THURSDAY: My First Federal Trial CLE

The YLD and the Federal Courts Committee will present "My First Federal Trial," a CLE on succeeding during this momentous event, this Thursday, Nov. 4 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom.

Your first federal jury trial can be a harrowing experience. While there are plenty of trial practice courses available to teach trial skills, "My First Federal Trial" is designed to fill the gaps and allow you to learn directly from the judges what you really want to know, but are afraid to ask.

Hear from several judges from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including Hon. Legrome D. Davis, Hon. Jan E. DuBois, Hon. Mitchell S. Goldberg, Hon. C. Darnell Jones, II and Hon. Mary A. McLaughlin. Also presenting will be John A. Lord from Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky and Bryan P. Werley from The Chartwell Law Offices.

Topics will include:

• What to do in those last few hours (things that are not set out in the rules)
  

• What to expect at the final pretrial conference

• The mechanics of a trial - where to stand, where to sit, what to do with exhibits, etc.

• What to do if you get in trouble

The program will begin at 4 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom, 601 Market St. The cost for YLD members is $109, down from the initial cost of $129 (mention "Philadelphia Bar YLD" when registering). For those admitted to practice after January 1, 2006, the cost is $109. CLICK HERE to register.

YLD Volunteer Day, Nov. 13

Two worthwhile YLD public service initiatives - Mock Trial Camp and Harvest for the Homeless - take center stage on YLD Volunteer Day, next Saturday, Nov. 13, and the Division needs your help to make both a success.

Harvest for the Homeless
Donations of men's, women's and children's clothing, towels and non-perishable items (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, etc.) and food items are collected at local law firms. Volunteers are needed to coordinate the collection of these items at their firms and, on Nov. 13 at 8:30 a.m. at Ballard Spahr, help sort the donations and deliver them to local homeless shelters. Those interested in assisting in this effort, please contact Melanie Taylor, Roxane Crowley and Matt Laver.

Mock Trial Camp
This intensive, all-day camp on Nov. 13 at Temple University's Beasley School of Law prepares students for the annual John S. Bradway Philadelphia High School Mock Trial Competition. The YLD and Temple University's Legal Education and Participation Program (LEAP) seek attorney volunteers to lead small-group sessions on various aspects of trial advocacy throughout the day. Volunteers can choose from two sessions, 7:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., or commit to the entire day. More than 100 students are expected at this year’s camp, so many volunteers are needed. To sign up or for more details, contact Joshu Harris, Paul Kaufman or Joe Guzzardo.

THIS SATURDAY: 32nd Annual Andrew Hamilton Benefit

The 32nd Annual Andrew Hamilton Benefit at Lincoln Financial Field is this Saturday, Nov. 6, from 7-11 p.m. and young lawyers are invited to attend for the same prices as last year: $100. The Benefit is the legal community's biggest social and philanthropic event of the year in which proceeds fund legal services for the most vulnerable in our community-those struggling with poverty, discrimination, abuse and neglect.

The evening will include cocktails, a buffet dinner, dancing and a live and silent auction with items like a villa in Spain that sleeps 15, a 5-night safari in Namibia, club box tickets to the Eagles and much more.

Ticket to the Andrew Hamilton Benefit…$100; chance to see your firm's managing partner on the dance floor…priceless. CLICK HERE to register.

THIS FRIDAY: Nominations for Business Law Section's 2010 Replansky Award Due

The Business Law Section is seeking nominations from the Philadelphia legal community for the Section's 2010 Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award. The nominations are due this Friday, Nov. 5 and the award will be presented at the Section's Annual Reception to be held on January 25, 2011. The award recipient will receive the privilege of designating the recipient of the Section's annual charitable contribution to a public interest organization.

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.
• 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 Section established the award in recognition of Dennis Replansky's career as a lawyer and his contributions to legal, civic, religious and other charitable causes. Dennis 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.

The deadline for award nominations and letters of support is noon on Friday, November 5.

Written nominations detailing the nominee's qualifications for the award should be sent to: Dennis H. Replansky Memorial Award, c/o Lee Applebaum, Esquire, Fineman Krekstein & Harris, P.C., Mellon Bank Center, Suite 600, 1735 Market Street, Philadelphia PA 19103; or e-mailed to lapplebaum@finemanlawfirm.com.

More information about the Dennis H. Replansky Award or the nomination process for the award may be obtained by calling Lee Applebaum at 215-893-8702 or on the Business Law Section's website here.