10 Candidates Vying for 7 YLD Executive Committee Seats; Balloting on Dec. 8 at Bar Association Annual Meeting

On Dec. 8 at the Bar Association Annual Meeting & Luncheon, balloting will be held for new seats on the YLD Executive Committee from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the ballroom level. Ten candidates are vying for seven open seats.

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.

(LEARN MORE about the candidates)

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, and the presentation of the Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award to Hon. Annette M. Rizzo of the Court of Common Pleas.

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

Chancellor's Forum Featuring Lynn Doyle to Look Back on Big Cases of 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.

Lawyering for Social Change in An Era of Challenge CLE, Dec. 2

The Public Interest Law Day CLE Program, "Lawyering for Social Change in An Era of Challenge," will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at PBI's CLE Conference Center, Wanamaker Building, 10th Floor, St., 1010 Juniper Street.

This exciting CLE program features a distinguished faculty of judges and public interest law experts, and provides six hours of CLE credits, including one ethics credit. Lunch is included in the registration fee. The program offers the following sessions:

-Advocating for Vulnerable Groups in the Obama Era

-Lawyering for Social Change

-Counseling Clients on Financial Strategies as they Face Unemployment

-Update and Outlook for Civil Rights under the Obama Administration

-Hot Ethics Topics for Public Interest Lawyers

-Hot Topics in Housing Law, Health Law and Public Benefits

-Negotiating Skills

-Collaborating with the Judiciary in Promoting Access to Justice

Register online HERE or by calling PBI at 1-800-247-4724. 

Also, don't forget to register for the Public Interest Section Annual Awards Ceremony and Reception, which will be held at the conclusion of the 2009 Public Interest Law Day CLE Program, on Wednesday, Dec. 2., at Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 for public interest and government attorneys and $55 all other members. Admission includes beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres. Click HERE to register.

THIS THURSDAY: SABA-Philadelphia 2009 Fall Reception

This 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 more information, contact Mir Masud-Elias at mmasudelias@duanemorris.com.

TODAY: Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice CLE

Today, 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.

THIS THURSDAY: Video Communications in the Legal Profession

This Thursday, 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.

Volunteers Needed for YLD Mentoring Program

The YLD needs volunteers for its Mentoring Program, an endeavor that seeks to foster the professional development of 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.

Business Law Section Seeking Nominations for 2009 Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award, Due Dec. 2

The Business Law Section is seeking nominations from the Philadelphia legal community for the Section’s 2009 Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award. The award will be presented at the Section’s Annual Reception to be held in January. Nominations are due Dec. 2.

Award criteria are:

-Superior legal talent in the area of business law;

-Unique contributions to and significant achievements within the business law community in the Philadelphia area;

-A reputation for mentoring young attorneys;

-Significant participation in and contributions to civic and charitable causes in the community; and

-Uniform recognition in the legal community of the candidate's honesty, integrity and professionalism.

Each candidate must be a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Business Law Section.

The award was established in recognition of Dennis Replansky's career as a lawyer and his contributions to legal, civic, religious and other charitable causes. Mr. Replansky was a 51-year old senior partner at the law firm of Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley when he died in March 1994. He was a former chair of the Business Law Section.

Deadline fornominations is noon on Wednesday, December 2. Written nominations detailing the nominee's qualifications for the award should be sent to: Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award, c/o Sandra A. Jeskie, Esquire, Duane Morris LLP, 30 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7396; or e-mailed to jeskie@duanemorris.com.

More information about the award or the nomination process may be obtained by calling Sandra Jeskie at 215-979-1395.

Hamilton Benefit Nov. 21 at Please Touch Museum

Join Philadelphia lawyers, judges and business leaders at the Please Touch Museum in Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. for the Andrew Hamilton Benefit to support the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and the network of legal services organizations it funds.

This will be a wonderful evening of food, drink and dancing. There will be a "Dancing for Justice" with surprise guests in a featured dance sequence. The contributions to those in need will be recognized through the presentation of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation Award to Catherine C. Carr, executive director of Community Legal Services, and the Citizens Bank Pro Bono Award to Dechert LLP and Berner Klaw & Watson LLP. But most of all it will be gathering of people who share a common purpose - to promote equal access to justice for all.

Lawyers have a special responsibility to help the poor, children, the disabled and those who are especially vulnerable in times of crisis have access to legal representation. The Andrew Hamilton Benefit is the public symbol of the Philadelphia legal profession's commitment to this notion and helps not only the public interest legal organizations and the clients they serve, but the legal profession itself. By showing that it cares about our justice system, the profession grows in stature.

Many law firms and businesses are supporting the Hamilton Benefit through sponsorships including Pepper Hamilton LLP; UPS; Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin; and Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney to name a just a few early sponsors. For more information, call Liz Pannulla at 215-238-6337 or VISIT the Bar Foundation web site.

We ask you to continue to be there for Philadelphia's public interest legal services and join us on Nov. 21 as we celebrate the strength of our legal community and reaffirm together that Philadelphia lawyers care.