Law Week: Volunteer for Lawyer for a Day, Goldilocks Trial, Lawyer in the Classroom

Volunteers are needed for three of the Young Lawyers Division's signature Law Week events, Lawyer for a Day, the Goldilocks Trial and Lawyer in the Classroom during the last week of April.

• Lawyer for a Day (Thursday, April 30) pairs high school students with volunteer attorneys who show them the real practice of law. Small student groups are paired off to spend the morning with attorneys and observe real trials in City Hall, Family Court and the Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice. The students then enjoy a luncheon at the Philadelphia Bar Association where they are able to describe and compare their experiences in an open forum and hear from a well-known keynote speaker. To volunteer, please contact shabrei.parker@gmail.com.

• During the Goldilocks program (Friday, May 1), second-graders from around the city are invited to City Hall to attend the trials of Goldilocks, Big Bad Wolf and Jack (of Beanstalk fame). Volunteers are needed to act in these trials. The event will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. To volunteer, contact mforeman@alumni.law.upenn.edu.

• Lawyer in the Classroom (Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29) connects classes of elementary through high school students with volunteer attorneys who will share insights about the practice of law to encourage the students to consider pursing a legal career. To volunteer, please contact keely_stewart@campbellsoup.com.

• Legal Advice Live (Monday, April 27) needs volunteers to offer legal advice at The Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch, 1901 Vine St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are also needed at South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., West Philadelphia High School, 4901 Chestnut St., and Dobbins High School, 2150 W. Lehigh Ave. from 5 to 7 p.m. The School District has asked for lawyers that have some knowledge of expungement, family law (custody/child support), housing/eviction, special education law (students with IEPs) and immigration/undocumented citizens. To volunteer for Legal Advice Live, contact Katie Bailey at Katie.Bailey@dbr.com or Grant Berger at grant.berger@fnf.com.

YLD Sponsors Essay Contest for High School Juniors, Seniors

Entries are now being accepted for the 2015 Edward F. Chacker Essay Contest. A $1,000 college scholarship will be awarded to a Philadelphia high school junior or senior (public, private, parochial or charter school) who writes the winning essay on the question: The Voting Rights Act is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. If you were chosen to advise soon-to-be U.S. citizens at their naturalization ceremony, what would you tell them is the greatest success of the Voting Rights Act over the last 50 years?

Entries must be received by Friday, April 17 at 12 p.m. Essays will be judged on merit, with adherence to the above theme being a significant criterion for judging. Essays should be at least 1,000 words and typed or printed legibly. Please include your name, address, telephone number and school on a cover sheet accompanying your essay. Essay titles will not count toward the word requirement.

Mail or email essays to: Jeff Lyons, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or chackeressay@philabar.org.

The winner will be invited to read their winning essay at the Naturalization Ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia on Friday, May 1. The Edward F. Chacker Essay Contest is sponsored by the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

YLD Law Week Poster Contest Open to 4th, 5th, 6th Graders

Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students from Philadelphia public, private, parochial and charter elementary schools are invited to create a poster depicting the 2014 Law Week poster theme
"What can you do to help make sure everyone has the right to vote?"

First prize is a $125 gift card; second prize receives a $50 gift card and third prize is a $25 gift card. All entries must be received by Friday, April 17, 2015 at 12 p.m.

Posters should be produced on standard 22''X 28'' poster board. Include your name, address, telephone number and school on the back of the poster. Submit posters during business hours to: Jeff Lyons, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107

The Law Week Poster Contest is sponsored by the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. All posters become property of the Philadelphia Bar Association once received.

How Does Design Influence Profitability, Viability

Join Marty Festenstein, principal and Legal Practice Group co-leader at NELSON, at the Philadelphia Bar Association's "X, Y, Z's of Real Estate Program Series" with Carol Huff on Wednesday, April 22 for "How Does Design Influence Profitability and Viability for the Legal Workplace of the Future?"

The discussion will detail the business factors that need to be identified to create a more flexible legal workplace for both today and the future.

The program begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th Floor Conference at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St. There is no cost to attend this program. Lunch is available for $9 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association and $12 for non-members. Click here to register for lunch.

Barristers' Scholarship, Awards Gala May 16

The Barristers' Association of Philadelphia will honor the Pennsylvania Innocence Project and Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Lillian H. Ransom at its Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala on Saturday, May 16.

The Pennsylvania Innocence Project will be presented with the Cecil B. Moore Award and Judge Ransom will receive the A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. Award. Prince Atlee Thomas will receive the J. Austin Norris Award.

The black-tie gala will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Top of the Tower, 1717 Arch St., 50th Floor. Click here to purchase tickets.

For more information, contact Shabrei Parker at shabrei.parker@gmail.com.

Membership Renewal Deadline Extended to April 15

Philadelphia Bar Association members can take advantage of an extended membership renewal deadline of Wednesday, April 15 to avoid a $15 late fee.

Advantages of Philadelphia Bar Association membership include:

• Networking and Potential Referral Sources. Network with attorneys in more than 50 practice areas at hundreds of annual events that fit any schedule. Attend daily Section or Committee breakfast or lunch programs, panel presentations, evening receptions and special events and meet other lawyers who can help open the door to business development opportunities.

• A "Voice" in Strengthening Your Profession. Help enhance your area of practice by participating in meetings with government and administrative agency officials, key court personnel and elected officials to discuss proposed changes in the law or rules of practice. Work side-by-side with judges on critical issues to improve the administration of justice.

• Leadership Opportunities. Join the leadership ranks of our Section executive committees, chair one of more than 100 standing Committees, lead a community service project or charitable event, or run for elected office as a line officer.

• Byline Opportunities. Enhance your marketing plan by having your articles or commentary published in The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine or the Philadelphia Bar Reporter newspaper, reaching 13,000 lawyers each month.

• Community Service Opportunities. Whether you are interested in giving your time, talent or treasure, there are many ways for you to serve our community. From supporting charitable organizations to leading volunteer events, there are a plethora of opportunities for you to take advantage of. Additional benefits include: Insurance brokerage services through USI Affinity®; discounts on hundreds of Association events, and CLE courses offered through PBI; award-winning print and digital publications; a legislative program to champion your interests to lawmakers in City Hall, Harrisburg and Washington; professional guidance on ethics issues; fee dispute services; access to the Office of Diversity, which serves as a resource for local affinity bar associations, law firms, corporate law departments and law schools; Bar Classifieds and Lawyer Profiles; list serve access; discounted tickets to cultural institutions; and much more.

We remain committed to supporting public interest organizations through our charitable arm, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Your annual dues statement suggests an additional contribution to be made to the Foundation.

Our reputation and emphasis on professional and community service for 213 years is based on our commitment to excellence. It is through this Association that we uphold the time-honored tradition and proud reputation of the "Philadelphia Lawyer." Renew your membership by April 15 and save $15. Contact Member Services Manager Andrea Morris at 215-238-6313 for more information.

Entering New World of Real Estate CLE April 17

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) is probably the most important piece of federal legislation affecting residential real estate transactions. Since 2010, RESPA has undergone two major revisions, and many of related laws like the lending laws and the Truth in Lending Act have also experienced remarkable and provocative changes.

As of Aug. 1, new residential loans will fall under the most recent changes. PBI's April 17 panel "RESPA -Entering the New World of Real Estate" will help you navigate the murky waters of the laws and regulations governing residential real estate transactions.

Six substantive and 1 ethics CLE credits are available for this program, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at The CLE Conference Center on the 10th Floor of the Wanamaker Building, Market and Juniper streets. Click here to register.