Volunteers and Items Sought for 2009 Harvest for the Homeless, THIS SATURDAY

The YLD is seeking volunteers for the annual "Harvest for the Homeless" program, this Saturday, Nov. 14, at Ballard Spahr. We'll be collecting and sorting donations of mens', womens' and childrens' clothing, as well as non-perishable items. This year, the items will be donated to the People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and the Support Center for Child Advocates.

To date, the following firms have agreed to participate:

Feldman Shepherd

Post and Schell

Senior Law Center

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young

Ciardi Ciardi & Astin

Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis

Ballard Spahr

Rawle & Henderson

Petrelli Law

Reger Rizzo & Darnall

Law Offices of Thomas J. Wagner

Spector Roseman Kodroff & Willis

Drinker Biddle & Reath

Kolsby Gordon

Margolis Edelstein

We're looking for volunteers to assist with managing and collecting donations at their firms. We'll also need volunteers on the day of the event to help with sorting and distributing the donated items.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Carey Chopko at cchopko@feldmanshepherd.com or Joe Guzzardo at jguzzardo@regerlaw.com.

Litigating More Effectively Using Technology CLE, NEXT MONDAY, Nov. 16

Next Monday, Nov. 16, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., the YLD will present Litigating More Effectively Using Technology, a 1 substantive credit CLE co-sponsored by the Technology Committee and featuring the President and Vice President of James DeCrescenzo Reporting LLC, Trial Technologies Inc.

The future of litigation is here, and it is firmly grounded in technology. This course will teach you how use it to win your cases:

-Maximize the use of deposition testimony by making clips from deposition transcripts with synchronized audio and video depositions synchronized with transcripts.

-Use SMART Boards and scanned documents while deposing witnesses allowing you to create SuperDepositionsTM with a picture-in-picture presentation.

-Use technology during your settlement negotiations to increase your odds of settling for a favorable amount.

-Win over juries using computer generated exhibits such as 3D animations, interactive timelines and Fetal Strip Presentations.

-Utilize mock juries and Perception Analyzer Technology to test your trial strategies and help you make needed adjustments to your presentation before the final run at trial.

Featured panelists are James DeCrescenzo, Founder and President, James DeCrescenzo Reporting, LLC, Trial Technologies, Inc. and Vice President Debra Aisenstein, Esq.

The program has been approved for 1.0 Substantive CLE credit. Participants wishing to receive the CLE credit will be required to pay a fee of $38.50 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for more than five years, and $33.50 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for less than five years. Tuition price includes lunch. If you wish to register in advance CLICK HERE or call 1-800-932-4637.

Elect New 2010 YLD Executive Committee Members at Bar Association Annual Meeting & Luncheon, Dec. 8

Join your fellow Bar Association members at the Annual Meeting & Luncheon, Dec. 8 at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue. Balloting for new seats on the YLD Executive Committee will be held 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the ballroom level. The Luncheon begins at 12 p.m.

Running for the seven open YLD Executive Committee seats are: Alexandra Antoniou, Roxane Crowley, Justin Serianni, Ryan Gatto, Paul Kaufman, Joshua Gayl, Jeffery Wyble, Joseph Guzzardo, Rachel Branson and Matthew Laver.

Also at the Annual Meeting & Luncheon, former YLD Treasurer and Financial Secretary Scott F. Cooper of Blank Rome LLP will be formally greeted as the next chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association and will outline his plans for 2010. At age 44, Scott will become one of the youngest chancellors in the history of the Philadelphia Bar Association when he officially takes over in January.

The Annual Meeting & Luncheon also features the presentation of the Wachovia Fidelity Award, this year to be given to Joseph A. Sullivan, co-chair of the Delivery of Legal Services Committee. The meeting will also include the presentation of the Chancellor's Diversity Award.

The Association's Annual Election of Bar officers and members of the Board of Governors will also take place at the Luncheon. There being no opposition for the following offices, a unanimous ballot will be cast for these individuals who will be elected to the offices as noted: Vice Chancellor, John Savoth; Secretary, Kathleen D. Wilkinson; Assistant Secretary, Sophia Lee; Treasurer, Joseph A. Prim Jr.; and Assistant Treasurer, Wesley R. Payne. There being no opposition, a unanimous ballot will also be cast for the following candidates for Board of Governors: Stacy A. Tees, Brandi Brice, Scott P. Sigman, H. Marc Tepper and Kimberly Ruch-Alegant.

Tickets to the event are $55. CLICK HERE

Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice CLE, Nov. 17

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., PBI will present "Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice," a six-credit CLE covering the most current local rules and regulations in various core areas.

The outcome of any case is directly related to the lawyer’s knowledge of the local procedures. Since its inaugural presentation in 1983, this course has had one primary objective: to teach practitioners how to move a case correctly and effectively through the Philadelphia County Family Court system. Even if you attended the program before, or purchased an earlier edition of the manual, you will not want to miss this important update.

The following topics will be discussed: Jurisdiction/Overview of Family Court; Custody; Motion Practice and Discovery; Protection from Abuse; Support/Paternity; UIFSA; Divorce; and Adoption.

Attendees will also receive the PBI Press reference "Philadelphia County
Domestic Relations Practice", 16th Edition, with searchable, companion CD-ROM.

The course is planned by Lise A. Fisher, the Law Office of Michael E. Fingerman, and Michael L. Viola, Shainberg & Viola. Instructors are: Honorable Holly J. Ford, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; Honorable Robert J. Matthews, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; Honorable Margaret T. Murphy, Supervising Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division-Domestic Relations; Honorable Nina Wright-Padilla, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; Honorable Doris A. Pechkurow, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; Mark Alleva, Clerk of the Family Court; Molly A. Callahan, Woman Against Abuse Legal Center; Carol A. Carson, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; Patricia A. Dubin, Law Office of Patricia A. Dubin; Joan Esmonde, District Attorney's Office; Bernard D. Faigenbaum; Ned Hark, Law Offices of Howard M. Goldsmith, P.C.; Michael A. Horan, Acting Cheif, Custody Master, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; James A. Rocco, Rocco Law Offices, LLC; David J. Steerman, Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippell LLP; Daniel R. Sulman, Master in Support, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court Division; and Megan E. Watson, Berner Klaw & Watson.

For pricing information and to register, CLICK HERE.

Chancellor's Forum Featuring Lynn Doyle to Look Back on 2009, Dec. 1

Emmy-winning journalist Lynn Doyle will host the Dec. 1 Chancellor's Forum "A Year in Review: Big Cases - What Was Hot, What Was Not - It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle."

Panelists scheduled for the program include Chancellor Sayde Ladov, A. Charles Peruto Jr., Tariq El-Shabazz and Rhonda Hill Wilson. Doyle is the host of "It's Your Call with Lynn Doyle" on the Comcast Network. The program is sponsored by the Bar-News Media Committee.

The program begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $6 for those members who register in advance. CLICK HERE to RSVP.

THURSDAY & FRIDAY: ABA Law Firm Marketing Strategies Conference

This Thursday and Friday, Nov. 12 and 13, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia, the American Bar Association Law Practice Management Section will present the "ABA Law Firm Marketing Strategies Conference 2009", the nation’s most comprehensive two-day law firm marketing education program.

Attorneys, marketers and executives will hear from ABA's faculty of attorneys on how to differentiate themselves and their firms, including two keynote addresses from David Lat, Founding Editor of "Above the Law," speaking on image control, and John Osborn, President and CEO of BBDO, speaking on strategic branding.

Rates range from $795 to $995. Click here for more information and to register.

Video Communications in the Legal Profession, Nov. 19

On Nov. 19 at 12 p.m. at Bar Association headquarters, the Practice Technology Committee of the Law Practice Management Division will present "Video Communications in the Legal Profession."

Featuring Walter Sebastian of LPS Associates, LLC, the program will include a short history of videoconferencing, the importance of video as a communications medium, current trends with the technology
, key legal applications and benefits, a review of several case studies, a technology overview – key components of a video conferencing system, planning for videoconferencing, and a hands-on demonstration and instruction. There will also be a question-and-answer session.

The program is free. Lunch is $8.00. Register HERE.

SABA-Philadelphia 2009 Fall Reception, Nov. 19

On Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30-9 p.m., YLD members are invited to SABA-Philadelphia's 2009 Fall Reception at the Twelve Gates Gallery, 305 Cherry St.

Prof. Jamal J. Elias, Class of 1965 Term Professor, 
Department of Religious Studies, University of Pennsylvania, is the event's guest speaker. Light refreshments will be served.

Specializing in contemporary South Asian art, Twelve Gates Gallery is the first of its kind in the Philadelphia area. With a strong focus on art from the Indian Subcontinent, the gallery owners are dedicated to exhibiting artists with a reputation for unique work that follows in, as well as expands on, the rich history and culture of this area. Much more than just an art gallery, by hosting these discussions, poetry readings, film screenings and musical events, Twelve Gates aims to become a unique cultural center for the arts in Old City.

For planning purposes, those who plan to attend please RSVP to Mir Masud-Elias at mmasudelias@duanemorris.com by Monday, Nov. 16.

Four-Session Training Program for Attorneys Who Need to Develop New Business Begins THIS FRIDAY

A four-session Training Program for Attorneys Who Need to Develop New Business will be presented by the Training Resource Group in conjunction with the Bar Association beginning this Friday, Nov. 13, and continuing Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.

Developing new business and retaining existing clients during these very challenging times will require you to tap into skill sets for which you have not been trained. Have you, or the attorneys in your firm, been spending so much time servicing existing clients, that there has not been time to learn business development skills? Have you or the attorneys in your firm ever taken a class on how to become a rainmaker?

After completing the Program, participants will have the mindset, skills, and confidence to create an individual business development plan, successfully network and create strategic partnerships, better cross sell current clients and build account relationships at a higher level. The program will focus on teaching tactics and techniques that will help participants develop new opportunities, and turn those opportunities into new clients.

The program is designed for attorneys who are now expected to develop business for themselves or their firms. You or members from your firm should attend if you are concerned about producing new rainmakers for your firm, increasing your own practice, and developing an essential skill set that was never taught in law school.

To register for this course, contact 215-320-4650. Registration is $795 and includes attendance at all four sessions as well as an individual coaching session and materials. The first, Nov. 13, session will be an introduction to building a network for business development and designing a business plan.