Register Online for 2007 Bench-Bar Conference


Bar Association members can now register online for the 2007 Bench-Bar Conference Sept. 28 and 29 at Bally's Atlantic City. Click here to register online.

This year's conference is expected to bring together more than 500 lawyers and judges from the Philadelphia area for two days of programming that lets practitioners and the judiciary share ideas and best practices. Up to 7 CLE credits will be available.

Bally's Atlantic City offers a world-class spa, salon, fitness center and 18 restaurants to meet every craving. Experience the Old West at Bally's Wild Wild West Casino with nearly 74,000 feet of gaming accessible via a short walkway connected to Bally's.

Bally's is now accepting hotel reservations for attendees. Book early for the best rates: rooms on Thursday, Sept. 27 are $99; rooms Friday night are $144 — based on availability. 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.


The 2007 Bench-Bar Conference is sponsored by USI Colburn Insurance Service, PNC Wealth Management, LexisNexis, Trial Technologies, Inc., JAMS, Kroll and Veritext.

2007 Bench-Bar Conference Schedule

Friday, Sept. 28

9:30 a.m. Registration
11:15 a.m. Lunch and Bench-Bar Conference welcome
12:15 p.m. "Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson's American Journey” screening
1:15 p.m. Break with dessert buffet
1:30 p.m. "Soul of Justice" panel discussion
2:30 p.m.. Break
2:45 p.m. "Soul of Justice" panel discussion continues
3:45 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m.
CLE seminars:

  • Unforgiven - The Internet and Defamation

    Course Planners: Natalie Klyashtorny and John Papiano
    Speakers: TBA
    Sponsor: Young Lawyers Divsion

  • Marshall Dillon - Appellate Advocacy

    Panelists: Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Correale F. Stevens and Commonwealth Court Judge Robert E. Simpson Jr.

  • Billy the Kid - Right Down the Middle: Equally Shared Physical Custody

    Course Planners: Mark Momjian and Megan Watson
    Panelists: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Holly Ford, custody master Fern Caplan and Julia Swain
    Sponsor: Family Law Section

  • Gunfight at the OK Corral - Dispute Resolution Clauses in Agreements: Drafting Tips and Practical Considerations

    Speakers: Mitchell Bach, Judge Diane M. Welsh and Paul D. Weiner
    Sponsor: Business Law Section

6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Calamity Jane and the Dalton Gang - Black tie and blue jeans reception

Saturday, Sept. 29

8 a.m. Breakfast and registration
8:30 a.m.
Breakfast CLE seminar:

  • Young Guns - Procedures for Motion Practice in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas

    Panelists: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judges Matthew D. Carrafiello and Annette M. Rizzo, Jennifer S. Coatsworth, Scott W. Reid and moderator Heather Herrington.
    Sponsor: Young Lawyers Division
    *Attendees for this program will be eligible to win a raffle for a free iPod.

9:45 a.m.
CLE seminars:

  • The Pony Express - Electronic Filing in Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas

     Speakers: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Supervising Judge Esther R. Sylvester, Judge Robert S. Blasi, supervising judge for the Civil Division of Municipal Court; Rudolph Garcia; and court administration officials Harold Palmer and Theresa Cannon.
    Sponsor: State Civil Litigation Section

  • The Proposition - Get a Job/You’re Fired! Earning Capacity Litigation in Philadelphia County

    Speakers: Megan Watson, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Jackson, Michael Grasso and Dina Ronsayro
    Sponsor: Family Law Section

  • Bad Day at Black Rock - Alternative Courts

    Speakers: Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge President Judge Louis J. Presenza, William G. Babock and Douglas B. Marlowe
    Sponsor: Municipal Court

  • Little House on the Prairie - Stolen Houses

    Speakers: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Presidenet Judge C. Darnell Jones II, Michael Balent, Joan Decker and Sharon Wilson
    Sponsor: Real Property Section

10:45 a.m. Break with light refreshments and hotel check-out
11:15 a.m..
CLE seminars:

  • Treasure of the Sierra Madre - Practical Insights into Software Licensing Agreements: Drafting tips and Practical Considerations

     Panelists: Marc Zucker, Michael Ecker and Steve Foxman and former Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Gene D. Cohen
    Sponsor: Business Law Section

  • The Wild Bunch - Special Needs Trusts

    Panelists: Kevin M. Scott, Roberta D. Pichini and Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Anne E. Lazarus
    Sponsor: Probate and Trust Section

  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - Facilitating the Appellate Process

    Panelists: Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Richard B. Klein, Charles Becker, Robert L. Byer and Pennsylvania Superior Court Prothonotary Karen Bramblett

  • Gunslinger - Electronic Trial Advocacy

    Panelists: Robert J. Mongeluzzi and others TBA
    Sponsor: State Civil Litigation

12:30 p.m. Closing Luncheon