Networking Happy Hour Next Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Con Murphy's

Join the YLD and other young professionals at next Wednesday's (Jan. 20) Networking Happy Hour from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Con Murphy's, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (at the Windsor Hotel). The event is co-hosted by the Delivery of Legal Services Committee, the Justinians and the Lawyers Club of Philadelphia.

The first 50 to arrive will receive a complimentary drink ticket and appetizers will be served.

YLD Accepting Nominations for Peretta, Perry Awards; Deadline Jan. 22

The Young Lawyers Division is now accepting nominations for the F. Sean Peretta Service Award and the Craig M. Perry Service Award, both presented at the upcoming YLD Annual Meeting in early 2010. Deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 22, 2010.

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 Friday, January 22, 2010. 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.

Applicants Sought for Judge William M. Marutani Fellowship, Due Feb. 26

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation, in partnership with Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA), is seeking applicants from first-year Asian Pacific students from local law schools for the Judge William M. Marutani Fellowship. Applications are due Feb. 26.

Judge Marutani was the first Asian American judge in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a distinguished member of the judiciary who served the Asiam American community and the community at large for many years. Judge Muratani's exemplary career is a model for current students who are committed to public service.

The Fellowship is offered to Asian Pacific American first-year law students at Dickinson School of Law, Rutgers University School of Law-Camden, Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Villanova University School of Law, Drexel University School of Law, and Widener University School of Law.

The Fellowship will provide a stipend for a first-year Asian American law student (up to $5,000) to subsidize a full-time summer internship position (of at least 10 weeks) with a non-profit public interest organization or with a federal, state or municipal government entity (including the judiciary) in the greater Philadelphia area. Applicants are eligible even if they seek or receive other sources of summer funding.

After completing the internship, the Fellowship recipient will be required to complete a two-page report summarizing his/her experience. The report shall be submitted in a finished form appropriate for publication in APABA-PA's newsletter. The recipient will also be recognized at the APABA-PA's annual banquet in the Fall.

All applications must be postmarked by Feb. 26, 2010 and received by 4 p.m. that same date. Mail or hand-deliver materials to Lynne Brown at the Bar Foundation offices, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

TOMORROW: How To Start A Nonprofit Organization

Tomorrow, Jan. 13, PBI presents "How To Start A Nonprofit Organization," a 3 credit CLE featuring an experienced faculty who will review the topics and answer the questions that arise when considering establishing a nonprofit.

Above all else, a careful analysis of your goals and the best ways to accomplish them is necessary when starting a nonprofit. A panel of experts will address the following:

-Whether the proposed entity should be formed as a for-profit or a nonprofit.

-Choice of entity for a nonprofit.

-Incorporating a new non-profit Pennsylvania corporation.

The basic requirements for qualifying for 501(c)(3) status and how to apply.

-How to determine whether you are required to register to solicit charitable contributions in Pennsylvania and how to do so.

-How to identify an appropriate board of directors and their basic responsibilities.

-How to avoid some common traps by adopting appropriate policies and practices

-A brief overview of ongoing responsibilities for maintaining tax-exempt status

"How To Start A Nonprofit Organization" offers 3 substantive CLE credits and will take place from 12 to 3:15 p.m. at the CLE Conference Center, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East (Juniper Street entrance), Suite 1010. The program fee will be $199 (or $179 for members of a local or county bar association).

Tuition fees are based on early bird registration. For more information on standard tuition fees and registration, please call 1.800.932.4637 or visit PBI’s website at www.pbi.org.

Brandeis Society Law Student Networking Night, Jan. 27

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas President Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe will be the guest speaker when The Brandeis Law Society of Philadelphia holds its Ninth Annual Law Student Networking Night on Wednesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the offices of Fox Rothschild LLP, 2000 Market St.

The event gives Jewish law students from area law schools the opportunity to meet and chat with seasoned attorneys and judges. It includes breakout sessions focusing on specific practice areas as well as a general session, refreshments and socializing. It has proven to be beneficial to countless young lawyers making their way into the Philadelphia legal community.

The Brandeis Law Society welcomes all of its members as well as other lawyers to this free event and advance registration is not necessary.

The participation of experienced lawyers and judges is vital to the success of the evening. Participants will have an opportunity to sign up to mentor individual law students if they choose.

For more information about the Law Student Networking Night, contact Miriam Steinberg-Egeth at 215-898-6451 or e-mail info@jewishgrads.org; or Matthew G. Laver at 215-686-7097 or matthew.laver@courts.phila.gov.

Volunteers Needed for YLD Mentoring Program

The YLD needs volunteers for its Mentoring Program, an endeavor that seeks to foster the professional development of Philadelphia's future attorneys and simulate the growth, diversity and participation of Philadelphia lawyers in Bar Association activities and the community at large.

Each mentor is assigned to serve as a role model and counselor to one mentee. Mentorship is an obligation and responsibility. Mentors must:

1) Reach out and make initial contact with their mentee;

2) Have one in-person or telephonic meeting with their mentee in advance of the Mentorship Program Event;

3) Have one or more in person meetings with their mentee after the Mentorship Program Event;

4) Remain as a resource to the mentee for the course of the year.

Download the sign-up form and questionnaire HERE. Completed forms can be forward to Daniel McKenna at mckennad@ballardspahr.com.

Pros and Cons of Structured Settlements, Jan. 20

Brian J. Fillion will present "The Pros and Cons of Structured Settlements" at the Wednesday, Jan. 20 meeting of the Workers' Compensation Section. The program begins at 12:30 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. and has been approved for 1.0 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. If you wish to register in advance, CLICK HERE or call PBI Customer Service at 1-800-932-4637.

Lunch will be available through the Philadelphia Bar Association for an additional fee of $8 per person with payment being made to the Philadelphia Bar Association in advance of the meeting. CLICK HERE to RSVP.

Sign Up Now as Volunteer Coach or Judge of 2010 Mock Trial Competition

Each year, the YLD seeks volunteer coaches and judges for the annual John S. Bradway Philadelphia High School Mock Trial Competition, co-run by Temple University's Beasley School of Law. Sign up now using this quick and easy link.

Once here, scroll to the bottom of the page to access the forms for each round of competition and sign up for a time slot(s) that works best for you. Remember, however, once that round is filled with volunteers, no more will be accepted. So sign up fast!

If you've volunteered in the past, we thank you and hope that you will do so this year. If you have not yet volunteered for the Mock Trial Competition, we encourage you to do so and are confident the experience will be rewarding. As a judge, you can chose to fill as many time slots as your schedule will allow and you do not need trial experience to participate. All you need is a willingness to give some time and be wowed by the high school students!