Applications are now being accepted for the PBA Bar Leadership Institute Class of 2013-2014
We are seeking applications for the PBA Bar Leadership Institute program for the 2013-2014 bar year. Ten individuals will be selected for this year's class.

The criteria for inclusion in the 10-member class is a demonstration of leadership ability in some capacity, a willingness to make the time commitment to the seven-month program and age 38 years or younger or have practiced five years or less. Membership in the PBA is required; however, prior active participation in the PBA is not a criterion.

Please help us to select the very best bar leadership class possible by sharing this information with worthy candidates or submitting an application if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Bar Leadership Institute Overview
Candidate Application Form
Calendar of Events
Candidate Reference Form (to be forwarded and completed by your references)

The application packet is due by May 15, 2013. Candidates will be notified of their selection in early June.

If you have questions please contact Susan Etter, PBA Education and Special Projects Coordinator.
Email: susan.etter@pabar.org
Phone: 800-932-0311, Ext. 2256

Bar Leadership Institute Overview 2012-2013
Calendar of Events

PBA Bar Leadership Class of 2012-2013

On June 8, 2012, the PBA announced the 11 members of the Bar Leadership Institute class of 2012-2013. Selected from a field of 38 candidates, the class members are listed below along with the names of their firms or agencies.

• Desiree Brougher, Reilly Wolfson Sheffey Schrum & Lundberg LLP
• Joshua Camson, Washington County Court of Common Pleas
• Charece Collins, Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP
• Ashley Grimm, Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center
• Mary Beth Hughes, Kane Pugh Knoell Troy & Kramer
• Jonathan Koltash, Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
• Richard Lupinsky, Blair County Court of Common Pleas
• Keisha Parker, Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy P.C.
• Nego Pile, Heckert Bikin & Pile
• Eid Qaqish, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas

BLI Members Among New Pennsylvania Bar Foundation Fellows

Six current or former BLI members recently joined the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation (PBF) class of 2012. The group shown above being inducted by Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille includes three BLI members present at the induction ceremony during the PBA Annual Meeting in May 2012. They are Alison Wasserman, (second from left), Traci Naugle (third from left) and Melissa Leininger (eighth from left). Two BLI members also hold leadership positions on the PBF Board.

• Lars Anderson: BLI class of 2011-2012; PBF Young Lawyer Life Fellow, class of 2012
• Guerline Laurore: BLI class of 2010-2011; PBF Commonwealth Club member and PBF Zone 11 Director
• Melissa Leininger: BLI class of 2011-2012; PBF Young Lawyer Fellow, class of 2012, and PBF Board-Designated Director for the PBA Young Lawyers Division
• Traci Naugle: BLI class of 2010-20111; PBF Young Lawyer Fellow, class of 2012
• Gerald Shoemaker: BLI class of 2011-2012; PBF Young Lawyer Life Fellow since 2008
• Kevin Taccino: BLI class of 2010-2011; PBF Young Lawyer Fellow, class of 2012
• Alison Wasserman: BLI class of 2011-2012; PBF Young Lawyer Fellow, class of 2012
• Phil Yoon: BLI class of 2010-2011; PBF Young Lawyer Fellow, class of 2012

The PBF works to improve the public's understanding of the law and its appreciation of democracy and strives to ensure that citizens, particularly Pennsylvania's most vulnerable, have full access to our legal system. It accomplishes its mission by making grants; providing loan repayment assistance to attorneys working in IOLTA-funded civil legal services organizations; seeking financial support from individuals and organizations both within and outside of the legal community; and encouraging bar members to donate their time, talent and expertise in service to the public. For more information or to support the work of the PBF, visit their website, www.pabarfoundation.org/. PBF Young Lawyer Life Fellows pledge $500 to the foundation. The pledge commitment may be fulfilled through a lump sum contribution or in annual installments of $125 over four consecutive years or in 48 monthly installments of $10.42. The contribution must be completed before aging out of the PBA Young Lawyers Division. PBF Life Fellows pledge $1,000 to the foundation. The pledge commitment may be fulfilled through a lump sum contribution or in annual installments of $250 over four consecutive years or in 48 monthly installments of $20.84. PBF Commonwealth Club members pledge $5,000 to the foundation. The pledge commitment may be fulfilled through a lump sum contribution or in installments of $500 over 10 consecutive years or in 120 monthly installments of $41.67.

Past BLI Class Member Samara Gomez Receives YLD Excellence in Service Award
The PBA Young Lawyers Division presented its 2012 Michael K. Smith Excellence in Service Award to Samara A. Gomez of Harrisburg during the PBA Annual Meeting, May 10, 2102, in Lancaster. Gomez was a member of the PBA's Bar Leadership Institute class of 2011-2012. The award is named in memory of a young Philadelphia lawyer committed to providing legal services for low-income people and to offering law-related educational programs to students. It is presented to a Pennsylvania young lawyer who, through his or her exemplary personal and professional conduct, reminds lawyers of their professional and community responsibilities. Read more about the award.

Learn About the Bar Leadership Institute Class of 2011-2012

Learn About the Bar Leadership Institute Class of 2010-2011

Helpful Resources

Recent Profiles of Incoming PBA Presidents

• "A Lawyer Who Leads by Example," Profile of PBA President Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr., May/June 2012 Issue, Pennsylvania Lawyer Magazine
  
• "Arriving with a Reputation as a Consensus-Builder," Profile of PBA President Matthew J. Creme Jr., May/June 2011 Issue, Pennsylvania Lawyer Magazine
  
• "Seeing the PBA as an 'Extended Family' for Lawyers," Profile of PBA President Gretchen A. Mundorff, May/June 2010 Issue, Pennsylvania Lawyer Magazine

The purpose of the Pennsylvania Bar Association as stated in the by-laws and original charter:

• to advance the science of jurisprudence;
• to promote the administration of justice;
• to see that no one, on account of poverty, is denied his or her legal rights;
• to secure proper legislation;
• to encourage a thorough legal education;
• to uphold the honor and dignity of the Bar;
• to cultivate cordial relations among the lawyers of Pennsylvania; and
• to perpetuate the history of the profession and the memory of its members.

BLI participants will learn about the day-to-day operations, governance, resources and staffing of the association. Participants will be introduced to the various leadership opportunities within the PBA and each participant will be paired with an experienced and committed mentor who is a member of the Board of Governors.

Bar Leadership Institute Overview 2011-2012

Legacy Project - The Legacy Project video library archives PBA history and captures the wisdom and advice from past presidents.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association: A Brief History
This is a wonderful article from the January/February 2010 edition of the Pennsylvania Lawyer. It was written by the late Ted Stellwag, executive director emeritus of the PBA. Stellwag had an abiding love of history and historic preservation, especially when it came to the PBA and the Maclay Mansion, the PBA headquarters building in Harrisburg. This is a "must-read" for all PBA members.

The PBA Instruction Manual
A very helpful article written by PBA Communications Manager, Jeff Gingerich to help you understand the basics of how the PBA works so you can get the most out of belonging. It explains how the PBA is generally organized, how every member can take a leadership role (if ho or she wants to) and how every member can promote change in the association's policies and in the legal profession.

Arriving with a Reputation as a Consensus-Builder Interview and profile of PBA President Matthew J. Creme, Jr.

Seeing the PBA as an 'Extended Family' for Lawyers: Interview with Immediate Past PBA President Gretchen Mundorff

Lawyers as Community Builders
A commentary written by JoAnne Epps, Dean, Temple University Beasley School of Law, offering some perspective on the community role of lawyers and the importance of including minority lawyers as full participants and sources of influence.

Where Does Our PABAR-PAC Money Go, Anyway?
A commentary by former PBA President William P. Carlucci.

How Pennsylvania's Legal Aid System is Organized
An article written by Samuel Milkes, executive director of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the statewide coordinating organization for 10 regional legal services programs and six specialized legal resource programs.

Your Mother Cares about Excuses, Your Audience Cares about Results: How to prepare powerful presentations
In this article author David J. Dempsey notes, "An engaging and persuasive message could mean the difference between you exiting the courtroom as the victor or the vanquished. You have only one chance to make the right impression."

Great Mentors
Veteran lawyer, Cliff Rieders, shares his thoughts on the people who have helped, guided and influenced his life and career in the law - and the qualities they have in common.