MBA Welcomes New Leaders at Annual Business Meeting

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, the Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) held its Annual Business Meeting at Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, PA. Over 200 members, legal professionals and community leaders attended the event which included the election of the MBA’s officers for 2023 and an awards presentation to honor outstanding contributions to the MBA and community, as well as the installation of its new president, Justin A. Bayer, Esq., with the ceremonial passing of the gavel.

Mr. Bayer is a partner in the firm Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer, LLP and focuses his practice on defending clients from claims involving professional liability, commercial transportation, municipal defense, bad faith and commercial disputes. He frequently defends high exposure claims as well as complex insurance and professional liability matters throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also regularly consults with clients on claim avoidance and pre-suit claims. Mr. Bayer frequently teaches legal education programs for risk managers, claims professionals, other lawyers, and law students. He regularly presents on topics including case evaluation, legal ethics, professional liability, commercial transportation, risk, and legal procedure.

Mr. Bayer is a graduate of Lehigh University (2001) and Villanova University School of Law (2004). He is admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Superior Court of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

During his inauguration speech, Mr. Bayer praised the accomplishments of outgoing President Sarinia M. Feinman, as well as past-presidents, firm partners, and mentors who have helped him throughout his career and on his path to becoming President. He also acknowledged and thanked his family, especially his wife Kelly and their two sons, George and Thomas, for their unending support and encouragement.

Mr. Bayer then drew attention to the myriad of ways in which our members engage and empower the MBA through their CLE presentations and credits, event attendance, and contributions to the Montgomery Bar Foundation and its mission of ensuring access to justice. He then spoke of the importance of supporting our incredible Bench and assured them that our Bar Association will do everything in our power to speak out against threats to the judiciary and the rule of law.

Mr. Bayer concluded with an insightful quote from William Penn:

“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

For the 2023 Bar Year, Lisa A. Shearman, Esq., of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, PC in Lansdale will serve as President-Elect; Seth D. Wilson, Esq., of Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. in Conshohocken will serve as Vice President; Colin J. O’Boyle, Esq., of Elliott Greenleaf P.C. in Blue Bell will serve as Treasurer; and Hon. Joseph P. Walsh of Walsh Pancio, LLC in Lansdale will serve as Secretary.

Also of Note: Mark R. Fischer, Jr., Esq., of High Swartz LLP in Norristown will also serve as President of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers Section; Jason Edwards,

Esq., of Walsh Pancio, LLC in Lansdale was named Chair of the MBA’s Young Lawyers Section; Kelley Menzano Fazzini, Esq., of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Plymouth Meeting was named Chair of the MBA’s Family Law Section; and Rebecca Sallen, Esq., of Sallen Law, LLC in Merion Station, will continue as Chair of the MBA’s Probate and Tax Section.

In addition to new leadership being appointed, the following awards were distributed:

MBA Lifetime Achievement Award

(Sponsored by The Pugh Lawyers) Hon. Stanley R. Ott