Nominations Sought for YLD Executive Committee

The Young Lawyers Division is now accepting nominations from any voting member of the YLD interested in serving a three-year term on the Executive Committee. This year's YLD Executive Committee election will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

For those wishing to learn more about the YLD and the election process, an information session will be held on Monday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m. in the 11th Floor Conference Center of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St. This is a free event for members of the YLD, however registration is required in advance. Click here to register.

Each year, seven new members are elected to the YLD Executive Committee. Any voting member of the YLD is eligible for election provided that the term of office for which the individual runs shall not extend beyond his or her membership in the Division. A member is eligible if he/she is 37 years old or younger in the year 2017 or, if he/she is older than 37, not celebrating more than his/her third year of practice in 2017.

The Executive Committee manages and directs the business and activities of the YLD's approximately 3,000 members, including oversight of more than 30 committees in the areas of public service, law-related education and service to the legal community. Being on the YLD Executive Committee provides lawyers opportunities for leadership, networking, and personal and professional growth early in their careers.

The nominating petition and personal statement must be returned to Dawn Petit, Meetings Coordinator, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or dpetit@philabar.org, no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10.

Insurance Commissioner to Speak Sept. 17

Pennsylvania Insurance Department Commissioner Michael F. Consedine will be the featured speaker at the Wednesday, Sept. 17 meeting of the Committee on Insurance Practice.

Consedine was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett to serve as insurance commissioner and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate on April 26, 2011. The insurance commissioner is entrusted with enforcing the insurance laws of Pennsylvania, including protecting consumers and monitoring the financial solvency of Pennsylvania domestic insurance companies. Pennsylvania is the 5th largest insurance market in the United States, in terms of premium volume, and the 14th largest insurance market in the world.

Lunch and registration begin at 12 p.m. in the 11th Floor Conference Center at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St. The program has been approved for 1 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. Click here to register for CLE credit.

Lunch is available for $8 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association and $12 for non-members. Cancellations require 24 hour notice. Click here to register for lunch.

Register by Sept. 19, Save $70 on Bench-Bar at Borgata

Association members who register for for the 2014 Bench-Bar & Annual Conference on Oct. 17-18 at Borgata in Atlantic City, N.J. before Sept. 19 can save $70! A total of 8.5 continuing legal education credits will be available at the conference. Click here to register.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille will receive the Philadelphia Bar Association's highest honor, the Bar Medal, at the Bench-Bar's Opening Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 17. The Bar Medal is given at the discretion of the Chancellor and only when it is felt that someone has contributed to the justice system and/or the community in a manner that is sustained, extraordinary and worthy of emulation.

The Bench-Bar & Annual Conference provides attendees the opportunity to earn continuing legal education (CLE) credit while networking with colleagues and members of the bench. Hundreds of attorneys and judges are expected to attend.

Full conference early-bird registration rates are $379 for members and $229 for Young Lawyers Division members, public interest and government attorneys. Registration for non-members is $529. Early bird registration is available until Friday, Sept. 19. Registration includes all CLE programing and all sponsored meals and events on Friday and Saturday. After Sept. 19, registration rates increase by $70.

Special Borgata hotel room rates are available for Conference attendees. A rate of $189 (plus tax) for a king room is available Friday, Oct. 17 and a limited number of king rooms are available at $109 (plus tax) Thursday, Oct. 16 and $249 (plus tax) for Saturday, Oct. 18. You must be a registered attendee of the Conference to receive this group rate. Once you are registered for the Conference, you will receive instructions on how to reserve your room.

Rochelle M. Fedullo, a partner with Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP and Projects and Programming Advisor to the Chancellor, is chair of the 2014 Bench-Bar & Annual Conference.

Sponsors for the 2014 Bench-Bar & Annual Conference include USI Affinity, LawCash, Love Court Reporting, Inc., First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Insurance Adjustment Bureau, JAMS The Resolution Experts, LexisNexis, Robson Forensic, Simon Public Relations, Bellia Print & Design, CourtCall LLC, Family Law Section, FindLaw, MCS E-Document Service, MediaSmack, Pain Management & MRI, ParenteBeard, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc., Robert Half Legal, US Legal Support, Widener University School of Law, Workers' Compensation Section and The Legal Intelligencer. For sponsorship information, contact Tracey McCloskey at 215-238-6360 or tmccloskey@philabar.org.

Personal Branding-Social Media Workshop Sept. 19

Do you want to create or improve your LinkedIn presence? If so, the ABA Women Rainmakers Fall 2014 workshop, "The Intersection of Personal Branding and Social Media: Harnessing the Power of LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand," will help you strategically construct a compelling LinkedIn profile that reflects your personal brand and will show you how to leverage the power of LinkedIn to enhance your career.

In this interactive moderated program, you will learn the steps to effectively turn your LinkedIn presence into a showcase of your personal brand, highlighting your interests, experience, and skills. Women lawyers at every career stage and in every firm size will leave the workshop with practical tips to better focus their LinkedIn efforts to raise their professional profile.

The workshop will be held Friday, Sept. 19 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, P.C., 2000 Market St., in the 2000 Market St. Conference Center. The program is free to all attendees and lunch will be provided.

Photo I.D. is required by building security, so please check in at the reception desk. Staff will direct you to the Conference Center. In addition, please bring a copy of your registration confirmation as well as business cards to exchange. Space is limited, so please reserve your place and register now.

Sign Up for Oct. 1 Home Run Derby at The Law Star Game

Batter up! Register now for your chance to compete in The Law Star Game Home Run Derby sponsored by Thomson Reuters Corporate Division. Each participant will get five swings per entry to hit as many home runs as possible. Hitters will swing against Don Chalphin, advertising director at The Legal Intelligencer, who also has a 25-year high arch and fast-pitch career with more than 200 strikeouts, so bring your A-game. Only 20 people will get a chance at bat, so register now for just $25. Fences are 300 feet from home plate, and participants must arrive by 5 p.m. The Home Run Derby will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. and run until 6:30 p.m.

As part of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation's 50th Anniversary, the winner will receive 50 percent of the winnings, with the other 50 percent going to the Foundation. If there is a tie, and time permitting, a tie-breaker will be held, otherwise the winnings will be split among the hitters with the most home runs.

Registration closes on Wednesday, Sept. 24, but spots are sure to fill up fast, so reserve your chance now to hit a home run in the stadium with the best view of the Philadelphia skyline, the Riversharks Campbell's Field. Remember, only 20 lucky participants will get a chance to bat in a professional stadium, so sign up today.

You must be a registered attendee/player/sponsor to sign up for the Home Run Derby. If you already registered, please contact Dawn Petit at 215-238-6367 or dpetit@philabar.org. If you have not yet registered as an attendee and would like to participate in the Home Run Derby or register for one of the available bus transportation times, please select "Attendee - Over 21," then scroll down to the "Click here to register additional attendees" button after going to www.philadelphiabar.org. That will allow you to sign up for additional items.

The YLD Law Star Game with The Legal Intelligencer features Firm Counsel vs. In-House Counsel. Between innings, kids can compete in Tug of War, Running the Bases with Riversharks mascots Hammerhead and Finley, dodge ball toss and potato sack races. Friends, families and kids of all ages can take part in the speed pitch, carousel and Kid Zone including a moon bounce, rock-climbing wall, inflatable Skee-Ball, and inflatable sports challenge (football toss, soccer kick and basketball shot). At the beginning of each sponsored inning a lucky spectator will be selected to win a great prize. Souvenirs will be launched to fans with Riversharks slingshot toss.

For fans 21 and over, admission is $15 and includes a choice of a jumbo hot dog, chicken fingers, or hamburger and includes chips, a soda, and one beer. An optional food/drink voucher for those under age 21 is available for $8 and includes a choice of a jumbo hot dog, chicken fingers, or hamburger and includes chips and a soda. For attendees under 21, admission is free but no food voucher is included. Concessions will be open to purchase additional items during the game.

Bus transportation to and from Campbell's Field is also available for $5, with pickups at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on 12th Street between Filbert and Market streets, next to the Marriott. Buses will return to Philadelphia immediately following the fireworks at the end of the game. Reservations are required for bus transportation. Click here for bus reservations.

The In-House Counsel team, managed by Dechert LLP, includes players from AmeriHealth Caritas, DC Consulting, Johnson Matthey, Inc., AMTRAK, Open Systems Technologies, Inc., Penske, Inc., PHH Mortgage Corporation, QlikTech, Inc., SAP America, Inc., Sunoco, Inc., Teleflex, The Graham Company and Title Resource Group, Inc.

The Law Firm team, managed by The Center for Forensic Economic Studies, includes players from Blank Rome LLP; Cozen O'Connor; Fox Rothschild LLP; German, Gallagher & Murtagh, P.C.; Martin LLC; McCarter & English LLP; Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, LLP; Pepper Hamilton LLP; Post & Schell, P.C.; Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.; and White and Williams LLP.

The gates at Campbell's Field open at 5 p.m. with full access to all ballpark activities. The Home Run Derby begins at 5:30 p.m. and the seven-inning Law Star Game begins at 6:30 p.m. A fireworks display will follow the final out. Click here to purchase tickets.

PA Marriage Equality CLE Sept. 23

The LGBT Rights Committee will present the CLE program "PA Marriage Equality - A New Dawn" on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

This one-hour CLE recounts the remarkable outcome of the Whitewood case which brought same-sex marriage equality to Pennsylvania. In addition, experts of this field will deliver guidance on how to counsel LGBT couples planning to marry and how marriage equality may or may not impact estate planning, divorce and family formation. Finally, the potential for national marriage equality will be explored.

Lunch and registration begin at 12 p.m. in the 11th Floor Conference Center at the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St. The program has been approved for 1 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. Click here to register for CLE credit.

Lunch is available for $8 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association and $12 for non-members. Cancellations require 24 hour notice. Click here to register for lunch.

Applicants Sought for Board Observer Program

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation, in partnership with the Young Lawyers Division and the Delivery of Legal Services Committee, has developed the Board Observer Program.

This initiative that gives young lawyers practicing in Philadelphia the opportunity to learn more about local public interest legal services organizations and to develop leadership skills necessary to serve on the boards of such organizations as well as succeed in their careers.

Applications for the 2014-15 program are now being accepted and must be submitted by Sept. 26, 2014. For the Board Observer overview and application, please visit philabarfoundation.org/about.

Applicants Sought for FJD Judicial Fellowship Program

Philadelphia judges are seeking to host law school graduates as judicial fellows to provide the graduates with substantive legal experience while benefitting the court system with additional legal talent, as part of the First Judicial District's Judicial Fellowship Program. Now entering its fourth year, the Judicial Fellowship Program was created in 2011 to address the difficult hiring climate for lawyers that many recent law graduates were facing.

The Judicial Fellowship Program aims to provide high-caliber law graduates with substantive experience in the law, and to support the Court in carrying out key functions. Fellows volunteer their time, have the same responsibilities as regular paid judicial law clerks, and gain the benefit of training by judges in the Philadelphia courts. Judicial fellows' service helps our high-volume court system maintain its superior quality of service to the Philadelphia community. Judges help judicial fellows by mentoring and providing legal experience that will enhance their competitiveness for paid employment as new lawyers.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Lisa M. Rau developed the program with help from Professor Chapin Cimino of the Drexel University School of Law as well as faculty and administrators from career services offices at the University of Pennsylvania's Law School and Temple's Beasley School of Law. The Judicial Fellowship Program quickly expanded and now welcomes graduates from law schools from across the country. The Philadelphia Bar Association is a supporter of the Judicial Fellowship Program.

The application process is streamlined and selective. Prospective judicial fellows apply directly via email to judges with whom they are interest in working. Judges select judicial fellows from those applicants who apply to them directly. The list of judges with available positions for judicial fellows is provided on the Judicial Fellowship Program's website. Each judge and fellow team designs a flexible schedule (minimum of 20 hours per week) that ensures reliable service to the judge but permits the fellow to seek a paid position elsewhere. Judicial fellows do not commit to any length of service enabling them to leave the fellowship with two weeks' notice to their judge upon obtaining paid employment.

During the first three years of the program, more than 50 judges volunteered to host judicial fellows and the Court hosted 149 judicial fellows from 30 different law schools. As of February 2014, the vast majority of judicial fellows (approximately 84 percent) who left their fellowship departed for paid jobs using their legal skills.

For additional information and fellowship application forms, please visit www.courts.phila.gov/jfp

Ginsburg Essay Entry Deadline is October 3

Entries are now being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2014 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Pursuit of Justice Legal Writing Competition.

Candidates may submit a law review quality submission on any topic relating to rights, privileges and responsibilities under federal law. The Bar Association recognizes the importance of excellence in legal analysis and writing skills, and seeks to award a student enrolled in an American Bar Association-approved or provisionally approved Philadelphia-area law school for authoring a top-quality Competition submission. Entries must be received by Friday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.

This Competition is open to full- and part-time law students who are in their second or third year of study during the 2013-14 academic year at one of the following six institutions: Drexel University School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Rutgers University School of Law – Camden, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Villanova University School of Law and Widener University School of Law (Delaware Campus). Part-time law students in their third or later year of study also are eligible. Students must be in good standing at their institutions.

The submission may not have been published previously, although it may have been prepared in connection with a law school course or for a law journal. The submission also may not have been submitted for any other competition during the time when it is under consideration for this Competition, until after the time when awards are announced. The submission must be the work of one author alone (joint submissions will not be considered), and the author must certify that the submission has been prepared without substantial editing from others.

The chair of the Competition is Thomas H. Chiacchio Jr.

The author of the winning submission will receive a cash award of $2,500. The essay will be published in The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine, on the Bar Association's website and/or in an appropriate Bar Association publication. The winner will be invited to the Annual Meeting of the Bar Association, at which time the award will be presented.

Essays must be submitted in electronic form via email to dpetit@philabar.org unless submission of a hard copy is requested and approved. Requests for submission of a hard copy should be made by emailing dpetit@philabar.org or by calling (215) 238-6367. Click here to download the competition rules.

Volunteer Judges Needed for IP LawMeet in Oct.

The IP LawMeet is the premier lawyering competition for students contemplating a transactional practice focused on IP. It is a transactional "moot court" - a live, interactive, educational competition designed to give law students a hands-on experience to develop and hone their transactional lawyering skills. This year the East Coast Regional Meet will be in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania Law School on Oct. 17. Students will compete in teams to draft, mark-up and then fly in to Philadelphia from all over the country to negotiate a client deal around an IP issue. This year's issue is a copyright license between a movie studio and an online gaming company.

Being a judge allows you to have an impact in a very direct way on the IP practitioners of tomorrow. These students have very few similar opportunities to get unvarnished, constructive feedback on their drafting and negotiating skills that will not impact their grades or their career. We are looking for practitioners that will be able and willing to offer advice on ethics, strategy and performance that will help young practitioners serve their future clients and the profession well. Click here for more information or contact dahl@law.upenn.edu.

ACE Program Annual Meeting, CLE Sept. 24

Attorneys from the Philadelphia area will join judges and leaders of the Philadelphia legal community on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 12 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute in the Wanamaker Building at 100 East Penn Square for the Advancing Civic Education (ACE) Program's second Annual Meeting and CLE. The program has been approved for two hours of Continuing Legal Education credit for Pennsylvania attorneys, one hour of ethics and one hour of substantive law. The CLE credits are free courtesy of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Click here to register.

Launched in 2008 by the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association, ACE is a program in partnership with Philadelphia public schools and the National Constitution Center that brings teams of volunteer lawyers and judges into 5th grade and high school classrooms to provide supplemental civics education, including the fundamental principles of citizenship, democracy and dispute resolution.

More than 150 volunteer attorneys and judges have already participated in ACE, with 14 high schools and three elementary schools being touched by the program. In 2013, the Philadelphia Bar Association announced expansion of the program into local library branches during the Free Library of Philadelphia’s summer literacy program.

At the Sept. 24 event, attorneys and other participants will review the history of the ACE program, followed by a day of activities and programming based on the theme "Practical Methods to Inform Juveniles about Constitutional Rights and Limitations." The program will take an in-depth look at legal precedents concerning search and seizure in schools, a lawyer's responsibility to take part in pro bono representation, and logistics concerning such representation. Following this, volunteers will break into four groups to demonstrate lessons concerning law and civic education. Click here to register.