7 Elected to YLD Executive Committee

The following seven candidates were elected to three-year terms on the Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee in the Dec. 8 election: Alicia A. Garcia (311 votes), Alyson Oswald (296), Alexis Arena (268), Rachel Kopp (266), Brandon S. Bruce (265), Richard Vanderslice (257) and Justin S. Moriconi (236). Also receiving votes were Edward Scott Goldis (215) and Christopher M. Guth (223).

Rudolph Garcia, a partner with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, will serve as Vice Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2009 after running unopposed in the Monday, Dec. 8 election. Garcia will serve as Chancellor-Elect in 2010 and Chancellor in 2011.

The following candidates for Bar offices also ran unopposed and will be serving in their positions on Jan. 1: Secretary, Kathleen D. Wilkinson; Assistant Secretary, Sophia Lee; Treasurer, Jeffrey M. Lindy; and Assistant Treasurer, Joseph A. Prim Jr.

The following five candidates were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Governors: Regina Foley (1,249 votes), Jeffrey Campolongo (997), Danielle Banks (984), Michael Shaffer (946) and Sean Sullivan (907). Also receiving votes were Stacy Tees (665) and Phyllis Horn Epstein (478).

Life at a Mid-Size Firm Dec. 16

The Chancellor's Diversity Training Series continues on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. with the program "Life at a Mid-Size Firm."

This workshop is intended to help you learn about working at a mid-size firm. Of particular interest are the benefits of mid-size firms, as well as how mid-size firms contribute to an attorney’s growth and development in the legal profession.

Panelists include Roxanne E. Covington of Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer & Toddy, P.C; Roberta D. Liebenberg of Fine Kaplan & Black, R.P.C.; David B. Pudlin of Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin; and Stella M. Tsai of Archer & Greiner, P.C. Chancellor A. Michael Pratt will serve as moderator.

The program begins at 4 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. A light snack and beverages will be provided to all attendees. Click here to RSVP.

Sections, Committees Plan Year-End Events

The Association's Sections and Committees have scheduled their annual holiday events. The following is a partial list of events.

• The Public Interest Section Annual Reception and Awards Ceremony is Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. Tickets are $55.

• The Criminal Justice Section Annual Reception is Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. Tickets are $45 for Section members.

• The Tax Section Annual Meeting and CLE program is Thursday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at The Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square. Click here for more information.

• The Bankruptcy Committee and the Philadelphia chapters of TMA and CFA will hold their annual networking event on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St. Tickets are $120 and can be purchased online by clicking here.

• The LGBT Rights Committee will hold its Annual Holiday Party on Wednesday, Dec. 17, where the Cheryl Ingram Advocate for Justice Award will be presented to Stephen A. Glassman. The event will be held in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend, but you must RSVP by clicking here.

•The Minorities in the Profession Committee will hold its Holiday Reception on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Law students are welcome and encouraged to attend. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Click here to RSVP.

Eagles in the Playoffs? They'll Need Help

By Jeff Lyons

The Philadelphia Eagles are still alive. The pulse is faint and they need help from many other teams, but the Eagles are still in position to make the NFL playoffs.

After watching that awful tie with the Bengals and the 36-7 blowout loss to the Ravens, I thought for sure that this team was dead. Brian Westbrook was hurting, Donovan McNabb was ineffective and the defense was invisible. But then the Arizona Cardinals came to town and the Eagles did their impersonation of the mythical phoenix by crushing the Cards, 48-20. On Sunday, the Eagles outran (yes, outran) the Super Bowl champion New York Giants with a convincing 20-14 win. The defense did not allow a touchdown against the Giants until the game was well in hand and Westbrook rushed for 131 yards.

It seems like the resurgence has coincided with a commitment by coach Andy Reid to run the ball more. A more balanced attack keeps opposing defenses guessing, allowing the usually pass-happy Eagles to score more. There's no way Reid abandons the passing game altogether, but with the resurgence of the run, he'd be a fool to switch. A wise man once said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The Eagles will have to win their next three games to make the playoffs. They should easily handle the truly awful Cleveland Browns at home on Monday night, but that's what everyone thought about the Bengals game. They close out the season in Washington against the Redskins on Dec. 21 and at home against the Cowboys on Dec. 28. The Redskins have lost four of their last five and Dallas quarterback Tony Romo showed his aversion to important December games by coughing up a loss to the Steelers on Sunday.

Baseball's winter meetings have arrived and the Phillies are shopping for pitching help and a left fielder. They also might consider a utility player to take Chase Utley's place while the all-star recovers from hip surgery. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jim Salisbury reported today that the Phils could be involved in a multi-team trade that would net them Mark DeRosa of the Chicago Cubs, with the Phillies possibly dealing young left-hander J.A. Happ. I hate this idea. You don't trade starting pitchers with upside for utility players coming off career years and one year left on a contract. Jason Donald is ready for the big leagues and should be fine filling in for Utley.

And since the Phillies don't appear to want left fielder Pat Burrell back, I’d much rather see a young arm get dealt for a powerful right-handed bat for the outfield. If the Phillies can work out a new contract for Jamie Moyer, I'd even encourage the team to trade pitcher Brett Myers and either Happ or Carlos Carrasco for that big bat. I still think Myers is a head case who should be traded while his value is high.

And while I'm playing general manager, I’d get the Flyers a new No. 1 goaltender. Marty Biron drives me crazy with his puck-handling, which often results in turnovers and goals. How about Biron, young sensation Claude Giroux and defenseman Randy Jones to Florida for goalie Tomas Voukon? Goaltending will keep the Flyers from winning the Stanley Cup.

Jeff Lyons, a fanatical Philadelphia sports fan, is senior managing editor of the Philadelphia Bar Reporter and The Philadelphia Lawyer. His e-mail address is jlyons@philabar.org.

Chancellor's Reception Jan. 6

All members of the legal community are invited to attend a complimentary reception on Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. in honor of Sayde J. Ladov, 82nd Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

The Chancellor's Reception will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets. No reservations are necessary.

This is the event at which even the city's busiest and most successful legal luminaries patiently wait in line to wish their leader and each other good luck in the year ahead.

Association Launches Web Publication

The Philadelphia Bar Association has launched Upon Further Review, a new web publication that will link lawyers to local legal news and analysis.

Upon Further Review, written entirely by lawyers, for lawyers, provides members with an online package of information that addresses your most relevant needs.

Each month, Upon Further Review will showcase a major feature article on a relevant topic. A variety of news and analysis that covers all aspects of the law – from trends to trials, from case analysis to opinion pieces, will be published. There is also a package of RSS feeds that link legal news from a variety of key sources, from local sites like philly.com and the Philadelphia Business Journal to national sites like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Click here to read Upon Further Review.

Arts and the Future of Philadelphia Dec. 11

The Young Lawyers Division will present a discussion on the importance of the arts to the future of Philadelphia on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Panelists include Karen B. Davis, president and chief executive officer, Arts and Business Counsel; Derek A. Gillman, executive director and president of the Barnes Foundation; and Rachel Zimmerman, artist and founder, InLiquid.

The program begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $7.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.