dauphin county bar association september newsletterplace team of m. mcknight, b. duncan, judge...
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President’s Message
Just One More... "These are the times that try men's souls." ~Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine published those words in December 1776 as he wrote about the unconquerable desire Americans felt to be free of the tyranny of Britain. These are times that try our souls. The economy; unemployment; national debt; Afghanistan; the presidential election; all elections; broken homes; abused children... trying times. Widespread response seems to be to blame someone else. In the past weeks, blame has been laid at the feet of President Obama, the financial institutions, oil and gas companies, Penn State football, the pursuit of money... and the list goes on. The truth is, there is no one person, no one group of people, who are responsible for the crises (and there are many) that plague us today. I am reminded of an old adage from my youth; it goes something like this; "Every time you point your finger at someone else, remember that there are three more pointing back at you." Author unknown. I don't know what your personal and professional experiences have shown you these past three months; I have faced many challenges in all aspects of my life. I have had my professionalism questioned, my integrity challenged, my motives attacked. These experiences have been such that my instinct is to first lay my defensive grounds and then turn and bring the attack. I've probably done some of that too - much to my chagrin. Being questioned, challenged and attacked - while often unpleasant - is just as often a good educator. Sometimes your questions reveal incomplete analysis; your challenges point out weaknesses in one’s own thinking; your attacks then, tend to build resolve. Thomas Paine also said, "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value." More wise words. The summer is now behind us; we've had our change to recharge, regroup and refresh! We are heading into the maelstrom of change as one of the most fierce and most bitter political battles ensues on so many fronts and we will be drawn into the fray for friends, for colleagues, for our own personal and professional goals. I recently spoke with an economist who opined that our housing market is not in the process of "recover;" it has recovered. Jobs are scarce. Has the “new” baseline for unemployment been set at 7%? Clients want, need, and expect us to accomplish so much more, in so much less time, for no greater investment, and they will brook no excuse! Trying times, indeed. We are lawyers. We are leaders among our peers. Our friends, our families, our communities turn to us for answers; and when none are quick to come, they are even quicker to lay blame on us. We are lawyers. We've chosen this path; we've been called to this profession. You may not agree with me, and I value you for that difference. And I respect you. And while I may completely disagree with you, I don't take your challenges, your criticisms, your questions personally. And when I question you, challenge you and offer different solutions that you did not see, know that I am not attacking you. The work that I have cited, is entitled The Crisis. It speaks of the Revolution; it speaks of troubled times. It speaks across troubled times. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." We are lawyers. We are who people turn to in times of crisis. We are Lawyers. As Summer fades to Fall, events and opportunities start to re-emerge. This Thursday, the Young Lawyers Section is bringing back the DCBA Young Lawyers Wine Tasting, and is inviting some representatives from the Pennsylvania Wine Society to offer insights into some different wines and food that go with them. The DCBA Board meeting will be Tuesday, September 18, this month; a different day. Irene's will be open for Happy Hour from 5:00 to 6:30; come out and raise a toast! On Wednesday, September 19, we will hold our time-honored tradition of remembering our friends, our colleagues, and other lawyers who have passed. Last Call will be held immediately thereafter in the Lawyers' Lounge. Thursday, September 27, is our Fall Membership Meeting. Do you know any of the lawyers who are new members to the DCBA? We will move for their admission and celebrate their decision to join the DCBA! There is a lot going on this month, a lot of excitement and change! I look forward to seeing you out and about; you have time for Just One More!
Dauphin County Bar Association September Newsletter
213 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 232-7536
Board of Directors
Brett M. Woodburn President
Jonathan W. Kunkel
President Elect
John D. Sheridan Vice President
Pamela C. Polacek
Secretary
James J. McCarthy Jr. Treasurer
Elizabeth S. “Liesl” Beckley
Past President
Kimberly A. Selemba Young Lawyers Chair
Jennifer M. Caron
YL Vice Chair
Directors William L. Adler Harry M. Baturin
Queena Baumbach C. Grainger Bowman Robert E. Chernicoff
Salvatore A. Darigo, Jr. Jeffrey A. Ernico
S. Barton Gephart Kandice Hull
Dianne I. Nichols Pamela L. Purdy
J. Michael Sheldon Adam M. Shienvold Gail Guida Souders Michael W. Winfield
PBA Young Lawyers Division Summer Conference
On July 27th, 28th and 29th, I had the pleasure of attending the PBA Young Lawyers Division Summer Conference at the Rocky Gap Lodge in Cumberland Maryland as the new admittee from Dauphin County. The Lodge, which sits at
the base of the 3,000 acre Rocky Gap State Park and adjacent to the 243 acre Lake Habeeb, acted as host to many seminars and networking opportunities for young lawyers across the state. The seminars presented were on topics pertinent to young lawyers ranging from Wills for Heroes training, to opening a Solo or Small Firm and paths to leadership in the PBA. Attendees also had the opportunity to golf on one of Jack Nicklaus’s signature golf courses. I would strongly urge any young lawyer interested in becoming involved in the PBA to consider attending this great conference next year.
Matthew A. Sembach
DCBA Newsletter September 2012 Page 2
First Annual CCBA/DCBA Golf Outing a Success!
Although it was one of the hottest days of the summer, the CCBA/DCBA Golf Outing was a great success! A total of 19 teams braved the heat and played a shotgun start at
Rich Valley Golf Course. A great time was had by all and the first place prize of gift certificates to Pizza Grille went to the Tucker Arensberg team composed of Stephen Greecher, Tony Foschi, Aaron Jackson and Dennis Sheaffer with a score of 59. The second place team of M. McKnight, B. Duncan, Judge Masland and Judge Connor with a score of 60, took home the prize of gift certificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods. The winners of the closest to the pin prizes were Aaron Jackson and Tom Smida. Both Aaron and Tom received a voucher for a CLE at the CCBA and DCBA for an upcoming program. Thanks to all of the teams that took part and we are so pleased to say that each Bar Association earned over $800 for their Bar Foundations. We look forward to next year and an even better turnout!
Page 3 DCBA Newsletter September 2012
Save the Date
DCBA Day on Your Own in New York City Saturday, November 10, 2012
REGISTER TODAY! https://www.dcba-pa.org/pdfs/eventAds/1110nyc.pdf
2013 Bench/Bar Conference Friday, May 3, 2013 - Sunday, May 5, 2013
Loews Annapolis Hotel More Information to Follow
Executive Director - Franklin County Bar Association
Position Availability
The Franklin County Bar Association, located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, seeks a full-time Executive Director. Job responsibilities include year-round event planning, in-house publication of a weekly law journal, membership management, fiscal management and public relations. Bachelor’s degree, excellent social skills, knowledge of desktop publish-ing software and knowledge of book-keeping software required. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please send cover letter and resume to mahesh@fcls.net.
Bar Briefs
Edward G. Lanza of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot has been appointed by Governor Tom Corbett to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs.
Page 4 DCBA Newsletter September 2012
Lawyers Needed to Assist Local Vets and their Families
The Pennsylvania Service Connect Team (PSC) is a new initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the federal government. Partnering with the Dauphin County Department of Human Services and the City of Harrisburg, PSC addresses the needs of local veterans and their families. Harrisburg is one of only thirteen regions nationwide selected for this unique venture between the private sector, community and faith-based organizations, and government units.
Veterans have made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of this great nation. Unfortunately, many servicemen and servicewomen experience grave difficulty in transitioning to civilian life. These men and women, along with their families, often need support to access affordable housing, educational opportunities, gainful employment, adequate healthcare and – yes – legal services. Law professors, attorneys, and law students are needed as legal volunteers at the First Annual Service, Support & Resource Showcase Event. PSC will host this event to provide information and assistance to veterans, their families and other underserved individuals. Legal volunteers are needed to launch this campaign for veterans on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at New Hope Church, 584 Colonial Club Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112. The event is designed as a “service fair” with information booths, resource tables, informal speakers, free food, music, and much more. There will be an honor guard flag salute as well. This will be family-friendly environment, so children are welcome to attend! If you can only attend for one or two hours, your support is still needed! We ask that you serve as a volunteer at the showcase event on September 22, 2012 or, alternatively, that you provide brochures, pamphlets, or other literature explaining legal services that your law firm offers. Legal volunteers will not give legal advice, but will offer information on accessing providers of legal services in the region. If you know a local attorney who is interested in providing legal services to local veterans - pro bono or otherwise - please contact Professor Starla Williams (sjwilliams@widener.edu) to discuss how they can connect with veterans in need of advocacy.
The following participants provided pro bono service during the month of August 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:
Fredrick Cabell Jr. Susan Kay Candiello
Dana Windisch Chilson Kimberly M. Colonna James P. DeAngelo Natalie Grill Einsig Paul James Esposito
Donna L. Fisher Beth S. Harris
Teri L. Henning
Karl R. Hildabrand Sanford A. Krevsky
Jessica L. Kurtz Brian E. McDonough Elizabeth P. Mullaugh
Maryann Murphy Christal A. Pike-Nase
Michael D. Pipa William D. Poland Jr.
Anthony S. Potter John F. Povilaitis
Courtney Kishel Powell
Gregory R. Reed Johanna H. Rehkamp Gregory K. Richards
Kenneth L. Sable
Law students
Emily Ward
Pro Bono Performance
So far in calendar year 2012, our Pro Bono Program has:
Assisted 493 clients (based on new cases) Donated 2,089 hours of legal services (based on closed cases)
Valued at $313,500 Conducted 10 Pro Se Clinics
Additionally, our Lawyer Referral Program has fielded 3,063 calls and referred 1,945 clients, including 79 clients who qualified for our Modest Means Panel. Thanks to all those who help maintain this tradition of community service.
Page 5 DCBA Newsletter September 2012
Commission on Sentencing Fall 2012 Schedule
The Commission on Sentencing is pleased to announce the Fall 2012 schedule of Sentencing Seminars. It is offering 6th Edition and (Revised) Sentencing Guidelines and Sentencing in PA as follows: September 27, 2012, Celebration Hall, State College.
October 24, 2012, Crawford County Human Services Building, Bainbridge Technology Center, Meadville.
October 31, 2012, Municipal Police Officers Education & Training Commission, Harrisburg.
November 7, 2012, Four Points by Sheraton – Pittsburgh North, Mars.
November 28, 2012, Holiday Inn Williamsport, Williamsport.
December 19, 2012, Chester County Economic Development Council, Eagleview Corporate Center, Exton. Seminars are held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. These seminars are offered free of charge; however, pre-registration is required. CLE credits (6) are available. Additional information may be located in the seminar brochure located on the Commission web site. Registration is on-line.
Please contact a Sentencing Policy Specialist to provide standard or customized sentencing seminars and presentations on-site. Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing Sen. Mary Jo White, Chair Prof. Steven L. Chanenson, Vice Chair Mark H. Bergstrom, Executive Director
DCBA Newsletter September 2012 Page 6
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 3 Labor Day Holiday - DCBA Closed
4 5 4:30pm DCBA Court Relations Committee Meeting
6 9:00am - 12 noon “Advanced Concepts in Parenting Coordination” https://www.dcba-pa.org/pdfs/even-tAds/090612parentingcoordinators.pdf 7:00pm Young Lawyers Wine Tasting
7 2012/2013 Dauphin County Arbitrator Applications Due
8
9 10 5:30pm Lipsitt Inn of Court
11 11:30am lunch 12:00 Noon CLE “Custody Relocation Substantive and Procedural Developments from the New Child Custo-dy Act” https://www.dcba-pa.org/Calendar/Signup.aspx?EventNo=201
12 13 14 15
16 17 18 4:30pm Board of Directors Meeting
19 4:00pm Memorial Service https://www.dcba-pa.org/pdfs/even-tAds/0919MemorialServicepub.pdf
20 4:00pm DCBA House Committee Meeting
21 22
23 24 25 11:30am lunch 12:00 Noon CLE “The PA Judicial Discipli-nary System: What How and Why” https://www.dcba-pa.org/Calendar/Signup.aspx?EventNo=206
26 4:00pm DCBA Military Committee Meeting
27 12noon DCBA Fall Membership Meeting - Civic Club https://www.dcba-pa.org/pdfs/even-tAds/092712fallmshipmtg.pdf
28 29
30
September 2012
DCBA Newsletter September 2012 Page 7
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 8:00am DCBA Public Service Committee Meet-ing 11:30am Lunch 12 Noon program “ABC’s of De-pendency and Children & Youth” https://www.dcba-pa.org/Calendar/Signup.aspx?EventNo=203
10 12:30pm DCBA ADR Committee Meet-ing 5:30 - 7:30 WIP Event 5:30pm Bowman Inn of Court
11 12 13
14 15 5:30pm Lipsitt Inn of Court
16 9:00am Custody Clinic 4:00pm DCBA Auto Law Com-mittee Meeting
17 18 4:30pm Board of Directors Meet-ing 5:30pm Young Lawyers Oktoberfest (See Flyer on page 8)
19 20
21 22 23 11:30am lunch 12:00 Noon CLE
24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
October 2012
October Newsletter Deadline
If you would like an event advertised in our newsletter, please submit it by the deadline below to liz@dcba-pa.org. NO LATER THAN Friday, September 21, 2012.
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