July 28, 2009

Packed Crowd at YLD Live

Yesterday, the YLD welcomed a big audience to YLD Live, an interactive meeting for all members of the Division. After an informative presentation by Chair Brian Chacker and Co-Chair Abbie DuFrayne, attendees provided great feedback and suggestions on YLD programs, past and future. Check out the next edition of The Bar Reporter for a full story on the event.

THURSDAY: "Religion in the Workplace"

This Thursday, July 30, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, as part if its Public Policy Series, will present, "Religion in the Workplace," a 2-credit CLE exploring the various challenges inherent in this dynamic. READ MORE

"My First Federal Trial" CLE, Sept. 24

On Sept. 24, the YLD and the Federal Courts Committee are presenting "My First Federal Trial," a 2-credit CLE designed to help the young (and not so young) lawyers facing this monumental task. READ MORE

Visit PhilaBenchBar.org Now and Register to Join Us in October

In case you haven't heard, philabenchbar.org is the new, fresh website for this year's Bench Bar Conference, October 23 & 24 at Harrah's Atlantic City. Stop by to have a look and, while there, register at a lower price than years' past. This year's sponsors include: USI Affinity, Summit Pharmacy, American Lawsuit Funding, JAMS, and Allied Medical Legal Consulting.

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PBA Young Lawyers Invites YLD Members to Upcoming Summer Meeting, Aug. 7-9

The Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers and New Admittees invites the YLD to attend the upcoming Pennsylvania Bar Association YLD Summer Meeting/New Admittee Conference Aug. 7-9, at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA.



Participants will have an opportunity to earn CLE credit (substantive and ethics), learn from prominent lawyers and judges, network, and enjoy resort activities to unwind. The criteria for a New Admittee is practicing 3 years or less.

See official brochure here. Any questions, contact Maria Engles, Pennsylvania Bar YLD Coordinator, at 1-800-932-0311 X2223 or via email.

Volunteer Now to Help with Obama Initiative: August 18 and 20

To aid the Bar Association in its participation in "Get Help Now PA!" - a program that is part of President and Michelle Obama's "United We Serve" national service initiative - the YLD has adopted August 18 and August 20 to provide help to those searching for agencies that can assist them.

From July 7 through September 11 (from 1pm to 6pm), President and Mrs. Obama are asking legal professionals and bankers to staff offices around the state to help direct individuals with legal or financial issues to agencies that can provide help. Here in Philadelphia, the office will be located at the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University, and as Philadelphia is the state's largest city, volunteers are greatly needed.

The YLD has adopted August 18 and August 20 to direct individuals to service agencies that can provide them with the help they need. Volunteers are asked to sign up for one shift - from 1:00-3:30 p.m. or from 3:30-6 p.m. To sign up, or if you have questions, please contact Carey Chopko or Kelly Gastley.

"Get Help Now PA!" is a collaborative effort of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers, the Mortgage Bankers Association of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers, the Pennsylvania Financial Services Association, the Office of the First Lady, and Pennsylvania Department of Banking.

THURSDAY: "Religion in the Workplace" CLE

This Thursday, July 30, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, as part if its Public Policy Series, will present, "Religion in the Workplace," a 2-credit CLE exploring the various challenges inherent in this dynamic.

What determines workplace religious rights? Historically, religious discrimination has given rise to fewer charges than most other protected categories included in the nation’s primary discrimination law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In the last decade, however, as traditional religious groups become more vocal, demographic and cultural trends have combined to fuel a growing number of legal claims and workplace situations that test the limits of America's foundational principles on religious tolerance.

This seminar will explore various challenges that religion can bring to the workplace, such as: The difference between a hostile work environment and a "faith friendly" workplace; When an employee's religious belief is "sincerely held"; Must employers allow employees to proselytize?; The impact of employee religious beliefs on work rules, work schedules and dress and appearance standard; and, How employers and employees can create a professional environment free from religious discrimination and harassment.

Faculty includes: Reverend Thomas Betz, Philadelphia; Stephen L. Bloom, Esquire
Irwin & McKnight, P.C., Carlisle; Joyce B. Link, Esquire, Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, LLP, Philadelphia; Kevin I. Lovitz, Esquire, The Lovitz Law Firm, Philadelphia. Course planner is Barbara Rittinger Rigo, Esquire, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Philadelphia.

Lunch will be provided. For more information and to register, click here.

Presentation on Loan Repayment Assistance Programs, Sept. 16

On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Public Interest Section's Delivery of Legal Services Committee and the Young Lawyers Division will co-sponsor a panel presentation on loan repayment assistance programs. The event is from 3 to 5 p.m. and will be followed by a wine and cheese reception from 5 to 6 p.m.

The panel discussion will feature Heather Jarvis, Senior Program Manager for Law School Advocacy and Outreach Resources at Equal Justice Works. Jarvis is a national expert on educational debt and the financial barriers facing law graduates and has been a leading player nationally in advocating for and now interpreting the new federal student loan forgiveness law, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act.

Both the program and reception will take place at Bar Association's 11th Floor Conference Center and are free. Register now here.

"My First Federal Trial" CLE, Sept. 24

On Sept. 24, from 4-6 p.m., the YLD and the Federal Courts Committee are presenting "My First Federal Trial," a 2-credit CLE designed to help the young (and not so young) lawyers facing this monumental task.

Your first federal jury trial can be (and often is) a harrowing experience. While there are plenty of trial practice courses to teach trial skills, this program is designed to fill the gaps and to allow you to learn directly from the judges everything you really want to know, but are afraid to ask.

Hear from a panel of federal judges and trial practitioners on the following: What to do in those last few hours; What to expect at the final pretrial conference; The mechanics of trial - where to stand, what to do with exhibits, etc.; and much more.

It's your chance to ask the judge what he or she thinks you ought to do!

The seminar will be hled at the Federal Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom, 601 Market St. Check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. For more details and to register, click here.

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