TOMORROW: Networking Happy Hour at Con Murphy's

Join the YLD and other young professionals at tomorrow's (Jan. 20) Networking Happy Hour from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Con Murphy's, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (at the Windsor Hotel). The event is co-hosted by the Delivery of Legal Services Committee, the Justinians and the Lawyers Club of Philadelphia and sponsored by The MCS Group, Inc.

RSVP is not required but the first 50 to arrive will receive a complimentary drink ticket. Appetizers will be also be served.

New YLD Program: "Young Lawyer Bootcamp: Tactics, Tips and Tricks for Law Students and New Lawyers," Feb. 19

Law students and young lawyers will receive practical and fundamental knowledge on the intricacies of the legal profession from judges and experienced attorneys at "Young Lawyer Bootcamp: Tactics, Tips and Tricks for Law Students and New Lawyers", an inaugural program presented by the YLD on Feb. 19 from 12-5:30 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.

In five distinct sessions, a variety of panelists will speak on case preparation, selecting a career path, fully benefiting from initial employment, considerations when starting a solo practice, and building networking skills. The program will conclude with a networking happy hour open to all attendees.

"YLD Bootcamp" features the following courses and presenters:

Entering Unknown Territory: Choosing a Career Path
Panelists: Judge Dan Anders of the Family Court Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; Brandi Brice, and Assistant City Solicitor at the City of Philadelphia Law Department; Sophia Lee, Assistant Secretary of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a senior counsel at Sunoco, Inc.; and Kathleen Wilkinson, Secretary of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a partner at Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP

Honoring the Veterans: Advice from the Bench
Panelists: TBD

Accepting Your Mission: Get the Most Out of Your First Job
Panelists: Natalie D'Amora, an associate at Dilworth Paxon LLP; Lizabeth Macoretta, Executive Director at West Mt. Airy Neighbors; and Gina Sullivan of GlaxoSmithKline

Leading the Troop: Considerations Before Starting Your Own Practice
Panelists: Jeffrey Campolongo, The Law Office of Jeffrey Campolongo; James Elam, The Elam Law Firm; Laura Feldman, a partner at Feldman & Pinto; Stephanie Mensing, a partner at Wisniewski & Mensing, LLP; and David Walker, The Law Office of David M. Walker LLC

Earning Your Stripes: The Nuts and Bolts of Networking
Panelists: Kim Jessum, of counsel at Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP; May Mon Post, The Post Law Firm; Scott Reid, an associate at Cozen O'Connor; and John Savoth, Vice Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association and of counsel at Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky PC

The cost of the program is $10.00 and includes lunch and admission to the concluding networking happy hour. CLICK HERE to register. Stay tuned for information on additional panelists.

Sign Ups Still Needed for Volunteer Coaches or Judges of 2010 Mock Trial Competition

The YLD is still seeking volunteer coaches and judges for the annual John S. Bradway Philadelphia High School Mock Trial Competition, co-run by Temple University's Beasley School of Law. Sign up now using this quick and easy link.

Once here, scroll to the bottom of the page to access the forms for each round of competition and sign up for a time slot(s) that works best for you. Remember, however, once that round is filled with volunteers, no more will be accepted. So sign up fast!

If you've volunteered in the past, we thank you and hope that you will do so this year. If you have not yet volunteered for the Mock Trial Competition, we encourage you to do so and are confident the experience will be rewarding. As a judge, you can chose to fill as many time slots as your schedule will allow and you do not need trial experience to participate. All you need is a willingness to give some time and be wowed by the high school students!

YLD Accepting Nominations for Peretta, Perry Awards; Deadline THIS FRIDAY

The deadline for nominations for the F. Sean Peretta Service Award and the Craig M. Perry Service Award, both presented at the upcoming YLD Annual Meeting in early 2010, is THIS FRIDAY, Jan. 22. Get your nominations in now.

The F. Sean Peretta Service Award is presented annually to an individual who has devoted substantial time to an innovative or non-traditional program that serves the community. Peretta was a private practitioner who died suddenly at age 31 who was a very involved community activist and a mentor to kids in his home neighborhood. He was viewed as a role model for African-American Youth.

The Craig M. Perry Service Award is presented annually to a young lawyer - 37 years old or younger or within the first three years of practice - who has devoted substantial time and energy to community-oriented activities, including, but not limited to, pro bono and charity work. Perry was a member of the YLD Executive Committee who suffered an untimely death. He was very involved in community service and active in student-related and other YLD programs.

Nominations should include the individual's name, address and a brief statement describing his or her qualifications. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 22, 2010. All nominations should be submitted to Tracey McCloskey at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or email to tmccloskey@philabar.org.

Volunteers Needed for YLD Mentoring Program

The YLD needs volunteers for its Mentoring Program, an endeavor that seeks to foster the professional development of Philadelphia's future attorneys and simulate the growth, diversity and participation of Philadelphia lawyers in Bar Association activities and the community at large.

Each mentor is assigned to serve as a role model and counselor to one mentee. Mentorship is an obligation and responsibility. Mentors must:

1) Reach out and make initial contact with their mentee;

2) Have one in-person or telephonic meeting with their mentee in advance of the Mentorship Program Event;

3) Have one or more in person meetings with their mentee after the Mentorship Program Event;

4) Remain as a resource to the mentee for the course of the year.

Download the sign-up form and questionnaire HERE. Completed forms can be forward to Daniel McKenna at mckennad@ballardspahr.com.

Tip of the Month: Make A List to Reach Your Goals

by Stephanie Mensing

Happy New Year! It's that time of year again: "I will exercise, I will work harder, I will be nicer to everyone." Easy to make, easy to break, that's usually how I prefer my resolutions. A few weeks ago, however, my firm turned four and as my partner and I begin our fifth year, I really would like to make some meaningful resolutions to help me achieve new goals this year.

As a young lawyer, it's not easy to do all the things we "should" be doing - networking, rainmaking, billing, developing professionally, giving back to the community, relaxing - but it is easier if we set goals for ourselves.

"I will write at least one practice-related article, I will network with non-attorneys at least once per month, I will return all client calls as soon as possible, I will not burn myself out." That's more like it, right?

My first resolution is to identify both my personal and professional goals I would like to achieve in 2010. My personal goal is to attend four to five Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes each week. This is doable and track-able, so check back with me at the end of the year!

Professionally, I resolve to be more effective at networking, develop more business for my firm, attend more CLEs to help develop my legal skills and advance my practice areas, make my clients happier, give more back to the community through mentoring a law student and taking more pro bono cases, and yes, take a vacation! Since we probably share a lot of the same professional goals, I also resolve to provide monthly tips that I hope will help you throughout the year.

Whether your goals are scratched on a piece of paper taped to your bathroom mirror or typed neatly into your smartphone, the trick is to make an actual list to remind you of your goals for the year. You must then realize that you're never going to accomplish everything on your list and resolve not to beat yourself up if you don't!

Stephanie Mensing is a partner at the law firm of Wisniewski & Mensing, LLP

Applicants Sought for Judge William M. Marutani Fellowship, Due Feb. 26

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation, in partnership with Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA), is seeking applicants from first-year Asian Pacific students from local law schools for the Judge William M. Marutani Fellowship. Applications are due Feb. 26.

Judge Marutani was the first Asian American judge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a distinguished member of the judiciary who served the Asiam American community and the community at large for many years. Judge Muratani's exemplary career is a model for current students who are committed to public service.

The Fellowship is offered to Asian Pacific American first-year law students at Dickinson School of Law, Rutgers University School of Law-Camden, Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Villanova University School of Law, Drexel University School of Law, and Widener University School of Law.

The Fellowship will provide a stipend for a first-year Asian American law student (up to $5,000) to subsidize a full-time summer internship position (of at least 10 weeks) with a non-profit public interest organization or with a federal, state or municipal government entity (including the judiciary) in the greater Philadelphia area. Applicants are eligible even if they seek or receive other sources of summer funding.

After completing the internship, the Fellowship recipient will be required to complete a two-page report summarizing his/her experience. The report shall be submitted in a finished form appropriate for publication in APABA-PA's newsletter. The recipient will also be recognized at the APABA-PA's annual banquet in the Fall.

All applications must be postmarked by Feb. 26, 2010 and received by 4 p.m. that same date. Mail or hand-deliver materials to Lynne Brown at the Bar Foundation offices, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Death and Taxes CLE, Jan. 27

On Jan. 27, join a diverse faculty from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute for "Death and Taxes", a 6-credit CLE that will walk attendees through the preparation of a Pennsylvania inheritance tax return, compared and contrasted with the federal estate tax return, among other related subjects.

Every estate in the Commonwealth may be subject to Pennsylvania inheritance tax. It is essential, then, for an estate practitioner to have a basic understanding of what property is included - and exempted or deducted - from the gross estate when filing an inheritance tax return.

Our faculty will review income tax returns for decedents and estates and offer practical tips for maximizing tax planning and deferring taxation. You will learn to spot opportunities during an estate administration, including post-mortem tax planning possibilities that can save your client money. This is a great program for beginning estate practitioners or for those attorneys that could use a "refresher" course.

Topics will include:

An Overview of Taxes Involved in Decedent’s Estates; Decedent’s Final Income Tax Return; Fiduciary Income Tax; The Taxable Estate-Assets; The Taxable Estate-Deductions; Valuation of Assets, Including Family Businesses; Calculating Estate and Inheritance Taxes; Payment of Estate and Inheritance Taxes; Generation Skipping Tax; and Ethical Considerations

CLICK HERE for pricing and to register.

Pros and Cons of Structured Settlements, Jan. 20

Brian J. Fillion will present "The Pros and Cons of Structured Settlements" at the Wednesday, Jan. 20 meeting of the Workers' Compensation Section. The program begins at 12:30 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. and has been approved for 1.0 substantive CLE credit.

Participants wishing to receive the CLE credit will be required to pay a fee of $25 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for more than five years, and $20 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for less than five years. If you wish to register in advance, CLICK HERE or call PBI Customer Service at 1-800-932-4637.

Lunch will be available through the Philadelphia Bar Association for an additional fee of $8 per person with payment being made to the Philadelphia Bar Association in advance of the meeting. CLICK HERE to RSVP.