PBA News & Information
Out-of-state Attorney Admission Fee Increased to Fund LRAP
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has ordered an increase in the fee for out-of-state lawyers who practice in the commonwealth, with the funds to help finance the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). Administered by the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, LRAP is a student loan forgiveness program for attorneys employed by agencies helping those who cannot afford legal representation. The increase, from $100 to $200, takes effect 30 days after the court order of Aug. 24. Click here for the news release on the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts' website. Click here for the court's order.
Volunteers Needed for 9/11 Wills for Heroes Event in Doylestown
Lawyer volunteers are needed for the Wills for Heroes program marking the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance at the Public Safety Training Center in Doylestown, Bucks County. Planners hope to provide wills and other estate planning documents to 150 first responders during the day-long program. To sign up, contact coordinators Lisa Shearman or Jennifer Murphy. Click here to find out more about the Wills for Heroes program.
'Celebrate the Constitution' Program Kicks Off Sept. 17
Sept. 17 is National Constitution Day and the kick-off of this year's PBA "Celebrate the Constitution" program, when Pennsylvania lawyers and judges visit schools across the commonwealth to help teach students about the Constitution and participate in mock Constitution signings. The "Celebrate the Constitution" program is funded through the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation. Find out more.
Keep Your Info Current in the PBA's 2011 Lawyers Directory
The editors are requesting the assistance of all PBA members to ensure the accuracy of the information to be included in the 2011 Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyers Directory & Product Guide. Click here for more on changing your entry. Deadline for changes: Sept. 17.
Nominations Sought for PBA Leadership Positions in 2011-12
The PBA Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the PBA leadership positions of vice president, House of Delegates chair, secretary and treasurer during the 2011-12 bar year. Click here for information on the nominations process. Nominations deadline: Oct. 18.
Diversity Task Force Examining Leadership Opportunities
The new Diversity Task Force has begun meeting to develop a diversity plan to improve PBA leadership opportunities for underrepresented members. "We must be certain that all members who seek leadership roles have clear paths to attain them," said PBA President Gretchen A. Mundorff, who is serving on the task force. Click here for the list of task force members.
Save the Dates!
• Oct. 29: PBA Diversity Summit, Philadelphia: The PBA Minority Bar Committee hosts its Fifth Annual Diversity Summit under the theme "Diversity and Inclusion: Renewing the Hope" at the PBI Education Center, Philadelphia, with simulcast to Erie, Mechanicsburg, Pittsburgh and Stroudsburg. Click here for more on the summit, including the invitation letter, agenda and registration form.
• Nov. 18, 2010, and April 1, 2011: PBA Committee/Section Days at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East.
New on the Website
• Latest electronic versions of The Pennsylvania Lawyer: For PBA members-only access, click here for the September/October issue of the magazine; find individual articles and columns linked to the contents page in PDF or leaf through the full-issue e-dition.
• The PBA Appellate Advocacy Committee, which promotes communication and cooperation between lawyers who practice before the state and federal appellate courts and members of the judiciary, has posted an interactive chronology of events in a typical appeal in state Superior Court. The timeline was prepared by the court's prothonotary, Karen Bramblett, and staff attorney, Jeanne Rensberger. Click here for information and a link to the timeline.
• The PBA Minority Bar Committee recognizes the achievements of its members through the "Rising Star Program" posted in the committee's area of the website. Click here for more on the program, currently featuring Arlene Rivera Finkelstein.
Quality of Life/Balance Committee Seeks PBA Member Input Via New Listserv
The PBA Quality of Life/Balance Committee has launched a new, association-wide listserv to encourage dialogue on the challenges of maintaining a healthy balance between lawyers' personal and professional lives. Click here for information.
PBA Preferred Partner Program Recognizes Product/Service Providers
PBA members receive value-added benefits from an array of companies whose products and services help lawyers manage and grow their practices. To identify vendors offering special benefits to PBA members, the ads placed in PBA publications by these vendors now carry the new Preferred Partner stamp. The product and service benefits of PBA membership are selected and monitored by PBA members and the PBA Member Services Department. Click here for the list of Preferred Partners. Find out more about the benefits of PBA membership.
Find Us on Facebook
Click on the Facebook icon at right and follow the prompt to sign up for the PBA Facebook page. To become a fan of the PBA Young Lawyers Division's Facebook page, go to the YLD page, click on the Facebook icon and follow the prompt to sign up.
PBA Ethics Opinions and Resources
Access to the opinions of the PBA Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee and the PBA Ethics Hotline are benefits of PBA membership. Click here for members-only access to the opinions, information on the Ethics Hotline and contact information on PBA Ethics Counsel Victoria White, Esq. Click here for the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct.
Members, Keep Your PBA Contact Information Current: Click here.
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