All Members Welcome to Enter YLD's 2010 Photography Contest

The Young Lawyers Division welcomes submissions from all members of the Bar Association for "Eyes on the Environment," a late summer photography contest in which the winning image will be featured in The Philadelphia Lawyer, the Association's quarterly magazine.

Entrants are asked to consider the following: "As you embark on late summer vacations or enjoy the remainder of the season here in Philadelphia, the Young Lawyers Division asks you to capture particularly compelling images of environmental awareness and natural conservation. What did you witness during your travels that showcases nature's untouched beauty? What efforts did you see toward preserving it?"

One submission per entrant can be emailed to tplmag@philabar.org in JPG format. A professional panel of judges will select the winner. The deadline for entries is September 20. Stay tuned for more details, including additional prizes.

Spread the Word: The People's Law School Kicks Off Sept. 21, Open to All

Area residents can receive basic information about areas of the law most likely to impact daily life at The People's Law School, a six-week legal education program presented by volunteer attorneys from the Young Lawyers Division.

The program, which features 11 unique courses on a range of legal topics, takes place every Tuesday from 6:15-8:30 p.m. beginning September 21 through October 26 in the Jury Assembly Room at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. The cost is $40.00 and includes access to all seminars and the complete course materials book.

The course schedule for The People's Law School is:

September 21
Social Security and Disability (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Trusts and Estates (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

September 28
Small Claims and Landlord/Tenant (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Consumer Credit (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 5
Personal Injury (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Criminal Law (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 12
Real Estate (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Employment Law (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 19
Bankruptcy (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Workers' Compensation (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 26
Family Law (6:15-8:30 p.m.)

The People's Law School is open to all citizens. Registration and more details are available by clicking here, calling 215-238-6393, or through email at pls@philabar.org. To ensure all attendees have a copy of the course materials book for the first session, registration is required by September 10, 2010. Those registering after this date cannot be guaranteed the immediate availability of the course materials.

Please note that while The People's Law School will provide attendees information on different areas of the law, the program is not accredited and no degree or certificate will be conferred upon its completion.

Message from the Chair: Great Events Ahead for the YLD

As we head into the second half of 2010, the YLD schedule continues to be packed with exciting opportunities.

I am pleased to continue our support of lawyers' involvement in the arts with the YLD's 2010 Photography Contest. Each year the YLD hosts an event that showcases the artistic abilities of our membership. For the last three years, the focus has been on musical talent. This year we turn to photography with the theme "Eyes on the Environment."

The deadline for submissions is September 20, 2010. We are working on some great prizes for the winners of the contest in addition to the winning image being featured in the Bar Association's magazine, The Philadelphia Lawyer.

The YLD also has great CLEs and lunch programs coming up in the fall that will be of interest to various practice areas.

The YLD is hosting a program on volunteering with public interest agencies on October 22 at 12:00 p.m. in the Bar Association's 11th Floor Conference Center. You will hear from current young lawyers who are actively involved with pro bono cases and hear how they balance their daily work and personal schedules with their pro bono involvement. Stay tuned for more details about this event.

The YLD will co-host the "My First Federal Trial" CLE with the Federal Courts Committee on November 4 at 4:00 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse. This CLE will address some of the issues often faced during your first federal jury trial. While plenty of trial practice courses available teach trial skills, "My First Federal Trial" is designed to fill the gaps and allow you to learn directly from the judges and other young lawyers what you really want to know, but are afraid to ask.

The YLD is also planning monthly networking happy hours throughout the fall and our holiday party, which will be on December 16. More details to follow.

I hope you will participate in YLD events this fall. I wish you a happy and safe rest of the summer!

Albertine DuFrayne is the 2010 Chair of Young Lawyers Division and an associate at the law firm of Petrelli Law, P.C. She can be reached at adufrayne@petrellilaw.com.

Register Now for Bench-Bar 2010, Featuring a Grand Reception at Newly-Revamped MIXX Nightclub

Register now for the Bar Association's 2010 Bench-Bar and Annual Conference at the Borgata in Atlantic City, on Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16. The event features 14 distinct CLEs and a Grand Reception at newly-remodeled MIXX nightclub. YLD member costs remain at 2007 prices. Early bird pricing registration is available if tickets purchased by Sept. 17.

The 14 CLE programs, in which attendees can earn up to eight hours of credit (including the opportunity to earn two ethics credits), will feature judges and some of the city's most well-known practitioners, who will use their expertise and experience to enlighten attendees.

A dramatic re-enactment commemorating the 275th anniversary of Andrew Hamilton's historic 1735 defense of printer John Peter Zenger will be offered for CLE credit as the opening program on Oct. 15. The case established the concept of freedom of the press and coined the term "Philadelphia lawyer."

A state-of-the-court program will also be offered for CLE credit as the closing program on Saturday, Oct. 16. Vice Chancellor John E. Savoth and Board of Governors Vice Chair Regina M. Foley are co-chairs of the 2010 conference.

Full-conference admission is $349 for members and $399 for non-members, if reserved by the early bird deadline of Friday, Sept. 17. For members of the Young Lawyers Division and government and public interest attorneys, admission is only $199. CLICK HERE for a complete registration form and pricing guide.

Sponsors for the 2010 Bench-Bar and Annual Conference include Iron Mountain and Kaplan, Leaman and Wolfe Court Reporters. For information on becoming a sponsor, contact Michael Petitti at 215-238-6342 or mpetitti@philabar.org.

Contribute to a Great Cause by Joining the YLD of the Andrew Hamilton Circle

In 2001, the YLD partnered with the Philadelphia Bar Foundation to launch the Young Lawyers Division of the Andrew Hamilton Circle, a group of young lawyers who pledge to donate to the Bar Foundation for at least 3 years.

To become a member, one pledges to donate $100 per year for three years, a contribution that benefits local public interest agencies including the Support Center for Child Advocates, Philadelphia VIP and the Senior Law Center, to name a few. For your generous donation, your name will be listed on the Bar Foundation's website and in a variety of print publications.

Click here to learn more.

Due Diligence in Business Transactions CLE, August 10

The Pennsylvania Bar Institute's August 10 CLE program "Due Diligence in Business Transactions" is a comprehensive review of due diligence essentials, including important tips to help you cover all the bases.

Faculty for the program includes Merritt A. Cole, Michael D. Ecker and La-Toya P. Hackney. The course planner is Graham R. Laub. Three substantive CLE credits and one ethics CLE credits are available.

The program begins at 12:30 p.m., with check-in and lunch at 12 p.m. at The CLE Conference Center on the 10th floor of the Wanamaker Building, Market and Juniper streets. CLICK HERE to register.