.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please do not hesitate to contact Dawn Petit at 215-238-6367 or dpetit@philabar.org.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Memorial Breakfast to Welcome More Than 400 Attorneys, City Officials, Jan. 16

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia will host the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Memorial Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 16 from 7:30 – 10:00 a.m. at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., Philadelphia, PA. Following the breakfast will be a Day of Service Mediation Program co-sponsored with the Philadelphia Bar Association at the Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School, 2601 South 58th St. Middle school students will be taught how to resolve conflict through non-violent means by engaging in various real-life role-playing exercises.

The honorees at this year’s breakfast include: Bernard W. Smalley, Senior Counsel, Tucker Law Group, LLC, recipient of the Honorable William F. Hall Award; Naomi K. McLaurin, Director of Diversity, Philadelphia Bar Association, recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award; Philadelphia VIP, recipient of the Outstanding Organization Award; and Adiah I. Ferron, Counsel at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, recipient of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Award recipient Bernard Smalley will present the keynote address at the breakfast. The event will also feature remarks by Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia President Kevin V. Mincey and Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor John E. Savoth.

The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Mediation Program takes place from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. This year, the Mediation Program has the additional goal of training participating students to act as Peer Mediators for the school and to aid their fellow students in non-violent conflict resolution. Local attorneys volunteer to provide the mediation training.

Established in 1950, The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc.’s purpose – then and now – has been to address the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the City of Philadelphia through programs such as seminars, cultural events and publications.

Founded in 1802, the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association is the oldest association of lawyers in the United States and Pennsylvania's largest local bar association. As such, it is a keystone in the ongoing developments of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania legal systems.

YLD Annual Meeting and Welcome Reception for New Members - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

All law firm associates are invited to The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia on Wednesday, January 18 at 5:30 p.m. to participate in the YLD Annual Meeting. Meet the 2012 leaders of the Philadelphia Bar Association and welcome new Bar members. This event will include the presentation of the F. Sean Peretta and Craig M. Perry Service Awards as well as the YLD Vision Award.

Bar Association section chairs and YLD Division leaders will be in attendance to provide information on the many areas of Bar involvement. Network while enjoying complimentary refreshments, a great venue and good company!

Being an active member of the Bar Association provides you with opportunities to professionally connect with practicing lawyers and judges in a supportive environment, allowing for one-on-one interactions and leadership opportunities that are invaluable in building your career and obtaining contacts for potential job opportunities.

Registration is required. This event is free for all YLD members, and only $15 for non-member attorneys. Click here to register!

2012 Award Recipients:

F. Sean Peretta Service Award - Paul W. Kaufman, United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Craig M. Perry Service Award - Albertine Y. DuFrayne, Sacks Weston & Petrelli
YLD Vision Award - Philadelphia District Attorney's Office

Lifetime Achievement Award Nominations Sought

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Justinian Society and the Comisky family are seeking nominations for the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Marvin Comisky and Judge G. Fred DiBona, to be awarded at the Philadelphia Bar Association's Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon scheduled for this spring. The Lifetime Achievement Award is not limited to an area of practice or an advocate for a particular cause. Rather, the purpose of the award is to recognize an outstanding member of the bench or bar who, at a minimum, satisfies the following qualifications: acts as a superb mentor and advisor to clients, the Bar, the judicial system and/or the community; makes a difference in the lives of others irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation; demonstrates a willingness to do what is right although sometimes unpopular; demonstrates legal acumen or scholarship; and exhibits great humility.

A charitable contribution will be made on behalf of the recipient to an organization of the recipient's choice.

Nominations should include the nominee's name, address and a statement of the nominee's qualifications. All nominations should be mailed to Thomas H. Chiacchio Jr., 2005 Market St., Suite 1930, Philadelphia, Pa., 19103 or may be emailed to chiacchio@thclaw.com. Nominations must be received no later than Monday, Jan. 16.

Business Law Section to Honor Beaser Feb. 6

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Business Law Section's Annual Reception will be held Monday, Feb. 6 at the Westin Philadelphia Hotel where former Association Chancellor Lawrence J. Beaser will be presented with the Section's Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award.

The Section established the award in recognition of Replansky's career as a lawyer and his contributions to legal, civic, religious and other charitable causes. Replansky was a 51-year-old senior partner at Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley LLP when he died in March 1994. He was a former chair of the Business Law Section.

The section will also recognize Katayun I. Jaffari as Committee Chair of the Year and the Human Resources & Employee Relations Committee as Committee of the Year at the event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Westin, 99 S. 17th St.

Tickets are $50 for members of the Business Law Section and $60 for non-members. Tickets are $70 for those who are not members of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Click here to purchase tickets.

Inaugural Address of John E. Savoth, 85th Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Thank you, Rudy for your kind words and for all you have done for the Philadelphia Bar Association – not just during the past year, but throughout your career.

Ladies and gentleman, Rudy Garcia's time at the Philadelphia Bar Association and his leadership are worthy of emulation. You have given us a rich model to follow Rudy – and we are all indebted to you, and we thank you.

And not only am I happy and proud to have been part of Rudy's team this year but I'm also honored and delighted to have soon-to-be Chancellor-Elect Kathleen Wilkinson and soon-to-be Vice-Chancellor Bill Fedullo as part of our team. I so look forward to working with both of them.

Now, I'd like to take a moment to pause and reflect a bit.

I am so proud to be here leading the oldest association of lawyers in America. As a boy from Neptune City, growing up along the North Jersey shore, within earshot of the soul of Asbury Park, it is an honor to be heir to the legacy of Andrew Hamilton.

This is all quite humbling. And I ask myself: "What was it that made the difference for me?" I've been fortunate, that's for sure.

But beyond that, the answer is obvious.

The answer is right here in this room.

It was People… People made the difference.

People like my parents who taught me the value of hard work, determination and perseverance. While our Dad worked the family business, our Mom, who lost her arm to cancer when I was 2 years old, ensured that our childhood was filled with the care, concern and love that enabled me to flourish. The point is, they didn't simply teach it – they lived it. It is because of you and Dad that I stand here today.

It was my brothers, whose love, support, and, yes, brotherhood, fortified and nurtured by our parents, continue to provide me with strength and pride everyday.

It was people like school teachers and college professors who helped to open my mind to a larger world – a world of places, events, ideas and aspirations.

People like my junior high school classmate who staggered me the first moment I saw her and I subtly suggested to her continuously over the years that I was a gentleman worthy of her affections (didn't quite put it like that). I finally succeeded and now my wife, Nancy, continues to challenge, encourage and strengthen me with her love and support.

And our three boys, Alex, Nate and Evan, who we are so proud of and who so enrich our lives.

And people like so many professional colleagues who have reached out to me, most notably Bill Keller, who generously and daringly guided me in my career as a Philadelphia lawyer.

And the late Justice James T. McDermott, who taught me that our profession does not operate in a vacuum and that the lessons of great literature are equally applicable to the human condition today as they were centuries ago.

And Bob Mongeluzzi, whose passionate and relentless pursuit of justice serves as a guiding light every day. In fact, all my colleagues at Saltz, Mongeluzzi, including Larry Bendesky, Michael Barrett and the Trial Lawyers they've brought together to practice this honorable profession.

So let's be sure of it: People make the difference.

Every single one of you: You are the Philadelphia Bar Association. You make this profession what it is and you are a vital determining factor in the life of this city, this region, and yes – even our world.

I know this is true. Because when I came to this city to practice law I barely knew one center-city street corner from another, let alone one neighborhood from another. I didn't have a clue. Pat's, Geno's, Jim's? And what about Dalessandro's?

But whatever awkwardness I felt at not having a Philly neighborhood or street corner to call my own quickly vanished.

Why?

Because Philadelphians are proud of their cherished roots, and so accepting of many who travel here to make a life. It's the rhythm, the soul, the love, the brotherly and sisterly love that embraces us. It's the feel, and dare I say, The Sound of Philadelphia.

You've welcomed me just as you have welcomed so many others. Including: Andrew Hamilton, Ben Franklin, John Coltrane, Chase Utley, Charisse Lillie, Richardson Dilworth, Justice Juanita Kidd Stout, Ed Rendell, Rich Negrin and Chief Justice Castille, just to name a few.

And that's part of the magic of this town and that magic is what has contributed to the vibrancy of center-city in recent years.

So many people (especially young folks) are here now, not simply because this is where they've always been but because they've clearly decided this is where they always want to be. They're here by choice.

And the best choice I ever made when I first arrived was to join the Philadelphia Bar Association.

That's how I met people. That's how I made connections. That's how I learned about this town and its unique culture. That's how I developed lasting, cherished friendships.

And yes, it helped my career. And yes, I was able to network and gain business from it. And these are no small matters.

But here's the important thing: The bar association enriches not just your work but your life. It makes your life more meaningful.

That's because all of our real, live members are right here. In fact, most of them are within a dozen blocks of this ballroom.

You know that. You understand it. You see it.

You need only to walk out of your office onto the pulse of Market or Walnut or Chestnut or Broad and your fellow Philadelphia Bar Association members are right there. Often they're on their way, if not from court, then to or from a committee or section event at bar headquarters or the education center or Jenkins law library or at an event at a nearby hotel or other facility. And hopefully, you're joining them.

Yes, the Bar Association is on Facebook and Twitter and we have an impressive web presence but this Association lives with you and your real, live interactions with your colleagues in this relatively intimate community.

I point this out because it's easy to forget it or take it for granted.

It's easy to become so well-connected one way that you're disconnected in more important ways.

It's easy to become so seemingly informed, that you're jaded; so absolutely certain, that you're cynical; and so busy, that you're actually bored and eventually burnt out.

But the people you meet and the things that you accomplish through Our Great Association will make a difference in your life.

I know. I've experienced it.

So now We must ask ourselves: How can We make a difference this year? Together, what can We do for ourselves and others?

I'd like to offer up three suggestions – three important initiatives – for the year.

In late October, we heard the incredible news. President Obama announced that America's war in Iraq is finally coming to an end. Nearly 40,000 U.S. troops will be home for the holidays. In addition, the president announced earlier this year that 33,000 U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September of 2012.

For these military personnel and their families, resuming a normal, everyday life won't be easy. For many, it will be a constant struggle.

As Philadelphia lawyers, who are distinguished by our pro bono service, we have a duty – an inherited responsibility – to help ease their burden.

And so next year, we will launch a major volunteer recruitment initiative through our Military Assistance Program, which we've named "MAP."

We will help ease the burden of re-entry for our service men and women and their families. We will provide them with pro bono legal assistance in areas that impact their daily lives, including consumer credit, bankruptcy, employment, housing, family law, wills and estates, and special issues such as eligibility for veterans benefits and compensation for service-related disabilities.
Clients will contact MAP through a new hotline at the offices of the Bar Association. Callers will be matched with volunteer attorneys who have registered with MAP.

I have asked Michael Taub, Staff Attorney for the Homeless Advocacy Project, and Wes Payne, our assistant treasurer and a partner at White and Williams, to co-chair this important new initiative. Michael's knowledge in this area is rooted in his deep commitment to veterans' issues through HAP's Veteran's Project, a 10-year-old program that serves the complex legal needs of homeless veterans. Wes, a veteran himself, has worked tirelessly on veterans issues for years now.

I'm honored to have the support and guidance of Chief Justice Ron Castille and Justice Seamus McCaffery to support our launch of this important endeavor.

Through MAP, we'll create opportunities for self-empowerment and sustainability for the hundreds of service men and women in the Philadelphia region who will soon be transitioning back to everyday life.

But our work next year on behalf of the community will not end there. It will also span our city's neighborhoods and extend to the youngest members of our community, who represent our future.

As we know, schools in Pennsylvania offer very little civics education. Most students spend only about two or three weeks reviewing civics in a U.S. history class.

In 2008, Chancellor Michael Pratt created our Association's Advancing Civics Education Program, or ACE.
This nationally recognized partnership with the School District of Philadelphia sends volunteer lawyers and judges into Philadelphia classrooms once a month to teach a curriculum of civics education that complements social studies programs.

More than 150 volunteer attorneys and judges have already participated in ACE, with 14 high schools and 2 elementary schools being touched by the program.

I am proud to announce that in 2012, we'll take ACE even further by expanding the program into even more elementary schools. Nine elementary school lessons have already been developed. To help us in this effort, we are launching an exciting new partnership with the National Constitution Center.

The Constitution Center's office of civics education will provide a new, enhanced level of administrative support for this rapidly growing program.

Our new partnership with the Constitution Center will enable us to increase our ranks of attorney and judicial volunteers, under the dedicated leadership of ACE Program Co-Chairs Jenimae Almquist and Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge John Milton Younge.

ACE also has strong support from many judicial leaders, including Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie Rendell, who has lent her boundless energy to the program by connecting us with the Constitution Center and helping to recruit talented volunteers.
Next year, we'll strengthen the program's curriculum, launch a new ACE website and plan teacher in-service days.

Engaging students in civics education at an even younger age will help motivate them in their reading and critical thinking during their formative years. They will also gain a deeper understanding of the true meaning of a democracy, the rule of law, dispute resolution and, simply, how to be a good citizen.

And speaking of our partnership with the National Constitution Center, many of you may be aware that in 2012 the Center will host a new exhibition, "From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen" -- the first major retrospective about the American songwriter.

I have a feeling that I'm going to find this exhibit quite fascinating.

Bruce Springsteen inspires us by illuminating the struggles and triumphs of working Americans and the importance of social justice and free expression – the very freedoms on which the legacy of the "Philadelphia lawyer" was born.

The Constitution Center is generously providing free admission to this exciting new exhibition for every person at today's luncheon. Tickets will be distributed as you leave the ballroom today.

Of course our service to the community also transcends the borders of Philadelphia.

Programs such as our highly successful relationship with our sister bar association in Lyon, our seat at the table at the World City Bar Leaders Conferences, and the work of our International Law Committee and our new International Business Initiative Committee demonstrate that our Bar is doing its part to help stimulate new avenues of business in our region.

In the coming year, we'll continue to track global issues that impact our profession, including the eligibility of foreign-trained lawyers for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar, and provide input in the reconstituted Global Philadelphia Association.

Pro bono service and community volunteerism are more than just a professional commitment. They define us as Philadelphia lawyers. Public service strikes at the very heart of who we are as attorneys, and as citizens. And it has been the legacy of our Association for 210 years--- through the many law-related public service agencies that we support and/or helped to create; particularly the work of our Civil Gideon Task Force, which has toiled for several years now to formulate a workable plan to aid those in our society who are threatened with the loss of basic human needs, such as those involving shelter and child custody.

Our legacy also includes service to our members.

Attracting and retaining clients continues to be a challenging prospect for many of our members in this recovering economy. And so I am proud to introduce a new program to help members with their ongoing business development efforts.

Early next year, we will provide new premium advertising opportunities on the Philadelphia Bar Association's website, exclusively to members -- at a fraction of the cost of display ads placed on commercial websites and in printed publications.

We call this new program "Lawyer Profiles." Charter members will be able to upload full online profiles, with a photo and resume of their professional services. Only a limited number of these opportunities will be available through a monthly subscription fee.

This program adds instant value to your Association membership. You'll be able to proudly display your profile on the website of America's first bar association.

And speaking of these profiles, they only serve to remind us that each one of us is unique.
We each bring special talents, special viewpoints, distinct experiences and a unique set of skills to our jobs and to our lives.

And we owe it to ourselves and to this city and region to share all that we bring – not just with one another but with the larger community beyond.

That's what the profiles and the civics education program and the veterans' legal assistance effort are all about.

These are three vital areas where we can make a difference.

Today we are bigger than most state bar associations and we are looked to nationally as trailblazers. Many of our programs and efforts have served as models for similar initiatives throughout the nation.

We're justifiably proud of all that.

But even though our founders included this nation's first leaders, and even though we trace our origins all the way back to 1802 when a small group of lawyers met in Independence Hall to form a Law Library Company, we must never forget that we were founded by people who had common needs and shared a desire to help one another and those they served.

These first Philadelphia lawyers really weren't much different than you and I.

Yes, they faced different challenges and struggles than we do today, but they faced struggles nonetheless.

And they were – each and every one of them – distinct individuals.

But they recognized that they could accomplish a great deal more by joining together and learning and working to help themselves and others.

Today, our modern mission reminds us of our core principles:

-- To serve the profession and the public by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law, and

-- To ensure that all of our citizens, no matter their economic or social status, have full and unfettered access to our justice system.

Never has this mission been more important than now.

Never have these principles been more relevant.

We are the soul of this profession.

Unless we choose to get involved, to step outside our comfort zones, to act on behalf of a cause greater than ourselves, the prospect of adding richness and meaning to our work and our lives remains just that – a mere prospect.

During the depression years of the last century, John Steinbeck so eloquently detailed the dignity of the human condition, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

It's vital that we, as a community of talented, thoughtful thinkers, do not lose sight of this.

Today, the integrity of so many in our community is under constant assault and we have the talent, knowledge, work ethic and legacy of greatness to combat these problems and, hopefully, raise the hopes of those in need.

I am honored by this position and look forward to working for you in 2012.

Thank you.

William P. Fedullo Elected Vice Chancellor; Five Gain Board of Governors Seats

Tue, 6 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

William P. Fedullo, of counsel to Rosen, Schafer & DiMeo, LLP, will serve as Vice Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2012 after running unopposed in the Association's Tuesday, Dec. 6 Annual Election. Fedullo will serve as Chancellor-Elect in 2013 and Chancellor in 2014.

The following candidates for Bar offices ran unopposed and will begin serving in their positions on Jan. 1: Sophia Lee, Secretary; Joseph A. Prim Jr., Treasurer; Jacqueline G. Segal, Assistant Secretary; and Wesley R. Payne IV, Assistant Treasurer.

The following five candidates for Board of Governors were unopposed on Dec. 6 and will begin their terms on Jan. 1.: Jennifer Segal Coatsworth, Rainy Papademetriou, James A. Rocco III, Eric H. Weitz and Kay Kyungsun Yu.

The following seven candidates for the Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee were elected on Dec. 6 and will begin serving their terms on Jan. 1:
Courtenay R. Dunn, Daniel J. Gillin, Maria E. Harris, Benjamin F. Johns, Erin Lamb, Kaitlin E. Picco and Jeffrey N. Rosenthal.