the WRITS, Bucks Bar Association, Fall 2023 by Hoffmann Publishing Group

FA LL 2 02 3

2023

Bench Bar Conference

A NEW STEVE IN COURT ADMINISTRATION SIMPLE HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATES

contents FALL 2023

CONTACT INFO President Lawrence R. Scheetz, Jr. Vice President/President Elect R. Tyler Tomlinson Secretary Melanie J. Wender Treasurer Jeremy D. Puglia Immediate Past President Julie D. Goldstein Past Presidents’ Representative Jessica A. Pritchard Board of Directors Erin K. Aronson Brendan M. Callahan Jeffrey G. DiAmico Kimberly Litzke Christopher S. Mahoney Tina Mazaheri Joanne Murray Tiffany Thomas-Smith Jason R. Weiss Megan Weiler Elaine Yandrisevits

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A New Steve in Court Administration

On an otherwise hot and humid day, I sat down for a nice chat – and respite from the weather – with our

By Susan Dardes, Esquire

On an otherwise hot and humid day, I sat down for a nice chat – and respite from the weather – with our new Court Administrator, Stephen Watson, in the Justice Center’s second floor Court Administration conference room.

came back to Pennsylvania, passed the Bar, and started at Drake Hileman & Davis, where he was an associate with a general practice for about three years. He is grateful for his time spent there and learned a great deal through the experience. His search for a different way in which to pursue his interest in the law led him to Bucks County’s Office of the Court Administrator in 2001.

I had not had the pleasure of meeting Steve, as I am only in the Courthouse for the occasional arbitration panel. And, I’ll admit, I “Googled” Steve, but found very little on him.

Willow Grove. Now he, his wife, Wendy, and their family live in the Southampton area, which leaves him with a commute of about 30 minutes to Doylestown each day. He met Wendy in high school – they began dating at the end of their senior year – and they have been married for 28 years now. Steve attended Plumstead Christian School, then Philadelphia College of Bible in Langhorne. His intent upon entering college was to become a CPA – he loves the nitty gritty details of a spreadsheet. But after losing his father early in his sophomore year, his thoughts turned to going into the ministry. Realizing that the ministry was not his calling, upon graduation he decided to pursue a long-time interest in law. After graduating from Regent University Law School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Steve

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All of Steve’s 22 years at the Courthouse have been with Court Administration. His first job was “Assistant Legal Review Officer,” a newly created role in which he – along with 2 other attorneys on staff – acted as the gatekeepers for pre-trial matters in civil, criminal and Orphans’ Court matters. (“Thankfully,” review of Family Court motions remains with the Family Masters Office.) Routine pre-trial motions go to Court Administration’s Law and Research team to review and if in order they are sent on to the assigned judge. Past the sheer volume of filings, the most challenging part of this review is keeping up with everchanging Pennsylvania procedural rules. More recently, mandated reporting of filings and caseloads in various divisions of court has become an added challenge.

feature Steve considers himself a local, having grown up in

Simple Habits of Highly Successful Associates By Travis P. Nelson, Esquire The main function of Bucks County’s review officers is to substantiate compliance with all state and local procedures prior to sending a filing to the assigned judge for action.

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Simple Habits of Highly Successful Associates Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

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Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. once said: “The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.” As an associate navigates from these two seemingly broad gaps, it is helpful to know some of the tips that can make the gap a little more crossable.

cooling in the market for lateral associates that makes it a good time to revisit the question: What can an associate do to stand out? When I was a newly-minted associate, after leaving the U.S. Treasury Department for a law firm, I had to adjust to the different time requirements and client demands of private practice. One of the first, and I would later appreciate to be most valuable pieces of advice I received from a mentor, was: “Become an expert on one particular thing, but also take anything that comes in the door.” The goal of this was to become the go-to associate on a specific issue, but also develop a reputation as someone who will tackle and solve any problem that arises. So I sought to become the “regulatory fixer” of my firm, like George Clooney’s character in the movie Michael Clayton (just with significantly less hair). While this broad idea was certainly helpful in my career, the transition to law firm associate still left me with some growing pains in learning to navigate some basics of associate life. It is with this background, and after soliciting the opinions of law firm partners from a variety of different fields, I offer what I have come to believe are habits of highly successful associates – or at least a good start toward that end.

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Earlier this year, Reuters published an article on the “cooling” demand for lateral associates. “Hot market for U.S. law firm associates cooled in 2022, report shows,” Reuters (Mar. 22, 2023). The article indicated that 2022 witnessed a 20% drop in lateral associate moves as compared with the prior year. This reduction is not just seen at BigLaw firms. Another report indicates that while AmLaw 100 first saw first-year hiring was down almost 17% versus the average of the last two Septembers, AmLaw 200 firms hired their smallest fall associate class since 2020, and midsize firms reported that hiring of first-years was down by 9% over the same period. “Lawyer hiringSerpico, slows asEsquire firms strive for greater profits, By Chris according to Thompson Reuters report,” ABA Journal On October 3rd the Third Annual Red Mass(Nov. was 6, 2023), available at: https://www.abajournal.com/ celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church web/article/lawyer-hiring-slows-as-firms-strive-for-great(OLMC) in Doylestown. Instituted two yearser-profits-according-to-thomson-reuters-report. ago by It is this Father Matthew Guckin, the Pastor at OLMC, the Red Mass offers lawyers, judges, priests, and lay people an opportunity to gather together to pray for justice and to ask for divine inspiration in applying their talents and abilities to promote a more just society.

Annual Red Mass Celebrated in Doylestown

Annual Red Mass Celebrated in Doylestown On October 3rd the Third Annual Red Mass was

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The Red Mass has a long and storied history in the Roman Catholic Church. The timing of the Red Mass in the United States is usually scheduled for the Sunday before the first Monday in October which marks the official opening of the Supreme Court’s yearly term. Bucks County’s Red Mass is held on the first Tuesday in October, so Catholics and non-Catholics can gather together at the mass.

The Woman with a Purple Heart: Book Review by Sarah Steers, Esquire

The origin of the Red Mass can be traced to Europe in the Middle Ages when it was traditionally held to coincide with the beginning of the term when judges and lawyers associated with the King’s Bench would travel throughout the surrounding towns of London or Paris to conduct trials. The term “Red Mass” was derived from the red vestments traditionally worn by priests at that time as a symbol of the tongues of fire attributed to the Holy Spirit that descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost.

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The principal celebrant and homilist at this year’s mass was Father Vincent Guest, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in South Camden, New Jersey. As the priest in charge of one of the poorest parishes in the area, Father Guest spends most of his time ministering to “the poorest of the poor,” and is a nationally recognized advocate for immigrants and the homeless. Prior to being ordained as a priest in 2012, he was an attorney who served in Governor Bob Casey’s office. With his background, he is uniquely qualified to speak on matters related to law and justice, and in his homily he called upon all lawyers to work towards using the levers of power in the law to promote equal justice for all, especially on behalf of those who are least able to afford counsel.

THE WOMAN WITH A PURPLE HEART:

The first historical reference to the Red Mass was in the Cathedral of Paris in 1245. From there, it spread to other European countries. The tradition began in England around 1310, during the reign of Edward II. The Red Mass continues to be held to the present day at

Westminster Book review by Cathedral. Sarah Steers, Esquire

Recognizing the diversity of its membership, the BCBA

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Recognizing the diversity of its membership, the BCBA proudly hosts a wide variety of committees and divisions, including the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (“DEI”), the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and the Women Lawyers’ Division (“WLD”). Representatives from any of those sections would be charmed by The Woman with a Purple Heart, a novelization of the life of Lt. Annie Fox – the first female recipient of the Purple Heart.

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setting, Hanks manages to imbue Lt. Fox with genuine personality: a no-nonsense, practical nurse; a warm colleague; a proud Army officer; a dear friend; a dogged investigator. The novel also contemplates the resulting racially-motivated cruelty America perpetuated against its own citizens, not only closely after the attack but for years following (the pain reverberates through American society even today). It pulls few punches when it describes the Federal government’s complicity in stoking racism and terror as it forced Japanese-Americans into internment camps on the mainland, focusing on Lt. Fox’s fictional friend, Kay Kimura.

While working as a medical writer for the VA Boston Healthcare System, author Diane Hanks learned about a VA-internal web-based mental health tool called The Annie. Her interest piqued, Hanks attempted to research Lt. Fox’s story, only to find that few details exist about her life but for the heroism that earned her the Purple Heart. With respect for what biographical information remains (combined with an artist’s eye for storytelling), Hanks set out to do Lt. Fox justice.

Emeritus Attorney Status:

Given that Lt. Fox never married, Hanks keeps an amusing faux-romantic subplot at bay. Rather, Hanks

wisely chooses to focus on the drama of the attack How retired attorneys can continue and celebrate Lt. Fox and the varied Hawaiian citizens who carried not only the day, but the weeks and

Emeritus Attorney Status: Continuing Pro Bono Legal Services

By Jennifer Pierce, Esq., Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) Pro Bono Director the application, a qualifying legal aid organization (including Legal Aid of Southeastern PA) submits a form in support of hosting the attorney. The $35 application fee is the only charge to maintain emeritus status. LASP staff can help attorneys access CLEs to satisfy the requirement and in completing the application. Emeritus attorneys do not need malpractice insurance; they are covered under the legal aid organization’s professional liability insurance.

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In an effort to support pro bono work and to bridge the gap in accessing justice for those experiencing poverty, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania adopted Pennsylvania Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement 403 in 2018, creating “emeritus” attorney status. Rule 403 allows attorneys who are on retired status to continue to practice law by volunteering with a legal aid organization without the cost of maintaining an active status.

Specific volunteer opportunities in Bucks County for emeritus attorneys: •

As of Nov. 13, 2023, Pennsylvania has 41 emeritus attorneys who are enrolled in the program, according to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA. This is an increase from 36 emeritus attorneys in March 2023. To qualify for emeritus status, the attorney must be on retired status and have completed at least six hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credits the year prior to applying for emeritus status. When completing

The Bar Association is happy to be a part of a new

Americans, and newly-settled white mainlanders). The Woman with a Purple Heart is lightweight, yet-powerful. Although it’s unclear how long she remained in Hawaii following her discharge from the Army in 1945, Hanks suggests that Lt. Fox stayed until the internment camps were closed, thus ending the book with a moment of reunion and hope. 

November 1941, Lt. Fox had only served as the Chief Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps for a month when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. Hanks provides minimal backstory; rather, the plot centers on Lt. Fox’s fearlessness as she protected her staff and tended to the wounded in the attack’s immediate aftermath. Even in a novel with an outsize

Attorneys have a unique collection of knowledge and experience over the course of their years of practice. When attorneys decide to retire from active practice, those years of experience can now be used to serve those who otherwise cannot afford counsel. Through the emeritus attorney program, retired attorneys can help the community without incurring the cost of maintaining an active law license.

You Think You Know Our Government

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to provide pro legal services years following (including Hawaiian Natives, Japanese Transferred bono from the Philippines to Hickam Field in

New Member Highlight Represent survivors of domestic violence at final Protection from Abuse hearings.

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Represent tenants at eviction hearings.

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Help low-income families with uncontested divorces.

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Work with seniors who need estate planning documents.

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Represent parents on a limited-scope basis in custody cases.

Attorneys have a unique collection of knowledge and

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New Member Highlight

Writs Editor Melanie J. Wender

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Daniel Hinger,

Nicole Durso,

attorney at the Law Offices of Mark R. Strauss

attorney at Stark & Stark, Attorneys at Law

Daniel Hinger and Nicole Durso

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Practice area: Personal Injury

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Practice area: Personal Injury

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Education: Rutgers Law School

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Education: JD – Villanova 2013; BA – NYU 2010

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Previous jobs: Valet Driver (post-retirement job, hopefully), golf course greensman, cashier

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Previous jobs: Progressive House Counsel 2016-2023; Palmer & Barr 2013-2016

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What you do for fun: Snowboarding, camping, hiking, fine wine, whiskey, and listening to ‘80s music

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Family: My parents live in Cherry Hill, NJ, my brother lives in Brooklyn, NY and I am getting married to my fiance, Madison, in a few days

What you do for fun: Weekends are filled with new adventures and experiences with my girls, our family, and friends. As I write this, I’m also texting every girl mom I know about the Royal Princess Ball taking place next month.

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Interesting fact about yourself: While I have little musical talent, my dad was the recording engineer for Boyz II Men back in their heyday 

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Family: My husband, Brian and I have been married for six years. We have two girls, Harlow (4) and Hailynn (2), and a fox red lab named Athena.

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Interesting fact about yourself: I unintentionally gave birth to Hailynn at home. 

Also in This Issue: • Outgoing President’s Message . . . . . . . . 4 • Incoming President’s Message . . . . . . . . 5 • From the Editor… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 • First Annual Trivia Night Fundraiser . . . . 23 • BCBA’s First-Ever Trunk or Treat . . . . . . 24 • Bench Bar Conference 2023 . . . . . . . . . 26 • Foundation Golf Outing . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

• Marathon Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 • WLD End of Summer Happy Hour . . . . 33 • BCBA Pro Bono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 • Solo and Small Biz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 • Wills for Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 • Veterans Day Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

SEE PAST ISSUES AT bucksbar.org/attorney-resources/the-writs OR BW.HoffmannPublishing.com SPREAD THE WORD #BucksWrits & #BucksBar The written and visual contents of this magazine are protected by copyright. Reproduction of print or digital articles without written permission from Hoffmann Publishing Group, Inc., and/ or the Bucks County Bar Association is forbidden. The opinions expressed in this publication are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific legal or other advice or recommendations for any individuals. Additionally, the placement of editorial content, opinions and paid advertising does not imply endorsement by the Bucks County Bar Association.

Outgoing President’s Message Dear Fellow Members of the Bar,

It was an honor and privilege to be your President and I look forward to future opportunities to continue to serve this extraordinary association.

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I write my final President’s Message for the WRITS. I thoroughly enjoyed being the President of this extraordinary organization and valued the time I was able to spend with each of our members, the Board of Directors and the exceptional Lawrence R. Scheetz, Jr. staff of the Bucks County Outgoing Bucks County Bar Association President Bar Association. I remain overwhelmed with respect and admiration for the leadership, service and hard work of our members and the Bar Association staff.

This year certainly started off a little differently than I had planned with the unexpected resignation of our Executive Director, but this provided an excellent opportunity for new leaders to emerge and changes to occur. With the exceptional support of our Search Committee and the Board of Directors, we were fortunate to welcome Mrs. Heather Cevasco into our Bar Association family. She has done an excellent job acclimating herself into the position and the future is bright. During this transition, I was fortunate to work with and get to know the exceptional staff of the Bar Association. I would like to personally thank Barb, Emily, Kristen, Dylan, Lynn, Kelly and Lulu for your hard work and friendship.

The committees, sections and divisions worked together to provide joint events and CLEs this year with first-rate programming to record amounts of attendees. In keeping with our strategic plan, the BCBA came together as a more unified organization to provide incomparable benefits and opportunities to maximize your membership. In addition, the BCBA and Bucks County Bar Foundation strengthened our cohesive partnership with phenomenal member events and service to the community.

It is with great pride that I welcome my friend and colleague, Tyler Tomlinson, to the office of President of the Bucks County Bar Association. I am confident that the Bar Association is in great hands and that Tyler’s enthusiasm and vision will show in our events and programming. Congratulations, Tyler, I know you will continue to make us all proud to be members of the Bar Association.

One of the highlights of the year was the annual Bench Bar Conference, which was held at Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains. This year’s “semi-formal” conference was one of our most successful ever with a record number of attendees, sponsors, and distinguished guests. We enjoyed excellent facilities, great weather, and instructive CLEs, and I was honored to have my friend, Kerri Strug, join us as our plenary speaker. I would like to thank Kim Litzke and her Bench Bar Committee for all of their hard work in making this the best Bench Bar yet!

From softball, to wine tastings, to clothing drives, to kayaking, to trunk or treating, to pickleball, to basement parties, to semi-formal dinners, it was an outstanding year full of excitement, growth, opportunity and friendship. It was an honor and privilege to be your President and I look forward to future opportunities to continue to serve this extraordinary association.  — Lawrence R. Scheetz, Jr., Esquire Outgoing Bucks County Bar Association President

The Bar Association also continued to build our relationship with the Bucks County Bench this year. We were thrilled to hold the State of the Bench in the ceremonial courtroom earlier in the year and Breakfast with the Bench at the Bench Bar Conference. We were honored to have excellent attendance and participation from our Judges, and their clerks, at all our events and CLEs this year. I’d like to thank President Judge Bateman for all of his assistance this year.

We Welcome Your Feedback! Thanks for your interest in the WRITS. Please send all comments, questions, submissions to: WritsEditor@BucksBar.org.

Incoming President’s Message My fellow members of the bar,

Tyler Tomlinson Incoming Bucks County Bar Association President

The Bar Association is now in full swing to prepare for our big fall event, the annual Bench Bar Conference. This year, the conference will be held at Skytop in the Poconos. It promises to be tons of fun, as well as educational.

My family and I are deeply honored that I have the privilege of serving as the 84th President of the Bucks County Bar Association and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the trust you have placed in me to lead this organization. The responsibility accompanying this role is humbling, and it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

Gala on April 18th, the BCBF golf outing on June 10, and our Bench Bar in the Poconos from September 19 to 21. Quick shoutout to our Presidents’ Club Sponsors — they’re the unsung heroes behind our financial success and our ability to support worthy causes. I encourage you to utilize their services as we continue to cultivate a financially sound association.

A big round of applause for our previous President, Larry Scheetz, for his outstanding leadership during the challenges of the past year, especially when our talented executive director, Greg Nardi, decided to pursue a new opportunity. Larry demonstrated true leadership by appointing Jessica Pritchard and other bar leaders to find our fantastic new executive director, Heather Cevasco. Together, Larry and Heather conquered the challenges, making sure BCBA had a stellar year.

Your input is invaluable, and my door is always open. I welcome your ideas, suggestions and even the occasional rant. With your support and collaboration, I’m confident that we’ll tackle challenges, grab opportunities and continue to uphold the values of excellence, integrity, and justice that define Bucks County’s legal community. 

Looking forward, myself, Jeremy Puglia, Melanie Wender, Stephanie Shortall, and the entire board of directors are excited to team up with Heather and the incredible staff at BCBA to hopefully have another great year.

— Tyler Tomlinson, Esquire Incoming Bucks County Bar Association President

Need a Lawyer?

So, for the coming year, there are many things we hope to accomplish. We’re all about serving our members and the broader legal community. Building upon our rich history of promoting justice and fostering professional growth, we aim to elevate our association to new heights.

Welcome to the Bucks County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) serving all of Bucks County. The LRIS is a public service of the non-profit Bucks County Bar Association. Each year the LRIS responds to thousands of callers, referring them to attorneys with experience in the appropriate area of law or to area agencies able to provide assistance.

A key focus of my presidency will be enhancing professional development opportunities, particularly for our younger lawyers. As GE’s Jack Welch said: “Before you are a leader success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.” The board and I are committed to empowering the next generation of legal professionals within Bucks County.

Persons identified as needing legal representation and who do not claim inability to pay an attorney will be referred by LRIS to a participating attorney. LRIS participation is open to all Bucks County Bar Association members having their primary office in Bucks County.

Anticipating an exciting year, we have planned notable events, including the Opening of Assizes on February 8, the historic milestone of surpassing 1,000 BCBA members (history in the making!), the Foundation 20th Anniversary

You can contact the LRIS at 215-348-9413.  5

FALL 2023

From the Editor… Dear readers, it is time for the fall edition of the WRITS. And it feels hard to believe that to be the case as so much has happened. The Bar Association celebrated an incredibly successful Bench Bar Conference at Skytop, thanks to the hard work of our Bench Bar Committee chair, Kim Litzke. The Bar Association also hosted its first Trunk or Treat and the Foundation hosted the first trivia night fundraiser. Both were incredibly successful!

What you all showed to me was that not only does Bucks County have the best lawyers in the Commonwealth, we have the best people.

For me personally, though, I will say that this fall has been beyond difficult, beyond hard. Words like tragic and heartbreaking are what come to mind. My world was turned upside down on Labor Day when my magical niece, Penelope Wender Thompson, was struck by a vehicle. My sister Hayley held her hand all the way to the hospital, singing to her and begging for her to open her eyes. Unfortunately, that never happened. My sister Hayley, who is so caring and giving to others, has now experienced a nightmare. Every day, I wish there was something I could do, that somehow the wheels of time could be rewound, and Penny could be safe at home. Every day I wish there was something I could do to help heal the pain that my sister has. After I make these wishes, reality then sinks in, the horrible reality and loss that we all have to somehow accept. Maybe accept is not the right word. Live with, tolerate? I honestly don’t know. All I really know is that this sucks. Yes, I said sucks because that word actually does describe this situation. However, I will say that my sisters and I have all banded together to support one another and are going to England in June as a sister trip. Hayley will never be the same, but all of us will be there to hold her hand and cry with her through this journey.

I also have to extend a significant thank you to the members of the Bar Association. Attending Bench Bar was difficult for me, but the endless support that I received from all of you got me through it. What you all showed to me was that not only does Bucks County have the best lawyers in the Commonwealth, we have the best people. Lastly, I want to extend a huge thank you to my firm, Antheil, Maslow & MacMinn. When this tragic event occurred, no questions were asked, only compassion was shown. I was told to do what I needed to do and everything else would be handled. I was in a fog, so I left the office, made arrangements to fly to Minneapolis (where my sister Hayley lives), and basically forgot about my job entirely. However, the family law attorneys at the office came to my rescue and took care of everything. Thank you so much Jessica Pritchard, Elizabeth Fineman, Lynelle Gleason, Jennifer Dickerson, and Megan Weiler. And thank you to everyone else in the office for your kindness and understanding. Please enjoy the magazine and I promise some uplifting articles inside.  — Melanie J. Wender, Esquire

Now, I apologize for the fact that this letter is so sad. In an attempt to be more uplifting, I have a lot of thanks to give. Through this tragedy, I have found endless support from people around me. I first want to thank the entire staff at the Bar Association. Thank you for your hugs and kindness. Thank you for listening to me and for letting me cry with you. I also want to thank Heather Cevasco, the Bar Association’s executive director. Heather, thank you for following up with me. Thank you for your understanding and never-ending compassion.

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A New Steve in Court Administration By Susan Dardes, Esquire

I had not had the pleasure of meeting Steve, as I am only in the Courthouse for the occasional arbitration panel. And, I’ll admit, I “Googled” Steve, but found very little on him.

Steve considers himself a local, having grown up in Willow Grove. Now he, his wife, Wendy, and their family live in the Southampton area, which leaves him with a commute of about 30 minutes to Doylestown each day. He met Wendy in high school – they began dating at the end of their senior year – and they have been married for 28 years now. Steve attended Plumstead Christian School, then Philadelphia College of Bible in Langhorne. His intent upon entering college was to become a CPA – he loves the nitty gritty details of a spreadsheet. But after losing his father early in his sophomore year, his thoughts turned to going into the ministry. Realizing that the ministry was not his calling, upon graduation he decided to pursue a long-time interest in law. After graduating from Regent University Law School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Steve

The main function of Bucks County’s review officers is to substantiate compliance with all state and local procedures prior to sending a filing to the assigned judge for action. 8

It takes a lot of dedicated personnel to run our “old” Courthouse and our “new” Justice Center.

While precise details are difficult to pin down, the Court Administration Legal Review Office began with Court Administrator Paul Kester, Esq., in the 1960s. In 1974, Mr. Kester brought future Court Administrator Douglas R. Praul, Esq., aboard. In 1992, the office expanded to include Rhona Nagelberg, Esq., whose primary role became review of Orphans Court filings. Under Court Administrator Steve Heckman, Esq., Rhona’s retirement prompted the hiring of Susan Tocci, Esq., who now oversees Orphans’ Court filings. Over the course of more than two decades as a legal review attorney, Steve probably saw every type of pre-trial motion that could manifest in a Court of Common Pleas. In his new role as Court Administrator, he is trying to step away from legal review, delegating those duties to Susan Tocci and newly hired Kristi Hoover, Esq., though he does advise and support them should they have unresolved questions. Steve has been cross training Susan and Kristi since he took on his mantle a few months back, so that Susan’s civil and orphans court background can be a mentoring tool for Kristi, and in turn, Kristi’s background as an ADA will lend insight to Susan. He and his team also serve as the de facto Solicitor to Bucks County’s 18 Magisterial District Justices, or “MDJs.”

It takes a lot of dedicated personnel to run our “old” Courthouse and our “new” Justice Center. Steve now has about thirty direct reports, but the Court Administration “umbrella” oversees some 500 personnel in our court system, including Juvenile and Adult Probation, the Youth Center, Arbitrations, Domestic Relations, Jury Manager, Law Library, Family Masters and MDJ offices. The day he and I spoke, he had just come from his bi-monthly department heads meeting. In addition to managing case flow along with his law and research staff, Steve oversees everything from Human Resources issues, fiscal matters and budgeting, and health, safety and emergency planning for the Courthouse facilities, and assists service agencies and row offices as well. Every day sees a new – but welcome – challenge for him. Asked what he enjoys most about his new role so far, he responds, “The people,” acknowledging that without the excellent Deputies and Court Administration staff that he has, keeping the Court running efficiently would be an impossible task. And in case you were wondering – the full-on fandom for all things Philadelphia Sports is alive and well under Mr. Watson’s purview. He trusts that is not the only thing that would do Mr. Heckman – and Mr. Praul before him – proud. 

FALL 2023

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Simple Habits of Highly Successful Associates By Travis P. Nelson, Esquire

Collaboration with Peers and Partners

in a jam, your fellow associates may be there to help you get out of it.

1. Partners and Peers are Your First Clients: One tip that has stayed with me over the last twenty years of practice, is that your easiest and most readily-available source of referrals for business is your fellow colleagues. This necessarily entails being on time for meetings, taking ownership of projects, and anticipating the next issue that might come up. When I was an associate at the D.C. office of a major firm, one of the partners suggested that when I come into his office to present my findings as to a particular research project, I should anticipate his next question, and be ready to answer it. His approach was to treat a presentation of research findings as if it was appellate moot court – have a thorough understanding of the research, and anticipate the next issue in the process, and be ready to respond to it. I was expected to not only teach the partner the legal principles at issue, but also convince the partner that my analysis was correct, and would withstand later scrutiny by not only the client, but also the government.

4. Personal Time-Off: Different firms have different approaches as to how much time off at a clip is appropriate – one week is generally acceptable, while some give the green light to two weeks at a time for non-medical related absences. The issue of vacation time raises two issues for associates to keep in mind. First, associates should give ample notice of impending vacations. A good general rule is one month’s notice for a vacation of a week or more, and 3 days’ notice for a one-day absence. Second, associates should make their colleagues aware of their availability while on vacation. I know some attorneys who bring their laptops on vacation and try to bill a few hours of work each day of vacation. Other attorneys note on their out-of-office automatic reply that they will have no (or diminished) access to email and voice mail, and such will be responded to when they get back. In the latter case, it is particularly important to note on the auto reply who the inquirer can turn to for assistance while the associate is gone.

2. Try to Stay Positive: A practitioner suggested that associates should always “try to stay positive . . . look on the bright side of things.” To this I responded in a sing-song manner: “Always look on the bright side of life/Always look on the light side of life.” My obvious and witty reference to Monty Python’s lyric from Life of Brian flatly fell on deaf ears – he was not a fan.

5. Know the Availability Needs of a Project: With the increased connectivity, comes increased and differing expectations as to an associate’s availability. When I was a new associate, associates were expected to be on-call 24/7. One associate I knew had a conference call at 10pm following Thanksgiving dinner, and was responding to email on her BlackBerry while in the car on the way to a New Year’s Day gathering. Partners’ viewpoints on this issue are as varied as their practices and respective firms. One partner at a midsized firm that I interviewed for this article suggested that associates should never turn the ringer off on their phones. So if a call comes through at 2am, the associate is expected to pick up the phone. Unless your clients are several time zones away, or your client is a prominent former primetime reality game show host being sued by the New York Attorney General, such round-the-clock, regular availability is probably unnecessary. The better advice for associates is to understand the hours and availability requirements of the given project and partner, and adjust the associate’s schedule accordingly. In the rare event that a client or partner needs to speak with you at an ungodly hour, think of it as a reflection on your high value to the client or firm.

3. Treat Colleagues with Dignity and Respect: In one of my prior firms, the official Attorney Handbook that was distributed to all attorneys (not just associates) offered the prophetic advice: “Treat your colleagues with respect, because someday they may be your clients.” As a young(er) associate I was more focused on the next year than on the next ten years, but the concept has been ever true. With the revolving door of law firms, and fewer associates being promoted to partner at some firms (or certainly fewer being promoted to equity partner), we are seeing more and more associates jumping ship for the perceived greener pastures of in-house counsel life. In my career, I have had the benefit of several former associate colleagues go in-house at current or future clients. By being a resource and sometimes a refuge for your colleagues, an associate is not just being a good colleague and human being, they may also unwittingly be laying the foundation for a future client. Moreover, if you get

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Work Product Excellence 1. “Client-ready” Drafts: A mentor at a prior firm frequently told the associates that all associate work should be “client-ready.” This meant that the results of a research project should be so thorough and well-written that the partner could merely forward the analysis to the client, without any further revisions or editing. While this is the ideal goal, some allowances must be made for follow-up questions, or areas of advice that require a seasoned practitioner’s practical experience. 2. Learn to Accept Criticism: When I was a brand new attorney for the Treasury Department, one of my mentors and supervisors noted that a young attorney’s first job out of law school should be a continuation of the learning experience. This inherently means learning to accept constructive criticism, learning from one’s mistakes, and continuing to independently read and learn about the most recent developments in your chosen field. As a continuation of the learning experience, your first job will help you better discern whether that given area of practice is the best fit.

Phone Calls, Emails, and Texting 1. Responsiveness: Beyond communication with clients as being a key requirement under the Rules of Professional Conduct, it is also a good business practice. One of the necessary byproducts of technology making attorneys always reachable, is that clients and colleagues will expect associates to be responsive on short notice. One practitioner suggested that associates should respond to work-related calls or emails within 1 hour. Others suggested responding the same day. Still others recommended at least acknowledging the email, noting that you will provide substantive follow-up at a later time. 2. Email and Texting Etiquette: A malpractice lawyer recommended: “Never email or text something about a client that you would not be comfortable reading aloud in a deposition.” Forget about the notion that badmouthing one’s client is rude, poor form, and perhaps inconsistent with one’s professional duty to the client; it can also come back to bite you

in the event of a malpractice suit. Imagine writing an email to a colleague that “This client is a real pain!” Then when the client obtains such email in a malpractice suit, you have to answer in a deposition: “What did you mean by a ‘real pain’? Do you often refer to clients using such language?”

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Organizing Your Time and Schedule 1. Do Not Overcommit Yourself: Many associates like to be known by partners and clients as the person who can handle anything, and never says no. However, taking on too many assignments can lead to poor quality deliverables, missing deadlines, and personal fatigue and burnout. If you feel that you are overloaded on projects, tell the assigning partner that you are at full capacity and will not be able to get to the new project until a later date. The partner may decide to give the project to another associate, or will help you reprioritize the projects that you have.

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2. Use Your Firm Calendar: Quite often, others in your firm will need to schedule time on your calendar for either a one-on-one call, a conference call with a client, or a business development meeting. If items are missing from your calendar, it can make any attempt at scheduling futile. To solve this, associates in many firms are encouraged to utilize the firm’s calendar for their own personal scheduling as well, and to “share” the calendar with the associate’s assistant through read and edit access so that the assistant can view and update the calendar as needed. Outlook gives you the ability to mark a scheduled event as “Private” so that others cannot see what you entered, or as I do, you can just mark a block of time as “Personal Conflict,” or to throw off nosey colleagues, “Gigolo Audition – Don’t Forget My References.” 3. Utilize Your Secretary: They go by different names at each firm. Some call them “Secretaries,” or “Assistants,” or “Practice Assistant,” but regardless of the title, they all have one thing in common – they can help your practice thrive! When a young associate joins a firm, chances are his or her assistant will have more experience in a law firm than the associate will have. Learn from the assistant’s experience. If you’re lucky, you will share an assistant with a more senior

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feature These are tips that many law firm partners wished someone had explained at the start of their careers...

attorney or partner, and you can benefit from what that assistant has learned from the partner. I called one of my former assistants my “Work Mom” because she used to constantly criticize me for how messy my office was (she was absolutely correct). She would also force me to meet with her on the date that the drafts of client invoices were due so we could review them together and get them out. My assistant knew me well; if I looked preoccupied or down, she would ask how I was feeling. She would even give me advice on navigating office politics when I first arrived at the firm. She knew where all the bodies were buried (though I worked in New Jersey at the time, so that comes with the territory).

Association to get connected to someone in the field of interest. When you do write, be mindful of your firm’s policy on associate authorship, as some firms expect anything that an associate publishes to be reviewed by a partner. Associates should also be careful when writing about any development that involves a client of the firm. Some firms have marketing protocols that require any proposed client alert to be reviewed by the marketing committee to ensure that it does not reference any existing firm client, and if it does, the “relationship partner” or other similarly situated partner must review the draft. Some firms will even prohibit client alerts that reference case law citations where a firm client was a named party. Know your firm’s rules before you start writing.

Other Important Issues

2. Out-of-Office Activities: Be mindful that wherever you go, you are not only representing yourself, but you are also representing your profession and your firm. In the things you write, including social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram), trade association periodicals, local community newspapers, other publications, etc., and the things you say, your ideas and beliefs will reflect on you. In the legal profession, there is no place for hate or intolerance, and such speech could have detrimental effects on your career, such as was seen recently when major law firms had rescinded associate

1. Seek out Branding Opportunities: It is never too early for associates to work on “building their brand.” Associates should consider committing to writing a client alert, or other public-facing publication, a couple of times a year. This will help to build your firm bio, and showcase your expertise to partners and clients. If you need help coming up with a topic or finding a publication forum, talk with an attorney whose work interests you, or talk with your partner mentor, or even reach out to a fellow member of the Bucks County Bar

offers when they discovered that potential hires were leaders of student groups that had issued statements condemning Israel, or had made insensitive remarks publicly. See, e.g., “A Prestigious Law Firm Rescinded Job Offers for Columbia and Harvard Students, but It May Reverse Itself,” The New York Times (Oct. 18, 2023); “NYU law student has job offer withdrawn after posting anti-Israel message,” CBS News Online (Oct. 12, 2023). Even as to lesser topics, be careful what you post on social media, as you never know on whom you may be making an impression. 3. Periodically Reflect on Your Career Journey: When I was about 5 years into my practice as a bank regulatory lawyer, I contemplated transitioning to family law, and received an offer from a small firm in Greenbelt, Maryland. While it may sound remarkable that someone would want to depart the dynamic, whirlwind, jet-setting life of bank regulation, with such action-packed topics like “legal lending limits,” and “the Volcker Rule,” for the humdrum haze of matrimonial law (sarcasm intended), I was taking a look at where my career was, and where it was going. After that momentary glance, I decided to stay in my professional lane. But my momentary doubt as to my career path is not unusual of practitioners – many sometimes wonder about the road not taken. In terms of career transition, most seasoned practitioners would agree that it is substantially easier to transition to different areas of the law early in your career than to make a radical subject area change after ten-plus years in practice. This notion of occasional self-reflection and re-evaluation of your career plan is an important personal habit for any attorney to take. I have known many associates in BigLaw who left their practices to pursue a legal path that was more consistent with their interests and lifestyle plans. No associate wants to wake up when they are 50 and realize that they loathe navigating the exciting fields of ERISA law, bank capital rules, or tax law, or better yet, realize that they should have gone to business school! Life is too short to do something that you do not enjoy, that does not give you some measure of fulfillment, or at least afford time for pro bono service on the side. Will these tips from the trenches work, will they ensure success, will they reduce intrafirm flare-ups, who knows? These are tips that many law firm partners wished someone had explained at the start of their careers, as it might have made the journey a little more pleasant. I hope it helps the next generation of Bucks County associates on that journey as well. 

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Annual Red Mass Celebrated in Doylestown By Chris Serpico, Esquire On October 3rd the Third Annual Red Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (OLMC) in Doylestown. Instituted two years ago by Father Matthew Guckin, the Pastor at OLMC, the Red Mass offers lawyers, judges, priests, and lay people an opportunity to gather together to pray for justice and to ask for divine inspiration in applying their talents and abilities to promote a more just society. The Red Mass has a long and storied history in the Roman Catholic Church. The timing of the Red Mass in the United States is usually scheduled for the Sunday before the first Monday in October which marks the official opening of the Supreme Court’s yearly term. Bucks County’s Red Mass is held on the first Tuesday in October, so Catholics and non-Catholics can gather together at the mass.

John S. Han, Esq. Criminal Defense Attorney Representing clients facing State and Federal Prosecution in Eastern Pennsylvania.

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(610) 275-0700 | highswartz.com celebrate the Red Mass to join in prayer for a more just and merciful society.” Father Guckin is grateful to all those who attended this year’s Mass, particularly the judges and lawyers of Bucks County, and is hopeful that as the years go by, members of the Bar Association will appreciate the Red Mass as an opportunity to reflect upon the blessings they have received to be in a position to work in a career that offers opportunities to make the lives of the people in our community a bit brighter. 

Although the Mass is held in a Catholic Church, its purpose is ecumenical in that it’s intended to appeal to people of all faiths and religions. BCBA Past President Sean Gresh worked closely with Father Guckin in laying the groundwork for the Mass three years ago, and he’s hopeful that attendance will increase as Bucks County’s bench and bar become more aware of it. In a podcast aired at the time of the First Red Mass at OLMC, Gresh said, “Something we should all strive for is justice for the idea of justice’s sake. Regardless of how we worship, or who we worship, we can all agree that justice and mercy are principles that not only are of value to us as lawyers, but to society as a whole.” Father Guckin added that “We 17

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THE WOMAN WITH A PURPLE HEART: Book review by Sarah Steers, Esquire Recognizing the diversity of its membership, the BCBA proudly hosts a wide variety of committees and divisions, including the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (“DEI”), the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and the Women Lawyers’ Division (“WLD”). Representatives from any of those sections would be charmed by The Woman with a Purple Heart, a novelization of the life of Lt. Annie Fox – the first female recipient of the Purple Heart.

Given that Lt. Fox never married, Hanks keeps an amusing faux-romantic subplot at bay. Rather, Hanks wisely chooses to focus on the drama of the attack and celebrate Lt. Fox and the varied Hawaiian citizens who carried not only the day, but the weeks and years following (including Hawaiian Natives, JapaneseAmericans, and newly-settled white mainlanders). The Woman with a Purple Heart is lightweight, yet powerful. Although it’s unclear how long she remained in Hawaii following her discharge from the Army in 1945, Hanks suggests that Lt. Fox stayed until the internment camps were closed, thus ending the book with a moment of reunion and hope. 

Transferred from the Philippines to Hickam Field in November 1941, Lt. Fox had only served as the Chief Nurse in the Army Nurse Corps for a month when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. Hanks provides minimal backstory; rather, the plot centers on Lt. Fox’s fearlessness as she protected her staff and tended to the wounded in the attack’s immediate aftermath. Even in a novel with an outsize 18

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You Think You Know Our Government? By Julie D. Goldstein, Esquire

The Bar Association is happy to be a part of a new civics education class that is being offered at the Bucks County Community College. Created by The Honorable Cynthia M. Rufe, the Bucks County Bar Association, and the Bucks County Community College, a new noncredit 8-week program will be offered in Spring 2024. This program will provide participants firsthand knowledge of our Constitution, the court system, voting rights, immigration, civil rights, First Amendment, civil litigation, and criminal law. A rotation of highly distinguished federal and state court judges and attorneys will lead the weekly classes and highlight a specialized field of the government through a highly accessible, engaging and interactive forum. Many Bar Association members have agreed to participate in these wonderful sessions. Judge Rufe has successfully presented a similar Adult Civics Education program in the Philadelphia Community College. Based on her efforts, Bucks County will now have a similar program to offer. Please spread the word for anyone in the community who you believe would be interested in attending. We are happy to partner with Judge Rufe and all the attorneys and judges volunteering their time on this important program. 

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Emeritus Attorney Status:

How retired attorneys can continue to provide pro bono legal services

By Jennifer Pierce, Esq., Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (LASP) Pro Bono Director Attorneys have a unique collection of knowledge and experience over the course of their years of practice. When attorneys decide to retire from active practice, those years of experience can now be used to serve those who otherwise cannot afford counsel. Through the emeritus attorney program, retired attorneys can help the community without incurring the cost of maintaining an active law license.

the application, a qualifying legal aid organization (including Legal Aid of Southeastern PA) submits a form in support of hosting the attorney. The $35 application fee is the only charge to maintain emeritus status. LASP staff can help attorneys access CLEs to satisfy the requirement and in completing the application. Emeritus attorneys do not need malpractice insurance; they are covered under the legal aid organization’s professional liability insurance.

Specific volunteer opportunities in Bucks County for emeritus attorneys:

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Represent survivors of domestic violence at final Protection from Abuse hearings.

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Represent tenants at eviction hearings.

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Help low-income families with uncontested divorces.

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Work with seniors who need estate planning documents.

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Represent parents on a limited-scope basis in custody cases.

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Assist clients with expungement of criminal records, which improves their opportunities for employment, education and housing.

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LASP also welcomes experienced attorneys who are interested in providing mentorship to guide newer attorneys in these areas of law.

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To read more about Emeritus status, visit padisciplinaryboard.org/for-attorneys/resources and scroll to EMERITUS ATTORNEYS, or visit lasp.org/pro-bono. If you are interested in volunteering with Legal Aid of Southeastern PA and applying for Emeritus status, please contact Megan Reinprecht, LASP Community Engagement Unit Staff Attorney and Bucks County Pro Bono Coordinator, at mreinprecht@lasp.org or 484-206-8108.

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New Member Highlight

Daniel Hinger,

Nicole Durso,

attorney at the Law Offices of Mark R. Strauss

attorney at Stark & Stark, Attorneys at Law

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Practice area: Personal Injury

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Practice area: Personal Injury

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Education: Rutgers Law School

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Education: JD – Villanova 2013; BA – NYU 2010

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Previous jobs: Valet Driver (post-retirement job, hopefully), golf course greensman, cashier

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Previous jobs: Progressive House Counsel 2016-2023; Palmer & Barr 2013-2016

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What you do for fun: Snowboarding, camping, hiking, fine wine, whiskey, and listening to ‘80s music

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Family: My parents live in Cherry Hill, NJ, my brother lives in Brooklyn, NY and I am getting married to my fiance, Madison, in a few days

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Interesting fact about yourself: While I have little musical talent, my dad was the recording engineer for Boyz II Men back in their heyday 

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Family: My husband, Brian and I have been married for six years. We have two girls, Harlow (4) and Hailynn (2), and a fox red lab named Athena.

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Interesting fact about yourself: I unintentionally gave birth to Hailynn at home. 

BCBA event

First Annual

TRIVIA NIGHT Fundraiser By Stephanie Shortall, Esquire On Thursday, November 9, the Bucks County Bar Foundation held its first annual Trivia Night Fundraiser. Judges, attorneys, courthouse staff, and other members of the community gathered at the Social Hall of St. Cyril’s Church in Jamison where excitement and laughter filled the room. The night began with a buffet dinner and quickly moved on to a rousing six rounds of trivia led by host Vince Evans. Although the top teams were close, coming out on top was a team from the District Attorney’s office. The event was BYOB, which resulted in some interestinglooking cocktails. One table had a giant container of a bright blue cocktail mix! The questions were tough and required some real thinking. There were questions where you had to determine the logo of the business by looking through a kaleidoscope. Those questions were exceptionally difficult. Then there were the geography questions, which were surprisingly difficult. It’s tough to put a map of the United States together in your head. But these challenging questions allowed for everyone to work together and enjoy themselves. Thank you so much to all the event’s sponsors and attendees for joining us! Your support enables us to fulfill our mission and make a meaningful difference here in Bucks County. We enjoyed a night of great food & drinks, greater company, and some friendly trivia competition while raising over $24,000 for the Foundation. We hope that you are getting your teams ready to take on the reigning champions at this event again next year! 

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Trunk or Treat, Trunk or Treat, Give Us Something Good to Eat!

BCBA event

The BCBA’s First-Ever Trunk or Treat By Elaine T. Yandrisevits, Esquire

The Young Lawyers Division embraced spooky season by holding its first-ever Trunk or Treat at the BCBA on October 24. This event was formed out of a desire to hold a safe and fun trick or treating option for BCBA members and members of our local community.

The YLD was thrilled with the support and turnout from BCBA members, who filled the back parking lot and transformed their cars into a variety of monsters, ghosts, skeletons, a graveyard, a monkey-filled jungle (complete with a walking and talking banana) and the Great Pumpkin Patch. Other members morphed their cars into beloved characters like a unicorn, Mickey Mouse, Lilo and Stitch, and Baby Yoda. There were even a few four-legged furry friends joining in on the Halloween fun. Over eighty children and their families enjoyed this event and the tasty treats that went along with it. The Trunk or Treat would not have been possible without the support of the BCBA members who answered the call and showcased their creativity by decorating their cars. The BCBA staff also worked tirelessly to promote the event and spread the word with local organizations and businesses. Finally, a huge thanks must go out to the Trunk or Treat sponsors: Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP; Coaches Steak and Hoagie House; The Doylestown Bookshop; Evolution Candy; Karasch Litigation Services; Nat’s Pizza; Nina’s Waffles & Ice Cream; and Siren Records. The YLD hopes to bring Trunk or Treat back even bigger and better next year!  24

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2023

Bench Bar Conference By Kim Litzke, Esquire

If you made the choice not to attend Bench Bar this year, you made the wrong choice. Here is what you missed: 1. The weather was gorgeous (I take credit for that). 2. The CLE programs were both interesting and fun.

3. We had 153 attendees and the event was profitable for the Bar Association. 4. The opportunity to interact with 11 judges and more importantly, all of the Law Clerks. 5. Delicious food. We brought back the formal nature of the first night including a fine dining dinner. My personal favorite was how great their coffee shop was. 6. So many alternatives to golf, such as hiking & kayaking. Some received awards for doing those activities well. 7. The best golf outing of all Bench Bars. 8. Amazing goodie bags received upon arrival. Do not fret, you have the chance to go next year! Save the date: Bench Bar 2024 is Sept. 19-21 at Camelback Resort. Thanks to BCBA President Larry Scheetz for his efforts in making this year’s conference a tremendous success. Thanks to Jeremy Puglia for coordinating the Golf Outing. Thanks to all our CLE presenters for putting on excellent educational programs. And last but not least, thank you to all our conference attendees who came out to Skytop and helped us make this year’s conference the best Bench Bar since Hershey!  26

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Marathon Day

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End of Summer Happy Hour

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