Sidebar Fall 2022

MONTGOMERY BAR ASSOCIATION

Serving the Profession and the Community since 1885 2022 OFFICERS

Sarinia M. Feinman, Esq., President

Justin A. Bayer, Esq., President-Elect

Lisa A. Shearman, Esq., Vice President

Seth D. Wilson, Esq., Treasurer

Colin J. O’Boyle, Esq., Secretary

SIDEBAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS Chairs

Gary J. Friedlander, Esq.

Lydia Terrill, Esq.

Vice-Chairs

Gregory Gilston, Esq.

Franqui-Ann J. Raffaele, Esq.

Contributors:

Michelle C. Berk, Esq.

Jessica L. Chapman, Esq.

Lindsay H. Childs, Esq.

Jack Costello

Jason Edwards, Esq.

Sarinia M. Feinman, Esq. Jim Mathias

Jules Mermelstein, Esq.

Sara Planthaber, Esq. Mary C. Pugh, Esq.

Lucy Qiu, Esq.

Denise Vicario, Esq.

Nancy Walsh

MBA STAFF

Denise S. Vicario, Esq., Executive Director

Jack Costello, Deputy Executive Director

Hazel Bergquist, Accounting Manager

Jessica Deazle, Lawyer Referral Service and Front Office Coordinator

Jessica Gambone, Montgomery County Law Reporter Desktop Publisher

Jim Mathias, Director of Marketing, Development, and Public Affairs

Tim Murray, Event and CLE Coordinator / Executive Assistant

Sherry Sutton, Membership Coordinator

Sandy Whittington, Accounting

The SIDEBAR

In

Issue &

Sarinia M. Feinman, Esq.

Bar Association

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello, My Fellow Montgomery Bar Members!

Fallis a time for reflection. As we watch the leaves change colors, the days shorten, and the hot summer nights transform into cool crisp Autumn evenings by a warm fire, it is an opportune time to reflect upon what we have accomplished this year and what 2022 has yet in store.

I am proud to say that our annual Bench Bar Conference at the historic Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains was a smashing success! Our room allotment sold out in record time when registration opened in July. Luckily, we were able to accommodate every member who wished to attend. The spirit of connection, comradery, and collegiality permeated the entire weekend. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the many activities that were planned, including: a Sip & Clip floral arrangement session, ziplining, guided nature walks, and more! Members continue to rave about our keynote speaker, Bob Mongeluzzi (Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky), who held a ballroom full of accomplished attorneys and judges spellbound as he reenacted several opening arguments that have led to multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Those same accomplished attorneys and judges, along with their spouses and children, were held spellbound once again that evening as Mentalist John Graham performed an unforgettable magic show that entertained both young and old alike.

I cannot thank Denise Vicario and Team MBA enough for their hard work in planning the event and ensuring that everything went off without a hitch.

A few months earlier, the Montgomery Bar Foundation held its annual Legal Aid Golf Classic, with proceeds benefitting Legal Aid of Southeastern PA. The event was held at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell on June 27, 2022. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with the altruistic goal of the event, as a soaking summer thunderstorm forced our golfers off of the course immediately after teeing off. Not being a golfer myself, it did allow me some much-appreciated time to speak to our participants and express my gratitude for their generosity as we waited for the storm to pass and the course to drain. Luckily, the rain did not dampen our fundraising efforts as we raised a record amount from our golfers, raffle ticket sales, silent auction bidders,

and donors, all for the benefit of Legal Aid. The rain did not succeed in dampening anyone’s spirits all day, and that attitude continued into the night, as everyone stayed after the Golf Classic to partake in connecting with members for dinner, and many non-golfers joined in on the fun as well!

In addition to our major events, our association has been hard at work on a number of initiatives and programs. Our Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, under the leadership of Chair Katherine Frechette, Esq., and Vice Chair Craig Fleischmann, Esq., has been developing a new mediation program over the past few years. After all of the time, energy, deliberation, and hard work this Committee has devoted to assembling and proposing a mediation program, I am pleased to report that this was passed by our Board of Directors at our September meeting, and the new and improved mediation program should be up and running by January 2023. Please be on the lookout for more information on participating in this program, and enrolling in the appropriate training in the near future.

We also launched a new membership program. Our Public Service Membership allows specific government offices to pay a bulk rate, so that many of their staff attorneys can become MBA members. We welcomed District Attorney Kevin Steele, Esq., and other members of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in August for a special welcome luncheon at the MBA, and we are eager to welcome Public Defenders and Law Clerks in the new year.

Our Solo & Small Firm Committee (Chaired by Kenneth Milner, Esq., and Cary Hall, Esq.) is in the final stages of developing a succession program which will allow solo and small firm attorneys to designate an attorney who will assist in the transfer of client files in the event of disability, death, or unavailability to practice law.

The final quarter of my term will be anything but windingdown as the next few months promise to be brimming with events and activity.

October is Pro Bono Month and the MBA will be hosting a number of events to celebrate the occasion. Our Elder Law Committee and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee hosted a Wills for Seniors clinic on October 6 at Montgomery County Senior Activities Center for low-income seniors. On October 11, we partnered with the Pennsylvania Bar Association to host a free CLE and awards presentation breakfast. On Saturday, October 15, we will be hosting a free Virtual Name Change Clinic along with the Montgomery County Office of the Prothonotary. We’ll end the month with a free coffee and treat bar at the MBA Café from October 24 – 28. It is just the MBA’s way of saying, “Thanks a Latte!” to all of our volunteers, members, and Team MBA. I hope to see you all as you stop into the MBA that week!

I, for one, I cannot wait for the return of LawyerPalooza on October 27th! I hope many of you will join us as we commemorate 35 years of giving back by the Montgomery Bar Foundation with an all-star lineup of “Lawyers Who Rock”! The event will also feature a VIP reception for our Bar Foundation Fellows and will be emceed by none other than The Honorable Gary S. Silow. Tickets are just $25, and it will surely be a great night out with friends and colleagues.

Our successful Women in the Law Networking Night will be returning on November 3rd at the Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club. Bring a non-attorney friend for an evening of food, drinks, and networking. Our Women in the Law Committee is in the midst of developing a new networking group so your attendance (with guest) will be much appreciated!

As always, be sure to check the MBA website for other great upcoming CLEs, events, and news; and please always feel free to reach out to me (or any of the MBA Officers) if you have a new idea for an event or program that you would like to see at the MBA.

Fall is proof that change is beautiful, so as we head into the last quarter of the year, we look to the beauty that will lie ahead, as the best is yet to come!

Family Law Section Update

By Lindsay H. Childs, Esq., Chair

Overthe last quarter, the Family Law Section has continued providing quality programming at our monthly lunch meetings and collaborating with other sections, committees and court departments on projects that help the legal community. The FLS has contributed to planning the Virtual Name Change Clinic taking place on October 15, 2022, and members Marguerite Nocchi, Esq., and Marie Patterson, Esq. have been working with Court Administration to establish a “Help Desk” for self-represented parties filing family law complaints. Many volunteers from our section have also been participating in the Friend of the Court Program, through which they facilitate agreements and provide information to litigants in Protection from Abuse matters.

On June 1, 2022, the Family Law Section hosted a Q & A session with the newest Hearing Officer in Support, Jennifer Hekking. During the meeting, which was moderated by Elizabeth Early, Esq., Hearing Officer Hekking addressed her policies and procedures in both simple and complex support hearings, as well as how she applies the law in certain factual issues that frequently arise in support matters.

On August 3, 2022, Family Law Section members heard from an esteemed panel including Dr. Stanley Clawar, the Honorable Henry S. Hilles, and Lisa Kane Brown, Esquire. The program was titled “Parental Alienation – What Is It, What Isn’t It, and What to Do About It?” and was moderated by Kelley Fazzini, Esq.

Our most recent meeting, on September 7, 2022, featured Virginia McMichael who presented on “Appellate Practice for Pennsylvania Family Lawyers,” moderated by Inna Materese, Esq.

On October 12, 2022, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the FLS hosted Miriah Rutledge, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and founder of Choosing Change Counseling, to discuss the “Continuation of Abuse in the Divorce Process and How Divorce Professionals Can Help.”

Finally, the annual Toby Lynn Dickman Seminar will be taking place on November 2, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Courtroom

A. The program is titled, “Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd – Third Parties in Family Law Matters,” and the panel will consist of the Honorable Daniel J. Clifford; Hearing Officer Caren Morrissey, Esq.; Mark Ashton, Esq.; Kimberly A. Dudick, Esq.; Rochelle Grossman, Esq.; W. Frank Johnson, Esq.; and Randi Rubin, Esq. Attendees will receive 3.0 CLE credits, and a light breakfast will be provided.

We welcome any new members (or non-members) to attend our future meetings!

By Joel B. Bernbaum, Esq.

The Montgomery Bar Association is not alone is urging us to focus on wellness in our work and personal lives. Technology plays an important role in helping us be aware of our current health by monitoring, maintaining, and improving it.

Our everyday wristwatch has evolved to provide us with an abundance of health information, including records from providers, live feedback, and encouragement. No matter who makes the watch; Apple, Samsung, Fit-Bit, Garmin or Google; there are over 50 makes and models. Here are some of the best features to look for when buying yours.

You can import, automatically with proper setup, your health records for most health providers. For instance, Mainline Health Care updates the health data on your phone and allows you to sync it to your watch and computer. You can see a list of your prescribed medications, your EKG, blood tests, appointments and other records including your doctor’s comments following examinations, etc. Your watch can even keep track of washing your hands properly by sending you reminders!

After proper setup, some watches can detect if you’ve been in an accident or had a fall and it will make the emergency call automatically. After the call ends, your watch sends a message to your emergency contacts with your location letting them know

that your watch detected a hard fall and dialed emergency services.

Most watches will tell you your current heart rates with the tap of your finger. Some even provide EKGs and blood oxygen level as well. If you have a Peloton, you can connect your watch via Bluetooth and see your heart rate on the monitor as you ride to keep it at a safe level. No wires or other devices needed.

Wellness tips are pushed to you via notifications for wellness, relaxation techniques, unsteady gait, detecting falls, irregular heartbeat, number of hours slept, number of steps per day. There are Samsung, Google, and Apple Health apps. Running apps will track your pace, calories, and duration. There are even apps that will map your run. These stats will be sent to your phone and stored for future reference.

There are diet apps such as Foodcate, My Diet Coach Weight Loss and others. There are specific models like the Apple Nike edition, Samsung Health and Google Fit. Apple has Calm for meditation, Lifesum for nutrition, Stava for fitness, Headspace for Midfulness/Meditation, and Pocket Yoga for – well – yoga!

As you can see there are plenty of useful wellness apps, programs, and features available with more on the way.

Let’s be healthy and exercise!

Young Lawyers Section Update

TheMBS YLS had a busy summer networking with fellow MBA members. The first networking happy hour took place on June 16th at the Great American Pub in Conshohocken following the Burn Bootcamp Fitness Event hosted by the DEI Committee, Solo/Small Firm Committee, and Criminal Defense Committee. For our second happy hour, we joined up with the TLS on July 28th at Well Crafted Brewery in Ambler. And our last happy hour of the summer was part of the MBA Get in the Loop networking events on August 17th at The Alley on High Street. Safe to say that the Pottstown MBA members know how to have a good time.

To end the year, YLS and the Membership Committee teamed up for what should be an insightful CLE, “The ‘Business’ Side of the Law: Ethical Considerations in Private Practice.” The CLE will be moderated by Past MBA President Patrick J. Kurtas and will include Ellen Freedman, the Law Practice Management Coordinator for the PBA, and attorneys Philip D. Press of Philip Press Law Office and Matthew T. Wilkov of Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg, and Gifford. The CLE will take place November 30, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Current YLS leadership has spent 2022 putting our heads together to reconfigure YLS in a way that will allow it to run efficiently for years to come and to continue being an important aspect of the MBA. At our September meeting, YLS decided to formally create 5 subcommittees. Those subcommittees are Liaison/Law School Committee, CLE/101 Series Committee, Social Committee, Mock Trial Committee, and the Community Outreach Committee. The YLS Chair moving forward would lead the Social Committee and Mock Trial Committee; the

Vice-Chair of YLS would lead the CLE/101 Series Committee; the Secretary of YLS would lead the Liaison/Law School Committee; and the Treasurer would lead the Community Outreach Committee. Each committee will have a chair.

These changes allow succession planning and continuity. These committees also provide YLS members with more opportunities to be involved in YLS specifically, and the MBA at large. It will assist the YLS leadership in their duties, allow others to have more of a hand in the daily activities of the Section, and would allow members to take on more of a leadership role if they so choose. If you would like to be assigned to one, or more, of these new committees simply reach out to current YLS leadership via email and we will add your name to the list.

Another change coming to YLS in 2023 is monthly meetings instead of bi-monthly meetings. The monthly meetings beginning in 2023 will be a learning opportunity. The meetings will be more of a lunch and learn environment which will include speakers and/or “101 Series” topics. YLS members that attend a meeting will be asked to “bring a friend.” This will be a way to introduce members and hopefully activate their interest in YLS. If you would like to be a speaker, present a CLE or “101 Series” topic, please reach out to YLS leadership now with your topic so the plans can be made.

Lastly, YLS will be appointing a new Treasurer as current leadership transitions to new leadership roles come January 2023. If you are interested in serving as Treasurer, please send your resume and a short statement of why you would like to serve as an officer for the YLS.

By The Officers of the Young Lawyers Section

The Equity Stop

WILLS CLINIC

By Lucy Qiu, Esq.

On October 6th, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, along with the Elder Law Committee, Probate and Tax Section, and SeniorLAW Center hosted a wills clinic for low-income seniors at the Norristown Senior Adult Activities Center. The DEI and Elder Law Committees and SeniorLAW Center hosted a similar clinic last year which was a huge success. Participants of the clinic walked away with a simple will, a power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, and a living will as part of their package of end-of-life personal planning documents.

Volunteer attorneys and paralegals are grouped with seniors to draft the documents. Many seniors put off drafting these important documents or do not have sufficient income to hire an attorney to do so. Failing to plan for end of life can create a myriad of problems for family members who do not know the senior’s wishes or if the senior becomes incapacitated or faces a medical emergency. The DEI committee hopes to make this an annual clinic and to host them at different locations around the county.

DID YOU KNOW

By Jessica L. Chapman, Esq.

Did you know there are only 10 weeks left until Christmas? I’m extremely excited because it is one of my favorite holidays and I love the countdown. Calm down, I haven’t started playing Christmas music yet but I definitely don’t get angry when somebody else plays it. What I love the most about Christmas, or the holiday season in general, is my family coming together to celebrate. As some of you know, my mom lives in Puerto Rico and my three sisters and their families in Florida. With busy schedules and the craziness in the world, all of us getting together is very rare, so it makes me happy and complete when we are able to spend time together during the holidays.

There is one thing that I love almost as much as family time and it’s watching my sister build a gingerbread house. Actually, let me correct that – I love watching my sister TRY to build a gingerbread house. I started by getting her very complicated ones but that was just sad to watch. As the nice human being I am, I tried getting her easier ones, but she was just as horrible with those. How? Good question, it’s her weakness. Finally, I found one for beginners that seemed appropriate. I mean, it came with a mold and everything. It seemed possible! She was close, I will admit, but at the end, it came down in ruins, same as the rest. Nevertheless, it’s quite entertaining and I look forward to it every single year. It will never get old!

I would love to learn about the holidays you celebrate and the family traditions you look forward to. Please consider writing a short piece for The Equity Stop and telling us a little about you. I’ll be reading!

Bar Foundation Tees Off to Help Legal Aid!

TheMontgomery Bar Foundation held its annual Legal Aid Golf Classic on June 27, 2022 at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, PA. Over 100 golfers participated in the event, with dozens more joining us for dinner.

Bar Foundation Tees Off To Help Legal Aid

Continued from page 11

We also hosted an online Silent Auction in the weeks leading up to the event, featuring Eagles, Phillies, Union, and Sixers Tickets, as well as assorted prize baskets. Thank you to all who donated prizes and all who placed bids!

All in all, our 2022 Legal Aid Golf Classic was a tremendous success. Thanks to the generosity of our participants, sponsors, and supporters, nearly $25,000 was raised from the event, matched by the MBA, and donated to Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Café

Lombardi’s

By Franqui-Ann Raffaele, Esq.

When I was assigned this article, I wanted to highlight another one of my favorite restaurants –Café Lombardi’s.

Café Lombardi’s has been a lunch and dinner hotspot since its establishment in 1996. Located on the corner of Dresher and Horsham Roads in Horsham, Lombardi’s boasts a taste of South Philly in Montgomery County. One look at this restaurant’s name could tell you that it hosts an array of delicious and authentic Italian cuisines. Housed in a single room, the atmosphere of Café Lombardi is casual, and family friendly.

Over the years, my family and I have tried an array of Café Lombardi’s entrees. But by far one of my favorites from Lombardi’s is the Gnocchi Mama Lombardi. Mixed in a delicate rosa sauce, the gnocchi are perfectly prepared – soft, delicate and silky smooth.

At my most recent visit, we tried an appetizer of the Calamari alla Veneziana, entrees of the Eggplant Parmigiana, Spaghetti with Meatballs, and my usual Gnocchi Mama Lombardi. The Calamari alla Veneziana was a sauteed baby squid in a spicy marinara. The appetizer was spiced with a nice kick which wasn’t too hot or overpowering. The dish was well cooked – soft, but not chewy.

For those with a vegetarian dish in mind or looking for a little less meat in their diet, I would suggest the Eggplant Parmigiana. The dish had a wonderful flavor. It was not soggy and had a great consistency throughout. For a traditional option, you can never go wrong with the Spaghetti and Meatballs, which tastes just as delicious as the other entrees we tried.

Every entrée is prepared to order, and each meal is served with warm bread. Although the bread is not made in-house, it is outsourced from a nearby bakery, Sam’s Italian Bakery, which is also a “must-stop” if you’re in the area. Pair the bread with the complimentary olive oil or dip it into the remaining sauce from your meal – you’ll be just as in love with the bread as the rest of the food.

The proportions are sizeable and the cost reasonable. For a family of four, the price of meal ranges around $100 and for a couple around $50. Lombardi’s is also BYOB. They also offer takeout and catering, both in-house and off-premises.

Go for a date night or take the family for a night out – Café Lombardi’s will make you feel right at home.

BOOK REVIEW: Sparring Partners

by John Grisham

Review By Jules Mermelstein, Esq., author of Justice, Justice Shall You Pursue

JohnGrisham decided he wanted to try something new instead of full-length novels. He tried short stories, but did not like that. So he has tried his hand at writing novellas, which are short novels.

In Sparring Partners, Grisham combined three novellas, the first dealing with his most famous character, Jake Brigance of A Time to Kill fame, into this book. I will review each novella.

Homecoming

In this first novella, Jake is put in the position of being a friend of an attorney who disappeared from his town three years earlier right after his divorce and amongst rumors that he stole money before disappearing. Harry Rex, one of Jake’s friends, is the absconder’s attorney.

It seems Mack Stafford, the absconder, would like to return and renew a relationship with his two teenaged daughters now that he found out his ex-wife is dying of cancer. I found the characters and the situation believable and began rooting for a good outcome for all. My only criticism of it is that it ends without an ending, but just by a prediction of what will occur in the next few years.

There is a great general description about practicing law in a small jurisdiction:

The upside of a small-town law practice, especially in your hometown, was that everyone knew your name, and that was what you wanted. It was important to be well thought of and well-liked, with a good reputation. When your neighbors got in trouble, you wanted to be the man they called. The downside was that their cases were always mundane and rarely profitable. But, you couldn’t say no. The gossip was fierce and unrelenting, and a lawyer who turned his back on his friends would not last long.

Strawberry Moon

This middle novella is the shortest of the three, about half as long as each of the other two. It is a character study of a man sentenced to death for a crime he committed when he was fourteen years old. Amongst conversations he has with himself, with a friendly guard, with the warden, with the chaplain, with his lawyer, and with the only visitor he had in the fourteen years he’s been on death row, we get a clear understanding of each character as well as our justice system.

Sparring Partners

It is this last novella that gives the book its title. This novella is about a family law firm with serious ethical as well as personal relationship issues.

It opens with the founder of the law firm, Bolton Malloy, already in jail after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his wife, the mother of the other two partners, Rusty and Kirk Malloy. Rusty is a plaintiff trial attorney while his brother handles legal matters that do not involve going to court. The brothers cannot stand each other and try to not talk to each other. They and their different staffs occupy physically separate parts of the firm. Diantha Bradshaw is an attorney in the firm who, without any ownership interest or the actual title, operates as the managing partner of the firm. Her office is physically between the two brothers’ sections. Whenever either brother needs to know what’s going on in the other part, they come to see Diantha.

Without going into details that would spoil the plot, I will just say that this novella would be an interesting study for a legal ethics class or CLE.

I enjoyed Grisham’s journey into writing novellas, and I believe you will as well.

A Word from USI Affinity | My Benefit Advisor

Technology Advances

Help Employees To Get More Value From Benefits

Sincethe widespread shift toward remote and hybrid work began a little over two years ago, a rapidly increasing number of employers have implemented and expanded their use of benefit administration technology. And as the technologies involved have continued to advance, employees have enjoyed greater access to their employee benefit program information and administrative functionalities.

For many individuals working from home, there is less opportunity to learn about employee benefit details through in-person meetings, bulletin board postings and other more traditional means. The benefit administration platforms remedy this by improving access to data, including detailed benefit descriptions, plan comparisons, cost illustrations, provider network information and prescription drug details and other decision-support tools, allowing workers to make more informed choices regarding benefit selections and changes. The employer benefits as well since these same technology enhancements

will allow human resource staff the ability to better perform their responsibilities from remote work locations and with less opportunity for human error.

Although these platforms have already been in use for some time by larger companies, the technology has now made its way down to small groups as well, eliminating obstacles for just about any company to employ digital benefit administration capabilities for the benefit of their employees.

The Montgomery Bar Association offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at montba.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Ray Keough at (610) 684-6932.

MCAP UPDATE

By Mary C. Pugh, Esq., Executive Director, MCAP

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Run for The Hill of It! MCAP held the 33rd Annual Run for The Hill of It Live on July 30, 2022! We partnered with Students Run Philly Style, a nonprofit that transforms students’ lives through running and mentorship. Over 200 volunteer mentors and students joined the racers to run the beautiful 5-mile course on an unusually cool July morning. Family, friends, and volunteers cheered the runners and enjoyed the upbeat music, face-painting, and delicious snacks. The Phillie Phanatic excited everyone with his usual silly antics. The combination of the contagious enthusiasm and the wonderful sponsors created a successful and memorable day.

MCAP welcomes Mary Anders to the MCAP family!

MCAP welcomes Mary Anders as Deputy Director. For the past 7 years, Mary worked for Cabrini University in Radnor, Pennsylvania, as the Public Safety Investigator and Education Officer. She investigated any reported crimes on campus and handled all aspects of Title IX cases. She also provided mandatory training to students, faculty, and staff for Sexual Assault Awareness and Bystander Intervention. She is also a certified Rape Aggression Defense, RAD, Instructor. Prior to working at Cabrini University, Mary spent 26 years in the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, 22 of those as a County Detective where she primarily worked on crimes against children. She was cross sworn as a Federal Agent with Homeland Security Investigations, Child Exploitation Unit, Philadelphia Field Office, and was the lead investigator for the Montgomery County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Mary lives in Montgomery County with her three children and enjoys working out at the gym, biking, and spending time at the beach on Long Beach Island, NJ. Mary brings her rich experience and passion for helping children to MCAP!

Salute to Heroes Dinner Dance & Auction, Saturday, November 12th, 6 pm to 10 pm

Join us as we celebrate the Honorable Cheryl L. Austin at this year’s Salute to Heroes Dinner Dance and Auction. This year, we are thrilled to honor Judge Austin for her lifelong commitment to helping people, especially children and families. As we celebrate Her Honor’s inspiring journey, you will be awe-struck by her distinctive and fascinating life. Judge Austin continues to transform and save lives by her dedication and service to others. The evening includes fabulous silent & live auction items (trips, nights out, jewelry), dancing, and delicious food and drink at the beautiful Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel! All proceeds of this highly anticipated annual event go to MCAP’s life-saving work. For more information, go to our webpage for the event at www. mcapkids.org.

Montgomery Child Advocacy Project’s (MCAP) mission is to end and prevent child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County through legal services, advocacy, and education. MCAP operates as a pro-bono model with 140+ professional attorneys (trained by MCAP) on our roster who donate approximately 8,000 hours to our child clients’ cases each year. Since our founding in 2004, MCAP has provided free legal services for more than 6,200 children. To learn more please see our website at www.mcapkids.org.

LAWYERS & JUDGES ROCK FOR JUSTICE

LAWYERPALOOZA Returns to the Ardmore Music Hall to Celebrate Montgomery Bar Foundation’s 35th

By Jim Mathias, Director of Marketing, Development and Public Affairs

OnThursday evening, October 27th, 2022, Montgomery Bar Foundation will celebrate its 35 years of support for justice-related causes and mission of “justice for all” with the long-awaited return of its landmark concert event, LAWYERPALOOZA. Hard to believe five years have passed since a half-dozen bands, all featuring local, musically talented lawyers and judges, played to a packed house and ROCKED the Foundation and the storied foundations of 23 E. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore. Organized in just a few short months back in 2017, the original concert-spectacle garnered considerable attention from local news media and not only raised awareness and funding for justice-related causes, but also exposed the community at large to the virtues, personality, and true grit of Montgomery County’s legal community in the process. And later taking home acclamations from both the National Association of Bar Executives and Pennsylvania Bar Association.

FAST FORWARD TO 2022. With our first successful LAWYERPALOOZA behind us, and enough buzz and pent-up anticipation to fuel the fire, it wasn’t more than 20 minutes into her installation speech at the Annual Business Luncheon that newly incumbent MBA President Sarinia Feinman would let the proverbial cat out of the bag, as she announced the long-awaited encore performance of Lawyerpalooza to roaring ovations. With

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Upcoming Events

October 27, 2022

LAWYERPALOOZA / Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA

November 3, 2022

Women in the Law Networking Night / Manufacturers Golf and Country Club, Fort Washington, PA

December 7, 2022

Family Law Section Holiday Party / MBA Building, Norristown, PA

December 12, 2022

Montgomery Bar Foundation Holiday Luncheon / MBA Building, Norristown, PA

December 15, 2022

Bar Leaders Holiday Party / MBA Building, Norristown, PA

January 12, 2023 – Annual Business Luncheon / Bluestone Country Club, Blue Bell, PA

April 18, 2023 – Delaware Valley Legal Expo / Presidential Caterers, East Norriton, PA

*The events and dates above are subject to change and this is not a comprehensive list. Please visit the Events page on www. montgomerybar.org for an up-to-date list of current events.

Lawyers & Judges Rock for Justice

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a few vocal acts eager to return, along with the organizational wizardry of past MBA President Mark Schultz, and the willing return of our honorable host, Judge Gary Silow, the event came together rather organically and without a lot of fuss. The 2022 event will again feature an all-star lineup of local lawyers and judges, along with accompanying musicians, and one or two rumored surprise guest appearances. Highlighting some of the welcome additions to this year’s ticket will be a rare solo performance by critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist Michael Braunfeld. The event will of course be returning to its original venue, The Ardmore Music Hall at 23 E. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore on Thursday evening, October 27, 2022, and if you haven’t been back to see a show there lately, prepare to be pleasantly surprised by their recent renovations.

Lawyerpalooza 2022 will again offer a rare opportunity for members of the MBA and neighboring communities to witness local attorneys and judges showcasing their talents and personalities in another light. Proceeds from this year’s concert will go toward the mission of the Montgomery Bar Foundation in supporting causes that provide access to justice in Montgomery County. All tickets being sold for this year’s event will be general admission, and they’re available for purchase free of service fees and ticketing charges for a limited time on the Montgomery Bar Association’s website (MontgomeryBar.org) for just $25 each. Event sponsors and Montgomery Bar Foundation Fellows are entitled to some special added benefits as well, like early admission, a pre-event reception, and access to preferred seating credentials for some.

Please encourage your partners, firms, co-workers, clients and vendors to be part of this unique and exciting event which offers an evening of fun and entertainment while directly supporting the mission of the Montgomery Bar Foundation. We look forward to seeing you there.

Schedule to Perform:

Hon. Gary S. Silow (Host/MC)

James Bainbridge and Brighton Road

Mark Schultz and the Wayne Rangers

Michael Braunfeld

CTO Midtown Express (featuring Hon. Virgil B. Walker)

Class Action

Rougarou (w/special guests)

Providing pro bono assistance after a disaster: 5 ways an attorney can help

By Sara Planthaber, Esq., M.S.W. Staff Attorney, Legal Aid of Southeastern PA

Editor’s note: In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, MidPenn Legal Services, North Penn Legal Services, and Philadelphia Legal Assistance. LASP operated the statewide disaster legal aid helpline for low-income survivors and worked with clients in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties.

Thanks in part to a grant from LSC, LASP continues to help survivors address long-term legal challenges from the storm. Sara Planthaber staffed the Helpline and helped many clients start the legal recovery process. On March 17, 2022, the Montgomery Bar Association hosted a CLE, “What Lawyers Can Do in a Disaster” presented by Sara Planthaber of LASP; Shrushti Kothari, Disaster Grants Program Counsel II at LSC and ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Team Lead for Hurricane Ida in PA; and moderator Kathryn M. Palladino, LASP Staff Attorney and Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator. This essay is adapted from part of that presentation.

After Hurricane Ida, Legal Aid opened 102 Ida-related cases and helped many others by answering questions or referring them to other organizations. Unfortunately, LASP does not have the resources to assist everyone, but pro bono attorneys can bridge that gap. As of March 2022, LASP’s caseload included 37 cases in Montgomery County related to various legal issues, such as: landlord-tenant, FEMA appeals, public housing, and consumer issues (e.g., insurance or contractor disputes). According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental

Protection, Montgomery County has a high risk of heavy flooding, heat waves, and tropical storms, making disasters like Hurricane Ida more likely in the future.

It is important for attorneys to be prepared to step in and provide assistance in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, as well as to aid in longterm recovery. Beyond lending their substantive knowledge, attorneys can help by meeting with clients and identifying immediate and long-term legal needs.

No matter your specialty, attorneys have tremendous value in the aftermath of a disaster. The more engagement provided by the legal community, the easier it will be to lessen the burden for low-income individuals and families.

Below are five areas of law where LASP needed the most assistance from pro bono attorneys after Hurricane Ida. Property and real estate issues

LASP’s Helpline received several client calls from Montgomery County residents regarding municipal buyouts in areas experiencing repeated flooding. The county offered to purchase the homes at market value. A pro bono attorney could assist the homeowner by reviewing the offer, speaking to the client about their situation, and advising them on whether they should accept the offer. Whatever they decide, having an opportunity to speak with an attorney can provide peace of mind that they made the best decision for themselves and their family.

Insurance

Insurance is a gateway issue in many FEMA cases. To move forward with the FEMA process, clients have to first seek assistance from their insurance company, which can take months and may not ultimately lead to any assistance. An attorney can review the circumstances of a client’s claim and advise whether an insurance appeal is appropriate.

In addition, insurance policies are complicated. It can be difficult to understand what claim to file and when to file it. Many LASP clients lack the technological resources to make a video call or send photos to their insurance company to support their claim. An attorney can help facilitate conversations with an insurance company and assist in creating and transmitting electronic records.

Basic landlord-tenant issues

After Hurricane Ida, homes were flooded out and landlords were demanding rent. LASP staff met with tenants at the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs). The most common question was, “Do I have to pay rent if I can’t live in my house?” Providing immediate, brief advice can save a client from paying unnecessary rent or being evicted if rent withholding is not appropriate. Attorneys can also advise on how to communicate with landlords and document steps taken to resolve the situation. These records can provide vital evidence in a potential eviction case. Having pro bono attorneys available to provide advice or attend a hearing could be the only thing standing in the way of a family becoming homeless.

Another issue with landlord-tenant cases are repairs. A lot of clients said, “My landlord said he’s going to repair my flooring because there’s mold,” and the “remediation” method is substandard at best. An attorney can ensure that the landlord is fulfilling their statutory obligations and the client can return to a home that is safe and habitable.

Identity documents

Many people store their birth certificates and Social Security cards in their basements. They are often inadequately protected and are destroyed in substantial flooding. These documents are necessary for accessing public benefits like housing, but also for children’s school and activities. Losing these documents can put a person’s life on hold and obstruct recovery.

On a birth certificate application, the address on an applicant’s state identification has to match their current mailing address. If the survivor is living elsewhere, they cannot apply for the birth certificate on their own. As an attorney, you can apply for a birth certificate on a client’s behalf, providing an easy, yet impactful, way to assist in a survivor’s recovery.

FEMA appeals

Finally, assisting clients in writing FEMA appeals can ensure sustainable long-term recovery. LASP assisted a client whose basement wall collapsed due to the pressure of the flooding. She is disabled and on a fixed income. She could neither complete the repairs herself nor afford the repairs. LASP appealed an initial denial, and as a result, the client obtained $25,000 to

cover the cost of the repair. After receiving an award, attorneys can provide strategies for documenting how the award was used to protect against a possible FEMA recoupment. Suggested resources for FEMA appeals are provided below.

Preparedness can ensure rapid deployment of legal services, and pro bono volunteers provide the foundation for such efforts, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and for the next disaster.

Sara Planthaber can be reached at splanthaber@lasp.org. To learn more about pro bono opportunities related to Hurricane Ida or other civil legal aid matters, please contact Kathryn Palladino at kpalladino@lasp.org or register to volunteer at lasp.org/volunteersignup.

Resources

Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center: www.ladrc.org/

Detailed guide for advocates writing FEMA appeals: https://www.ladrc. org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FEMA-Guidance-A_Final-dated.pdf Quick guide (checklist) for writing FEMA appeals: https://www.ladrc. org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FEMA-N-A-Guidance_Final-dated. pdf

A Community Worth the Search:

The Robert E. Slota Jr. Diversity Internship & Development Program

By Nancy Walsh, tbdNOW, LLC

The Robert E. Slota, Jr. Diversity Internship & Development program has been thriving and evolving since its inception fourteen years ago, and this year’s iteration was no exception. One component of its evolution is the newly updated name which reflects its expanded pool of participants; in addition to its historical focus on 1L students, the program now also welcomes high school and college/pre-law students, as well as 2Ls and 3Ls. This deceptively simply change allows the program to not only continue to support underrepresented law students, but to develop a pipeline that will help us reach the goal of a truly diverse and inclusive legal community for Montgomery County.

The Slota program reflects the very best of the MBA. Thanks to the generosity of its members, just under $19,000 in sponsorships, a new record, was raised. These funds, along with the essential support of 12 host firms, allowed us to provide 11 paid internships (1L and 2L) and weekly programming to an additional 4 law students and 2 undergraduates, as well as 14 scholarships at the program’s completion. With the hard work and vision of Judge Gail Weilheimer and Emily Hippler, and the incredible contribution of Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer (our first-ever judicial internship sponsor), we were also able to launch a paid judicial internship program, through which two impressive law students were able to learn from virtually every one of our incredible MCCP judges. The generosity did not end there. Because of the trademark spirit of MBA members of all ages, the experience for our Slota Scholars was enriched by 10 Leadership Academy mentors, 17 writing mentors, 16 mock interviewers, 14 panelists/presenters, 1 special visit to the chambers of The Honorable Mark A. Kearney, and countless other demonstrations of support and guidance.

Of course, beyond the force of the MBA’s commitment to this program, what makes it special are the students for whom it exists. As they gathered for the Closing Reception on July 26th to celebrate their accomplishments with the MBA family who rallied behind them, their excitement, as well at that of all in attendance, was palpable. They spoke of insights gained, paths clarified, connections formed, and friendships made. The meaning of programs like this perhaps can only be fully understood through their own words:

“My time with the Slota program has reinforced my desire to work in Montgomery County long-term.”

“I am so grateful to the MBA and the Slota program for introducing me to the wonderful, tight-knit community that is Montgomery County. Now I know that I can make a beautiful home for myself and my partner, and the family we want to build, and not have to sacrifice our dignity as a queer couple, while enjoying the life that comes with living in a “greener” area away from the city smog. Seriously, sometimes I get emotional just thinking about how lucky I am to have found this program. Thank you!”

“Being able to create genuine connections in such a short time through this program has shown me that I belong in this field and that I can be successful. I sincerely appreciate the mentorship and guidance I have received and have truly felt that I have built connections with individuals who will support me throughout law school and beyond.”

“I did not grow up in a family with any lawyers in America nor did I have many role models in this field so joining the program has given me a community I was searching for.”

THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 PROGRAM SPONSORS AND HOST FIRMS!

“As a first generation, visibly Muslim, AfghanAmerican woman, I can attest that there have been times where I felt the obstacles I was facing were insurmountable. But it has been through programs such as these where I have been able to draw inspiration from the experiences of others who also thought the challenges they faced were impenetrable, and yet, succeeded anyway.”

“This experience has been life changing and reaffirms my desire and commitment to graduate from law school, become a part of this profession, and join the MBA to continue the legacy of all those who have come before me.”

“The MBA Diversity Program has truly made me comfortable with stepping outside of my comfort zone. Whether it was my first introduction to the Bar at the MBA dinner dance or the night at the zoo, I felt welcomed and appreciated in spaces I would not have normally found myself in the past.”

Preparations are already underway for another transformative summer with another group of incredible future lawyers. Thank you to all who continue to make it possible. If you have not participated in the past, we invite you to draw inspiration from the words of our 2022 Scholars and join us in this truly meaningful work; you won’t regret it!

If you are interested in hosting, sponsoring, or mentoring for next summer’s program, please contact Nancy Walsh at nancy@tbdnowllc.com.

Elder Access to Justice Roundtable Conference

“Oops! I Did It Again”: Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship

By Michelle C. Berk, Esq., Chair, Elder Law Committee

The7th Annual Elder Justice Conference was held on June 17, 2022, both virtually and in person, after a two-year hiatus at the Villanova Conference Center. The theme of this year’s conference was Exploring Alternatives to Guardianship. While guardianship can be a useful and necessary tool to protect the health and well-being of a senior, there are alternatives that can and should be considered first. The purpose of this conference was to introduce the alternatives to guardianship, in an interdisciplinary and interactive manner. The emphasis was on exploring the panoply of social and other services and supports in the community in conjunction and in coordination with legal remedies, and to utilize them in the best interest of seniors. Participants were social workers and providers of supportive services to seniors and attorneys practicing in the fields of elder law, estates, and estate and disability planning state-wide. Continuing education credits were offered.

The conference offered prominent participants and programming. Our keynote speaker was the founder and longstanding Chair of the Roundtable, Judge Lois E. Murphy, Orphans’ Court Administrative Judge. Her Honor is a statewide and nationwide leader in guardianship reform. Judge Murphy introduced the conference with a description of the history and status of guardianships within the court system tied into the theme of pop star Brittany Spears’ fascinating guardianship litigation. Judge Murphy’s remarks were introduced with a rousing rendition of a Brittany Spears song lamenting her adjudication of incapacity and ensuing powerless and decrying its imposition upon her.

We were honored by the participation of the Honorable Sheila Woods-Skipper, Administrative Judge of the Philadelphia Orphans’ Court, who moderated a panel discussion with case

studies. Esteemed panelists included Pam Waltz, Esq., Community Legal Services and Chair Elect of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Elder Law Section, Disability Rights of Pennsylvania, and the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE). The presentation reviewed the history of guardianship in Pennsylvania and the reasons why guardianship may be pursued as well as to introduce how and why less restrictive alternatives to guardianship should be considered, statutory, ethical, and clinical perspectives of guardianships; and the alternatives for older adults and the disabled population were thoroughly explored in case studies.

Participants then had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops. Workshops on Mediation and on Supportive Decision Making and Community Supports were presented by distinguished, experienced leaders in these fields. A workshop was offered on the Restorative Justice, a practice that seeks to identify harms and infractions and repair them. I had the honor of presenting the Legal Alternatives to Guardianship workshop along with Dana Goldberg, Esq., of the SeniorLaw Center. Practical, ethical, legal, and statutory alternatives were explored, emphasizing the need for advance planning.

The participants had the opportunity to interact and present questions both virtually and in person. All participants and attendees had an excellent opportunity to gain an increased understanding of Guardianship and the myriad of alternatives to consider in representing their clients in making informed decisions in the best interest of seniors. The Roundtable is appreciative of the input and support from the distinguished panels’ moderators, presenters, and sponsors. The conference continues to be a great success due to the longstanding, tireless efforts of the dedicated planners and support staff to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

Courting Art Artwork finds a new home in One Montgomery Plaza

By Denise S. Vicario, Esq., Executive Director

Theamazing artwork from the brilliant Courting Art program has found a new home in One Montgomery Plaza! You may recall that Courting Art was an initiative of the now Pro Bono, Access to Justice and Community Service Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association under the leadership of then Committee Chairs The Honorable Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio and Melissa Boyd, Esq., that engaged members of Montgomery County’s legal community and community partners to provide a forum for local artists to create a series of juried, volunteer art initiatives to promote a more visitor-friendly Montgomery County Court space.

As the demolition phase of the massive Justice Center construction and Courthouse renovation project commenced, the artwork was meticulously packaged by Montgomery County Court Services and safely stored in the Montgomery Bar Association archives. Once the temporary Family Court Division Courtrooms opened on the ninth and tenth floors of One Montgomery Plaza, The Honorable Daniel Clifford had the brilliant suggestion to give the artwork a new home in this highly utilized area.

A heartfelt thank you to Carol Dillon, Alvina Klass, MaryAnn Branca, and Laurie Sacerdote in Montgomery County Court Services for safely packaging and unpackaging the artwork, and to Sergio Salvi of Montgomery County Building Services for transporting and artfully placing the beautiful pieces throughout the Court space on the ninth and tenth floors of One Montgomery Plaza. As Laurie Sacerdote, Deputy Court Administrator for Court and Fiscal Services, said: “The artwork reflects the talent of Montgomery County and brings life to the walls they adorn. Sergio Salvi did a fabulous job in arranging the artwork so that it not only looks great, but there is continuity to its placement.” Indeed, the Courting Art continues to charm those that have the fortunate opportunity to view it.

Summer Happenings

MBA Hosts Naturalization Ceremony at the Montgomery County Courthouse

By Jack Costello, Deputy Executive Director

OnJune 10, 2022, the MBA’s American Citizenship & The Law Committee partnered with the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and the Montgomery County Prothonotary’s Office to admit 20 candidates for naturalization as citizens of the United States of America. The ceremony was held in Courtroom A of the Montgomery County Courthouse and was presided over by The Honorable A. Nicole Tate-Philips. Joining Judge Tate-Philips on the bench was Committee Co-Chair The Honorable Melissa S. Sterling. Committee Vice-Chair and Montgomery County Prothonotary Noah Marlier administered the Oath of American Citizenship and MBA President Sarinia M. Feinman delivered eloquent remarks about the honor and responsibility of becoming an American Citizen.

Candidates hailed from 15 different countries, including: Albania, Belarus, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Peru, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

Thank you to our other American Citizenship & The Law Committee Chair Michael E. Furey, Esq., U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Towamencin Chapter for your support in making this event possible. Most importantly, congratulations to our newest fellow citizens!

Newest Judicial Portraits Unveiled

The Honorable Virgil B. Walker and family

The Honorable Melissa S. Sterling (attended virtually) and her court staff

The Honorable Henry S. Hilles, III and family

The Honorable A. Nicole Tate-Phillips with friends and family

AND

MATTERS

James C. Schwartzman, Esq.

WIRE TAPS MEMBER News

Wisler Pearlstine, LLP is pleased to announce that Amy T. Brooks, in her capacity as a member of the Board of Managers of Haverford College, and Clerk of the Haverford College Corporation, welcomed Karen Korematsu, this year’s honorary degree recipient of Haverford College.

Karen Korematsu is the daughter of Fred Korematsu of Korematsu v. United States. Fred Korematsu appealed his conviction for resisting being sent to a Japanese internment camp during WWII all the way up to the US Supreme Court. Karen Korematsu was a particularly meaningful person for Amy Brooks to meet because in 1944, her great grandfather Harold Evans was the attorney who argued Gordan Hirabayashi’s Japanese internment case in the US Supreme Court.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently appointed The Honorable Wendy G. Rothstein to the state committee on rules of evidence. The appointment is for a 6 year term and commenced October 1, 2022.

Melissa (Missy) Boyd and Elizabeth (Liz) Early are pleased to announce the formation of their new law firm, Boyd & Early Family Law LLC, a boutique, full-service family law firm located in Plymouth Meeting and Malvern. Distinguished attorneys and passionate advocates, Missy and Liz are eager to continue to service Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia county residents involved in a variety of family law matters including divorce, child custody, support, and protection from abuse (PFA) actions.

Missy and Liz will be joined by Jennifer (Jen) Ryan and Chelsey Christiansen, two sensational lawyers and young leaders in their personal and professional communities. With Jen and Chelsey joining the team, Boyd & Early Family Law offers services at a variety of price points but does not compromise the superior service provided to all clients.

After seven years of school, Peter J. Dolan was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on June 11, 2022. He will be serving as Deacon to his parish of St. Teresa of Calcutta in Limerick and will remain an active attorney at his firm, Dolan Ray Law, LLC in Pottstown.

Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP Partner, and Co-Chair of its Family Law Department, Michael E. Bertin was elected

Vice President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).

Bertin is a former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and a former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He is a frequent author and lecturer on family law topics. Bertin was selected as the 2021 Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Pennsylvania by the Best Lawyers in America. Bertin also co-wrote the book on Pennsylvania child custody law, Pennsylvania Child Custody Law, Practice, and Procedure. Bertin has an active state-wide family law practice where he handles all phases of the negotiation and litigation of domestic relations cases, including divorce, custody, support, alimony, property distribution, prenuptial agreements and related issues.

Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin mourns the loss of our former partner and longtime friend Joseph J. McGrory, Jr., who died suddenly August 16, 2022 while on vacation.

Joe was a member of the Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin family for over 20 years, and was formerly Chair of the Firm’s Municipal Law Department and a member of the Real Estate Department.

Joe represented clients in all aspects of Municipal, and Zoning and Land Use Law complex zoning, subdivision, land development and municipal law matters for 34 years. He also served as Township Solicitor for Limerick Township, Douglass (Berks) Township, East Whiteland (Chester) Township, West Conshohocken Borough and Upper Merion Township, among many others. In the land use area, Joe handled cases involving power plants, quarries, mobile home parks, high rise complexes, a 2,000 unit complex, billboards, trash to energy plants. His colleagues watched in admiration as he tirelessly and passionately represented his clients for decades – attending over 2,000 diverse nighttime Municipal hearings. His track record for successful “win-win” outcomes – for both parties – was impressive.

A lifelong contributor to, and participant in, the state and local bar associations, Joe was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) and chair of its Real Estate Committee. He was the past Chair of the Municipal Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) and a

voting member to the PBA’s House of Delegates. In 1998, Joe formed the Montgomery County Zoning Officers Association and served as its Solicitor for decades. In 2000, Joe received The Margaret Richardson Award from the MBA for furthering women’s rights in the bar.

For over 34 years, he served as a dedicated Mental Health Review Officer in Montgomery County. He advocated for improving the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s mental health system. Joe was also a past member of the Board of Directors of the Norristown Rotary and Norristown Jaycees and a life member of the West Norriton Ambulance Squad. A graduate of Delaware Law School (J.D. 1983), Joe received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University (B.S. 1980).

Joe was beloved by clients, colleagues and friends who had the pleasure of enjoying his humor and great dry wit. They admired his compassion, intelligence, thoughtfulness and bottomless love for his wife, Eileen, and sons Joseph III, Daniel and Matthew.

Wolf, Baldwin & Associates, P.C. is pleased and excited to announce the addition of Attorney Lee. F. Mauger to the firm. Mr. Mauger is the 10th attorney at the firm and will focus his practice on Estate Planning and Administration. Hofstein Weiner & Meyer, P.C., is pleased to welcome Alexandria Bondy as an associate attorney. Alexandria recently completed a clerkship with the Honorable Viktoria Kristiansson of the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, where she gained experience regarding child custody and domestic violence issues.

In addition to her legal experience, Alex spent six years working for a national non-profit organization that trains sports coaches to be mentors for at-risk youth in urban areas. She continues this work by coaching girls’ volleyball and volunteering with CASA Philadelphia with a focus on the educational needs of local youth and foster care.

Alex earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. She earned her JD and Certificate in Trial Advocacy & Litigation from Temple University Beasley School of Law. Alexandria is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Nicholas A. Cipriani Family Law American Inn of Court, the Philadelphia Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Welcome New Members

The following members have been admitted to the Montgomery Bar Association between July and September 2022

Nedal Abusaif**

Mark Antonacio*

Samantha Anne Arena

Maryrose Babyak** Todd N. Barnes*

Moses Michael Bates Jay Bauer

Emily Beck

Tanner Christian Beck Angela Bell Kristina Bergsten Rachel Blevins

Alexandria Bondy Marissa A. Booth

Peri Buch** Meghan Carney Samantha L.R. Cauffman Lisa Shaw Caulfield

Gabriela Soto Cotto** Amelia Curotto Emily Adams D’Aguanno Christopher E. Daniels Andre Desir

Daniel P. Dohony Joseph Donegan Robert M. Falin* Kevin F. Farrington Lauren Nicole Fischer Scott F. Frame*

Joseph Michael Gagliardo Leah Nicole George Sharon L. Giamporcaro* Gabriella E. Glenning Caroline Goldstein Jason A. Goodman* John Gradel*

Siobhan Harding

Leola M Hardy

Ani Nicole Hatza

Jessica Margaret Heinz William Highland III* Gregory Hill** Louis Hockman* Emily M. Hoff

Richard Holzworth

Gabrielle C. Hughes

Hannah Jang**

Adrienne D. Jappe Andre T. Jerry* Matthew Zane Johnson Gwendolyn M. Kull Steven J. Latzer* Douglas Lavenberg* T. Matthew Leckman* Kelly S. Lloyd* Lauren Marvel Moira McDaid**

Jessica McClellan** Kelli A. McGinnis* Kathleen McLaughlin Cara M. McMenamin

Kee Min**

William John Newman* Caitlin F. O’Malley Sarah H.R. Parisi Allison M. Ruth Mittal Patel** Karla Pisarcik Brianna Ringwood Randall Schauer Natasha Nicole Scott** Michell Hope Shefton Andrew J. Slutsky** Bryanna Smith** Southia Paula Souvannaphasy**

Sylvia Stenson William Christopher Stubits Medina Talebi** Jon Thielen William R. Toal, III Katherine Kopecki Tonneman Gabriela Villafan** Robert J. Waeltz

Stanton David Weinstein Caitlin Bartness Wilenchik

* Returning Member ** Law Student Member

The following members are retiring from the Montgomery Bar Association

Donna L. Adelsberger

Hon. Louis C. Bechtle

Stuart N. Cohen Michael S. Connor Barry Cooperberg Peter I. Daniele

Hugh F. Dougherty, III James H. Freeman Norton A. Freedman John I. Gordon Marcel Groen R. Kurtz Holloway Leigh P. Narducci George P. O’Connell

Marcy C. Panzer

Stephen M. Skrzat James H. Stevens Samuel T. Swansen George P. Wood

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