Volunteer Attorneys to Provide Six Weeks of Legal Education to Area Residents During The People's Law School 2010

Area residents can receive basic information about areas of the law most likely to impact daily life at The People's Law School, a six-week legal education program presented by volunteer attorneys from the Young Lawyers Division.

The program, which features 11 unique courses on a range of legal topics, takes place every Tuesday from 6:15-8:30 p.m. beginning September 21 through October 26 in the Jury Assembly Room at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. The cost is $40.00 and includes access to all seminars and the complete course materials book.

The course schedule for The People's Law School is:

September 21
Social Security and Disability (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Trusts and Estates (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

September 28
Small Claims and Landlord/Tenant (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Consumer Credit (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 5
Personal Injury (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Criminal Law (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 12
Real Estate (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Bankruptcy (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 19
Employment Law (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
Workers' Compensation (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 26
Family Law (6:15-8:30 p.m.)

The People's Law School is open to all citizens. Registration and more details are available by clicking here, calling 215-238-6393, or through email at pls@philabar.org. To ensure all attendees have a copy of the course materials book for the first session, registration is required by September 10, 2010. Those registering after this date cannot be guaranteed the immediate availability of the course materials.

Please note that while The People's Law School will provide attendees information on different areas of the law, the program is not accredited and no degree or certificate will be conferred upon its completion.

Stay tuned for details on all instructors as soon as this information is confirmed.

YLD Announces 2010 Photography Contest "Eyes on the Environment"

The Young Lawyers Division welcomes submissions from all members of the Bar Association for "Eyes on the Environment," a late summer photography contest in which the winning image will be featured in The Philadelphia Lawyer, the Association's quarterly magazine.

Entrants are asked to consider the following: "As you embark on late summer vacations or enjoy the remainder of the season here in Philadelphia, the Young Lawyers Division asks you to capture particularly compelling images of environmental awareness and natural conservation. What did you witness during your travels that showcases nature's untouched beauty? What efforts did you see toward preserving it?"

One submission per entrant can be emailed to tplmag@philabar.org in JPG format. A professional panel of judges will select the winner. The deadline for entries is September 20. Stay tuned for more details.

Tip of the Month Travel Edition

It's that time of year again - we've entered the second half of the summer and it seems like everyone has either taken or is trying to squeeze in a last minute vacation. If you haven't already done so, now may be a good time to starting thinking about it. At this point in the year, we've all been working really hard and are probably in need of a break.

I've been living vicariously through many friends as I see their vacation photos on Facebook. Recently, I finally decided it's my turn. Well, sort of. My "vacation" actually involves flying to Las Vegas in the middle of August to compete in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament. In preparation for this trip, I've been training a lot, dieting, and checking airfares a few times a week.

After spending a fair amount of time on various travel websites, I'm happy to share some tips I've learned with those of you looking for the best airfares. According to Fare Compare, travelers should begin shopping for airfare about three and a half months prior to departure. Since I hadn't even decided to take this trip that long ago, I've been utilizing another Fare Compare tip - generally, the best time to shop for airfare is after 3 p.m. on a Tuesday since by that time, most airlines' sales have hit the reservation systems. Also, if at all possible, do not purchase your airfare on a weekend, which is the worst time to buy. Fare Compare also offers tips for finding the best airfare on specific airlines and to specific destinations.

I've also found that Southwest's DING! application is helpful, although I haven't been too interested in any of the featured locations so far. Many airlines and online travel services use Twitter and Facebook to announce sales, so be sure to follow your favorite airlines.

If you've been unable to get away this year, it's never too late to start thinking about it. I always dread the endless emails and voicemails and the mountain of mail that never fails to greet me upon my return, but the benefits of taking time to enjoy life and spend time with family and friends far outweigh the negatives.

Stephanie Mensing is a partner at the law firm of Wisniewski & Mensing, LLP and a member of the YLD Executive Committee. She can be reached at smensing@wm-law.net.

Entertainment Corner: What's the Scoop?

As each record-breaking day of heat passes in what is sure to be known, at least for the next 3 to 6 months, as "The Sweltering Summer of Aught 10," Philadelphia's ice cream and frozen yogurt (or "fro-yo" as people may call it) industry is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. Personally, just words "ice cream" take me back to two fond memories. The first being the sound of the ice cream man, or Florida Frost truck, driving by my school or neighborhood when I was a youth. And second, the classic Eddie Murphy routine recounting similar memories. But the boom of the frozen sweets market in Philadelphia is fast creating new memories.

In addition to the always popular Rita's, Scoop De Ville and Capogiro, new stores are popping up all over Center City. Three of the popular stores that are creating a lot of buzz this summer are Yogurino, Sweet Endings and Franklin Fountain. Each offers its own unique take on the clasic flavors and are carving out their own little niche in the frozen confectionary wars. Lucky for them the extended heat wave is increasing the market almost daily.

Sweet Endings takes an asian approach, offering froyo the way its enjoyed in Japan and Korea. Sweet Endings offerings are sure to appeal to the health conscious folks, as they offer low fat, sugar free, organic yogurt. Although admittedly that phrase takes me back to my trip to Whole Foods last week, as opposed to the frozen sugar I enjoyed in my youth.

Yogurino also take a healthy approach to froyo, taking their cue from Europe. Already largely successful overseas, Yogorino's goods feature probiotics which are selected strains of micro-organisms or milk enzymes that are supposed to maintain our well-being. Now, I'm not sure what that means, but they have a lot of toppings like chocolate sauce, white chocolate sauces, pistachios, almonds and granola, along with seasonal fruits.

Franklin Fountain (which opened about 6 years ago) forgoes the health nut forzen yogurt angle to offer good ol' fashion ice cream and candy. They offer home made ice cream the way Philadelphians would have enjoyed it in the early '20s. You can kick back with traditional vanilla and chocolate flavors.

So next time you are around Center City, and don’t feel like power walking or yoga in the park, kick back and enjoy some cold delicious sweets. Although I'm still hoping this forzen yogurt craze merges with the food truck frenzy and we'll soon be hearing the familiar tune of Scot Joplin's the Entertainer followed by screams of "MOOOOOOOOOM.....THE ICE CREAM MAN'S COMING!!!"

Aneesh Mehta is an associate at Volpe and Koenig, P.C. who has the cavities to prove he enjoyed ice cream as a youth. He can be reached at amehta@volpe-koenig.com.

Women in the Profession Committee and YLD to Co-Sponsor "How Do We Eliminate the Income Gap?" July 27

The Bar Association's Women in the Profession Committee and YLD will co-sponsor "How Do We Eliminate the Income Gap?" featuring Veta Richardson, the Executive Director of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, and Roberta Liebenberg, Chair of the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, at the Committee's July meeting, July 27 at 12 p.m. at Bar Association headquarters.

There has been a long-standing pay disparity between women lawyers and their male counterparts, which increases with seniority. Indeed, the largest gap is between male and female equity partners. Given this wage gap, the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession collaborated with the Minority Corporate Counsel Association ("MCCA") and the Project for Attorney Retention ("PAR") on the first-of-its-kind survey of women partners on law firm compensation. This historic survey shines a much needed light on how law firms distribute billing origination credit and how that distribution affects compensation and the advancement of women lawyers to positions of real power and influence in their firms.



At the meeting, Veta Richardson will present the results of this important survey. She will be joined by Roberta Liebenberg to discuss steps that must be taken to eliminate the significant income gap between male and female partners and ways to ensure that the substantial accomplishments and contributions made by women lawyers are recognized and rewarded. This program is a must whether you are a new or mid-level associate or a partner.

For more information about the committee, please contact co-chairs Nikki Johnson-Huston (nikki.johnson-huston@phila.gov) or Kimberly Ruch-Alegant (kalegant@alegantlaw.com).

Register Now for Bench-Bar 2010, Featuring a Grand Reception at Newly-Revamped MIXX Nightclub

Register now for the Bar Association's 2010 Bench-Bar and Annual Conference at the Borgata in Atlantic City, on Friday, Oct. 15 and Saturday, Oct. 16. The event features 14 distinct CLEs and a Grand Reception at newly-remodeled MIXX nightclub. YLD member costs remain at 2007 prices. Early bird pricing registration is available if tickets purchased by Sept. 17.

The 14 CLE programs, in which attendees can earn up to eight hours of credit (including the opportunity to earn two ethics credits), will feature judges and some of the city's most well-known practitioners, who will use their expertise and experience to enlighten attendees.

A dramatic re-enactment commemorating the 275th anniversary of Andrew Hamilton's historic 1735 defense of printer John Peter Zenger will be offered for CLE credit as the opening program on Oct. 15. The case established the concept of freedom of the press and coined the term "Philadelphia lawyer."

A state-of-the-court program will also be offered for CLE credit as the closing program on Saturday, Oct. 16. Vice Chancellor John E. Savoth and Board of Governors Vice Chair Regina M. Foley are co-chairs of the 2010 conference.

Full-conference admission is $349 for members and $399 for non-members, if reserved by the early bird deadline of Friday, Sept. 17. For members of the Young Lawyers Division and government and public interest attorneys, admission is only $199. CLICK HERE for a complete registration form and pricing guide.