AN MCBA PUBLICATION AN MCBA PUBLICATION

Transcription

AN MCBA PUBLICATION
SECOND QUARTER 2015
VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2
SECOND QUARTER 2015 VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2
NEWS BRIEFS
Race Judicata on the Mark with Community................................5
Law Day & Fairy Tale Trials Sights................................................6
Stroudsburg Native Named 2015 Liberty Bell Award Winner. .11
Support Luncheon Celebrates Staffers........................................14
UPDATES
Monroe County Bar Association Mission.....................................2
President’s Message.........................................................................3
Member Updates.............................................................................8
AN MCBA PUBLICATION
SECOND QUARTER 2015
Cover Photo:
Edwin Krawitz sends 2015’s
Race Judicata runners off
with well wishes May 3
Pause for Applause..........................................................................9
3rd Quarter Calendar & Event Invites........................................11
Monroe County Bar Foundation Facts.......................................18
Young Lawyers Division Making Their Mark.............................19
Monroe County Bar Association
913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
www.monroebar.org
info2@monroebar.org
570.424.7288
Mission Statement
The mission of the Monroe County Bar Association is to maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of the law, to
cultivate social interaction among its members and to increase its usefulness in promoting the due administration of justice.
President’s
Message
Todd W. Weitzmann
My fellow MCBA Members,
It’s hard to believe we are half-way
through 2015. As we continue this milestone year, the MCBA Board of Directors
asks that you join us in the many celebrations and events planned.
Our first social on the veranda promises
to be a great time. Surrounded by our
historic building and a colorful garden,
let’s continue enjoying the camaraderie
that we have as members of this wonderful Association. Don’t forget to bring
your “plus one.”
Immediately prior to the porch social,
we have two important items to address.
First, at 5:00 P.M. in the Loise Mirandon
room, we have our member meeting
where we will decide whether to continue
the Association’s long-standing support
of legal aid. MCBA has officially been
supporting legal aid since 1973 and in
keeping with that tradition, we look to
support North Penn Legal Services for its
upcoming fiscal year. We need your vote!
Following the meeting, David Coulter
will be on hand to take a group photo of
all of our members in attendance at 5:45
P.M. This photograph will be memorialized for posterity in the centennial publication. Please join us for all of these
activities..
By now we hope you have all received the
“Save the Date” cards for the centennial
dinner on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at
Skytop Lodge. To celebrate this monumental year, all members and a guest are
invited to attend compliments of the Bar
Association. The Centennial Committee
is planning a fun filled, relaxing evening
from cocktails and open bar to dinner
and dancing. Invitations will go out next
week. We hope to see you all there!
If you are looking for something to do
this summer and fall, we have a bus going
to the Iron Pigs game on Sunday, August
2nd, a bus going to NYC on Saturday,
September 26th, and a Winery and Brewery trip sponsored by the YLD and MCB
Foundation on Saturday, October 17th. I
hope you take advantage of these opportunities to enjoy pre-planned activities
with your families and colleagues. Please
take a few minutes to look through our
newsletter and watch your emails for additional information on these and many
more happenings in the second half of
our centennial year.
Todd W. Weitzmann, Esquire
President, MCBA
Monroe County Bar Foundation 2015 Board of Trustees
William J. Reaser
Chairman
Thomas V. Casale
Trustee
Tom Dirvonas
Trustee
Diane Dugger
Trustee
Denise Murray
Trustee
Victoria Strunk
Trustee
Denise M. Burdge
Executive Director
MCBA pagethree
RACE
JUDICATA
Published
May 28,2015
The Journal of the Pocono Plateau Newspapers
Monroe County Bar Association’s Law Day
events started in the courthouse Friday, May
1 echoing off into the great outdoors Sunday May 3. Marking the 800th anniversary
of Magna Carta, the organization held this
year’s celebration of the “Great Charter of
Liberties” starting with a ceremony honoring
people in the community.
Sunday the streets of Stroudsburg were race
ready as runners made their mark in the 33rd
Annual Race Judicata. MCBA’s efforts in cultivating "social interaction among its members" took center stage with over 70 runners
and walkers laced up and raring to go with a
few fans on the side lines.
Edwin Krawitz had a hand in organizing the
run in its early years. Now, the 87 year old
Stroudsburg native consistently attends eager to applaud the men, women and children
from start to finish.
Sending participants off with a few words of
encouragement alongside his son Steve, then
he head to the finishline for high fives and
hugs knowing 100% of the proceeds were
going to a worthy cause, Pocono Greyhound
Association.
Board member Suzanne Ewing joined by
canines Eddie, Molly, Grace and Rapunzel
along with their owners and foster family volunteers chose to take part in the 5K
part of the race leaving the 5 mile trek to
the runners.
MCBA Executive Director, Denise Burdge called the event, "A great day." She
thanked Krawitz for his longtime efforts
and emphasized the day's dedication
to the late Scott Ewing “And his love for
greyhounds and running."
Monroe County Judge Steve Higgins
ditched the robe and gavel for laces, in
honor of Scott calling him, “A great contributor to the running community of
Monroe County.” Though Arthur Zulick
may have seized first in the race day judges category, he joked of no hard feelings
for his fellow judicator with sights for
more times to shine
as MCBA celebrates
its centennial anniversary throughout
the year.
And his love for greyhounds and running
MCBA pagefive
LAW DAY
FAIRY TALE
TRIALS
MEMBER
UPDATES
Member Changes...
Welcome To Our New Members...
Nancy Amici, Esquire
Rebecca Cantor, Esquire
Hendrzak & Lloyd
New Email: nlaamici@gmail.com
Louis A Margiotti, Esquire
Law Office of Louis A Margiotti
New address:
245 George St.
Saint Marys, PA 15857
814.834.1888
Donald P. Russo, Esquire
Donald P Russo, Attorney at Law
New Address:
PO Box 3098
Easton PA 18043
610.954.8093
Fax: 610.861.2643
Ysabel Williams
Law Office of Ysabel Williams
3701 Corporate Parkway, Suite 100
Center Valley PA 18034
610.709.8560
Rebecca.cantor@zurichna.com
Ryan Liggitt, Esquire
Law Clerk
The Honorable Jennifer Harlacher Sibum
610 Monroe St., Suite 201
Stroudsburg PA 18360
570.417.3932
Leo T. White, Esquire
Law Offices of Leo T. White, LLC
1220 Valley Forge Rd., Suite 37B
Phoenixville PA 19460
800.607.5339
ltwesquire@aol.com
New Address:
804 Main St., Apt 2
Stroudsburg PA 18360
Marsh Grier joins MCBA...
In April, MCBA welcomed Marsha Grier as the new Journal Coordinator. Marsha comes to us with a diverse background, having worked
as an Administrative Coordinator and Futures Client Integration Specialist for Barclay Capital/Lehman Brothers in New York City as well
as a Job Coordinator for Sobrinski Painting in Allentown. She obtained in Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from
Grand Canyon University.
As Journal Coordinator, Marsha ensures the Monroe Legal Reporter is published weekly, working closely with members, clients and the
Pocono Record. Additionally she will handle the bookkeeping functions, including accounts receivable and payable.
MCBA pageeight
Pause
Applause
ll
for
President Judge Margherita Patti-Worthington received the PBA President’s Award for the outstanding commitment
to and leadership of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and exceptional efforts to modernize the court.
Michael J. McDonald, McDonald & MacGregor, LLC, received the PBA Special Achievement Award for serving as co-chair
of the PBA Membership Development Committee that held a retreat to focus on ways to recruit and retain PBA members.
Three members have been named to the 2015 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List published in the June edition of Phildelphia
Magazine. James Swetz of Cramer, Swetz, McManus and Jordan, PC was named to the list for the eighth time. Brandon Reish, was added to the list of distinguished attorneys for DUI/criminal defense and is only one of seven in the state to make
this category. Brian Jordan, also of Cramer, Swetz, McManus and Jordan, PC was named as a Rising Star for the first time.
BAR ASSOCIATION
HONORS
STROUDSBURG NATIVE
Published May 28,2015
The Pocono Record April 27, 2015
Monroe County Bar Association recently
named Kathryn “Mimi” Mikels this year‘s
Liberty Bell Award winner for her dedication to the residents of the region. The Executive Director of Monroe County Meals
on Wheels will be honored during Law
Day Ceremonies set for May 1 at Monroe
County Courthouse. Her efforts in stimulating a sense of civic responsibility, as
well as illustrating a better understanding
and greater respect of the law captured the
attention of the association.
“Mimi is well known and deeply admired
throughout the area,” stated MCBA Executive Director Denise Burdge adding,”As
the Bar Association recognizes its own
100 years benefitting the Monroe Coun-
ty community, the board’s attention turned
toward this lifelong Stroudsburg native.” She
notes many are familiar with Mikels’ work at
the non-profit providing two meals a day, five
days a week, to over 170 recipients throughout
Monroe County.
Swaying attention towards the 275 plus volunteers she oversees, Mikels says,“It’s the volunteers that make it all possible.” Starting nearly
30 years ago as a volunteer herself, she shares
her knowledge of the organization whose
Monroe County Chapter began in 1972, as
well as understanding of state and federal regulations.
laughs confessing, “I’m still overwhelmed, I don’t
know what I did to deserve this award.”
Working alongside Mikels over 14 years Linda
Raudabaugh explains, “She [Mikels] doesn’t like
to boast about things,” adding “She’d rather give
recognition to other people.”
Revealing “That’s what tickles me” Mikels concludes while many respected officials will be attending the 9 a.m. ceremony, it’s the daughters
of one particular attorney that capture her heart.
as her neighbors ages four through eight excitedly announced their intentions of joining their
friend.
“My goal was to keep the [MCMOW] board
and myself on the right side of the law,” she
MCBA pageeleven
MONROE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
MONROE LEGAL REPORTER
913 MAIN STREET ∙ STROUDSBURG, PA 18360 ∙ MONROEBAR.ORG
570.424.7288
570.424.8234 (FAX)
July
July 13, 2015
Executive Board Meeting
4:00 pm - MCBA Bldg
July 13, 2015
Member Meeting
5:00 pm - MCBA Bldg
July 13, 2015
Member Group Photo
5:45-6:00 pm – Veranda
July 13, 2015
Social on the Veranda
6:00 – 7:00 pm - MCBA Bldg
Re: Bridge the Gap
To: All Pennsylvania Attorneys:
In recent years, the Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania has recorded an increasing number of
complaints filed against newly admitted attorneys for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct
which directly relate to the practical aspects of operating a law office. A joint committee of the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania designed a program to provide the type of information necessary to smooth the
transition from law student to attorney. The result was the Bridge the Gap program intended to give the
recent law graduate the “know-how” which is otherwise learned through trial and error. The Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania recently approved a rule change requiring newly admitted lawyers to
complete the Bridge the Gap program by their first CLE compliance deadline.
The Bridge the Gap program consists of the following sections:






Introduction & Communications
Practice Management
Fiduciary Requirements
Overview of PA Supreme Court Disciplinary System
Outreach Programs & Resources
Qualifies for 4 hours ethics credit
The Monroe County Bar Association will offer the four (4) hour program during each compliance period.
The next program is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. A light lunch
will be served at 12:00 Noon. The program will be offered at the Bar Center, 913 Main Street,
Stroudsburg, PA. Any attorney may attend the course to obtain CLE credit. The cost of the course
will be $10 for attorneys in practice one year or less; $45 for attorneys in practice no more than five years;
and $90 for attorneys in practice for more than five years.
To register, complete and return the attached coupon with a check payable to MCBA by July 29, 2015.
Indicate August 5, 2015 - Bridge the Gap on the memo line.
August 5, 2015
August
August 2, 2015
Iron Pigs Game
11:30 am - Leaving MCBA Bldg
Bridge the Gap Program
Name: ________________________________________________Attorney ID #____________
Email: ______________________________ Telephone #: _____________________________
Cost:
$10 for attorneys in practice one year or less
$45 for attorneys in practice no more than five years
$90 for attorneys in practice for more than five years
August 5, 2015
Bridge the Gap
Lunch 12:00 pm - MCBA Bldg
CLE 12:30-4:30 pm
August 10, 2015
12:00 pm - Sarah Street
MONROE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
PRESENTS
LUNCH AND LEARN
Familiarizing Attorneys with
Landlord Tenant Practices of Law:
Encouraging all attorneys to accept landlord tenant cases through
North Penn Legal Services
Presented by:
September
Mark Primrose, Esq.
Attorney at Law
September 14, 2015
12:00 pm - MCBA Bldg
September 18, 2015
Bench Bar Conference
Member Meeting
Northampton Community College
Monroe Campus
September 26, 2015
New York City Bus Trip
Leave MCBA 8:45 am
September 29, 2015
Social on the Veranda
5:30-6:30 pm - MCBA Bldg
Caitlin Humphreys, Esq.
North Penn Legal Services
Thursday, July 23, 2015
11:30 am Lunch
12:00 - 1:00 pm Seminar
*Attendees are required to participate in at least one pro bono landlord tenant case from:
July 23, 2015 to July 23, 2016*
If you do not wish to participate in at least one case you will be charged $25.00
If you reserve a seat and do not attend or cancel you will be charged $25.00
or the use of the Lunch and Learn Certificate committed
MCBA Center
913 Main Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
**Everyone present for entire seminar will receive 1 substantive CLE credit**
Please return this portion along with payment to MCBA BY July 16, 2015
July 23,2015 Lunch and Learn: Familiarizing Attorneys with Landlord Tenant Practices of Law
Must participate in one pro bono landlord tenant case. If you do not wish to participate you will be charged $25.00
If you reserve a seat and do not attend or cancel you will be charged $25.00
or the use of the Lunch and Learn Certificate committed
Name:
Attorney ID:
Telephone:
Email:
*If you have special dietary requirements, please contact a staff member of the MCBA*
Using a Free Lunch and Learn Certificate will provide a discount of $25
Nineteenth Annual
Monroe County
Bench Bar
Conference
SAVE THE DATE:
Friday, September 18, 2015
Northampton Community College
-Monroe Campus-
Member Meeting
Monday, July 13, 2015
At The
Monroe County Bar
Association Building
5:00-5:45 pm – Member Meeting
Members will vote on the renewal of
funding for North Penn Legal Services
5:45-6:00 pm – Group Photo
6:00 – 7:00 pm – Social Hour on the Veranda
Catered by: Studebaker’s
Adult beverages available
*David Coulter will be taking a membership group
photo for our association. Attendance is encouraged!
Members +1 are invited to attend
RSVP by July 6, 2015
Member Meeting and Social Hour July 13, 2015
RSVP by July 6, 2015
Monroe County
Bar Association
913 Main Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570.424.7288
Fax: 570.424.8234
info2@monroebar.org
www.monroebar.org
Member Name: ____________________________________________________________
Guest Name: ______________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________________________
Reservations accepted by:
Email: info2@monroebar.org
Phone: 570.424.7288
Mail: 913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 or Courthouse Box
Upcoming PBI Schedule at the Bar Center – Live-feed Group-casts & Video Replays
For more details or to register for any PBI seminar, go to www.pbi.org. or call 800.932.4637
Courses are subject to cancellation by PBI if a minimum number of attendees do not pre-register.
Please go to the MCBA calendar to confirm seminar. www.monroebar.org
The following PBI seminars have been scheduled and will be held at the
Monroe County Bar Center
913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
CANCELED -‐ PBI-‐How to Handle a Drug Case-‐Groupcast
Date and Time: 7/7/15 12:00 PM -‐ 7/7/15 04:15 PM
PBI-‐Slicing Up the Pie: Property Distribution in PA-‐Video
Date and Time: 7/8/15 9:00 AM -‐ 7/8/15 12:30 PM
PBI-‐Law of Arrest Search and Seizure-‐Video
PBI-‐Fire At Will in Pennsylvania-‐Groupcast
PBI-‐ Premarital Agreements-‐ Groupcast
Date and Time: 7/20/15 12:30 PM -‐ 7/20/15 04:45 PM
PBI-‐16th Annual Estate & Elder Law Symposium-‐ Video
PBI-‐Family Law 101-‐Groupcast
PBI-‐ TILA/RESPA Integration Rile for Residential Mortgages-‐Groupcast
PBI – Basics of Handling a Divorce in Pennsylvania-‐Video
Date and Time: 08/04/15 9:00 AM – 08/04/15 1:30 PM
PBI-‐Tech Skills Series: Privacy and Security of the Internet of Things and Wearable Technology: Legal -‐ Groupcast
Date and Time: 08/07/15 12:30 PM – 08/07/10 2:30 PM
PBI – Solving Drivers Licensing Problems -‐ Video
PBI – Corporate Compliance & Ethics: A Legal Requirement & Business Imperative – Video
PBI – 16th Annual Legal Issues In An Age of Aging – Video
PBI – Advanced Issues in Civil Practice and Procedure in Pennsylvania Courts-‐ Groupcast
PBI – Estate and Family Planning for the 21st Century Family – Video
PBI – Internet Law Update 2015 – Video
PBI – The Basics of UM/UIM and Limited Tort -‐ Groupcast
PBI – Discovery Tactics: the Good, the Bad and the Outrageous -‐ Groupcast
PBI – POA Update -‐ Groupcast
Date and Time: 08/31/15 9:00 AM – 08/31/15 11:15 AM
PBI – Maxims Monarch and Sir Thomas More – Video Date and Time: 09/11/15 9:00 AM – 09/11/15 12:30 PM
PBI – How to Prepare Fiduciary Accounts and Avoid Common Traps – Groupcast
Date and Time: 09/24/15 9:00 AM – 09/24/15 4:30 PM PBI – Fundamentals of Estate Administration – Groupcast
Saluting
our
Staffers
Hand sanitizer? Highlighter? Whiteout? These seemingly simple possessions proved priceless making prized
personnel privy to gifts galore at this
year’s Support Staff Luncheon May 29.
The event held at Pocono Inne Town
serves as Monroe County Bar Association’s annual invitation to member
firms across the area for an afternoon
opportunity to honor the men and
women they rely upon each day.
First dining on delectable dishes and
desserts, the group of close to 20 then
turned to divvied deals that included
seasonal favorites like coolers, tote
bags and more with a few gag gifts in
store. Packs of paper, clips and pens referred to as “zonks” ignited wonder in
what was behind the numbered boxes
and bags.
pagesixteen MCBA
“It’s nice to get out and enjoy such
wonderful fun and delicious food,”
said first timer Alma Lebson. Joining
coworker at the firm Newman, Williams, Mishkin, Corveleyn, Wolfe and
Fareri P.C., Darlene Northern; the pair
gushed over their luck in this year’s office draw to attend.
Feverishly checking his pockets, Legal
Secretary Daniel Martin revealed a
notepad, wallet and frown as he looked
around the room filled with wide-open
handbags while MCBA’s Ashley Narwid announced each item in the hunt.
Fear not for the fine fellow, organizers
were prepared with not only parting
gifts for all, but also words of praise
and gratitude for jobs well done.
Susan Bonser, Administrative Assistant to President Judge Margherita
Patti Worthington departed concluding,” They [MCBA] do a wonderful
job,” adding appreciation back to bosses for an adventurous afternoon out.
Monroe County Bar
foundation
MCB Foundation to Facilitate MCBA Grant Program
In late 2014 Lori Cerato, MCBA 2014 President, asked member Bill Cramer to lead a
group of members though the challenging process of creating a grant policy. Committee members Bill Reaser, Andy Wolf, Scott Amori, Todd Weitzmann and Elizabeth Field all worked to develop a baseline policy that would help MCBA reach its
goal of providing funding to qualified non-profit 501(c)3 agencies.
During the process, MCBA determined that the best conduit for distributing funds
would be through the Monroe County Bar Foundation. The Trustees agreed, and
going forward the Trustees will be the administrators for grant giving.
Within the next several weeks, the policy will be formalized and MCBA will commit
funds to MCBF for distribution. MCBF will then begin accepting grant applications. The policy will be posted on the MCBA website as well.
Both Lori and Todd want to thank all those that helped with this process for their
hard work and continued dedication to both MCBA and MCBF.
pageeighteen MCBA
Young
Lawyers
Division
This June Young Lawyers Division
(YLD) Treasurer Elizabeth Field
worked alongside community
volunteers, MCBA staff and their
families at St Luke’s Soup Kitchen.
From set-up to cooking, to serving to clean-up Liz, Ashley, Ethan,
Michael, Jeff and Denise worked
under the direction of Cheryl
Mortimer, long time St Luke’s volunteer.
The workers served approximately
75 meals to local residents in need.
It was a very rewarding way to
spend a Saturday. Thanks Liz for
arranging the day and thank you
to the volunteers for their hard
work.

Signing Off with a Save the Date!
Mark your calendar for Saturday October 17, 2015
The YLD be sponsoring the upcoming MCBF Wine and Beer Bus Tour. Hillary Madden,
YLD Past President, and Ashley Narwid, MCBA Event Coordinator, are working with
local wineries and breweries and mapping out an event filled bus tour. The tour will include multiple stops for tastings, lunch and fun on the bus. This fundraiser will benefit
the little league baseball teams of Monroe County. More information will be available
shortly.
MCBA pagenineteen