the WRITS, Bucks Bar Association, Spring 2024

Bucks County Welcomes New Leaders to the Courthouse and Bar Association

CONTACT INFO

President

R. Tyler Tomlinson

Vice President/President Elect

Jeremy D. Puglia

Secretary

Melanie J. Wender

Treasurer

Stephanie M. Shortall

Immediate Past President

Lawrence R. Scheetz, Jr.

Past Presidents’ Representative

Robert T. Repko

Board of Directors

Erin Kernan Aronson

Brendan M. Callahan

Jeffrey G. DiAmico

Kimberly Litzke

Christopher S. Mahoney

Tina Mazaheri

Joanne M. Murray

Thomas E. Panzer

Jennifer Pierce

Mindy J. Snyder

Megan Weiler

Elaine T. Yandrisevits

Writs Editor

Travis P. Nelson

Writs Photographer Dylan Gilheany

Heather

PA 18901

email

Advertising Contact

Bucks County Welcomes a New District Attorney

As his final act before taking the bench,

Meet President Judge

Raymond F. McHugh

Earlier this year, the Honorable Raymond F. McHugh

Bucks County Welcomes its Newest Judge: Hon. Matthew Weintraub

Matt Weintraub is a force. He is the sort of person that

The Bucks County Bar Association Award Winners

The 2023 annual meeting and dinner of the Bucks

BCBF 20th Anniversary Gala “A Celebration of Giving”

On Thursday evening, April 18, 2024, the Bucks County

Bucks Bar Members Showcase Leadership Statewide

Members of the Bucks County Bar Association are

5 Keys to Success for Young Lawyers in Bucks County

Whether you are just starting your career generally or

Something’s Fishy in Administrative Law:

In January the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral

On the Cover… From left to right: R. Tyler Tomlinson, President of the BCBA; Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn; Honorable Raymond F. McHugh, President Judge; Bucks County Court of Common Pleas Honorable Matthew D. Weintraub

Doylestown Office

Langhorne Office

Quakertown Office

Bristol Office Bensalem Office

President’s Message

Tomlinson

My Fellow Members of the Bar:

We are off to an exciting start for 2024. In the first week of January we saw the investiture of Judge Matthew D. Weintraub, and we ended the week with the swearing in of our new District Attorney Jen Schorn. Talk about hitting the ground running.

Opening of Assizes was an amazing success in February. Thank you to Stark & Stark’s Marketing Director Sarah Ryan for putting on an informative and entertaining CLE. Hopefully, you were one of the lucky folks that received a Golden Ticket and you were able to stop by the Irish Pub to enjoy a pint or two of Guinness. Frank Sullivan and Jessica Pritchard were certainly smiling the entire time.

Heather Cevasco, our Executive Director, celebrated her one-year anniversary in February. It is amazing to watch Heather in action, with all of her community connections. While Heather is much younger than me, we do chuckle at times what fun it is serving our members, judges and lawyers from across Bucks County. Not bad for two kids from Lenape Junior High.

Our membership numbers are at an all-time high. Any day now, for the first time ever in our 140-year history, we will go over 1,000 active members. There is no truth to the rumor that we have to cap our membership at 1,000. In fact, just wait until you see our final membership numbers for 2024. One of the most exciting things is how the median age of our overall membership is younger, and we are more diverse than ever. Thank you to Member Services co-chairs Adam Tanker and Gabe Montemuro.

Our President Club Sponsors have been amazing with their support this year. PNC became our first ever Legacy Sponsor this year by committing over $15,000. These law firms and businesses truly are the financial backbone of your Association. They have each donated over $10,000. Equally important, they are giving their time and talent to our Association. When you see them, please be sure

Our membership numbers are at an all-time high. Any day now, for the first time ever in our 140year history, we will go over 1,000 active members. There is no truth to the rumor that we have to cap our membership at 1,000. In fact, just wait until you see our final membership numbers for 2024.

to thank them, and consider using their services. Emily Norman, our Director of Development & Marketing, does a great job helping our sponsors.

Your Board of Directors continues to improve the BCBA. I would like to give special thanks to Larry Scheetz, Jeremy Puglia, Melanie Wender, Stephanie Shortall and Bob Repko for everything they do on the Executive Board. Also Jeff Liebmann and Liz Fritsch continue to do truly miraculous work with our Bucks County Bar Foundation. Barbara Sauers, our Director of Operations, reports that our financial footing is strong in both the BCBA and the BCBF.

Our President Club Sponsors have been amazing with their support this year. Equally important, they are giving their time and talent to our Association.

Thank you to the Bench and to all of the Bar Association for their participation with the Mock Trial in January and February. Abby Bukowski did a great job getting us to come out in the snow and volunteer to help the future lawyers of Bucks County.

Our various committees, sections and divisions are working hard planning programs and events for our membership. During one of our snowstorms, when the Court was closed, we had over 70 attorneys log onto a Family Law meeting. Hillary Moonay and Liz Fineman are doing a great job leading the Family Law Section. Hillary is also Chair of PBA’s Family Law Section this year. When does she sleep???

Tyler

Bucks County Bar Association President

We are thrilled to announce that our annual Bench-Bar Conference will again be in the Poconos at Camelback from September 19th to 21st.

Joe Cullen, Tom Donnelly and Tim Duffy have done a terrific job with the Civil Litigation Section. They put together some impressive CLEs. George Patsalosavvis has the Orphans Court Section running highly efficiently. If you have not been to a Women’s Law Division event, you are missing out. Mindy Snyder does fun activities. Tiffany Thomas-Smith and Jen Pierce have organized great events for the Diversity Committee and the Young Lawyers Division respectively. This is the first edition of The Writs under Travis Nelson’s watch, and we are thrilled Travis is doing this. Finally, Jeff DiAmico and Grace Deon are bringing new and exciting ideas to the Business Law and Federal Courts sections.

We are thrilled to announce that our annual Bench-Bar Conference will again be in the Poconos at Camelback from September 19th to 21st. Elaine Yandrisevits, Chair

of Bench Bar, promises that this will be the Best Bench Bar since Sky Top.

I do want to thank all of the members, our Past Presidents, and the BCBA’s Staff for helping me this year. It is a great honor to serve as the 84th President of this Association. We are doing some exciting things and we are making a difference. This does not happen without you. The Bar Association is your organization, and we are here to serve you! 

— Tyler Tomlinson, Esquire Bucks County Bar Association President

Tyler Tomlinson is a shareholder at Stark & Stark, PC and specializes in personal injury law. Tyler is the President of the Bucks County Bar Association.

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

Stark & Stark proudly congratulates Tyler Tomlinson, Esq. on being sworn in as the 84th President of the Bucks County Bar Association

Tyler has held numerous roles within the BCBA, including President Elect, Vice President, and Treasurer. He has been a member of the BCBA for 20 years, and is the first attorney from Stark & Stark to serve as the BCBA President.

From the Editor…

Travis P. Nelson Editor, Bucks Writs

“We must attempt, rather, to bring people back to the warmth of community, to the worth of individual effort and responsibility, and of individuals working together as a community, to better their lives and their children’s future.”

– Robert F. Kennedy

The above quote from Robert Kennedy made me reflect on the value of individual work in combination with communal work, with the focus of both being the betterment of society. We see an example of these two approaches entwined in the Bucks County Bar Association — through our collective individual efforts, we make for a better Bar Association, a better profession, and a better community. It is my hope that The Writs can be a voice and facilitator for that increased sense of community.

When I was first approached about taking over as editor of The Writs, I jumped at the chance. I told our Bar Association President, Tyler Tomlinson, that I just might be a unicorn among bar association members: I will be an enthusiastic, dues-paying member, even if I never get a referral and the Bar Association never has a CLE that is relevant to my practice area. Just give me an opportunity to serve the Association and our community. Through The Writs, the Bar Association offers a great opportunity for such service. To introduce myself, I am a Doylestown resident, a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, and a partner at the law firm of Holland & Knight LLP, where I practice financial services regulatory law (i.e., banks). I am also adjunct faculty at Villanova and Temple University Law Schools where I teach a course on financial regulation (yes, it is more exciting than it sounds). Prior to private practice, I served at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department,

The Writs, perhaps more than any other committee, section, or event of the Bucks County Bar Association, is uniquely positioned to bring about a greater sense of community.

in Washington, DC, that regulates federally-chartered banks. I was also formerly the editor of the ABA’s Banking Law Committee Journal, and I am the current Chair of the Banking & Commercial Finance Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and proudest of all, I have four wonderful and brilliant children.

Whether you practice in Levittown or Quakertown, Doylestown or Newtown, whether your office is on Court Street, or on Market Street, or in your basement, we are all privileged to be part of a community of legal professionals who have dedicated their professional lives to serving their clients and communities. Some of us have entered this noble profession because of a calling to serve, or a passion for solving problems, or because of a familial history of attorneys, or because of major personal events that were somehow connected to the legal system, or because they spent their free time during their freshman year of college at Villanova watching the OJ Simpson Trial from their dorm room, shouting: “No way he’s going to make OJ try on that glove!!!” Regardless of the circumstances that brought us to this hallowed vocation, we are privileged to be on this path, and to be on it together.

The Writs, perhaps more than any other committee, section, or event of the Bucks County Bar Association, is uniquely positioned to bring about a greater sense of community. As editor, I have three goals for the future of The Writs, in no particular order. First, The Writs will showcase the diverse practice sets, and expertise, of the Association’s members. In facilitating this, we are seeking substantive articles about topics within your practice, such as recent case law or legislation, best practices, or war stories. Second, The Writs will provide mentorship and networking for young and diverse members to connect with fellow practitioners. For example, if you are a newer practitioner and are interested in writing on a topic that your firm does not currently practice, we will assist in connecting you with potential co-authors. Third, we will provide stories to highlight the unique and compelling character of the various characters that comprise the Bar Association. To paraphrase Tyrion Lannister’s line from the Game of Thrones finale: “[The Writs] is our memory, the keeper of all of our stories.” The Bucks County Bar Association has been around for over 140 years, and has some amazing stories to tell. The Writs has the privilege of being the keeper and teller of those stories.

The Bucks County Bar Association has been around for over 140 years, and has some amazing stories to tell. The Writs has the privilege of being the keeper and teller of those stories.

We have some new recurring columns planned for The Writs. The Bar Foundation will have a recurring column to showcase the incredible things that the Foundation does to serve our community. In the “Managing Partner’s Corner,” a different firm’s managing partner from throughout the County will have the opportunity to discuss the unique character of their firm, and their views on the “business” of the practice of law, including how the firm tackles new and emerging challenges. In “Attorney Briefs,” we will report on members’ honors and appointments, such as advisory boards, awards, elected or volunteer public service, special professional achievements, promotions to partner or shareholder, academic faculty positions, committee leadership in the BCBA or other bar associations or professional groups, and more. The Writs will also have an “On the Move” section, where we will report on members’ lateral moves to other firms, companies, or government service. We will also report on new articles that members may have published in other publications. For example, if you have had an article published in a law review, or ABA publication, we want to hear about it and share the news. Finally, Attorney Briefs will share news celebrating major life events, such as weddings, and welcoming of new additions to one’s family (similar to what one might find in a college alumni magazine).

We will also include recurring columns that spotlight some of the members of Clerkland (as insiders refer to it), the often unseen members of our Bar Association who play a special role in the efficient workings of our judicial system — the judicial law clerks.

Should you have articles to contribute, if you are looking for a partner to co-author an article, or if there is a new appointment, new article, or new arrival in your life, please let us know at WritsEditor@BucksBar.org. 

— Travis P. Nelson, Esquire

Travis Nelson is a partner with Holland & Knight LLP, where he practices financial services regulatory law, and is a resident of Doylestown, PA. Travis is Editor of The Writs

Representation, consultation and expert testimony in disciplinary matters and matters involving ethical issues, bar admissions and the Rules of Professional Conduct

James C. Schwartzman, Esq.

• Judge, Court of Judicial Discipline

• Former Chairman, Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania

• Former Chairman, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

• Former Chairman, Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

• Former Chairman, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Board

• Former Federal Prosecutor

• Selected by his peers as one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in PA and the top 100 Super Lawyers in Philadelphia

• Named by his peers as Best Lawyers in America 2022 and 2015 Philadelphia “Lawyer of the Year” Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law and Legal Malpractice Law

1500 Market Street, East Tower, Suite 1800 • Philadelphia, PA 19102 (215) 751-2863

ISSUE: 2403

ORG/PUB: Bucks Writs

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MEMBER SERVICES

Who

We Are and What We Do

By Gabriel T. Montemuro and Adam Tanker

The Member Services Committee has several important roles at the Bucks County Bar Association. A primary function of the Committee is to recruit and retain members. In that sense, we serve as the cheer team, hype squad, and wing man for the Bar Association. Through Tyler Tomlinson’s leadership as Bar President this year, Member Services is excited to unveil new initiatives and creative recruitment to bring in new members, retain our current membership, and achieve our goal of having 1,000 members by the end of 2024!

Following a relatively new tradition, The Member Services Committee is hosting two new member breakfasts that will take place at the Bar Association on February 15, 2024 and November 7, 2024, respectively. The breakfasts will be great opportunities for new members to see the wonderful facilities such as the useful conference rooms and meeting spaces and to meet the friendly staff. In addition, new members will learn about all the amazing member benefits, interact with members of the Bar Association leadership, and learn how to get the best out of their membership. The breakfast also encourages new members to sign up for committees and sections and to become active within the Bar Association.

Through Tyler Tomlinson’s leadership as Bar President this year, Member Services is excited to unveil new initiatives and creative recruitment to bring in new members, retain our current membership, and achieve our goal of having 1,000 members by the end of 2024!

Another new initiative is to recruit more law students to join the Bar Association. Piggybacking on last year’s success at the Temple Law Student Services Fair last August where we recruited approximately 85 new members, The Member Services Committee plans on attending more Law School Fairs, including Temple, Villanova and Drexel.

Lastly, we are very excited to finalize and roll out our “100% Club” to recognize and celebrate those law

Lastly, we are very excited to finalize and roll out our “100% Club” to recognize and celebrate those law firms who have 100% enrollment in the Bar Association.

firms who have 100% enrollment in the Bar Association. Throughout the year, we will feature different law firms in the 100% Club and shower them with social media bragging rights, BCBA swag, and potentially even a physical trophy to commemorate their involvement and loyalty to the Bar Association. Stay tuned!

We would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to go over some of the membership benefits available to Bucks County Bar Association members. There are discounted CLE fees, discounted rates on meeting room rentals, access to the Club Room and Carriage Room for informal meetings or a place to relax over their lunch break while in court, free parking, access to LawPay and Caseroads, advertising discounts for the WRITs, access to the Lawyer Referral and Information Services program, access to the membership Directory and discounts from over 20 local retailers. This is in addition to the networking events, softball game and of course, the fantastic Bench Bar Conference.

We would like to thank all the members of this Committee who donate their time at our monthly meetings, who review new applications and who make phone calls to new members. Member Services is one of the most important Committees we have as we help foster an encouraging and welcoming atmosphere for our new members and current members.

We look forward to an exciting year! 

Adam Tanker is a partner at Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel, LLP, in the Doylestown, PA, office, and practices family law. Gabe Montemuro is an associate at Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP, in Doylestown, PA, and practices commercial litigation. Adam and Gabe are Co-Chairs of the BCBA’s Member Services Committee.

“The OPPOSITE of what gives ATTORNEYS a bad name.”

Within the stack of notes I have accumulated in over 30 years of practicing law, none stands out to me as much as the client who said, “You’re the opposite of what gives attorneys a bad name.” What is it about our profession that seems to equate being a zealous advocate with being obnoxious?

Knowing that you can refer your personal injury cases to any firm that pays a referral fee, why not look to a firm that will reflect well on your recommendation? For over three decades, other attorneys and physicians have referred their own family members to me to handle their personal injury claims. You don’t take that kind of trust lightly. Having resolved over 1500 personal injury cases, my hope remains to provide the type of legal service which warrants the continued respect and recommendation of fellow professionals. Let me know how I can help you.

JONATHAN J. RUSSELL

Bucks County Welcomes a New District Attorney

By Chelsey D. Jackman

AS HIS FINAL ACT BEFORE TAKING THE BENCH,

the Honorable Matthew D. Weintraub appointed his First Assistant, Jennifer M. Schorn, to finish out his term as the District Attorney of Bucks County. Jen Schorn is a native of Bucks County, who grew up in Upper Southampton Township, graduated from Archbishop Wood High School, then St. Joseph’s University, followed by the Widener School of Law. Jen is a career prosecutor, having worked at the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office for the last quarter-century.

I met Jen during my first year of law school in May of 2010, when I started as an intern at the DA’s Office. Jen had been an Assistant District Attorney for about ten years, during which time she distinguished herself as one of the top trial attorneys in the County. After observing Jen try and secure a conviction in a difficult murder case that first summer, I knew what I wanted to do with my legal career.

For the next eleven years, I had a front row seat to the force that is Jen Schorn. Anyone who has seen Jen Schorn in trial knows what that means. Jen Schorn is a voice of the silenced. Jen Schorn is a defender of justice. Jen Schorn plunges stakes into the hearts of bad guys. She takes on the worst of the worst cases… and she takes them personally. Jen has been doing it for years and will continue to do it as District Attorney, because with all due respect to my fellow members of the bar, Jen Schorn is the best trial attorney in Bucks County.

Despite her reputation as a real-life superhero, Jen Schorn is better known to the people in her life as Jen, Jenny, Aunt Jenny, Miss Jen, or Mom. Whether she is wearing the cape in the courtroom or at home with her family and friends, Jen is guided by the same principles: love, compassion, and standing up for what is right. Those guiding principles are the reason Bucks County is so fortunate to now have Jen Schorn as our highest-ranking member of law enforcement. Our County now has a mom as its lead protector. I don’t mean a mom as in a woman who has children. I mean a mom who stands up for others the way we stand up for

When Jen Schorn analyzes a case, she does not just consider the date, time, location, and elements of the crime. She does a deep dive into the life of all those involved, leaving no stone unturned to understand the human element of her case.

our own family. No lift is too heavy, no amount of time is too long, and no amount of work is too great when someone hurts our child.

When Jen Schorn analyzes a case, she does not just consider the date, time, location, and elements of the crime. She does a deep dive into the life of all those involved, leaving no stone unturned to understand the human element of her case. Jen knows what sport the victim was good at, what kind of relationship he or she had with their grandmother, or why they were shy in high school. The way Jen sees people invigorates her quest for justice on their behalf.

As a first year ADA, I shadowed Jen Schorn on a very serious case with multiple young female victims, who,

Despite Jen’s well-earned reputation as a tough-on-crime prosecutor, when appropriate, Jen’s compassion extends to defendants as well. Jen is well respected by the defense bar, who view her as extremely reasonable, someone who is willing to listen and consider all sides of a story. Jen has an open mind and the courage to do what is right.

due to their lifestyle, some would overlook as worthy of sympathy. Whenever talking about the case, Jen would describe these victims as “beautiful girls.” Jen was not commenting on their physical beauty. She was commenting on their worthiness. She was treating them compassionately, because as she operates with all victims, they were somebody’s child too. Jen’s words reflected her belief that these girls were worth fighting for, they were worthy of justice, and she got those girls to believe that about themselves.

The achievement of becoming the District Attorney of Bucks County required hard work and great sacrifice over the last 25 years, not just for Jen, but for her husband and children as well. Because Jen often worked into the evening and her husband routinely worked nights as an officer at the Middletown Township Police Department, Jen’s children spent a lot of time at the courthouse. There was a little room off the back door of the old courthouse where Jen’s then six-year-old son would sit with a bag of goldfish doing his homework well into the evening, while Jen worked on the most serious of cases across the hall. On multiple occasions, I remember Jen heating up her infant daughter’s milk in the DA’s office kitchen, when her family would come to have dinner with her after hours. I remember an occasion when Jen left the office around 7 pm; she was then woken up in the middle of the night to take a call regarding a homicide that had just occurred, and she still got up early the next morning to bake and drop off cookies at her son’s elementary school. I cannot begin to count the number of times when Jen had to walk away from a playdate or a soccer game or a school concert to take a call. Some of these calls were for emergencies of the worst kind that required Jen’s expertise, but most were calls from junior ADAs asking her: “What do I do?”

As a manager of people, there is no better example of a selfless team player than Jen Schorn. When Jen is not in the courtroom, she can be found in her office, with a line of attorneys outside her door looking for her guidance and advice. Despite her own caseload, which consists of the most serious, stressful, and time-consuming cases, Jen always takes time to help her fellow ADAs, which is a full-time job in and of itself. If Jen has time for lunch, it is usually spent in the DA’s Office lunchroom answering questions or sharing wisdom. Jen often cannot get to the bathroom without someone following her to the door. Jen takes on everyone else’s problems the way a mother does.

Jen Schorn is generous with giving credit and she is the least self-promoting person I know. Jen is routinely asked to give trainings regarding the multiple cold-case homicides she has prosecuted. At these trainings, she never fails to give credit to each prosecutor and member of law enforcement involved in the case. Most of the time those individuals are not even in the room. At a recent press conference, Jen took the liberty of introducing the team of people that worked on the case. As she explained who everyone was and what important role they played, the only person she forgot was herself. I was lucky to have second chaired for Jen on many serious cases. At that time and to this day, when Jen talks about those cases, she never misses an opportunity to say “we.” “We” got a great sentence on that case. “We” convinced the victim to testify. “We” presented that evidence. In reality, she was doing the heavy lifting, I was just taking notes.

Despite Jen Schorn’s well-earned reputation as a toughon-crime prosecutor, when appropriate, Jen’s compassion extends to defendants as well. Jen is well respected by the defense bar, who view her as extremely reasonable, someone who is willing to listen and consider all sides of a story. Jen has an open mind and the courage to do what is right.

There is no doubt that Jennifer M. Schorn will administer the duties of her office with the same principles she has been guided by for the last twenty-five years. Jen will continue to try the most serious of cases, she will lead and support the District Attorney’s Office and members of law enforcement, and she will undoubtedly prove that having a mom in that corner office is the best way to keep Bucks County safe. 

Chelsey Jackman is an associate at Begley. Carlin & Mandio, LLP, where she concentrates on zoning, land development, school law and municipal law.

MEET

PRESIDENT JUDGE RAYMOND F. McHUGH

By Megan Weiler and Jennifer Reckner

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE HONORABLE RAYMOND

F. M

c

HUGH WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT JUDGE OF THE BUCKS COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

BY HIS PEERS. Serving for a term of five years, he will preside over the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, the Magisterial District Court judges and the various court-related departments including Adult Probation and Parole, Juvenile Probation, Domestic Relations, and the Family Masters Office.

Bucks County is home to many, and Judge McHugh is no exception. He has lived in the community for the majority of his life, graduating Bensalem High School in 1973. He subsequently attended Gettysburg College, graduating in 1977, and Emory University School of Law, graduating in 1980. During his second year of law school, Judge McHugh became the very first intern with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. Following his graduation from Emory, he worked for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office for four years. During his time in the District Attorney’s Office, Judge McHugh was a colleague of several judges who currently sit with him on the Bucks County bench, including Judges Bateman, Boylan, Fritsch, Finley (also Judge McHugh’s office mate), and Gibbons. Eventually he transitioned into criminal defense and family law, working at Sagget and Jennings for a period of time, and ultimately opening his own practice in 1986.

Judge McHugh is no stranger to the role of a leader. As the Bucks County Controller from 2001-2015, he oversaw the finances for the county as a whole. He was appointed to the bench on February 24, 2015, and was subsequently elected to the position in November of that year. A fun fact — perhaps not to Judge McHugh — is that he did not vote in the 2015 judicial election! Just prior to the election, Judge McHugh was vacationing in Key West, Florida. Although he had good intentions of returning to Bucks County to cast his vote on election day, he was in a biking accident and spent election day in the ICU in Miami.

Among his chief concerns is working to update and modernize the county’s “self-help” system. The current forms, to the extent they exist, are too complicated for pro se individuals. Judge McHugh is hopeful that this change will make Bucks County more accessible and bring Bucks County up to speed with our surrounding counties in Pennsylvania and other states throughout the country.

During his time on the bench, Judge McHugh has overseen the Grand Jury, served as the administrative judge for the criminal division, and recently was a strong proponent in developing the individual judicial court calendar system for the Bucks County criminal court.

When asked about his immediate priorities for the coming year, Judge McHugh emphasized his commitment to improving the efficiency of moving cases through the Bucks County court system. In order to achieve the same, Judge McHugh explained that the court is keeping and monitoring advanced statistics of cases across all sections, disciplines, and judges. This includes measuring the age and cost of cases and use of jurors, among many other things. All of these statistics are aimed at improving the current system and developing best practices for the future. It is his goal to fine tune these procedures during his five-year tenure as President Judge.

Additionally, among his chief concerns is working to update and modernize the county’s “self-help” system. The current forms, to the extent they exist, are too complicated for pro se individuals. Judge McHugh is hopeful that this change will make Bucks County more accessible and bring Bucks County up to speed with our surrounding counties in Pennsylvania and other states throughout the country.

Another potential change we discussed involves the appointment of court-appointed counsel in criminal and dependency matters — specifically, the expansion of the court-appointed counsel list. For example, Judge McHugh hopes to expand the list of conflict counsel to include attorneys with varying levels of experience to handle matters commensurate with their experience. This shift will provide attorneys with the opportunity to gain experience, allowing them to progress and handle cases requiring more expertise in the future. Additionally, Judge McHugh noted there are certain cases that could benefit from a per diem court-appointed attorney as opposed to an attorney with a year-long contract with the County. Cases such as some homicide or sexual abuse matters are particularly of interest. This, hopefully, would attract additional attorneys to represent clients in these cases while not being required to commit to the year-long county contract currently required to receive appointed matters.

As for how he plans to handle the changing bench with the six judges who are slated to retire in the

Judge McHugh hopes to expand the list of conflict counsel to include attorneys with varying levels of experience to handle matters commensurate with their experience. This shift will provide attorneys with the opportunity to gain experience, allowing them to progress and handle cases requiring more expertise in the future.

next five years, Judge McHugh admits “[i]t will be a challenge — we will lose some long-time, well-respected judges that will be difficult to replace.” There is no doubt, however, that Judge McHugh is up for the challenge.

Judge McHugh is justifiably well-respected among his peers. As a judge for nearly a decade, he has become accustomed to those who appear in front of him treating him with well-deserved respect. Outside of the courtroom, though, he enjoys his role as “Papa” to his three beautiful grandchildren; they do not hesitate to challenge him, and to tell him when “he has no clue.” Of his grandchildren, McHugh says, “They keep me humble.”

When asked if he had any parting words for the practitioners and citizens of Bucks County, Judge McHugh noted: “Part of my role as President Judge is to try to make the courts a nicer place to practice law.” Having served as Judge McHugh’s former law clerks, we are confident he is the person who will achieve this goal. 

Megan Weiler is an Associate Attorney at Antheil, Maslow & MacMinn, LLP, in Doylestown. Ms. Weiler served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Raymond F. McHugh from 2015 to 2016.

Jennifer Reckner is an Assistant District Attorney at the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office in Doylestown. Ms. Reckner served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Raymond F. McHugh from 2022 to 2023.

Bucks County Welcomes its Newest Judge: Hon. Matthew Weintraub

By Matthew S. Lannetti

Matt Weintraub is a force. He is the sort of person that owns the room he is in and has the ability to persuade those who may initially disagree with him to change their opinion. These are powers that could be easily misused in the wrong hands. The good news for Bucks County: Matt’s hands are the right ones.

I speak from personal experience. I have had the pleasure of knowing (read: working for) Matt for more than a decade. During the course of that decade plus, I am fortunate to have come to call him my friend. So, you can trust me when I tell you that the voters of Bucks County chose wisely when selecting their newest judge. The real question to the lawyers reading this publication is this: Are you ready for him?

For much of my career in the District Attorney’s Office, I watched Matt cut through a number of Gordian knots. An accomplished trial attorney, Matt never let an obstacle stand between him and justice.

Matt is Bucks County, born and bred. He grew up in Southampton, attended William Tennent High School, and graduated from Ursinus. He went to Temple Law School and worked in the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office after graduating. He eventually left to work as a prosecutor in Lehigh County and then in Cape May County, New Jersey. In 2012 the allure of his hometown called him back, and he was appointed

District Attorney in 2016. He won elections in 2017 and 2021 before retiring as DA at the end of 2023 to take the bench.

I have been up to see Matt on the sixth floor of the Justice Center a few times since he has taken the bench. His new chambers are starkly white, and amongst the photos of his wife Kathleen, his children Shayna and C.J., and the beach scenes (you’re very likely to run into Matt strolling the promenade in Sea Isle City on summer weekends), is a large painting of an ancient scene. The painting depicts Alexander the Great, raising a knife high in the air, about to bring it down onto a large knot of rope. If you are unfamiliar with the story depicted in this scene, it goes like this: An ancient oxcart stood in the city of Gordium, tied with a heavy, complicated knot. An oracle foretold that whoever could unravel this seemingly endless knot would become king of all Asia. Enter Alexander the Great, a man with that precise aspiration. Alexander walked up to the knot, looked it over, took out his sword, and cut straight through it. Spoiler alert for those of you who are not history buffs: He conquered much of Asia.

There is an obvious joke about Matt’s ego buried in this anecdote. You could think, “I have to appear in front of a judge who fancies himself Alexander the Great?” However, if that is all you got out of it, you would be missing the most important part.

For much of my career in the District Attorney’s Office, I watched Matt cut through a number of Gordian knots. An accomplished trial attorney, Matt never let an obstacle stand between him and justice. I saw firsthand how walls that many attorneys would be satisfied to let block their path could fall with the right sort of push. More importantly, I learned that I should never be content to let those walls stand until I had nothing left to give.

Beyond the cases, much of the District Attorney’s job is bureaucratic. The path to justice is fraught with politics, budget disputes, personnel issues, and other minutiae. But Matt was never content to untie those knots slowly, or to allow others to tell him that the knots were simply too tight. He never believed that they had been tied for too long and were impossible to unravel. It turns out that the knots weren’t too tight; everyone was just thinking about untying them all wrong. While most people looked for a place to begin, Matt was unsheathing his sword.

I cannot count the number of times Matt told me how he was going to accomplish something and I thought, “There’s no way that will work.” Suffice it to say that most of the time (but not every time, even Alexander the Great took an “L” every once and a while) I was wrong. But honestly, much like a law school exam, the lesson wasn’t in the end result. It was in the creative problem solving, and in the refusal to take no for an answer.

I expect that Judge Matt Weintraub will operate much like the Matt Weintraub I have always known. He will seek to do justice, regardless of what obstacles might stand in his way. Litigants should be prepared to answer the question “why not?” If the answer to that question involves a complicated series of hypotheticals, or a seemingly endless maze of counter arguments (a knot, you might call it), then you should expect it will be answered by slicing through the issues to get to the point. You should expect to be treated fairly, compassionately, and with respect. And who knows, you just might learn something about conquering all of Asia while you’re there. 

Matthew Lannetti is the Chief of Child Abuse Prosecution for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

The Bucks County Mediation and Arbitration Center (BCMAC) is owned and operated by Barbara N. Lyons, Esq. She is certified, skilled and experienced in neutral arbitration, mediation and case evaluation. Attorneys work closely with Barbara from initial contact to the conclusion of their case.

BCMAC is a full-service ADR provider addressing issues involving, but not limited to:

•Contract and real estate disputes

BCMAC is a full-service ADR provider addressing issues involving:

•Medical malpractice

•Equity matters

• Personal injury premises and product liability

•Employer/employee disputes

•Underinsured and uninsured motorist cases

• Commercial and insurance matters

•Business mergers and dissolutions

• Real estate and equity disputes

•Personal injury

•Municipal matters

BCMAC provides cost-effective and real-world solutions for attorneys and their clients, business and industry professionals.

BCMAC provides cost-effective and real-world solutions to attorneys, consumers, business and industry professionals, employees, employers and government agencies.

Bucks County Mediation and Arbitration Center

The Farm, 220 Farm Lane, Doylestown, PA 18901

For more information call (215) 340-7655 or visit www.bcmac.org.

Bucks County Mediation and Arbitration Center

The Farm, 220 Farm Lane, Doylestown, PA 18901

For more information call (215) 340-7655 or visit www.bcmac.org.

LAW CLERK PROFILES

Nicholas Galluzzo & Madeline Richard

The Bucks County Bar Association is extremely proud of its members who serve as judicial law clerks. Many of these clerks are newly minted from law school, and display incredible promise to serve as future leaders of the Bar Association. As a recurring column, The Writs will feature profiles on a few members of the current clerkship class. In this edition, we are proud to present Nicholas Galluzzo, law clerk to Hon. Jeffrey L. Finley, and Madeline Richard, law clerk to Hon. James M. McMaster, of the Court of Common Pleas.

Interview of Nicholas Galluzzo

The Writs: Tell us about yourself.

Greetings, Bucks County! My name is Nicholas Galluzzo and I currently have the pleasure of clerking for the Honorable Jeffrey L. Finley at the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. I originally hail from just north of Syracuse, New York in the very rural County of Oswego. I grew up going to school in a town called Mexico with my two brothers, Noah and Nate, as well as two adopted siblings, José and Maria. I am, technically, the second eldest, as Jose is a few months my senior, and I was born four minutes prior to Noah, my fraternal twin. Throughout middle and high school, my siblings and I swam on the school’s boys swim and dive team, and was a member of the track and field team, where my events were shotput and discus.

After high school, Noah and I attended Eastern Michigan University, where I majored in Criminology/Criminal Justice. Originally, I had planned to join the FBI as a special agent. However, I had the opportunity to participate in a moot court program through the political science department and loved it. Without spoiling the story, that program, and the professor specifically, made law school a live option for me and changed my career trajectory. After undergrad, I attended Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, graduated last May 2023, took the Bar Exam in June, and have been working for Judge Finley since August.

Growing up in a musical family, I have always adored music. My father, for example, has played in classic rock bands since his youth. I inherited his aptitude and have played instruments and sang since middle school. I also have an abiding appreciation for fiction and fantasy, be it books, movies, or theatre. My all-time favorite work of fiction is, without a doubt, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The Writs: If you are not from Bucks County, what made you decide to live or work here?

I was drawn to Bucks County as part of a broader campaign of exploration and discovery. Attending Villanova for law school, I became increasingly drawn to the southeast Pennsylvania community. As the end of law school approached, and it came time to decide on a job, I wanted to reach out and further examine what the wider area had to offer. I knew I wanted to clerk for at least a year after law school, so I began applying to judges in the broader southeast Pennsylvania area. One of those judges was Judge Finley, with whom I interviewed between the Fall and Spring semesters of 3L.

The beauty of the Doylestown community struck me from my first arrival. I am a sucker for colonial design and architecture, so I appreciated the clear care with which the community maintains its historical heritage. This impression was only reinforced upon my arrival at the Justice Center for my interview. The interview itself went well; Judge Finley was clearly a man I could learn a lot from, and I felt I would be a good fit for his chambers, considering the work he did. All of this made accepting the offer a no-brainer.

The Writs: What made you want to become an attorney? Who were your role models or inspirations and why?

What drew me to become an attorney can, I think, be summed up in one word — service. Indeed, service is the central theme that connects every career plan I have had from the time I was very little. Whether it was my contemplation of military service, my desire to join the FBI, or my ultimate decision to pursue law, I have always gravitated toward callings that demand excellence in service above all things. This instinct ultimately found its resting place in the law.

For as long as I can remember, American law, particularly as it relates to matters of government and criminal justice, has fascinated me. Specifically, the role that the law has

played in forging the American identity, preserving our liberties, and ensuring the peaceful administration of justice is one I have always found deeply important. And in this respect the American Founders have long been a source of inspiration for me, especially in their intellectual rigor, ingenuity, and humility.

For most of my life, though, my interest in the law was primarily that — intellectual. However, after some nudging by a political science professor I had met during my coursework at Eastern Michigan, I participated in the Eastern Michigan Moot Court program. There, I learned the rudiments of legal writing and how to communicate my thoughts in a lawyerly way. The class culminated in a regional oral argument competition where we argued against students from other colleges. For the first time, I was able to translate my interest in the law from the abstract into something tangible that I could employ for the good of others. And from that point on, I was sold.

The Writs: Describe a day in the life of a law clerk in your judge’s chambers. My job as a clerk is, in its most essential form, to make my judge’s life easier. As a result, a day in the life of a clerk can be rather varied. On a non-trial day, I usually arrive at the Justice Center a little after 8:00am, pass through security, go up to the sixth floor, say hi to Lauren at the front desk, and take my seat in Clerkland (where all the Common Pleas clerks congregate to do our work).

Once at my desk, I will review my log of matters pending before the court and assemble a game-plan for the day. Judge Finely handles mostly criminal cases, so my typical workload usually consists of writing opinions for our criminal appeals, evaluating pre-trial motions from the defense or Commonwealth, and evaluating Post Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”) petitions. I also deal with some civil motion practice through Local Rule 208, in which case I write memos evaluating the matters and draft appropriate orders. At around 8:30, I will usually check in with the Judge where I may receive additional instructions regarding research questions or other tasks he wants me to explore. After our check-in, I will return to my desk and get working on my tasks for the day.

Depending on the nature of those tasks, I may need to call down to Clerk of Courts to get the file for a case on appeal, or I may be able to access what I need from the online civil and criminal dockets. Whatever I am working on, though, it is almost certain I will end up farming out questions to some of my colleagues on particular matters of law. This kind of collaboration is a common feature of Clerkland as we are constantly leveraging our collective experiences to

offer each other advice. I will then move from assignment to assignment until the day is done, performing legal research as necessary throughout the day.

On trial days, I usually arrive at around the same time, but try to get to chambers ahead of schedule as the proceedings tend to get rolling promptly at 9:00 a.m. If there are any pre-trial motions pending, I will review and summarize them (if I have not done so already), then head down to the courtroom with the Judge. I will usually take notes the whole time I am in court, particularly if it is a suppression hearing, or another issue that may be relevant on appeal.

The Writs: What was the most interesting case that you have worked on for your judge?

I would say the most interesting case so far was a criminal child solicitation case. The defendant had gotten caught up in a “sting” operation where the officers involved posed as a thirteen-year-old girl and surfed the net looking for predators. There were many notable things about that trial, but I would say the things that got my attention were the creativity of the defense and the quality of counsel on both sides.

The defendant came onto the officers’ radar when he began chatting with their online profile through a social media site. Over the course of a few weeks, the defendant’s messages with the bait profile progressed to the point that he issued several messages offering to meet up with the girl for sex. All of these messages were displayed at trial. However, after the Commonwealth’s case-in-chief, the defendant argued that he never intended to meet up with the child, but that he instead was an internet vigilante on a crusade against online scammers. He assured the jury that he made the officers’ account as a scam from the beginning, and that, just like the officers, he himself was playing a character. Certainly one of the most inventive defense strategies I have heard to date.

Odd case theories aside, I was also impressed with the quality of the representation on both sides. The way both the district attorney and defense counsel presented their evidence, argued to the jury, and vigorously pursued their respective cases was a sight to behold, and an experience I learned a quite a lot from.

The Writs: What type of law do you want to go into after your clerkship, and where do you see yourself in five years?

Currently, I am most interested in pursuing criminal law after my clerkship, particularly on the prosecution side. I have a background familiarity with the criminal law from my undergrad studies, and I am learning a great deal more from my work in Judge Finley’s chambers. In five years, I see

myself working as an Assistant District Attorney continuing to hone my advocacy and litigation skills. By that point, I hope to have participated in more than a few trials as well as advance my understanding of the finer points of criminal law and criminal justice in southeast Pennsylvania.

The Writs: What is your favorite fictional character from the legal industry?

This may out me as needing to brush up on my literature, but I have always admired Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. His commitment to the pursuit of right and a clean conscience struck me from the time I first read him back in high school. Of course it is difficult to discuss fictional lawyers without mentioning Vincent Gambini from “My Cousin Vinny” — which I saw for the first time only after I started law school. Boy, does that guy know how to examine a witness.

The Writs: What has been your favorite place to travel to and why?

My brother Noah and I took a trip south of the Carolinas during the summer several years ago where I had the pleasure of visiting Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is a beautifully maintained historic city with great views and great barbecue to boot. Definitely my favorite place I have visited so far.

The Writs: What advice would you give a law student to help prepare for a clerkship in Bucks County?

First, I would advise any law student wanting to clerk in Bucks County to build habits of writing a lot and quickly. As a clerk, your workload is usually a steady drip, with occasional waves miscellaneously. On the one hand, this adds an element of stability to the position. On the other, the drip, drip, drip can become overwhelming if it starts to build up. As such, your ability to communicate your thoughts quickly and efficiently is at a premium.

Second, in this same vein, I would advise law students to really work on their ability to prioritize. Your ability to identify the relative importance and work intensity of your assignments and to categorize them accordingly will greatly aid your ability to stay on top of your workload and maximize the time available to you in the office.

Finally, and most importantly, learn how to collaborate with the other clerks around you. In law school, it is easy to become atomized and hyper-competitive with those around you. However, in Bucks County, clerking is a truly collaborative and cooperative experience; everyone really is on the same team. Swallowing your pride and asking your fellow clerks questions, workshopping ideas with them,

and letting them review your work-product is the best thing you can do for your work and for your sanity. Ten or twelve heads really are better than one.

Interview of Madeline Richard

The Writs: Tell us about yourself.

I am a Bucks County native who grew up in Warminster and recently moved to Perkasie with my fiancé. I have two younger siblings, a brother, and a sister, with whom I coach volleyball. I attended Penn State Abington where I played volleyball, and Widener Law School located in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Writs: What made you want to become an attorney? Who were your role models or inspirations and why?

I have wanted to be an attorney since as long as I can remember! My parents and grandparents supported me from the beginning. Attorneys like Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and Judge Matthew Weintraub were my first attorney role models, and I followed them in the news while they were district attorneys.

The Writs: Describe a day in the life of a law clerk in your judge’s chambers.

I would say the best part about being a law clerk for Judge McMaster is that every day is a bit different. Most of my time is spent researching various civil matters that are in the pretrial stage and attending family court and civil proceedings. I greatly enjoy reviewing assignments with Judge McMaster. When we review assignments, I have the opportunity to practice my oral advocacy skills because I have to explain the case at hand and persuade him that my logic and proposed order are correct. Otherwise, I stay ready in case one of Judge McMaster’s decisions gets appealed or if he needs research conducted.

Another great part of the job is that all of the law clerks work together in the same office space. It is awesome to be surrounded by like-minded peers, plus there is always someone to run to get coffee with or bounce ideas off when there is a tough assignment. I consider myself lucky to get to work with this group.

The Writs: What was the most interesting case that you have worked on for your judge?

Most of the time in family court, tensions and emotions run very high. My favorite cases to observe are high asset divorce cases where the attorneys are calm and well prepared. My favorite case involved ascertaining values for a family business, marital home and various rental properties

acquired prior to and during the marriage. It has been absolutely fascinating to listen to the various financial and real estate experts testify about the values of those assets. Then I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes with Judge McMaster before he issued a final decision. I think that process has greatly benefitted me because I got to watch and understand what attorneys think are critical facts and then discuss it with Judge McMaster to best understand which facts and circumstances he finds most compelling.

The Writs: What type of law do you want to go into after your clerkship, and where do you see yourself in five years?

I am most interested in family law and anything litigationbased. In five years, I see myself practicing law in Bucks County, being an active member of the Bucks County Bar Association and in my community.

The Writs: What is your favorite fictional character from the legal industry?

Kim Wexler from “Better Call Saul.”

The Writs: What has been your favorite place to travel to and why?

My favorite place to travel is Washington State because of all the hiking and different types of terrain. Washington has three national parks, with Olympic National Park, probably my favorite, holding so many special memories. My best friend and I travelled there together and loved it so much

that the following year we went back. The second time, we brought our fiancés with us.

The Writs: What advice would you give a law student to help prepare for a clerkship in Bucks County? Remember to be yourself! As much as clerking can be a lot of work, all of the judges enjoy having a clerk and enjoy chatting with us when they have free time. Judge McMaster in particular looks for a clerk who is smart, hardworking, and who wants to practice in Bucks County.

Second, do not be afraid to ask questions. All of the judges, especially Judge McMaster, have impressive and extensive practice experience. Anything you are curious about, they probably have experience with or are close with another attorney who has practiced in the field you are wondering about.

The Writs: What do you do when not practicing law? I love to play and coach volleyball. I still play both indoor six-on-six and outdoor two-on-two volleyball whenever possible. I also coach a travel volleyball team of seventh grade girls with my younger sister. Coaching with my sister is the best because we both learned to play from the same organizations, so our passion and strategy typically align well!

Aside from volleyball, I also love to hike and camp. I try to make it to two national parks each year. I’m happy that this year I will get to camp in Virginia with my brother. 

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Curtin & Heefner: Culture is Key

By Frank S. Guarrieri

fter 45 years of practice, all at one firm, Curtin & Heefner LLP (“C&H”), and almost 30 years serving as its Managing Partner, I have come to the conclusion that culture is the key underpinning to a successful firm. Culture is often defined as the customs, arts, social instructions and achievements of a particular social group. It is learned, shared, symbolic, integrated, and dynamic.

Culture is a broad concept that encompasses many important aspects of human life but generally the main characteristics are the beliefs, behaviors, material objects, and values shared by a group of people. Culture is not thought of as inherited or innate; culture is learned through experience. Culture includes how people behave, and most behaviors are learned from others. One of the first behaviors I learned as a child, and which was reinforced at C&H, is to treat others as you want to be treated, whether it is a fellow attorney, a clerical co-worker or the cleaning staff. This mutual respect is cultivated by example and by corrective instruction when needed. Another learned behavior is that of hard work and a vigorous work ethic. We strive to get the most out of everyone’s potential while at the same time seeking a work-life balance. We seek to be hard working but not a sweat shop. We once received a Bucks County Herald award for being the “Most Family-Friendly Firm.” Although we take pride in that award, I often quip that what it really means is that we close the office after the first snowflake falls!

Culture is shared by members of a group. Producing “first-quality” work has always been the main shared goal at C&H. In that regard, we have found that structuring the firm in departments of specialized practice areas enables us to be more efficient and more competitive and of greater value to our clients. We also look at all clients as clients of the firm and not of an individual attorney, even if the only reason that client is at C&H is that individual attorney. To foster this mindset,

we refer to clients in all correspondence as “our” client instead of “my” client and refer to ourselves as “we” instead of “I.” This also instills in the client the sense that he or she is represented by the whole firm and not just one attorney. This mindset also enables us to place all matters with the attorney most skilled in the relevant practice area and allows for transfer within the department to an attorney with the appropriate experience level to service that client. Since our compensation scheme does not directly award origination, all attorneys readily accept referring “their” client to the appropriate department and attorney.

Compensation can be a divisive issue in a law firm but the key to keeping this issue at bay is for all parties to agree with the adopted compensation scheme, no matter what it is. I have learned over the years that almost no two firms handle compensation exactly the same but if all partners at a given firm “buy-in” to and share the principles that undergird the adopted scheme, all will accept the results come what may.

Culture also uses symbols, and the members of a culture understand the meanings of their shared symbols. At C&H, we venerate our founders and proudly display their photos prominently and publish their resumes in our written material and website. The firm is in its 93rd year and I often quip that “The first 100 years are the toughest!”

Speaking of time, we have a tradition at C&H of recognizing long-tenured employees (5, 10, 15, 20+ years) with a gift at the year-end holidays. I am always heartened and proud of the number of 20, 25 and even 35+ year acknowledgments we bestow at that time.

Culture is also composed of integrated, connected elements. If you develop policies regarding case intake, time entries, conflict checks or even meeting attendance, billable hours and dollar goals, firm management must lead by example. “Do as I say and not as I do” never

works. In addition to the aforementioned accountability items there needs to be alignment or shared vision and goals and accomplishments need to be rewarded. At C&H, the hope and expectation is that each attorney hired will reach his or her full potential and advance from Associate to Senior Associate to Non-Equity Partner to Equity Partner and complete their career at C&H. It doesn’t always transpire that way, for a multitude of reasons, but the key shared policy is that the door is open and advancement is not only encouraged but wished for all.

The firm also encourages an affinity for community service and supports the non-profits with which our attorneys are involved. This community service by our attorneys creates a well-balanced attorney with a more fruitful work-life balance. We also have an affinity for Bar Association involvement with many past Presidents being from C&H. These priorities

Culture is also dynamic and must adapt and change over time. It cannot be static. Although our emphasis on first quality work is immutable, our policies, procedures and organizational schemes have evolved over the 93 years to meet the ever-changing demands. Flexibility and openness to change is imperative and it empowers all to have a voice and move the firm forward in a positive direction. We now do routinely that which was inconceivable 40, or even 20 years ago!

On a lighter note, a sense of humor among all is invaluable as is the ability to not take oneself too seriously. As attorneys, we usually deal with issues that weigh on our clients, emotionally and financially, and can be life-changing, so perspective is necessary.

If everyone in the firm is kind, honest, hard-working and fun loving, the firm will have the culture necessary for success. Seize the day as life is short! 

WE MAKE CARDIOLOGY CONVENIENT.

By Melanie J. Wender

The 2023 annual meeting and dinner of the Bucks County Bar Association was an opportunity for members to be recognized for their contributions and dedication to the Bar Association, pro bono work, and the community at large. The recipients of these awards are nominated by their fellow members of the Bar Association, which bestow the awards with an additional layer of appreciation. Five awards were presented at this meeting to five incredibly deserving recipients. The following is information about those recipients and their contributions.

The Arthur B. Walsh Award

This year’s recipient of the Arthur B. Walsh award for pro bono service went to the one and only Cynthia Bashore The purpose of the Arthur B. Walsh Award is to recognize a member of the Bar Association who has made significant contributions to the Bucks County system of justice in the form of pro bono service. Cynthia Bashore is well deserving of this award as she has provided countless hours of pro bono service. Ms. Bashore exemplifies dedication to others through her continued work volunteering for Protection from Abuse (“PFA”) actions. Whenever there is a struggle to find volunteers to represent defendants in PFAs, Cynthia steps up. I have personally seen Cynthia in PFA court well past 5:00p.m., even as late as 7:00p.m. She works diligently for these clients and her constant dedication is very much appreciated.

When asked how she felt when her name was called, Cynthia responded that she was shocked. She does not do this work for the accolades, but to help others.

William H. Eastburn Award

The William H. Eastburn award went to the wonderful organization, Friends for Heroes. The William H. Eastburn award recognizes the person or entity who has made significant contributions to the Bucks County system of justice. Friends for Heroes is a nonprofit dedicated

to helping veterans and their families by paying their mortgages, rent, buying, or helping families get through the holiday season. This past year, Friends for Heroes was instrumental in assisting the Bucks County Bar Association with funding a social worker in the Bucks County court system to assist members of the military who run afoul of the law. This financial support provides critical support to many members of the Bucks County community. Of even greater importance, the contribution shows clear respect for the law and the courts. Their financial support will be of great assistance to our judges, public defenders, and district attorneys who will be better able to dispense justice and provide compassion through the judicial process. Thank you, Friends for Heroes, for your great contribution.

Bucks County Bar Foundation Award

The Bucks County Bar Foundation award was established in 2019 as part of the 15th anniversary of the Foundation. It is presented to a Foundation supporter who, throughout their career, has provided extraordinary service, including through support for the Bucks County Bar Foundation, to the mission of accomplishing access to justice for all. This year, the award went to Robert (Boe) Shiffler from PNC Private Bank, who was perhaps the most surprised at receiving the award. As he was listening to Jeff Liebmann describe the award winner, Boe thought this person sounded like him, but, of course, it could not be him. There was a bit of a delay in Boe walking to the podium to receive the award simply out of shock. But the award could not go to someone more deserving. Boe has demonstrated steadfast dedication to his community and the Bar Foundation is fortunate to have his support. Boe supports the Foundation for many reasons, but an important one, he noted, is the opportunity to work alongside the selfless professionals in the legal community who strive to make an impact in many areas within Bucks County.

Mark E. Goldberg Award

The Mark E. Goldberg award is presented every year to a member of the Bar Association, including honorary members, who demonstrate a commitment to community service outside the legal profession. When Brian Marriott’s name was called as the recipient of the Goldberg Award, I was not at all surprised as he is incredibly deserving. Brian Marriott is now Judge Marriott as he was elected to the position of magistrate judge. However, his new title has not prevented him from continuing his service to the community. Judge Marriott has consistently volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and has been a Big Brother for 16 years. Judge Marriott finds the work he does with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters incredibly rewarding and encourages others to consider volunteering for this organization or others. Giving back to the community should be a labor of gratitude, as Judge Marriott explained. However, he noted, it is important to acknowledge that none of us do these good works alone. Brian Marriott continues to thank his understanding wife for her unwavering support in all his efforts.

Harriett Mims Award & President’s Award

The Harriett Mims award and the President’s award both went to the same individual, Jessica A. Pritchard. The Harriett Mims award is named after Harriett Mims, the first female judge in Bucks County. The award goes to a female attorney who exhibits the characteristics of strength, leadership and integrity, and who also has served as a mentor to young lawyers. I was excited to nominate Jessica Pritchard for this award as she demonstrates these qualities in abundance. Jessica is a past president of the Bar Association and the Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s fundraising increased, as well as its support

for the Veterans Program. Jessica is and always has been a role model and mentor to all. Anyone can call her to ask questions or to pick her brain. You want to grab a coffee? Jessica will find the time, regardless of how busy she is and I can attest that she is busy. For me personally, Jessica has always been someone I can count on for advice, to be a shoulder to cry on, to laugh with, and to engage in various highjinks. She is incredibly deserving of this award, though she was completely shocked to receive it.

The President’s award is not one for which the membership submits nominations. It is an award that the president of the Bar Association gives to a member who assisted them in their year in leadership. Larry Scheetz chose Jessica Pritchard. When Larry Scheetz started his year as president, he was met with the challenge of having to find a new executive director. When that issue arose, he immediately called Jessica to lead a search committee. Ms. Pritchard stepped up immediately and did an excellent job leading that committee and narrowing down the list of candidates. The direct result of that hard work is finding our new wonderful executive director, Heather Cevasco. Larry also mentioned how Jessica was a constant help to him with other issues that came up, regardless of how modest.

All of the award winners in 2023 were beyond deserving. They represent what is so great about our Bar Association and the importance of giving back. It is such a pleasure to know all of the award winners and to be able to call them friends. These award recipients are people that I admire and hope to emulate, just as everyone else should. Congratulations to all! 

Melanie Wender is a partner at Antheil, Maslow & MacMinn, LLP, in Doylestown, PA, where she practices family law. Melanie is the Secretary of the Bar Association.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

The Bucks County Bar Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala “A Celebration of Giving”

By Jeffrey A. Liebmann

On Thursday evening, April 18, 2024, THE BUCKS COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION WILL BE HOSTING A VERY SPECIAL EVENT — AN OCCASION 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

We will be celebrating the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary in a gala we are calling “A Celebration of Giving” at The Buck Hotel in Feasterville, Pennsylvania. Rather than pat ourselves on the back for the Foundation’s accomplishments over the past 20 years (and they are many), we decided to take the opportunity of this event to recognize, honor and praise those extraordinary individuals and organizations whose selfless acts of service, giving and volunteerism have made a meaningful contribution to our community.

We set upon this task more than one year ago, in January 2023, and it has been no small undertaking. Nominations for the awards were due on or before January 18, 2024 and the committee charged with selecting the honorees met on January 29, 2024, to debate and select the honorees. There were 35 exceptional individuals and organizations that were nominated. The committee decided and the Foundation intends to present the following awards at our April 18th Gala:

BUCKS COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION SERVICE AWARD

The Service Award is to recognize a member of the public that has made significant contributions to their community through selfless, altruistic service to charitable, religious, civic, governmental and/or educational organizations. This recipient works on behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain.

— FOUNDATION 2024 RECIPIENTS — Paul Muller

Paul’s nomination sent to the Foundation noted that Paul is a lifelong resident of Bucks County with his wife, Beverly, and is the President of Team Toyota in Langhorne, PA, Glen Mills, PA, and, Lawrenceville, NJ (www.teamtoyotalanghorne.com). Paul is a benefactor of the Bucks County Playhouse, St. Mary Medical Center, Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Villa Joseph Marie High School, Conwell Egan High School, and St. Andrew Elementary School.

Paul has been honored with the Richard Caron Award by the Caron Foundation Addiction Treatment and Rehab Center and was Man of the Year of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police. Paul has an Honorary PhD from Rider University and its new student pub bears his name. Paul was the recipient of the Boy Scout Good Scout Award and is a major contributor to the Miracle Field of Northampton Township — a field developed to provide high quality recreational facilities for individuals with special needs. Paul was also a major contributor to the creation of the “Washington Kneeling and Praying” Statue at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery since May 2023.

Josh Fields — The Next Step Program

At 25 years old, Josh Fields, a Bucks County native, landed himself on The Forbes 30 Under 30 2024 Social Impact List. The list makers were handpicked from more than a thousand nominations and Josh co-founded The Next Step Program in 2015 when he was only 16 years old. The Next Step Program is all about paving the way for young adults with disabilities as they step out of high school. The core belief of The Next Step Program is simple yet powerful: individuals with disabilities deserve every chance to immerse themselves in all aspects of life. This includes opportunities for higher education, independent living, building social networks, and playing an active role in their communities. The Next Step Program directly serves young adults and their families through programs designed to help participants develop skills for employment, independent living, self-advocacy, and social interaction. The Next Step Program (www.tnsprograms.org) is headquartered in Doylestown.

BUCKS COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION VETERANS AWARD

The Veterans Award is to recognize a member of the public who has demonstrated philanthropic support and selfless service to members of the military services and their families.

— 2024 RECIPIENTS —

Ryan Manion/ Travis Manion Foundation

A Doylestown native, Ryan Manion is the president of the Travis Manion Foundation (www.travismanion.org), one of the leading veteran service organizations in our nation. Shortly after the death of 1st Lt. Travis Manion in Iraq on April 29, 2007, the fallen Marine’s mother, the late Janet Manion, founded the Travis Manion Foundation to assist our nation’s veterans and families of the fallen.

Serving as the President of Travis Manion Foundation since 2012, Ryan leads a national movement focused on assisting veterans and families of the fallen to take the next step in their personal journeys, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

The words Travis spoke before leaving for his second and final deployment to Iraq — “If Not Me, Then Who…” — have inspired a national movement that is growing rapidly. Veterans and families of the fallen are spearheading this movement to build a nation of heroes in which character, leadership and service are in action every day.

The Travis Manion Foundation engages with veterans and families of the fallen in all stages of their personal journeys and offers them unique opportunities to empower them to achieve their goals. The Travis Manion Foundation believes that the best way to honor the fallen is by challenging the living. Through Mentorship and Advocacy, Expeditions, Character Does Matter, and the 9/11 Heroes Run, veterans and families of the fallen are leading in their communities.

Janet Brennan/Shamrock Reins

Janet Brennan is the Founder and President of Shamrock Reins (www.shamrockreins.org), a Pipersville, PA, equine therapy center. Janet believes strongly in the healing powers of horses and her goal is to bring these powers to those in need. Janet also firmly believes that as U.S. citizens we have a responsibility to our veterans, military personnel, and their families and that by bringing horses together with our heroes and their families we will be able to assist them in their recovery, healing, and assimilation back into civilian life.

Shamrock Reins is a charitable organization formed February 10, 2014 to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies for veterans, active duty and reserve service members, first responders, their families, and the families of fallen heroes.

Created with the view that our military service members, first responders, and their families make significant sacrifices for the freedom and safety we are fortunate to have in the United States, Shamrock Reins believes they have an obligation and responsibility to take care of and give back to our service members and their families by helping them reintegrate back into civilian life, by providing comfort, and by helping them heal through various beneficial services and activities. Shamrock Reins will provide services for all of these remarkable men, women, and their families to offer support and comfort through the amazing healing power of their horses.

Patrick Murphy

At age 19, Patrick joined the Army, launching a lifelong commitment to our nation’s military and veterans. Patrick has served as a soldier, America’s first Iraq War veteran elected to Congress, and the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army.

Secretary Patrick J. Murphy (www.patrickjmurphy.com) is a former prosecutor, vetrepreneur, board chairman, and change agent as the Leading Voice of the 9/11 Generation. As a proud “Vetrepreneur,” Patrick currently serves as Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of WorkMerk, a company that provides tech-based business solutions to ensure employees are recruited, retained, and truly engaged. Partnering with fellow “Vetrepreneur” and Army Veteran John New, they are quickly becoming thought leaders for 2.3 million Veteran-owned businesses across America.

After joining the Army at 19 he graduated from the Airborne and Air Assault courses and served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a criminal prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York. Following 9/11, he immediately volunteered and served two overseas combat deployments — Tuzla, Bosnia (2002) and Baghdad, Iraq (2003–2004). While serving in Iraq as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, he led a Brigade Operational Law Team (BOLT) and earned a Bronze Star for his service.

At age 27, Captain Murphy was the youngest professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He taught constitutional law and the law of war, eventually leading the first-ever Law of War military academy competition at the Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy. He has also taught at the University of Chicago, and has lectured at Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy. He is a graduate of King’s College Army ROTC Program and the Widener University Commonwealth School of Law, where he currently serves as a Trustee.

BUCKS COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION JUSTICE AWARD

The Justice Award is to recognize a person, entity or organization who has advanced the ideals of social justice in the community at large. This recipient will have encouraged a greater respect for the law and foster a greater respect for the rule of law.

— 2024 RECIPIENTS — The Peace Center

The Peace Center (www.thepeacecenter.org) is located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Their website states that they have been working for community peace and social justice since 1982. The Peace Center’s programs are designed to help reduce violence and conflict in schools, homes and communities through a multicultural, community-based approach. They are dedicated to furthering peace by understanding and managing conflict in our community, our nation and our world. It is the only agency in Bucks County, PA whose sole focus is violence prevention and peace education

Their mission statement is to educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in efforts to prevent violence, promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and foster inclusive, equitable and safe communities, locally, nationally, and worldwide. Over the last seven years they have worked with 75 schools and more than 3,200 individuals in conflict resolution.

Barbara Kaner

From the letter nominating Barbara: “Attorney Barbara Kaner has been a Bucks County attorney for over thirty-five years, committing her entire career to assisting victims of crimes and survivors of domestic violence in Bucks County. She is currently a Staff Attorney at Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) representing plaintiffs in protection from abuse cases, a role she has maintained for over two decades

“Attorney Kaner’s tireless day-to-day actions and example have made ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ a reality for victims of domestic violence in Bucks County…Barbara is truly passionate about her work, and never seeks attention or recognition for her accomplishments. Her coworkers and colleagues all think so highly of her.” Those of us who have regularly volunteered for pro bono PFA work over the past twenty years know Barbara and her dedication well. When you find Barbara is counsel for the other party to a Protection from Abuse matter you know the other party is receiving competent, experienced and very capable representation. No one has advanced the ideals of social justice in the community at large as Barbara has and no one encourages a greater respect for the law and for the rule of law.

We hope you are able to join us on April 18, 2024 at The Buck Hotel as we celebrate the Bucks County Bar Foundation’s 20th Anniversary and honor these truly deserving local heroes. We are expecting a truly unforgettable evening. 

Jeffrey Liebmann is a partner at Curtin & Heefner, LLP, in the Yardley, PA office, where he practices family law. Jeff is the president of the Bucks County Bar Foundation.

BCBF St. Patrick’s Day Event

NEW MEMBER PROFILES

Lindsay Norton

As part of The Writs continuing mission to introduce new members to the Bucks County Bar Association, we will feature a regular column on a new member. This edition’s profile is on Lindsay R. Norton, an associate in the Perkasie office of Grim, Biehn & Thatcher, P.C.

The Writs: Tell us about yourself.

I grew up local to Bucks County, born and raised in Lansdale. I received my bachelor’s degree in international relations from St. Joseph’s University and attended law school at Villanova University. (Yes, I root for both basketball teams, sue me!) I began working at Grim, Biehn & Thatcher as an intern during my second year of law school, and I joined the firm full-time as an Associate in August 2023. At Grim, Biehn & Thatcher, I practice in a variety of areas, but I mainly focus on estate planning and administration, guardianships, and business transactions.

The Writs: If you are not from Bucks County, what made you decide to live or work here?

Growing up close to Bucks County, I have always been drawn to the area, and it feels like home. When I began working at Grim, I immediately felt the sense of community in Bucks County and knew that I wanted to stay in the area long-term.

The Writs: What made you want to become an attorney? Who were your role models or inspiration and why?

Though I do not really have one moment or person that led me to become an attorney, I wanted to go to law school for as long as I can remember. I have always known that I wanted an intellectually fulfilling career where I am constantly learning, helping others, and surrounded by like-minded people.

The Writs: Describe a day in the life of your practice. One of the perks of having several different practice areas is that each day looks different for me, which keeps me on my toes. On any given day, I will pivot from estates work to business transactions, to municipal work, to research, depending on what assignments I have. A typical day for me is usually a mix of meeting and interacting with clients,

while also doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work, such as preparing probate petitions and inheritance tax returns, drafting pleadings for Orphans’ Court, and reviewing business contracts for corporate clients.

The Writs: What was the most interesting case/ matters that you have worked on in your career?

At Villanova, I worked for a pro bono clinic, providing legal services to refugees and asylum seekers. Through the clinic, I handled two asylum cases, one of which brought me before the Philadelphia Immigration Court. This case was unique for me in that my client spoke Spanish, which required us to communicate mostly through an interpreter. This case was my first real litigation experience, and while I remember feeling terrified to appear before the Immigration Court as a law student, this was an amazing experience, and it was immensely rewarding to see my client receive an asylum grant.

The Writs: What made you want to go into your field of practice, and where do you see yourself in five years?

Becoming an estates attorney was not initially on my radar, but I always knew I wanted to work closely with families. When Grim had an opening in the estates department, I kept an open mind and really began to enjoy the specialty. If you told me years ago that I would be preparing tax returns, I would not believe it, but I’m happy I kept an open mind. I have always sworn that I would never litigate, but I do see myself venturing into Orphans’ Court litigation in the next few years.

The Writs: What is your favorite fictional character from the legal profession? What is your favorite movie that portrays the legal profession? You cannot go wrong with “A Few Good Men”!

The Writs: What has been your favorite place to travel to and why?

In college, I studied in Belgium for a semester, in a small town outside of Brussels. I loved everything about Belgium—the people, the history, the art, the food, the proximity to other European countries just a short train ride away.

The Writs: What advice would you give a law student to help prepare for a career in Bucks County, and in your field of practice?

I would encourage any law student looking to work in Bucks County to take initiative by reaching out and connecting with local lawyers and other law students. I have found that some of the best opportunities come from connecting with others, no matter how informally. Though it’s great if you know exactly what type of law you want to practice, it’s also a good idea to keep an open mind about where your practice can take you.

As far as my particular practice area goes, I would say that client communication is extremely important in estates and business, and working with clients is not really something you learn in law school. Taking the time to get to know your clients on a personal level goes a long way and can help you better connect with and advise them in a meaningful way.

The Writs: What do you do when not practicing law? Outside of work, you’ll find me reading for fun, baking for my family and friends, or escaping to warm weather. I love to stay active—whether that’s running, boxing, golf, or walks with my pitbull, Ruby. 

NEW MEMBER BREAKFAST

Bucks Bar Members Showcase Leadership Statewide

Members of the Bucks County Bar Association are leaders not only in our County, but also across the Commonwealth. In this edition, we sat down with two examples of this statewide leadership, Robert Repko and Hillary Moonay, both accomplished family law attorneys in Doylestown, PA. We asked Mr. Repko and Ms. Moonay to discuss the work that they both do with the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Development Committee and immediate past Vice-Chair of the Quality of Life Committee, with which I am still very much involved. As for Membership Development, we focus on ways to bring more value to PBA memberships in addition to finding new and innovative ways to attract new members. For example, right now we are working with most Pennsylvania law schools to let students know the value of PBA membership, even while they are students.

The Writs: What is your role as Chair of the Membership Committee?

Repko: As chair of the committee, I work with the vice chairs and the committee at large to collaboratively figure out ways to grow the membership of the PBA and, more importantly, increase the value of PBA membership for all attorneys in Pennsylvania.

The Writs: As chair, what are your goals for the coming year?

Repko: Like I mentioned before, right now we are implementing our “Law Student Initiative.” The goal is to let current law school students know that the PBA is very much invested in their educations and success as future Pennsylvania attorneys. This also allows us to remind students of the value of PBA membership, especially with networking and professional growth opportunities. In addition, we are working on increasing access to membership among law school faculty and will be moving forward with our Collegiate Initiative in the coming months, where we will coordinate with universities and colleges to speak with students about careers in the law, scholarship opportunities for law students through the PBA, and the value of PBA membership.

The Writs: In the past year, what has your committee done to attract new members?

Repko: We have had an extremely successful year. First, we worked on adding law librarians to the category of Affiliated Members of the PBA and will be presenting a resolution to add Paralegals to this category at our House of Delegates meeting in May. We were also able to maintain the dues discount for lawyers in government service. However, I am most excited about the Law Student Initiative I mentioned earlier, which will allow us to engage law students in PBA activities, events and professional growth opportunities. One of the things that makes this initiative so great is that PBA membership is free for law students, as well as first-year practitioners, and that gives all law students and newly admitted attorneys a chance to network and get involved with the PBA at no cost. So far we have presented this Initiative at several law schools, and even more by the time this article goes to print, and it’s been a huge success.

The Writs: What about efforts to retain current members?

Repko: As we have done in past years, we consistently work with our existing PBA partners to bring more benefits to members. We are also always looking for ways to explore other opportunities to create new partnerships with different companies and vendors. The result is that PBA membership has never been so valuable as it is right now. Between the free legal research opportunities, the networking opportunities, the chance to grow professionally in all of our committees and sections, the numerous discounts from our PBA partners like USI Colbrunn Insurance, and access to the Legal Ethics hotline, membership in the PBA is truly worth every dollar spent, considering what that cost gets you.

The Writs: How does your work with PBA improve your Bucks County practice?

Repko: One obvious benefit is that my referral base has increased significantly. I have developed amazing relationships and friendships with so many attorneys across the Commonwealth and that has resulted in many attorneys referring me cases from as far west as Pittsburgh and as close as Lehigh County. It really is rewarding to receive a referral from a peer, and especially nice to get one from someone across the state.

The Writs: What is your favorite part of being involved in the PBA?

Repko: Without a doubt the best part of being involved with the PBA has been getting to know so many wonderful people and practitioners that I would never have had a chance to meet otherwise. The friendships and professional relationships have been amazing, and I am truly grateful to have been able to develop them.

The Writs: What would you like to tell members of the Bucks County Bar about becoming involved with the PBA?

Repko: Don’t wait. Get involved. I never knew how wonderful the PBA, as well as the BCBA, were until I finally started to get involved. Both groups are great organizations that I am proud to be a part of, and even more grateful that the members and leaders of both allowed me the opportunity to grow into leadership positions, including as President of the BCBA in 2019 and now PBA Membership Development Chair for the past 2 years. From the CLEs to the networking, from professional development to the wonderful friendships I have made, the truth is that the only thing I sincerely regret about my involvement with either group is that I did not get involved sooner.

INTERVIEW WITH HILLARY MOONAY

The Writs: What is your involvement with PBA?

Moonay: I am currently the Chair of the Family Law Section.

The Writs: What was the process for you to become Chair of this Section?

Moonay: I started by serving on the Family Law Section Council as well as chairing multiple committees, such as the Rules Committee and Programming Committee. From there, I was elected to the Executive Leadership “Ladder,” which essentially means I started a 6-year journey of differing roles to become the Chair.

The Writs: What is your role as Chair of that Section?

Moonay: As Chair, I obviously lead the section, but also coordinate programming and events, and work closely with PBA Leadership. One of the best parts of being Chair of the Family Law Section is planning the two meetings we have each year. We recently held a phenomenal meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. It was a great location for a meeting, and we had great programs and receptions along with many opportunities to network with colleagues and judges from across the state. Our summer meeting will be held in Cambridge, Maryland in July and I am really looking forward to that.

The Writs: As chair of the Family Law Section, what are your goals for the coming year?

Moonay: During this year as Chair, I have two primary initiatives. The first is the Leadership Development Program, which I established with the help of the Executive Board and the Chairs of the program. The purpose of the program

is to identify and cultivate younger members into becoming eventual leaders within the Section. We had an application process and have 8 members in the current class. The members participate in monthly programs that include exposure to the PBA, leadership skills and professional development. We are lucky to have two Bucks County practitioners (Melanie Wender and Amanda Frett) currently participating in the program. The second initiative is monthly “Lunch & Learns” that we schedule over lunch for PBA Family Law Section members. During the sessions, we provide case law updates, rules and legislative changes and often engage in discussions regarding relevant family law issues and topics.

The Writs: How does your work with PBA improve your Bucks County practice?

Moonay: Having access to fellow family law practitioners and judges from across the state allows me to collaborate with colleagues who have had different experiences in different counties and, therefore, have different thoughts and perspectives on issues. Also, as you said earlier, the relationships I have developed over many years of involvement have resulted in referrals from across the Commonwealth.

The Writs: What is your favorite part of being involved in the PBA?

Moonay: The friendships I have developed over the last 25 years have been an incredibly meaningful part of my professional and personal life. I am grateful to have been involved with the PBA long enough to have encountered so many wonderful colleagues and friends.

The Writs: What would you like to tell members of the Bucks County Bar about becoming involved with the PBA?

Moonay: There are so many different opportunities to become involved with the PBA that there is truly something for everyone. Regardless of whether someone is looking for social development, professional development or even just an opportunity to connect with other attorneys in your practice area, there is a place for you. Give membership a try for a year and get involved. You won’t regret it. 

Hillary Moonay is a partner and co-chair of the family law department at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, in the Doylestown, PA office. Robert Repko is a partner at Repko Law, LLC, where he practices family law.

Solo & Small Practice Happy Hour events

Keys to Success for Young Lawyers in Bucks County 5

By: Abigail Bukowski

Whether you are just starting your career generally or are just starting your career in Bucks County, here are five pieces of advice I received when starting my career in Bucks County that have helped me feel capable, confident, and well-established.

1. Always dress to impress

Depending on what area of law you are practicing in, you may not need to wear the same level of dress every work day. Even if you think you are going to have an office day and be unseen behind your desk for most of the day, always be prepared for your schedule to change. You never know when a more-senior attorney will ask you to observe or assist with a deposition, hearing, or client meeting and you do not want the way you are dressed to limit your ability to participate in those experiences. The best way to learn and build your practice is to be hands-on with these experiences.

One way that I make sure that I am always prepared for these situations is that I always keep a black suit jacket and a navy suit jacket in my office. If something unexpected comes up, I can put it on over my outfit and instantly look more professional. This has not failed me yet.

Not only does this provide you with the ability to learn, but your ability to be prepared for the unexpected opportunities shows partners and clients that you take initiative and care deeply about ensuring you are able to participate in any learning opportunity available to you.

2. Follow-up in person

As communications become more and more electronic and work-from-home becomes more common, face-to-face interactions can be easy to forget. Following up in person, whether it be to confirm that the assignment you submitted hits the mark or to ask clarifying questions while working on a project, helps to build relationships with the people in your office more than an email or a phone call ever

could. A knock on the door can show your initiative and help build trust and rapport with people who will help guide your career. Even more so, almost all of us can agree that face-to-face interactions allow you to build relationships in a more sincere way that email simply does not accommodate. Plus this has the added bonus of ensuring that your question or follow-up is not lost in the shuffle among hundreds of other emails during any given day.

3. Always have a notepad and pen handy

Depending on how recently you graduated law school, this may feel reminiscent of professors telling you that laptops were not welcome in their classroom, but it really is valuable. Carrying a notepad and pen ensures that you are prepared to take notes on any assignments or words of wisdom you encounter as you attend meetings or simply walk throughout your office. These tools do not provide the same distraction as a screen and help the person with whom you are interacting know that it is a sign that you are engaged enough to take notes, rather than bored or distracted.

You cannot rely on your memory — as more tasks, assignments, and cases build up you will forget things that are not written down. Listen, synthesize, and write down conversations so you will remember them for later.

You cannot rely on your memory — as more tasks, assignments, and cases build up you will forget things that are not written down. Listen, synthesize, and write down conversations so you will remember them for later. Come up with a system for saving your notes, so that you can find them quickly if the need arises. If you do not have a good system set up for this yet, talk to more established attorneys and ask how they organize their notes for their files.

Finally, taking notes gives you an easy avenue to ensure that you are understanding what is being asked of you. At the end of a meeting, repeat back the main take-aways to ensure that you are not missing anything important and make sure that if you are missing something, it gets into your notes before walking away.

4. Keep an open mind to all practice areas

You don’t know what you don’t know, even about yourself. In the early years of your practice, be willing to take any opportunity to work and learn that is offered to you. You may just find your calling! You will also find that areas of law often intersect, and the broader your knowledge base, the better you will be able to serve clients in your area of focus.

Even more so than the importance of being open to the substance of different practice areas is the opportunity to learn how different attorneys manage client interactions, file organization, and general case management. These are tools and skills that you can translate into different practice areas as you narrow down your focus. An important part of being a young lawyer is finding a way to be productive, efficient, thorough, and concise in a way that works best for you. I have taken bits and pieces of different organizational practices, billing practices, and communication practices from different lawyers in my firm and continue to use those to narrow in on methods that work best for me.

5. Get involved in the Bar Association

As a young lawyer, the Bucks County Bar Association has been an instrumental part of building my network. It has also been instrumental in helping me to feel less alone as

I start off my career. Being involved in the Young Lawyers Division specifically has given me the opportunity to connect with other incredible young lawyers who are on a similar path as me. My fellow YLD members encourage me in times when imposter syndrome surfaces and help me see that the struggles and frustrations I face are part of the process of building a career, not a failure of my own. Connecting with other local lawyers is invaluable as it alleviates some of the pressure and anxiety that one naturally feels when entering a new profession and taking on new challenges.

I have also been involved in the Women’s Law Division, which has provided me with a room full of experienced and dedicated mentors who truly care about developing the next generation of female lawyers. Not to mention, the meetings are just downright fun. It has been a great opportunity to build relationships and friendships with attorneys of all generations and support one another in our careers and life endeavors.

The Family Law Division holds monthly CLEs that have been a great opportunity to learn the ins-and-outs of practicing family law, as well as to build relationships with professional colleagues who I interact with as adversaries on a regular basis. I am so thankful for the opportunity to come together in a more friendly environment and remember that while our careers sometimes put us on opposite sides of a dispute, we can advocate well for our clients without ruining our relationships with one another.

Just from being involved in these three divisions, I have found that going to Bar Association and Bar Foundation events became so much more comfortable and fun. So many young lawyers view it as a networking and marketing tool alone, which can sometimes feel exhausting when you are simply trying to learn the practice of law, but it is so much more than that. It provides a space to relax and learn with others in a similar career path and to simply just make friends. 

Abigail Bukowski is an associate at Eastburn & Gray, PC, in Doylestown, PA, where she practices family law.

SOMETHING’S FISHY IN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW: SUPREME COURT REVIEWS CHEVRON DEFERENCE

By Travis P. Nelson

IN JANUARY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS CHALLENGING A FEDERAL RULE THAT REQUIRES COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSELS TO PAY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL OBSERVERS WHO MONITOR THEIR CATCHES TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH NATIONAL MARITIME FISHERIES SERVICE REGULATIONS. In the two cases before the court, Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce, the plaintiffs are urging the Court to overturn the rule of deference to administrative agencies called “Chevron deference.” The rule comes from the landmark case of Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, 467 U.S. 837 (1984), where the Court provided a rule through which courts will determine the weight to be accorded administrative agency rulemaking. Under Chevron deference, in evaluating the propriety of an administrative agency’s interpretation of a statute, the reviewing court must answer two questions:

First, always, is the question whether Congress has directly spoken to the precise question at issue. If the intent of Congress is clear, that is the end of the matter; for the court, as well as the agency, must give effect to the unambiguously expressed intent of Congress. If, however, the court determines Congress has not directly addressed the precise question at issue, the court does not simply impose its own construction on the statute, as would be necessary in the absence of an administrative interpretation. Rather, if the statute is silent or ambiguous with respect to the specific issue, the question for the court is whether the agency’s answer is based on a permissible construction of the statute.

Egan v. Delaware River Port Authority, 851 F.3d 263 (3rd Cir. 2017), citing Chevron at 842-43. While the Court adopted the above rule for the analysis of federal regulations, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has commented that the Chevron analysis “is indistinguishable from our own approach to agency interpretations of Commonwealth statutes.” Marcellus Shale Coalition v. Department of Environmental Protection, 292 A.3d 921 (Pa. 2023). Thus, the Court’s ruling on Chevron deference can have very real ramifications on administrative practice in the Commonwealth.

The two cases being argued raise the same issue: whether a longstanding fisheries conservation law that clearly authorizes the government to require trained, professional observers on regulated fishing vessels can be read to require that their daily rate be paid by the owners of the vessels. In essence, if Congress has not addressed the question of who pays, should the court defer to the agency’s view? See “Chevron deference faces existential test,” The Harvard Gazette, Jan. 16, 2024. Supporters of sustaining the doctrine say that it allows specialized agencies to fill in gaps in ambiguous statutes to establish uniform rules in their areas of expertise, a practice they say was contemplated by Congress. Overruling the precedent, Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar told the justices, would be an “unwarranted shock to the legal system.” Opponents of the doctrine, including business groups hostile to what they see as overreaching by the Washington bureaucracy, counter that it is the role of courts, not unelected agency officials, to determine the meanings of statutes. They also say that agencies’ interpretations can change with new administrations and put a thumb on the scale in favor of the government even when it is a party to the case.

During oral arguments, the conservative and liberal justices revealed their split as to sustaining the doctrine. In response to the Solicitor General’s argument that disregarding Chevron deference would impose a “shock” to the legal system, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh suggested that there were in fact “shocks to the system every four or eight years when a new administration comes in, whether it’s communications law or securities law or competition law or environmental law.” Justice Neil M. Gorsuch commented that he worries that judges would abdicate their responsibilities “and say, automatically, whatever the agency says wins.”

Sustaining Chevron deference has found many supporters. During oral arguments, Justice Elena Kagan noted: “Agencies know things that courts do not, and that’s the basis of Chevron.” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson commented: “And my concern, is that if we take away something like Chevron, the court will then suddenly become a policymaker.” Christopher L. Peterson, a law professor at the University of Utah and a former senior adviser to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said that the Supreme Court could fundamentally restructure administrative law in a way that could increase litigation. “When a banking regulator issues a regulation, the courts must generally grant deference to the agency’s rules provided that the regulation was a reasonable interpretation of the congressional statute,” Peterson said. “If this form of Chevron deference is no longer afforded to regulations, federal agencies may be less effective at providing banks certainty and uniformity through their rule-making. The result could be more cases in litigation over what federal law means.” See “As Supreme Court hears Chevron deference case, warnings of ‘chaos’,” The American Banker, 2024 WLNR 1580080 (Jan. 16, 2024).

Overturning Chevron deference would likely result in Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly playing a more substantial role in shaping regulatory policy. Congress and the General Assembly would need to provide greater specificity and direction to regulators as to what action they want the agencies to take. If the legislatures declined to provide more specificity, the task would fall to judges to interpret ambiguous terms or concepts in legislation, a task which they have been apt to handle since 1803: “It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is.” Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S.137 (1803).

While the Court could do away with the Chevron doctrine entirely, given the Court’s preference toward stare decisis, particularly in the areas of doctrines of statutory interpre-

Overturning Chevron deference would likely result in Congress and the Pennsylvania General Assembly playing a more substantial role in shaping regulatory policy.

tation, I suspect that the Court will leave us with a slightly modified version of Chevron deference. For example, the doctrine currently requires a reviewing court to accord an agency’s interpretation deference not because the agency’s interpretation was the best possible interpretation of Congress’ ambiguous language, but rather only if the agency’s interpretation was “reasonable.” See, e.g., Avila v. Attorney General, 82 F.4th 250 (3rd Cir. 2023); Belt v. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc., 401 F.Supp.3d 512 (E.D.Pa. 2019). One modification that may result from the pending cases is that a slightly higher standard of agency accuracy may result, such as only deferring to agency interpretations that are “compelling” given the statute, or that “likely” reflect Congressional intent. Congress could also mitigate the effects of the Court abandoning Chevron deference by more explicit delegations of agency authority, that couples with such delegations an explicit declaration of deference to be accorded agency rulemaking as to the specific law at issue. Regardless of how the Court decides to modify Chevron deference, if it does, it will likely result in more work for judges, law clerks, and attorneys who practice in the administrative law space. 

Travis Nelson is a partner with Holland & Knight LLP, where he practices financial services regulatory law, and is a resident of Doylestown, PA. Travis is Editor of The Writs.

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