Win a Hand-Made Shirt or Blouse at FREE "Dress to Impress" Networking Event, Sept. 24

Join clothing vendors Distante, Doncaster and Astor & Black at the YLD's FREE "Dress to Impress" Networking Happy Hour, Sept. 24, 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.

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 Just A Week Away

From September 15 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. You have just one week to tell your friends and family about PLS. (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.

YLD Family Fall Festival at the Philadelphia Zoo, Oct. 3

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).

CLICK HERE to register.

2009 Bench Bar and Annual Conference Scholarships Available; Submissions Due 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 on September 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.

Press Release: Nutter Maintains Urgent Request for Harrisburg Action

On Sept. 1, Mayor Michael A. Nutter provided an update on the City's financial situation in light of the prior week's commitment by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to vote today on the amended House Bill 1828 (HB1828), the Harrisburg legislation which authorizes the City of Philadelphia to temporarily increase the sales tax and to make changes to its pension payments.

"We are taking all possible responsible steps to avoid any negative impact from our budget crisis hurting citizens or organizations in Philadelphia, but time is running out and our options are limited," said Mayor Nutter.

At a press conference in City Hall Mayor Nutter announced that on September 10, 2009 the City of Philadelphia will actively notify residents, vendors, and other stakeholders of the reduction in City services effective October 2, 2009, in the absence of approval of House Bill 1828. These notices will be sent to city residents to notify them of the new trash collection schedules as we shift weekly trash collection to twice a month, parents whose children use libraries and recreation centers after school, senior centers serving meals to thousands of elderly Philadelphians, and countless others who will be negatively impacted by the devastating consequences of Plan C. Notices will also be posted on City facilities whose operations will cease without approval of HB1828.

These notifications were originally scheduled for last week but they have been delayed until this week given the commitment of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to act on HB1828 today. The impact of not realizing the $700 million in additional revenue and reduced expenditures contained within HB1828 will be devastating for a wide range of City services including libraries, pools, recreation centers, and services for senior citizens and special populations. Notifying those who use and/or provide these services of the possibility that the City will no longer be able to afford to fund them is the only responsible course of action.

Also on September 10, 2009, the City of Philadelphia will submit to the Public Employee Retirement Commission (PERC) a proposed pension plan which meets the terms of the complex pension reform language adopted by the Pennsylvania State Senate. On September 11, 2009, one year to the day after Mayor Nutter first informed Philadelphians of the City’s growing fiscal crisis, the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority will vote on the City’s Five Year Plan – the so-called Plan C which includes $700 million in devastating reductions in services that will be required if the General Assembly does not approve House Bill 1828. Finally, if approval from Harrisburg is not granted by September 18, 2009, lay-off notices will be sent to approximately 3,000 City employees in order for lay-offs to be effective October 2, 2009.

Mayor Nutter also announced on Sept. 1 that the City of Philadelphia has been offered a $275 million short-term loan from JPMorgan Chase & Co. in order to help ease the City’s cash flow problems. Funds from this privately placed tax and revenue anticipation note (TRAN) will allow the City to make approximately $200 million in delayed payments to vendors out of a total of $225 million in payments delayed since mid-July. The remainder of the loan, together with the City’s continuing cash conservation measures, will be used to maintain an adequate cash balance.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. recently approached the City with an offer to loan funds at an acceptable level of interest. The interest rate through November 30th will be 3%, increasing to 8% on December 1st. However as soon as House Bill 1828 is passed by the General Assembly the City expects to access the public markets to undertake a cash flow borrowing at a lower rate to replace this private borrowing.

JPMorgan has recently offered loans to other state and local governments including the California, New Jersey, and Wayne County, Michigan. With the absence of approval of House Bill 1828, the City has been unable to access the public markets at an acceptable rate and therefore had no other option for short-term cash borrowing.

This short-term borrowing eases but does not solve the City's cash flow problems. It has no impact on the City's budgetary situation as the entire loan must be repaid during this current fiscal year. Therefore cash conservation measures will continue to be in place with spending on anything other than payroll, debt service and emergencies still subject to a case-by-case review.

"[September 1's] announcement is a good development for agencies and organizations that provide crucial services to some of our most vulnerable populations, and to small businesses operating in Philadelphia and the surrounding region, but it does not in any way solve our budget deficit," said Mayor Nutter. "There is very little time left on the clock which is why it is crucial that the General Assembly approves HB1828 without delay and without amendment."

Dialogue on Diversity, Sept. 22

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.

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.

Ethical Issues And Your Fee Agreement CLE, Sept. 17

On 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.