DCBA MARCH Newsletter - Dcba
Transcription
DCBA MARCH Newsletter - Dcba
DCBA MARCH Newsletter PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Open Bar Today! Jonathan W. Kunkel Now that I have your attention, let me explain what I mean. The Dauphin County Bar Association is open all day, every day during the week with the purpose of serving the membership. The association staff and leadership are constantly working to ensure that all members have the resources needed to enhance and improve our practice. One of the areas in which the DCBA excels is by providing relevant, timely and numerous Continuing Legal Education opportunities. In fact, as many of you know, membership includes twelve CLE credits a year through the Cafeteria Series held three times a year presented by the association’s substantive sections. Not only can this benefit exceed the cost of your dues, it gives you the ability to hear fellow members of our organization discuss different areas of the law. These programs are popular with our members thanks to our substantive sections, the skilled leadership of CLE Committee Chair Ron Tomasko and the never ending support of Liz, Joyce and Bridgette. One area, however, where I have seen a marked decrease in membership involvement over the past fifteen years is attendance at our social events and membership meetings. I first moved to Harrisburg from Pittsburgh almost twenty years ago “sight unseen” to serve as the Harrisburg law clerk to Commonwealth Court Senior Judge Emil Narick. While I was excited to begin my legal career clerking for an Appellate Judge, I was extremely apprehensive to move two hundred miles away from my primary support system to a city where I literally knew no one. Fortunately for me, the first thing that I did was submit a DCBA application and got involved with the Young Lawyers Section by joining a volleyball team. Because of this organization and its terrific staff and membership, I quickly became acclimated to Harrisburg and made a circle of friends. It is this initial experience with the DCBA that has made me so committed to our association. When I first became involved, YLS meetings were very well attended as were all three membership meetings, the St. Patrick’s, Oktoberfest and Holiday parties. In fact, the YLS volleyball league regularly hosted over forty teams. Sadly, due to increasing pressures on our time and numerous other factors, attendance and participation in our social events has greatly diminished. Certainly, the quality of the events has not decreased as the YLS has always and continues to do an awesome job of running our three parties and the volleyball program. Not only does an active social program enhance our association, it promotes and fosters collegiality in our profession – something that, in my opinion, has been diminishing in recent years. I have found that within my practice areas, courtesy, etiquette and respect are sometimes given a back seat for overzealous advocacy. However, interacting with a colleague in a social setting at the DCBA can act to minimize “bad behavior” between opposing counsel thus enhancing the practice of law. The primary question that remains is how can we increase participation? I think that a crucial component is you, the active member. On the recent ABA survey, almost ninety percent of the responding members asserted that they would get involved with a DCBA initiative if someone invited them to do so. As such, I am asking everyone to help increase participation by reaching out to another member to attend a DCBA event with you. Now would be the perfect time to call or send an e-mail to a fellow member and invite that person (or people) to attend the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day party on Thursday, March 14th starting at 5:30 p.m. It is sure to be a festive event made even better by your attendance – I hope to see you there. Erin go Braugh! Board of Directors Jonathan W. Kunkel President John D. Sheridan President Elect Pamela C. Polacek Vice President J. Michael Sheldon Secretary James J. McCarthy Jr. Treasurer Brett M. Woodburn Past President Jennifer M. Caron Young Lawyers Chair Anthony F. Andrisano, Jr. YL Chair Elect Directors William L. Adler C. Grainger Bowman Robert E. Chernicoff Salvatore A. Darigo, Jr. James R. Demmel Jeffrey A. Ernico John W. Frommer, III S. Barton Gephart Joshua A. Gray Matthew M. Haar Dale E. Klein Terrence J. McGowan Renee C. Mattei Myers Narciso A. RodriguezCayro Gail Guida Souders PRESIDENT’S GALA PHOTOS Photos provided by J. Michael Sheldon PRESIDENT’S GALA PHOTOS Photos provided by J. Michael Sheldon GIVING Some people make financial contributions to their educational institutions or favorite charities, some volunteer their time to organizations of many types but not many donate one of their own organs to a stranger. Recently one of our own DCBA members did just that! Steven Turner, of the PA Office of General Counsel made the decision to donate one of his kidneys after watching a program on organ donation. This powerfully impacted him and after some soul-searching and reflection, he contacted Pinnacle Health Kidney Transplant Program and offered his own kidney. Steve said they were stunned at his offer but willing to take him up on it. The short story here is that Steve underwent surgery, his kidney went to a woman in Baltimore and this started a chain reaction of giving that culminated in saving multiple lives and impacting families from all walks of life. This story is inspirational and the link listed below describes Steve’s experience. We congratulate Steve for this truly selfless act and are proud to call him one of our members. Thank you Steve! To learn more about organ donation, please go to www.donors1.org. http://www.whptv.com/content/Video/story/An-incredible-story-of-life-as-atotal-stranger/mty8xJtfzkqKC4SBm_P88w.cspx DCBA BENCH BAR SPONSORS OPPORTUNITIES If you would like to have your business advertised in the 2013 DCBA Bench Bar Program, please email a jpeg file of the ad to [email protected] NO LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013. BELOW ARE THE ADVERTISING PRICES. An invoice will be sent after receiving the hard copy ad. Business card ad: $100.00 (3 1/2” x 2”) Half Page ad: $250.00 (4” x 4”) Full page ad: $500.00 (4.5” x 6.5”) PRO BONO RECEPTION President of the Dauphin County Bar Association Jonathan Kunkel, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ronald D. Castille, Widener Law School Professor and Pro Bono Attorney Mary Catherine Scott, Dauphin County Bar Association Public Services Coordinator Sandy Ballard, Dauphin County Bar Association Public Service Committee Chair James P. DeAngelo and Dauphin County President Judge Todd A. Hoover joined other judges to thank the 430 pro bono participants at an invitation-only reception on February 19, 2013. If you want to make sure your name is on the pro bono reception invitation list next year, please contact Sandy Ballard at 232-7536 or [email protected] and she will be happy to offer you some pro bono options! BAR BRIEFS Craig Adler: Capozzi & Associates takes pleasure in announcing their new name, Capozzi Adler, P.C. Julia Coelho an attorney with McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Dress for Success South Central Pennsylvania Marc Crum: Capozzi & Associates takes pleasure in announcing their new name, Capozzi Adler, P.C. Andrew H. Cline, Frist Executive Deputy General Counsel has announced his retirement from Commonwealth Service. Maria P. Cognetti is please to announce the relocation of Cognetti & Associates to 3304 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Amy C. Foerster, was selected as a member of the Class of 2013 of the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Tribute to Women of Excellence. Jennifer K. Gallia, was selected as a member of the Class of 2013 of the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Tribute to Women of Excellence. (no photo available) Brian F. Jackson of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC has been recognized as the Gary Yenkowski Award recipient for 2012. The Yenkowski Award is given to a Member each year in honor of deceased McNees Partner, Gary Yenkowski. Award recipients demonstrate paramount professionalism, dedication to effective marketing, and loyalty and commitment to client service, the community and the Firm. Kandice Kerwin Hull, a member of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, has been selected as a YWCA Tribute to Women of Excellence 2013 award recipient. Paige Macdonald-Matthes joined the firm of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP as Partner in the Litigation Department on February 25, 2013. She will reside in the firm’s Harrisburg office. BAR BRIEFS CONTINUED Victoria S. Madden, was selected as a member of the Class of 2013 of the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Tribute to Women of Excellence John B. Mancke, Partner of Mancke, Wagner & Spreha has retired from the Partnership effective March 1, 2013. John J. McNally, III has been named to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Steven R. Snyder is now with the law firm of Boyle Litigation (formally Boyle Autry & Murphy). Barb Zemlock is now Of Counsel for Gover, Perry & Shore; 2411 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA DCBA YOUNG LAWYERS AND CLE As a recent grad and newly-minted attorney or one who has practiced for several years, why on earth would you think of CLE? I am sure many of you have had just about enough “learning” for some time, but consider the value of CLE beyond just compliance with PACLE requirements. A recent article in the Philadelphia Bar Reporter by Aneesh A. Mehta, an associate with Volpe and Koenig, P.C., and chair of the YLD at the Philadelphia Bar Association, outlined some things we don’t think about with respect to CLE. CAREER DEVELOPMENT! As the great philosopher Yogi Berra once said, “(if) you don’t know where you are going, you will end up someplace else!” New lawyers generally start their careers with undefined goals like “building a practice” or “making partner” but what does this really mean and how does one do this? Mr. Mehta points out that it is necessary to draw up a roadmap to accomplish your goals. This should include specifics about the nature of the work you wish to do, the type of clients you hope to work with and your marketing plan. When this concept is formulated, you should decide how CLE and other bar association programming can be useful to you. Evaluate the CLE’s that are offered by the DCBA and plan to attend those sessions that enhance your career. Doing this will provide you with valuable practice information but also help you to meet other local practitioners in that area. If you are a new lawyer, this is another way to determine also what area of law suits you best. A former mentor once told me that as lawyers we “never stop” learning and this opportunity allows you to stay on top of changing legal trends. Listening to experts in a particular field is always interesting and you never know just what you may walk away with! 2013-2014 LAWYER REFERRAL REGISTRATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED It is now time to register with the DCBA Lawyer Referral Service for inclusion on the attorney referral list for 2013 and into the beginning of 2014. Registration forms were emailed to members on February 19, 2013. Please complete the registration form and mail it to the Bar Association by Friday, March 22, 2013 together with your check in the amount of $95. Beginning April 8, 2013 all referrals will be made from the new list and the previous list will be discarded, so please register promptly. If you have not received it, please contact [email protected] to get your copy of the registration form today! SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARTY The annual Young Lawyers Saint Patrick’s Day Party will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2013 beginning at 5:30. VINNY’S KIDS Please join your fellow Bar Association members in the great cause to support Vinny’s Kids! Join the DCBA team for this 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. on City Island. Bring your friends, spouses, kids, and dogs to support this great cause! Please register for the race online at: https://www.pretzelcitysports.com/ onlineform1.php?id=164 We look forward to seeing you there! YOUNG LAWYERS VOLLEYBALL The Young Lawyers have met and are putting their events together for the year. The Volleyball schedule is set to begin on Thursday, May 9, 2013. All registration materials are due to the Bar Association no later than 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013! Look for your team registration form under separate email! PRO BONO RECOGNITION The following participants provided pro bono service during the month of February by accepting new clients, making a financial contribution to MidPenn Legal Services, participating in one of our pro bono programs, or conducting one of our family law clinics: Attorneys: C. Lee Anderson Anthony F. Andrisano Jr. Irwin William Aronson Sarah W. Arosell Amy H. Backenstose Mark C. Baldwin Andrew W. Barbin Floyd M. Baturin Madelaine N. Baturin Amy E. Bauccio Peter K. Bauer Queena Stremmel Baumbach LaToya Winfield Bellamy Brian W. Bisignani Eric L. Bloom Andrew T. Bockis John J. Cantwell Donna L. Fisher Grant H. Fleming Mary Jane Forbes Peter Garcia Kevin L. Hall Megan Henry Erin R. Kawa Puja Khare Brian E. McDonough John J. McNally, III Mette, Evans & Woodside Jeffrey E. Piccola John W. Purcell Jr. Marc Roda Jordan G. Spahr Steven V. Turner Richard H. Wix Paralegals: Cathi Leigh McAdams PRO BONO PERFORMANCE So far in calendar year 2013, our Pro Bono Program has: Assisted 105 clients (based on new cases) Donated 515 hours of legal services (based on closed cases) Valued at $77,250 Conducted 4 Pro Se Clinics Additionally, our Lawyer Referral Program has fielded 676 calls and referred 440 clients, including 19 clients who qualified for Modest Means Panel. Thanks to all those who helped maintain this tradition of community service. Students: Jacob Barbin Bryan Bartosik-Velez Kristie Falbo Olivette Joseph Benjamin M. Lombard Sarah Phillips Kristin M. Potter Jason Staloski Abbie Trone Doug Wortman 2012 Wills for Heroes Pro Bono Attorneys Jonathan D. Andrews Adeolu A. Bakare Lindsey A. Bierzonski D. Joseph Chapman Nichole A. Collins Timothy E. Gates Erin K. Grady Amy L. Groff Timothy A. Hoy Vasiliki Karandrikas Kirsten A. Kutler Regina L. Matz Scott E. Maier Linda J. Olsen Ralph M. Salvia Adam L. Santucci John C. Swartz Jr. Felix Thau PRO BONO HONOR ROLL 2012 Our sincere apologies to the following individuals whose names were inadvertently left off the 2012 Pro Bono Honor Roll in February’s edition of the DCBA Newsletter. Yvonne M. Husic 2013 BENCH BAR CONFERENCE IS HERE! 2013 Bench Bar Conference Friday, May 3, 2013 - Sunday, May 5, 2013 Loews Annapolis Hotel Click here for registration Information https://www.dcba-pa.org/pdfs/eventAds/2013BenchBarRegistrationFinal.pdf UPCOMING WIDENER LAW CLE’S HBG-Thursday, April 4 - 4:30 p.m. Jurist in Residence Lecture Series, Justice Thomas G. Saylor 1 FREE CLE HBG-Monday, April 15 – 4:30 p.m. John L. Gedid Lecture Series, Orin Kerr, Professor of Law, George Washington University, 1 FREE CLE HBG-Tuesday, April 16 – 9 a.m. Perspectives on Mass Tort Litigation 7 CLE credits (including 1 ethics) HBG-Thursday, April 18 – 4 p.m. Donald A. Brown, “How U.S. Domestic Climate Law Needs to Respond to Emerging International Climate Law” 1 FREE CLE APRIL NEWSLETTER DEADLINE If you would like an event or member updated advertised in our next newsletter, please submit it NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 to [email protected]. Thank you. March 2013 Sun 3 Mon 4 Tue 5 Wed 6 Thu 7 Fri Sat 1 8 2 9 15 16 22 23 29 30 5:00pm Auto Law Social & Cash Bar 10 11 Daylight Savings Times Begin 5:30pm Lipsitt Inn of Court 12 13 14 5:00pm Bowman Inn of Court 9:00am Custody Clinic 5:30pm Young Lawyers St. Patty’s Day Party 17 18 10:00am Young Lawyers Vinny’s Kids 5K Walk/Run City Island 19 20 21 12:00 noon ADR Committee Meeting 12:00 noon Family Law Subcommittee Meeting 4:30pm Board of Directors Meeting 4:00pm Memorial Service Saint Patrick’s Day https://www.dcbapa.org/pdfs/ eventAds/0320memorialser vice.pdf 24 25 26 11:30am Lunch 12 Noon program “Tips for Small and Solo Practitioners” https://www.dcbapa.org/Calendar/ Signup.aspx? EventNo=240 31 Easter 27 28 DCBA Closed Good Friday April 2013 Su Mon 1 Tue 2 Wed 3 Thu 4 Fri 5 Sat 6 9:00am 6 Hour CLE Compliance Session Crowne Plaza Hotel https://www.dcba-pa.org/ Calendar/Signup.aspx? EventNo=242 7 8 9 5:00pm Lipsitt Inn of 11:30am Lunch Court 12 Noon program 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 12:00pm Family Law Section Subcommittee 4:30 Board of Directors Meeting 24 25 26 27 5:30pm Bowman Inn of Court “Municipal Bankruptcy Update” https://www.dcba-pa.org/Calendar/ Signup.aspx?EventNo=241 14 15 21 22 16 23 4:30pm Volleyball 11:30am Lunch Registrations are due 12 Noon program in our office More Information to Follow 11:30am Lunch 12 Noon program “Your Emotional Intelligence: How to Use It, Grow It, and Leverage It in Business” https://www.dcba-pa.org/ Calendar/Signup.aspx? EventNo=158 28 29 Law Week 11:30am-1:30p.m. Ask A Lawyer @ Strawberry Square 30 May 1 May Law Week 11:30am-1:30p.m. Ask A Lawyer @ Strawberry Square Law Week 8:00am - Law Day Breakfast - Hilton More Information to Follow 11:30am-1:30p.m. Ask A Lawyer @ Strawberry Square 2 Law Week 11:30am-1:30p.m. Ask A Lawyer @ Strawberry Square May 3 Law Week 11:30am-1:30p.m. Ask A Lawyer @ Strawberry Square May 4 Law Week 11:30am-1:30p.m. Ask A Lawyer @ Strawberry Square 2013 Bench Bar Con2013 Bench Bar ference Annapolis, MD Conference Annaphttps://www.dcba-pa.org/ olis, MD Calendar/Signup.aspx? EventNo=237 https://www.dcbapa.org/Calendar/ Signup.aspx? EventNo=237