Meet the New Board Members

Daniel C. Nevins

Role on the Board: Vice President

Term: 4 years

About Dan: Dan began practice in Berks County in 2005 as a member of the Berks County Public Defender's Office. In 2009, he opened the law office of Ebner, Nevins & McAllister on Court Street in Reading.

Dan focuses his practice in Criminal Defense and trial advocacy. Dan graduated from the Dickinson School of Law, where he met his wife, Jennifer, a shareholder with Stevens & Lee. They live with their son, Sam, and their dog, Sophie, in the Wilson School District. Dan has volunteered in the community coaching youth sports and serving on several non-profit boards. Major interests include running, fitness and wellness.

Best-kept secret about our bar association: The receptiveness on the part of the leadership and staff to the great ideas brought forth from all areas of our membership. From CLE topics to event ideas to the creation of new committees, our membership has a blank slate to create value for themselves and their colleagues, while the leadership and staff can help with implementation.

Reason for volunteering as a bar leader: I love being a lawyer and a member of our Bar. There is no better way to enhance the experience of practicing law than by active participation in our Association. Having the chance to become a leader is a natural outgrowth of that involvement. I'm excited about supporting Gabby Raful and then Karen Cook as they lead us during their Presidential terms.

Jay M. Kurtz

Role on the Board: Director

Term: 3 years

About Jay: Jay hopes to bring to the board his philosophy of approaching challenges pragmatically with optimism. He believes an organization is strongest when its members are invested in community success, and its leaders are dedicated to the success of the members. Jay’s perspective grew from the unique and diverse experiences in his background.

Currently, he serves as the Hon. J. Benjamin Nevius’s law clerk where he must attempt to remain familiar and current with nearly every area of the law before the Court of Common Pleas. The lengthy fruits of his research and writing can frequently be found in the pages of “The Berks County Law Journal.” Previously, Jay was a partner in a small firm in Montgomery County, where he focused on litigation. He began his legal career as an assistant district attorney.

Prior to law, Jay worked for several years as a newspaper journalist in Reading and on the Main Line outside of Philadelphia. He has received awards for his writing both as a professional and as a student. He has also done everything from teaching in local schools to minor league stadium maintenance to playing in a rock’ n roll band.

Jay holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University, a BA in English from Kutztown University, and an AA from Reading Area Community College. He is a graduate of Gov. Mifflin High School. Jay has been most recently active in the bar association managing its softball team to two league titles over the last four seasons. He has also served as a mentor for students in the Law Explorers program.

Best-kept secret about our bar association: The more you get involved with the bar association, the more you get out of it.

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