FREE "Dress to Impress" Networking Event Just Over A Week Away; Win a Hand-Made Shirt or Blouse

On Sept. 24, a week from this Thrusday, join clothing vendors Distante, Doncaster and Astor & Black at the YLD's FREE "Dress to Impress" Networking Happy Hour, from 6-8 p.m. at Ladder 15. All three vendors will give attendees the chance to win a hand-made shirt or blouse. Drink and food specials will be on hand. The event is sponsored by Ace Reporters, Inc.

"Dress to Impress" will feature various clothiers, each displaying their items throughout the night at discounted prices. Custom-tailored suits and shirts for both men and women will be available, as will a variety of accessories. Drink and food specials will also be offered during the event.

Registration is not required for "Dress to Impress," however the first 80 to arrive will receive a free drink ticket.

YLD Family Fall Festival at the Philadelphia Zoo, Oct. 3; Must Register By Sept. 25

On October 3, from 12-2PM, have fun and meet the families of your fellow young lawyers at the YLD Family Fall Festival. This year's celebration takes place at the Philadelphia Zoo and includes all sorts of fun activities.

The cost of the event (Adults: $20; ages 2-12: $12; under 2: free) includes:

-9AM-5PM access to the Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 Girard Ave.
-YLD Family Fall Festival at Peacock Pavilion, 12-2:30PM. Enjoy a picnic BBQ, decorate your own cupcake and dance to a great DJ.
-Zoo on Wheels (12-2:30PM)
-Face Painting (12:30-2:30PM)

Remember, children are encouraged to wear costumes (young lawyers can, too).

Attendees must register by Sept. 25 as no walk-ins will be permitted.CLICK HERE to sign up now!

My First Federal Trial CLE, Sept. 24

On Sept. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., the YLD and the Federal Courts Committee will present "My First Federal Trial", a CLE focusing on succeeding during this momentous event.

Your first federal jury trial is often 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.

Honorable C. Darnell Jones, II, Honorable Gene E. K. Pratter, Honorable Juan R. Sanchez, Honorable Timothy J. Savage and Honorable Lawrence F. Stengel, all serving on the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will be joined by Stephanie J. Mensing, Wisniewski & Mensing, L.L.P., and Barbara T. Sicalides, Pepper Hamilton, L.L.P. to speak informally on:

-What to do in those last few hours before trial
-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
-And more

"My First Federal Trial" will be held at the Federal Courthouse Ceremonial Courtroom
, 601 Market Street, from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration begins at 3:30. CLICK HERE for tuition information and to register now.

The People's Law School Kicks Off TONIGHT

Starting tonight through October 20, the YLD will present "The People's Law School", a legal education program for citizens interested in learning about areas of the law affecting their daily lives. Today is your last day to tell your friends and family about this true public resource and that walk-in registration is available.

(Visit peopleslawschool.philadelphiabar.org for more)

The program features six sessions of 11 total classes on subjects ranging from real estate to employment law to personal injury, all taught by volunteer attorneys. Classes will be held every Tuesday from 6:15-8:30 p.m. in the Jury Assembly Room at the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. The cost of the program is $40.00 and includes access to all seminars and the complete course materials book.

The YLD needs all Philadelphia Bar Association members to spread the word about this valuable program and public resource. Tell your family, friends, clients and whomever else you feel would benefit from The People's Law School.

The course schedule is as follows:

September 15

-Social Security & Disability (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
-Elder Law (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

September 22

-Small Claims & Landlord/Tenant (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
-Consumer Credit (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

September 29

-Personal Injury (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
-Criminal Law (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 6

-Real Estate (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
-Bankruptcy (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 13

-Employment Law (6:15-7:15 p.m.)
-Workers’ Compensation (7:30-8:30 p.m.)

October 20

-Family Law (6:15-8:30 p.m.)

The People's Law School is open to all citizens. Registration is now available here. For questions about the program, contact 215-238-6393 or pls@philabar.org.

Please note that while The People's Law School will provide attendees information on different areas of the law, the program is not accredited and no degree or certificate will be conferred upon its completion.

2009 Bench Bar and Annual Conference Scholarships Available; Submissions Due This Thurs., Sept. 17

Scholarships to the 2009 Bench Bar and Annual Conference on October 23 and 24 at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City are available by lottery to Association Members who are public interest or government service attorneys.

To enter the lottery, please submit your name and organization to Tracey
McCloskey at tmcloskey@philabar.org by 4PM this Thurs., Sept. 17. Each scholarship will include hotel accommodations for one night on October 23 at Harrah's Resort as well as all conference fees which include CLE programming and all sponsored meals and events.

The lottery drawing will take place on September 24 and the announcement of winners will be sent via email on September 25.

Please remember, you must be a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association to participate in the scholarship lottery.

Bar Association Currently Seeking Candidates for '09 Election.

The 2009 Bar Association Election is just around the corner and the Elections Committee is now seeking qualified candidates for the offices of Vice Chancellor, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer (each office carries a one-year term) and five seats on the Board of Governors (each Board seat carries a three-year term).

Association members may become candidates for any of these offices by filing with the Assistant Secretary, at least 60 days prior to the December 8, 2009 annual meeting, nominations in writing which, for candidates of the Board, must be signed by at least 25 Members who are entitled to vote; for candidates for Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, shall be signed by at least 35 Members who are entitled to vote; and for candidates for Vice-Chancellor, shall be signed by at least 100 Members who are entitled to vote.

There will be an informational "Nuts And Bolts" Session at 12pm on Sept. 30th at the Bar Association to offer guidance to prospective candidates about the Board of Governors and the process of running for a Member of Line-Officer seat.

Important Dates:

-Election "Nuts And Bolts" Session: September 30
-Candidate Filing Deadline: October 9
-Election Ballots Mailed: November 20
-Mailed Ballot Deadline: December 4
-Election (8:30am - 6:00pm: December 8

Individuals who wish to run for any of the above named offices should contact, Staff Counsel, Brian Sims at bsims@philabar.org for additional information. Signatures, along with a resume, and written authorization should be submitted to Association Assistant Secretary, Sophia Lee, c/o Brian Sims, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, no later than 5p.m., Friday, Oct. 9.

Ethics Shout-Out with Paul Kazaras CLE, Sept. 16

On Sept. 16, the Workers' Compensation Section will sponsor "Ethics Shout-Out with Paul Kazaras," a lunchtime CLE where the Bar Association's 'Ethics Guru' will answer all attendees' ethics questions.

In this highly interactive format, Mr. Kazaras, the Bar’s ethics and professional guidance expert, will entertain and educate you as to how to avoid the potential minefield of legal ethical issues. The Ethics Guru will provide you with wisdom and wit.

Topics to be highlighted include:
-Client communications
-Candor to the court
-Financial, Personal, and Corporate Conflicts
-Avoidance of the Appearance of Impropriety

The program has been approved for 1.0 Ethics CLE credit. Participants wishing to receive the CLE credit will be required to pay a fee of $25.00 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for more than five years, and $20.00 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for less than five years. To register in advance, CLICK HERE or call PBI at 1-800-932-4637.

YLD Seeking Nominations for Executive Committee Posts; Due by Oct. 20

Every year, seven new members are elected to serve three-year terms on the YLD Executive Committee. This year's Election will take place on December 8 in conjunction with the Bar Association's Annual Meeting. All nominations must arrive at Bar Association headquarters by 3 p.m. on Oct. 20.

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 20, 2009.

At 5:00 p.m. that same day, we will have an informational meeting in the 10th 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

Public Service Task Force of the Women in the Profession Committee Hosting "Back to School" Happy Hour, Oct. 8

On Oct. 8 from 6-8 p.m., the Public Service Task Force of the Bar Association's Women in the Profession Committee will host a "Back to School" Happy Hour at the Public House, 1801 Arch Street.

The event is free and features drink specials. It also presents a great opportunity to get to know members of the Task Force and the Committee as well as mingle with many other Bar Association members. Attendees are encouraged to bring school supplies for a local school in need.

To RSVP, contact Nikki Johnson-Huston at 215-683-5289 or nikki.johnson-huston@phila.gov

THIS THURS.: Ethical Issues And Your Fee Agreement CLE

This Thursday, Sept. 17, the Professional Responsibility and Fee Disputes Committees will sponsor "Ethical Issues and Your Fee Agreement", a lunchtime CLE where attendees will learn how to avoid common mistakes made when entering into fee agreements and how to address issues that arise during representation.

Featured panelists Arthur Brandolph, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, LLP; Charles F. Forer, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC; Shanese I. Johnson, Shanese I. Johnson & Associates, P.C.; Linda F. Rosen, M. Mark Mendel Ltd.; and Barbara S. Rosenberg, a private practitioner in Norristown will address whether a written fee agreement is required, if an attorney may charge a nonrefundable retainer, and if an attorney can hold a file for nonpayment of a fee when the client obtains new counsel, among other topics.

"Ethical Issues and Your Fee Agreement" has been approved for 1.0 Ethics CLE credit. Participants wishing to receive the CLE credit will be required to pay a fee of $33.50 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for more than five years, and $28.50 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for less than five years. Lunch fee is included in the tuition price. To register, CLICK HERE or call PBI at 1-800-932-4637.

Nominations Sought for 2009 Wachovia Fidelity Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the Bar Association's 2009 Wachovia Fidelity Award, given to an individual who has significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice. The deadline for receipt of nominations is Fri., Oct. 16.

Criteria for the 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.

Nominations should be sent to Tracey McCloskey at tmccloskey@philabar.org or by mailing to Philadelphia Bar Association, c/o Fidelity Award Committee, 1101 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

NEXT TUESDAY: Our Dialogue on Diversity

The Philadelphia Bar Association will host the summit "Our Dialogue on Diversity" which will review the real-life struggles and successes of diverse Philadelphia lawyers from the past and present, with a major focus on the future. This two-hour summit, designed as a luncheon program, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 12 p.m. at The CLE Conference Center at the Wanamaker Building.

Topics will include recruiting and retaining diverse individuals, building diverse leadership at the Bar Association and law firm management, the impact of the economy on diversity, and implementing the Statement of Diversity Principles resolution.

Panelists will include U.S. District Court Senior Judge Norma Shapiro; Butler Buchanan, shareholder, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin; former Chancellor Andrew A. Chirls; Roberta Liebenberg, member, Fine, Kaplan & Black, R.P.C.; Nadeem Bezar, partner, Kolsby, Gordon, Robin, Shore & Bezar; Brandi Brice, assistant city solicitor; John Encarnacion, associate, White and Williams LLP; Thomas Fitzpatrick, partner, Fitzpatrick & Long, LLC; Heather J. Holloway, associate, Thorp Reed & Armstrong LLP; Richard Negrin, vice president and associate general counsel, ARAMARK; Jamie Ray, Center for Disability Law Policy; and Lynn Zeitlin, executive director, Equality Advocates.

There is no charge to attend this event, but registration is required. Lunch is available for $12. CLICK HERE to register.