TODAY AT NOON: The Future of the Profession: A Conversation with the Law School Deans

The YLD will present a lunchtime Chancellor's Forum for all Bar members, "The Future of the Profession: A Conversation With the Law School Deans" today, May 24 at Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor.

Click here to register.

Panelists include Linda L. Ammons, dean and professor of law, Widener University School of Law; Robert Bartow, associate dean for academic affairs and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law; Roger J. Dennis, founding dean and professor of law, Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University; Michael A. Fitts, dean and Bernard G. Segal Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Law School; John Y. Gotanda, dean and professor of law, Villanova University School of Law; Rayman L. Solomon, dean and professor of law, Rutgers School of Law - Camden, N.J.; and Robert Dinerstein, professor of law and director of clinical program at American University, Washington College of Law and member of the Council of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Topics to be discussed include the changing landscape of the legal profession; increased use of contract attorneys in law firms; employment opportunities; reporting standards and requirements; training new lawyers and potential changes in law school curriculum; the value of co-op programs or a year of apprenticeship; law school tuition and students loans; and class size.

The panel will be presented by Chancellor Rudolph Garcia and moderated by Brian S. Chacker and Albertine Y. DuFrayne, past chairs of the Young Lawyers Division. Chancellor's Forums bring expertise, in-depth analysis and attention to critical topics affecting the profession and the citizens of Philadelphia. The event begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. The event is free, but advance registration is required. Lunch is available for purchase for $5. Click here to register.

Diversity Scholarship Winners Announced; Reception on June 16

The YLD is pleased to announce its 2011 Diversity Scholarship winners, to be recognized on June 16 at its Diversity Scholarship Reception. The free event takes place at the brand-new Kokopelli Restaurant and Tequila Bar (Upstairs), 1904 Chestnut St., from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The winners are: Tanishka V. Cruz from the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University and nominated by the Hispanic Bar Association; Sammetria L. Goodson from Temple University Beasley School of Law and nominated by the National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter; Jacquie T. Huynh-Linenberg from Rutgers School of Law - Camden and nominated by the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of PA; Sean-Tamba Matthew from Temple University Beasley School of Law and nominated by the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia; and Muthuramanan "Ramana" Ramaswaran from Temple University Beasley School of Law and nominated by the South Asian Bar Association of Philadelphia.

Registration is required. Click here to join us.

Help Prepare Dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, June 7

Please join the YLD for a guest chef dinner at the Ronald McDonald House located at 3925 Chestnut Street on Tuesday, June 7 beginning at 4 p.m.

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for families and their seriously ill children who are being treated at area hospitals. What makes the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House special is its caring environment where families find physical and emotional comfort through one another and through volunteers like you.

Volunteers are asked to cook a full meal for the 80-90 residents of the house. Meal preparations begin at 4 p.m., and is to be served at 6 p.m.

We are seeking 15-20 volunteers to share in this valuable experience. It is a fun way to spend your afternoon, and it will certainly be a rewarding opportunity to give back to your community.

Please contact Matthew Laver if you are interested in volunteering or if you require further information.

Chief Judge Lippman to Speak; Judge Rufe to Be Honored, June 27

The Association will also present the Sandra Day O'Connor Award to U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia M. Rufe at the event and honor the newest members of its Year Clubs, attorneys who have been practicing law for more than 50 years. The O'Connor Award is conferred annually on a woman attorney who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and has furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community.

As New York's chief judge, Lippman has championed equal access to justice issues and taken an active leadership role in identifying permanent funding streams for civil legal services, strengthening the state’s indigent criminal defense system, addressing the systemic causes of wrongful convictions, and reforming New York's juvenile justice system, among many other areas. Judge Lippman's four decades in the courts have been marked by a commitment to fostering a justice system that is independent, open, accountable and responsive to the people it serves.

Judge Rufe was nominated to the Eastern District by President George W. Bush on Jan. 23, 2002. She was confirmed by the Senate on April 30, 2002, and received her commission on May 3, 2002. She received her B.A. from Adelphi University and received her J.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.

Judge Rufe began her professional career as an assistant and coordinator in the Juvenile Division of the Bucks County Public Defender's Office in 1977. She was a deputy public defender with the Bucks County Public Defender's Office from 1980 to 1981. She served as solicitor for the Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency from 1984 to 1988. She served as a judge on the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas from 1994 to 2002.

We will also welcome Hon. Bruce W. Kauffman to join us in saluting the distinguished careers of our senior members of the Bar Association as we induct new members into the 50-, 60-, 65- and 70-Year Clubs. Our two new 70-Year Club members, Albert Konefsky and George Ovington, will receive special recognition for their extraordinary record of service.

Tickets for the event, to be held at the Hyatt at The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets, are $55 for members and $65 for non-members. Click here to purhcase tickets.

Women's Images and Issues of the 20th Century, Co-sponsored by the YLD and WIP Committee, June 7

Catherine Gourley, an award-winning author and National Women's History Project affiliate, will present "Women's Images and Issues of the 20th Century: An Interactive Program on how Popular Culture Portrayed Women Throughout the 20th Century," a program co-sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division and the Women in the Profession Committee on June 7 at 12 p.m. at Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor.

Stories of women who either exemplified conventional behaviors or changed them will be presented in a fascinating slide show. With a focus on primary-source photographs, illustrations and moving images, this program will examine the influence of popular culture on our perceptions of women and women's issues in the 20th century.

Click here to register for this free program (excluding lunch).

Registation Now Open for Bench-Bar at Harrah's, Oct. 14 & 15

Registration is now open for the 2011 Bench-Bar & Annual Conference Oct. 14-15 at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City. Click here to register.

The Bench-Bar & Annual Conference provides attendees with the opportunity to earn CLE credit while networking with colleagues and members of the bench.

(Check out the brand-new website for the event here, where you can learn how to win an iPad 2.)

Registration for members is $349 if booked by Sept. 16. For non-members, registration is $399. Members of the Young Lawyers Division and public interest and government attorneys can attend for $199. For those wishing to attend only the Grand Reception at The Pool at Harrah's on Friday, Oct. 14, tickets are $150 for all members and $175 for non-members. Tickets will be an additional $25 if purchased at the door.

For those wishing to attend Friday's session only, tickets are $299 for members, $149 for the Young Lawyers Division and government or public interest attorneys and $349 for non-members. Members and guests wishing to attend without receiving CLE credit will pay $200. For non-members, the cost is $225. Admission includes all sponsored meals and events. Those wishing to attend programs on Saturday, Oct. 24 will only pay $229, while YLD members and government and public interest attorneys can attend for $79 and $279 for non-members. Click here to register.

Brennan Award Nominations Now Being Accepted, Due June 6

Nominations are being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's prestigious Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award. The award will be presented at the Association's Quarterly Meeting in September 2011.

The award recognizes a jurist who adheres to the highest ideals of judicial service. Any member of the state or federal bench, whether active or retired, who has made a significant, positive impact on the quality or administration of justice in Philadelphia is eligible for consideration. Examples of accomplishments worthy of nomination include innovations in court administration, implementation of pioneering case management techniques, assumption of a leadership role in areas affecting the administration of justice, publication of a significant opinion, article, or other scholarly work, or the like.

Maria Feeley is chairing this year's Brennan Award Committee. Nominations for the Justice Brennan Distinguished Jurist Award should be forwarded to: Brennan Award, Attn: Dawn Petit, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. All nominations should include the full name, address and telephone number of both the nominee and the person submitting the nomination, a summary of the nominee’s accomplishments, and any pertinent supporting material the committee should consider.

All nominations must be received no later than Monday, June 6, 2011.

Philadelphia VIP's 16th Annual Summer Pro Bono Program, June 17

Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono legal services in the city, will host its 16th annual Summer Pro Bono Program on Friday, June 17 from 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. The program is geared specifically to law students at the start of their careers to educate them about issues of poverty in Philadelphia and to promote an ethic of service to address those issues through pro bono work.

Participants in the Summer Pro Bono Program will:

• Attend a training on VIP's work with the City of Philadelphia's Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program, an innovative program that provides thousands of homeowners an opportunity to negotiate face to face with lenders’ representatives to save their homes from foreclosure.
• Discuss the importance of pro bono with judges from the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Bar Association leaders and VIP Board Members during a complimentary luncheon.
• Shadow a volunteer attorney or housing counselor assisting a client at a conciliation conference during the summer months.

Registration ends Wednesday, June 8. Registration forms can be found at www.phillyvip.org underneath the "Events" heading. Questions can be directed to Bailey Andersen at jvolunteer@phillyvip.org or (215) 523-9567.

Judicial Activism Reconsidered, June 6

The National Constitution Center will present a discussion examining the history of judicial activism and the current debate over the role of judges and their influence over public policy through their decisions and decrees on Monday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. Federal Judge Kent Jordan and 2010-2011 Visiting Scholar Geoffrey Stone will join the discussion, which will include an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and interact with the panelists.

This event is free if you call 215-409-6700 to make your reservation. Reservations are required. To reserve online or for more information, click here.