November 16, 2010

THURSDAY: Networking Happy Hour at Square 1682

The YLD will host its next Networking Happy Hour this Thursday, Nov. 18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Square 1682, 121 S. 17th St. The first 50 to arrive will receive a free drink ticket and appetizers will be served. Kaplan, Leaman and Wolfe Court Reporters are sponsoring the event.

The Philadelphia Bar Association's Annual Meeting Luncheon, featuring inaugural remarks from incoming Chancellor Rudolph Garcia of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt at The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets. READ MORE

Bar Academy Presents: A Taste of Tastykake TOMORROW

The Philadelphia Bar Association Academy presents an exclusive VIP tour and tasting tomorrow, Nov. 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the new home of Tastykake: the Tasty Baking Company's state-of-the-art bakery at The Philadelphia Navy Yard. Samples of choice desserts paired with specialty beers will be on hand. READ MORE

Public Interest Section Accepting Nominations for 2010 Law Student Award, Due Nov. 22

The Public Interest Section is accepting nominations for its 2010 Law Student Awards, which recognize one graduating (third or fourth year) student with a demonstrated commitment to public service from each of the 6 Philadelphia area law schools: Drexel, Penn, Rutgers, Temple, Villanova and Widener (Delaware). 

To nominate a student for this award, please complete the Nomination Form here.

 The nominations deadline is Monday, November 22. 

For questions, contact Maureen Olives, Chair, Law School Outreach Committee, at molives@temple.edu or 215-204-3705.

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Garcia to Outline 2011 Plans at Dec. 7 Annual Meeting

The Philadelphia Bar Association's Annual Meeting Luncheon, featuring inaugural remarks from incoming Chancellor Rudolph Garcia of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 12 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt at The Bellevue, Broad and Walnut streets.

The event will also feature the presentation of the Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award and the Wells Fargo Fidelity Award. Click here to purchase tickets.

Election of officers and members of the Board of Governors will also be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Ballroom Level of the Hyatt at The Bellevue. Officers to be elected are Vice Chancellor, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and five members of the Board of Governors for three-year terms.

Ballots will be mailed on Thursday, Nov. 18, and must be received at the offices of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, by 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2.

Candidates for office are: Kathleen D. Wilkinson, Vice Chancellor; Sophia Lee, Secretary; Joseph A. Prim Jr., Treasurer; Kim R. Jessum and Jacqueline G. Segal, Assistant Secretary; Wesley R. Payne IV, Assistant Treasurer; Brian S. Chacker, Nikki Johnson-Huston, Angus Love, Scott W. Reid, Gina Furia Rubel and Marc J. Zucker, Board of Governors (elect five).

Tip of the Month: Starting a Law Firm, Part 2

Last month, I offered some advice for opening a new law office. Once the doors are open, the real work begins - getting your name out there, promoting and building your practice, and, of course, making money!

Today there are so many ways to promote a law practice without ever leaving the office. If you have opened a law practice or if you are thinking about opening a law practice, you should be blogging and tweeting about topics relevant to your practice areas and connecting with other lawyers and potential clients online through sites like LinkedIn and Twitter. It can be a little overwhelming, especially when you see all the other lawyers who are blogging and tweeting, often on the same topics, but it's a free way to establish yourself as an expert in your practice areas. It can be time consuming to write quality content on a regular basis, so I recommend scheduling a time each week to write your posts.

Social networking sites can be great for helping to promote a new law firm, but you'll also have to get out there and socialize with your peers and potential clients. The Philadelphia Bar Association is a great place to start and if you haven't already; I recommend joining the sections and committees relevant to your practice areas and, yes, going to and participating in their meetings and events. This is a great way to meet other lawyers who can be resources and referral sources.

You should also make time to socialize with your non-lawyer friends and acquaintances. February's column focused on making time for personal activities, which can be very useful for those who have recently opened a law firm. I know it's hard to find time between promoting a new practice, attending Bar Association events, and figuring out how to keep the lights on, but personal activities are great way to relieve stress while meeting and building relationships with non-lawyers who share common interests.

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: The Season for Giving

It's everyone's favorite time of year: the holiday shopping season has arrived once again. While the economy has hit the legal profession hard, it's still a time for giving. This is an opportunity to let people know know how much you appreciate them by purchasing something at a predetermined cost that you have determined to measure the value of your friendship. Of course, all these gifts must be tiered so you can evaluate your friendship hierarchy: spouse gets more than sibling; sibling gets more than cousin; cousin gets more than postman; etc.

On second thought, maybe this isn't everyone's favorite time of year; maybe it's the most stressful time of year. Either way, here are some gift ideas for your friends, family, and of course your legal colleagues, to take some of the stress away from holiday shopping.

For the frequent SEPTA/Amtrak passenger, look no further than the Amazon Kindle. There has never been a better time to buy one of these devices because there are plenty in stock and there was a recent price drop. The Kindle allows you to sample and purchase books from Amazon.com and even subscribe to newspapers and other periodicals. It is the perfect gift for someone that enjoys reading.

For the foodies in your life, you may want to consider getting them a Garces Restaurant Group gift card. Philadelphia's own Iron Chef now has seven restaurants all throughout the city (including the recently opened JG Domestic). The cards may be used at any of the restaurants so they are versatile gifts as well.

As all of us know, working in a law firm can be stressful. Maybe that three-year-old, twice-used bottle of Mr. Bubble just ain't cutting it anymore. So, if getting a haircut while wearing a cucmber/avacado lemongrass is your thing, there are a number of top notch spas in Philadelphia, such as Toppers, Eviama and Spa Terme Di Aroma. After all, what could be better than to give the gift of relaxation?

For the budding sommeliers in your life, the perfect present would be a gift certificate to The Wine School of Philadelphia, located on Fairmount Ave. The Wine School offers a number of wine classes for a budding wine enthusiast to a seasoned wine guru. Devon Seafood Grill and Tria also offer wine classes. So pack up those boxed wines and move onto the twist-off bottles!

Of course, cash is a favorite holiday present. However, it is not the most personal gift. If you want your present to be unique, you now have the option of creating personalized gift cards. VISA has a service that allows you to have a picture of your choosing printed on a gift card. This provides you with the opportunity to create a funny gift.

And, if all else fails, there is always coal.

Aneesh Mehta is an associate at Volpe and Koenig, P.C. He can be reached at amehta@volpe-koenig.com. Joseph P. Gushue, also an associate at Volpe and Koenig, P.C., helped write this piece.

Bar Academy Present: A Taste of Tastykake TOMORROW

The Philadelphia Bar Association Academy presents an exclusive VIP tour and tasting tomorrow, Nov. 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the new home of Tastykake: the Tasty Baking Company's state-of-the-art bakery at The Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Attendees can sample a selection of legendary Tastykake products, and enjoy specialty beers courtesy of Origlio Beverage, in the world's largest "green" bakery - a 345,000 square-foot, LEED-registered facility. The new bakery features highly automated baking equipment for Tastykake's famed product lines - including Krimpets®, Kandy Kakes®, pies, cookie bars and cupcakes. Attendees will hear from top Tastykake executives about the decision to transition away from the company's 88-year-old Hunting Park baking facility, and experience all components of the baking process during a guided tour not available to the public.

The program begins at 5:30 p.m. at The Tastykake Bakery at The Philadelphia Navy Yard, 4300 S. 26th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112. The cost for this event is $15 per person. The event is open to members of the Philadelphia Bar Association only. To register, click here or visit baracademy.philadelphiabar.org. Registration is limited and required in advance.

The Philadelphia Bar Association Academy provides 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.

TOMORROW: Vision 2020 - Opening a Dialogue on Gender Equality

The Women's Rights Committee will present "Vision 2020 - Opening a Dialogue to Advance Gender Equality" tomorrow, Nov. 17.

Speakers include Catherine Omerod, project director of Vision 2020; Fran Fattah and Janet Kroll, Vision 2020 PA delegates; and Lynn Marks, Vision 2020 regional advisor.

The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th Floor Committee Room South of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $8. CLICK HERE to RSVP.

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