DUE MONDAY: Nominations for YLD Peretta, Perry Awards

The deadline for nominations for the F. Sean Peretta Service Award and the Craig M. Perry Service Award, both presented at the YLD Annual Meeting, is fast approaching. Interested parties have until next Monday, Feb. 7, to submit their nominations.

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 Monday, Feb. 7. 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.

New and Improved YLD Bootcamp, Feb. 18; Just $10

Law students and new attorneys will receive practical and fundamental knowledge on the intricacies of the legal profession at the second annual “YLD Bootcamp: Tactics, Tips and Tricks for Law Students and New Lawyers," presented by the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association on Feb. 18 from 12-5:30 p.m. at Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor. The cost is just $10.

Last year's inaugural event welcomed more than 120 attendees and was described as ""wonderful," "well-executed" and "interesting." The 2011 version will be even better, with more focused panels, lengthier breaks for concentrated networking, dedicated Q&A sessions, and a revamped concluding social event.

In three streamlined sessions, experienced attorneys will speak on alternate career paths, thriving at a first job in a down economy, and considerations when starting a small firm or solo practice. A final, fourth session will feature a panel of judges offering inside tips. The program will conclude with a social event featuring a short networking presentation, beverages and appetizers.

Register here. Stay tuned for more details.

Help Students Follow Their Passion for the Law: Sign Up Now as a Volunteer Judge or Coach for the 2011 Mock Trial Competition

The YLD is once again teaming up with Temple University Beasley School of Law to host the 2011 John S. Bradway High School Mock Trial Competition and needs volunteers to act as judges and coaches. Each spring, students from approximately 50 public, private, and parochial schools are given the opportunity play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a fictitious criminal or civil case, focusing on real legal issues. The top two teams from Philadelphia go on to the state championship where they compete to move onto the national championship.

Interested in Judging?
Being a volunteer is a truly rewarding experience and provides a great service to the students. Only 2-3 hours of your time is needed. If you have volunteered in the past, we thank you and hope that you will do so again this year. If you have not yet volunteered for the event, we encourage you to do so. Just complete the form HERE. Please direct any questions to Kristy Littman at littmanak@sec.gov or Joe Guzzardo at jguzzardo@wglaw.com.

Interested in Coaching?
There is also still some schools that do not yet have attorney coaches. Like acting as a judge, volunteering to coach requires a commitment of as little as a few hours a week for the final month leading up to the competition. We need coaches for schools in various neighborhoods, but particularly in Northeast and Northwest Philadelphia. Anyone interested in coaching should contact Joshu Harris at jlh67@georgetown.edu.

Please remember, volunteer judges and coaches need not have any litigation experience to make a huge impact in a short time on Philadelphia high school students. Legal training and experience of any kind is an invaluable resource to students as they work to master the basics of persuasive advocacy and legal reasoning. With hundreds of student competitors, the John S. Bradway High School Mock Trial Competition's success depends upon the support of the entire legal community. Volunteer today!

Click here to view this year's Case Materials.

THURSDAY: Behind the Scenes of the Marian Anderson Museum

Join the Philadelphia Bar Academy for a special curated tour of the 19th century home of America's greatest contralto singer of the 20th century, Marian Anderson, this Thursday, Feb. 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
This unique wine-and-cheese event will feature a live performance by a Marian Anderson Fellow. The Marian Anderson Residence Museum has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The event is co-sponsored by the Association's Diversity in the Profession Committee.

Anderson became an important figure in the struggle for African-American artists to overcome racial prejudice in the United States during the mid-20th century. The Marian Anderson Residence Museum is located at 762 South Marian Anderson Way (South Martin Street - between 19th and 20th and Fitzwater and Catherine streets). The cost is $15 per person. The event is open to members of the Philadelphia Bar Association only. Register HERE. Registration is limited and required in advance.

The Philadelphia Bar Association Academy provide s civic and cultural educational experiences that allow for enhanced business development opportunities to members of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Academy programs provide a unique entry to the city's most vibrant institutions and leaders, offering Association members behind-the-scenes access to these institutions in a manner designed to benefit all participants.

Public Interest Training Programs Scheduled

• The Public Interest/Public Service Career Fair Reception will be held Feb. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Fox Rothschild LLP, 2000 Market St., 20th Floor, Philadelphia. This cocktail reception is free and will provide an opportunity to meet employers, public interest attorneys and law students in an informal setting. Complimentary beverages and appetizers will be served. Preregistration is required. Please RSVP here by this Thursday, January 27. For more information, please contact Liz Dunn at dunn@law.villanova.edu. This event is presented by the Greater Philadelphia Area Law School Consortium.
  

• A Philadelphia VIP Pro Bono Training Program on Homeownership/Probate will take place February 25 from 12 to 2:15 p.m. at Blank Rome, One Logan Square, 130 North 18th St., Philadelphia. Two (2) substantive CLE credits in exchange for handling a VIP case within six months. To register, call 215-523-9550 or e-mail phillyvip@phillyvip.org.

• A Philadelphia VIP Pro Bono Training Program on Tax will take place March 9 from 12 to 2:15 p.m. at Dilworth Paxon, 1500 Market St., 3500E, Philadelphia. Two (2) substantive CLE credits in exchange for handling a VIP case within six months. To register, call 215-523-9550 or e-mail phillyvip@phillyvip.org.

• Mazzoni Center Legal Services will host Open Bar II on March 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., a special event to commemorate Mazzoni Center's first year as Philadelphia's only agency providing direct legal services to low income lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons facing legal obstacles related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Director of Legal Services, Amara Chaudhry, will provide a brief program following appetizers and cocktails at Kokopelli Restaurant and Tequila Bar, 1904 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Promotional co-sponsors of Open Bar II are GALLOP (Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia) and the Philadelphia Bar Association's LGBT Rights Committee. The event is free for law students and costs $20 for Young Lawyers (under 30 years) and $40 for all others. For more information or to register for Open Bar II, please visit www.mazzonicenter.org or contact Troy Porter at tporter@mazzonicenter.org or 215.563.0652 X270.

New Partner and In-House Counsel Conference, Feb. 25-26

The Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association will hold the inaugural "New Partner and In-House Counsel Conference" on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26 at the Four Seasons Hotel on Logan Square in Philadelphia.

The program provides two days of practical tips and advice that can immediately help you navigate this landscape with greater ease and success through unique CLE, networking and a nationally acclaimed faculty. Conference highlights include more than 8 CLE credits including 1.5 ethics; networking sessions and small group discussions; and tracks that guide you through the issues and information you should be familiar with as you take on this new role.

The Philadelphia Bar Association is a co-sponsor of this event. Visit abanet.org/yld/newpartner for more information.

Rumsfeld to Make First Stop of National Book Tour at Constitution Center, Feb. 9

Marking the first stop on his highly-anticipated national book tour promoting "Known and Unknown," former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld joins the National Constitution Center for a conversation with historian Michael Beschloss on Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Rumsfeld will discuss his long career in public service, previously undisclosed details and insights about the Bush administration, 9/11, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as his decades of experience, including his Congressional and executive branch service.

Admission is $9 for NCC members, $15 for general public, $7 for students and teachers, and free for 1787 Society members. ID will be required at registration. Reservations are required and can be made by calling
(215) 409-6700 or clicking here.

A book sale and signing will follow the program courtesy of the Joseph Fox Bookshop.