Candidates Sought for YLD Executive Committee; Deadline is Oct. 29

Pursuant to the YLD Bylaws, every year seven new members are elected to serve three-year terms on the Executive Committee. This year's Election will take place on Dec. 8, 2008, in conjunction with the Association's Annual Meeting. The deadline for submitting your material is 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008.

Any Voting Member of the Division shall be eligible for election to the Executive Committee provided, however, that the term of office for which the individual runs shall not extend beyond his or her membership in the Division. You are eligible if you are 37 years of age or less in the year 2011, or if you are older than 37, you will not be celebrating more than your third year of practice in 2011. The Nominating Petition and Personal Statement must be returned to the offices of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. At 5 p.m. that same day, we will have an information meeting in the 10th Floor Board Room at the Bar Association where ballot positions will be drawn.

If you have any questions regarding the Executive Committee, or the election process, please feel free to contact Tracey McCloskey, Director of Meetings and Special Events, at 215-238-6360. Click here for a copy of a nominating petition. For a copy of the personal statement form, click here.

Diversity Training - Networking Oct. 23

The Chancellor's Diversity Training Series continues on Thursday, Oct. 23 with a session on networking. This workshop is intended to help attendees learn about the importance of networking and attending networking events, and how to become an effective networker...READ MORE

Purchase Tickets Online for Oct. 20 Quarterly Meeting

Tickets are available online for the Association's Oct. 20 Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Albert W. Sheppard will receive the Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award and Roberta D. Liebenberg will be presented with the Sandra Day O'Connor Award. A panel of women executives from across Philadelphia will discuss the role and future of female leaders at the event. Click here to order tickets.

Moderated by CBS 3 Eyewitness News evening weekend anchor, Mary Stoker Smith, panelists include Dr. Arlene Ackerman, CEO/superintendent, School District of Philadelphia; Nina M. Gussack, chair, executive committee, Pepper Hamilton LLP; Tara Weiner, managing partner of the Philadelphia office of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP; and Ahmeenah Young, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.

The October Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon will be held at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets, beginning at 12 p.m. Tickets are $55 for members and $60 for non-members. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Chancellor's Diversity Training Series Oct. 23

The Chancellor's Diversity Training Series continues on Thursday, Oct. 23 with a session on networking. This workshop is intended to help attendees learn about the importance of networking and attending networking events, and how to become an effective networker.

The program will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the 11th Floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Click here to register. There is no charge to attend this program.

Upcoming seminars in the Chancellor's Diversity Training Series include:

• Navigating the Partnership Track - Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. This workshop is intended to help attendees learn about the legal and other professional skills and abilities needed, as well as the practical steps that can be taken to advance to the partnership level.

• Transitioning from Government to Private Practice - Thursday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. This workshop is intended to help attendees learn about legal and other professional skills and abilities needed, as well as the practical steps that can be taken to move from practicing law in the public sphere to a private firm.

• Life at a Mid-Size Firm - Dec. 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. This workshop is intended to help attendees learn about working at mid-size firms. 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.

Associate Dissatisfaction - Myth or Reality Oct. 27

The Law Practice Management Division will present "Associate Dissatisfaction: Myth or Reality" on Monday, Oct. 27.

After first examining just how prevalent - or not - the problem is inside of law firms, we will take a look at recently conducted surveys and studies to gain a grasp of the issues raised by associates. Then, we will analyze how much "fault" or blame lies with the firms and how much might lie with the associates, themselves. Finally, we will work together to identify practical responses to the challenges of associate dissatisfaction. There will be ample time for questions and answers, along with input from all in attendance. The presenters for the program are Bradford W. Hildebrandt, a consultant to law firms, and Joseph A. Gerber, a partner at Cozen O'Connor.

The program begins at 4 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. A reception will follow. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited and registration is required. Click here to RSVP.

YLD Panel on Casinos Oct. 17

The Young Lawyers Division will present a panel discussion on casino zoning law issues, the Louis DeNaples situation and licenses being issued by the gaming board at a Friday, Oct. 17 program.

Panelists include Adrian R. King Jr. of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP; Matt Ruben of Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association; City Solicitor Shelley R. Smith; Stephen Schrier of Blank Rome, LLP; and Mark Stewart of WolfBlock. The program will be moderated by James Eisenhower.

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 who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

YLD Family Fall Festival Oct. 19 at Zoo

The Young Lawyers Division will hold its 2008 Family Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 Girard Ave.

Admission includes all-day access to the zoo between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The YLD Family Fall Festival event will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Peacock Pavilion and includes a picnic BBQ with dessert. Access to Pavilion is available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Admission is $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 are admitted for free. Activities include the Zoo on Wheels from 12 to 2 p.m. and face painting from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Children are encouraged to dress in costume. Click here to purchase tickets for this event.

Phanatical - Phils Just One Win from World Series

By Jeff Lyons

This column had a very different tone to it when I sat down to write it last night. In this space, I was going to talk about the invisibility of Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins in the National League Championship Series. I'll get to that later. But that's what happens when you start writing before the game is over.

But thanks to two swings of the bat by Shane Victorino and Matt Stairs, the Phillies are one win away from the World Series. Victorino lined a home run into the right field bullpen in the 8th inning. Later in the inning, Stairs, doing what he does best, absolutely crushed a pitch deep into the seats in right to give the Phils a 7-5 lead. General manager Pat Gillick traded for Stairs for this exact situation. Brad Lidge got the last four outs of the game for the save and the Phils can now hand the ball to Cole Hamels to close out the series with the Dodgers on Wednesday night and return to the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Rollins and Howard have a total of five hits in 33 at bats and one RBI between them in the NLCS. That's not the way former MVPs are supposed to play. At least Rollins is playing well defensively. Howard's throwing error last night could've been disastrous had it not been for the late-night heroics of Victorino and Stairs.

It's amazing that the Phillies are where they are with the way these two MVPs have been underperforming. Rollins said last night that in the past, the team would've looked to one player to come to the rescue. Not anymore. There are so many weapons on this team - Chase Utley, Jayson Werth, Victorino and Greg Dobbs – that when Rollins and Howard struggle, others can pick up the slack. Rollins is one bunt base hit away from igniting a rally to send the Phils deeper into October. At least Howard is making contact and not striking out every other at bat.

Chad Billingsley is scheduled to start for the Dodgers tomorrow night. The Phillies roughed him up early in the series. I wouldn't be surprised to see Los Angeles manager Joe Torre make a change and give the start to grizzled veteran Greg Maddux. He's a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer with plenty of playoff experience.

The Negadelphian in me started writing this column too early last night. Negadelphians are Philly sports fans who expect the worst so they won't be disappointed when it eventually happens. But there’s something about this team that's making me believe. I'd love to see the Phillies win the NL pennant at Citizens Bank Park in front of 45,000 screaming zealots. But I'd be happier with a win tomorrow night in L.A. There’s no need to extend this series any longer than necessary.

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