One Week Remaining for Nominations for Nominations for YLD Executive Committee Posts; Deadline Oct. 27

Only one week remains to submit nominations for YLD Executive Committee posts. Nominations must arrive at Bar Association headquarters by 3 p.m. on Oct. 27. This year's Election will take place on December 8 in conjunction with the Bar Association's Annual Meeting.

Any Voting Member of the Young Lawyers Division is eligible for election to the Executive Committee provided, however, that the term of office for which the individual runs shall not extend beyond his or her membership in the Division. A YLD member is eligible if he/she is 37 years of age or less in the year 2012 or, if he/she is older than 37, he/she will not be celebrating more than his/her third year of practice in 2012. The Nomination Petition and Personal Statement must be returned to the offices of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market Street, Eleventh Floor, no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.

At 5:00 p.m. that same day, we will have an informational meeting in the 11th Floor Board Room at Bar Association headquarters where ballot positions will be drawn.

About the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee manages and directs the business and activities of the YLD's approximate 3,000 members, including oversight of more than 30 committees in the areas of public service, law-related education and service to the legal community. In addition to the purposes of the YLD as stated in the By-Laws, being a member of the YLD Executive Committee gives lawyers in the early years of their careers opportunities for leadership, networking, personal growth and professional growth.

If you have any questions regarding the Nominating Petition, the Executive Committee, or the election process, please feel free to contact Tracey McCloskey, Director of Meetings & Special Events, at 215-238-6360 or tmccloskey@philabar.org.

REQUIRED FORMS: Nomination Petition | Personal Statement

Volunteers and Items Sought for 2009 Harvest for the Homeless, Nov. 14

The YLD is seeking volunteers for the annual "Harvest for the Homeless" program, Nov. 14 at Ballard Spahr. We'll be collecting and sorting donations of mens', womens' and childrens' clothing, as well as non-perishable items. Once the items are sorted, we'll deliver them to local homeless shelters.

To date, the following firms have agreed to participate:

Feldman Shepherd

Post and Schell

Senior Law Center

Stradley Ronan Stevens & Young

Ciardi Ciardi & Astin

Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis

Ballard Spahr

Rawle & Henderson

Petrelli Law

Reger Rizzo & Darnall

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.

Celebrate National Pro Bono Week, Oct. 26-30

Pro Bono Celebration Week honors the pro bono contribution of Philadelphia's lawyers and offers an occasion to learn more about the interesting and professionally challenging pro bono opportunities that exist with Philadelphia's public interest organizations.

Coordinated by the Public Interest Section's Delivery of Legal Services Committee and the Law School Outreach and Law Firm Pro Bono Committees of the Philadelphia Bar Association, Pro Bono Celebration Week is planned in collaboration with the ABA's National Pro Bono Celebration. The following is a list of Pro Bono Celebration Week activities:

Monday, Oct. 26

Chancellor's Forum on Prisoner Pro Bono Projects: 12 p.m., Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St. Lunch is $5.00. The program, moderated by Chancellor Sayde Ladov, features a discussion on two innovative prisoner pro bono projects: the Supervision to Aid Re-Entry Program and the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. Panelists include Marissa Bluestine, legal director, Pennsylvania Innocence Project; James Figorski of Dechert LLP; U.S. Magistrate Judges Timothy Rice and L. Felipe Restrepo; and Philadelphia VIP Executive Director Sara Woods. Lunch is $5. Register HERE.

Pro Bono Open House Fair: 5 p.m., Duane Morris LLP, 30 S. 17th St. Featuring public interest agencies and law school pro bono programs, attorneys interested in learning more about pro bono opportunities in Philadelphia can hear directly from the pro bono coordinators as well as volunteer. President Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, First Judicial District, is the guest speaker at 5:30 p.m. To register contact Nicole Friant at anfriant@duanemorris.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Philadelphia VIP's Pro Bono Opportunities Day: Spotlight on Preventing Homelessness: A CLE training program; 8:30a.m. to 12:15p.m. at Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, LLP, 123 S. Broad St., 28th Floor. The prograsm features CLE training sessions on mortgage foreclosure, public housing and quiet title. The fee is $45 for course materials and breakfsat; two free substantive CLE credits are available in exchange for handling a pro bono case within six months of the training. Register at phillyvip.org. If you work at a firm with a VIP contact person, please register through that person.

Homeless Advocacy Project Legal Clinic: 10-11 a.m., Krikbride/Traveler's Aid, 111 N. 49th St. Register with Marsha Cohen at marsha@philalegal.org.

Wednesday, Oct. 28

How to Handle a Child Abuse Case: A CLE training program from the Support Center for Child Advocates; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., The CLE Conference Center, Wanamaker Building, 13th and Market streets, 10th floor. Six CLE credits, including one ethics credit, are available. Register with PBI at 1-800-247-4724.

Homeless Advocacy Project Legal Clinic: 6 to 7 p.m., UHCH, Penn Center St. Agatha/St. James, 38th and Chestnut Sts. (SE corner) Register with Marsha Cohen at marsha@philalegal.org.

Thursday, Oct. 29

HelpLine Volunteer Training Program: A SeniorLAW Center training program; 11 a.m.. to 1 p.m., Fox Rothschild LLP, 2000 Market St. Two free CLE credits anticipated for volunteers. Register with Sue Wasserkrug at 215-701-3216 or swasserkrug@seniorlawcenter.org.

Homeless Advocacy Project Legal Clinic: 6-7 p.m., Eliza Shirley Shelter, 1320 Arch St.. Register with Marsha Cohen at marsha@philalegal.org.

Friday, Oct. 30

Pro Bono: Where Do We Go From Here?: A Capstone CLE Forum; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 34th and Chestnut streets. 3 CLE credits (pending approval). The fee is $25 for public interest attorneys and $30 for all others (includes lunch). Register with Arlene Finkelstein at arfinkelstein@law.upenn.edu.

Personal Planning 101: Wills, Living Wills, and Powers of Attorney for Older Pennsylvanians: A SeniorLAW Center training program; 12 to 3 p.m., Duane Morris LLP, 30 S. 17th St. Three free CLE credits are available in exchange for handling a case. Register with Roxanne Crowley at rcrowley@seniorlawcenter.org.

Homeless Advocacy Project Legal Clinic: 1:45-3:00 p.m., St. John's Hospice, 1221 Race St. Register with Marsha Cohen at marsha@philalegal.org.

Deadline for Nominations for 2009 Wachovia Fidelity Award Extended to TOMORROW; Brennan Award Due Nov. 6

Nominations are open for the Bar Association's 2009 Wachovia Fidelity Award, given to an individual who has significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice, and the Brennan Award, given to a jurist who adheres to the highest ideals of judicial service. The deadline for nominations for the former has been extended to tomorrow, Oct. 21; for the latter, Nov. 6.

Criteria for the Fidelity Award are as follows:

1. Significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice (preferably in Philadelphia)

2. The absence of prior recognition for this work by the Philadelphia Bar Association

3. Distinguished service consistently rendered over a considerable period of time or a single outstanding achievement in a particular year. (The fact that this single achievement may have occurred some years ago is not material so long as it has not been recognized.)

4. The accomplishment must arise from voluntary activities rather than for service rendered as a paid professional

5. It is preferred that the recipient be a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association not now in public office or directly involved with court operations or any other public service activity.

The Brennan Award is open to 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. 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.

Nominations for both awards can be sent to Tracey McCloskey at Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Litigating More Effectively Using Technology CLE, Nov. 16

On 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.

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.

Partnering for Career Success, Oct. 28

On Wed., Oct. 28 from 12:15-2 p.m., the Attorney Career Development Committee will present "Partnering for Career Success" at Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St., 10th Floor.

Have you thought how much easier it would be to make great first impressions on employers and clients if you had a partner or small group offering you advice, feedback and help presenting yourself to key decision-makers?

"Speed Intros" and "Action Exercises" will help you connect with the partner best for you. Leading this event is Arthur Bousel, founder of Lawyer 2 Lawyer Career Management, which helps attorneys contribute greater value to employers and clients.

The event is free (lunch is optional for $8). CLICK HERE to register.

Pennsylvania Bar Association Holding 4th Annual Diversity Summit, Oct. 29

The Pennsylvania Bar Association Minority Committee is holding its 4th Annual Diversity Summit on Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, PA. The theme for this year's Summit is "Banking on Diversity in Tough Economic Times."

The overall purpose of the Summit is to foster dialogue statewide about diversity and inclusion in all sectors of the legal community, as well as to encourage collaboration and an exchange of best practices among organizations involved in diversity efforts. A particular focus of the fourth Summit will be presentations by law firm managing partners and key leaders who will share their perspectives about diversity and inclusion.

Cliff Haines, the current President of the PBA, will give welcoming remarks and the keynote address will be delivered by Professor David Kairys of Temple University Beasley School of Law. The main program will be comprised of a series of panel discussions featuring representatives from the public and private sectors of the profession. Time has been built into the agenda for questions from the audience as well.

For more information, including the full agenda and registration form, CLICK HERE.

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

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 on Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. All sessions are 12-2 p.m. at Bar Association headquarters. The program is being offered again due to popular demand.

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.

ABA Law Firm Marketing Strategies Conference, Nov. 12-13

On 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.