Agricultural Law

To study questions and problems affecting rural and agricultural interests in Pennsylvania and monitor and/or make recommendations concerning proposals for legislation or regulations relating to such interests.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

To address current issues of mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation and arbitration of private and court-connected ADR programs. The committee shall conduct professional education programs in alternative dispute resolution, and study and recommend standards of practice for neutrals. The committee shall propose and monitor legislation regarding alternative dispute resolution.

Animal Law

To promote the particular interests of lawyers practicing in the area of animal law; promote the study and understanding of laws, regulations, and court decisions dealing with legal issues involving animals; and educate the legal community and the public as to the needs to address various animal-related issues.

Appellate Advocacy Commitee

Charged with promoting, supporting and improving post-trial and appellate advocacy through regular member dialogues, seminars, a newsletter and interactions with the courts and similar national and state organizations.

Bylaws

To propose suggested changes in the bylaws and review comments on changes suggested by other entities within the PBA.

Charitable Organizations

The Charitable Organizations Committee deals with matters of concern to lawyers who are employed by or who represent charitable organizations, public sector lawyers whose work involves charitable organizations, and lawyers who serve as directors, officers, or volunteers of charitable organizations. The Committee members plan and implement educational programs in areas of particular interest to lawyers in that field.

Children's Rights

To study questions and problems which affect children and shall monitor and/or make recommendations concerning legislation relating to their interests. The committee shall inform lawyers on matters concerning children and develop programs for the legal profession to promote more effective advocacy on behalf of children in trial and appellate courts and implement such public education campaigns as are deemed appropriate.

Civil and Equal Rights

To promote and defend civil rights and responsibilities, fair treatment and equal opportunity for all individuals and the avoidance and elimination of wrongful discrimination and unfair bias by (a) monitoring actual and proposed legislation, litigation, rules of conduct and procedures and other relevant developments; (b) educating the legal community and the public; and (c) making proposals and recommendations to advance and effect the goals of the committee.

Collaborative Law

To address current issues regarding the collaborative law dispute resolution process; educate attorneys and the public about the collaborative law dispute resolution process; recommend standards of practice for attorneys using the collaborative law dispute resolution process; and monitor, propose, and/or support legislation or rules of court that further the development of the collaborative law dispute resolution process.

Community and Public Relations

To formulate and implement plans for improving the image of lawyers in Pennsylvania through client and public relations. The plan shall include specific methods to improve client relations, to publicize the positive contributions of lawyers to society, to educate the public about lawyers, the law and legal institutions in an effort to improve and develop good public relations for lawyers and to address unwarranted criticism of lawyers or of the legal system.

Corrections System

To study the corrections system in Pennsylvania and make recommendations for its improvement.

Federal Practice

The Federal Practice Committee shall promote communication and cooperation between lawyers who practice in federal courts and members of the federal judiciary, and shall provide an opportunity to identify and address the differences between the local district court rules and orders of court that affect practice of law in the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts. The committee shall enhance knowledge and professional capabilities of lawyers who practice law in the United States District Courts in Pennsylvania, and shall promote the welfare of attorneys and judges employed by the government of the United States. The committee may review and make recommendations concerning federal legislation and proposed changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and Federal District Court Rules.

Gaming Law

To review, study and make recommendations concerning legislative proposals in the area of gaming law; promote the understanding of laws, regulations, and court decisions in the gaming area; and develop materials and educational programs of interest to the gaming practitioner to promote improvements and professionalism in the field of gaming law.

GLBT Rights

To study matters pertaining to the recognition and protection of the legal rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The committee will monitor and make recommendations on issues and developments in the law impacting LGBT people in the public and the legal profession.

Government Lawyers

To deal with matters of interest and concern to government-employed lawyers and provide services and programs directed to assist members to achieve their career goals. The committee shall conduct its activities with the objectives to educate lawyers on the valuable opportunities and experience available through government service and to educate the public on the important and unique role served by government lawyers.

Health Care Law

To review, study and make recommendations concerning legislative proposals for reform in the health-care system and address ethical considerations as related to the medical and legal professions. The committee shall propose additional recommendations relating to litigation involving medical and hospital practices.

Immigration Law Committee

The Immigration Law Committee shall provide a forum to address issues in the area of immigration law; monitor and make recommendations concerning legislation in this area; and promote the understanding of immigration related laws, regulations and court decisions.

In-House Counsel

To deal with matters of concern to lawyers engaged as in-house corporate counsel and shall plan and implement educational programs in areas of particular interest to in-house corporate counsel.

Insurance Staff Attorney

The Insurance Staff Attorney Committee shall promote the interests of staff counsel, foster quality professional conduct and provide appropriate service to its members in cooperation with PBA.

Judicial Administration

To review, study and make recommendations concerning legislative issues regarding the operation, procedure and reform of the state and federal court systems. The committee also shall develop and recommend measures seeking to improve the administration of the courts and shall address issues of court reform consistent with established PBA policy.

Law-Related Education

To oversee the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s programs that educate young persons about the rule of law, the history and workings of our form of government and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Lawyer's Assistance

To develop programs to assist impaired lawyers, their law partners, clients and families.

Legal Services for Exceptional Children

To develop programs designed to educate members of the legal profession on current legislation and/or regulations affecting exceptional children and their families. The committee shall study, review and make recommendations concerning legislation or regulations affecting exceptional children and their families.

Legal Services to Persons With Disabilities

To institute statewide programs to educate both lawyers and the public on issues regarding the legal rights of the disabled. The committee shall study and make recommendations concerning all legislation or rule-making pertaining to mentally disabled and physically handicapped persons.

Legal Services to the Public

To provide assistance in the creation of programs designed to provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent persons within the commonwealth. The committee shall monitor and make recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service.

Membership Development Committee

To evaluate, develop and implement new programs and services designed to enhance the overall value of a PBA membership and to generate revenue for the association.

Military and Veterans’ Affairs

To study and make recommendations, provide educational programming, and coordinate statewide efforts on legal matters affecting active, reserve, and National Guard military service members, retirees, veterans and their families.

Minority Bar

To develop programs to promote the issues and concerns of minority attorneys and shall study, review and make recommendations concerning all legislation impacting on minority citizens in the commonwealth. The committee shall seek to encourage more participation in the PBA by members of the minority legal community.

Plain English

To reward and encourage efforts to improve access to the law by demystifying its language and shall enable lawyers to better counsel clients and increase respect for the legal profession by removing the barriers of legalese.

Professional Liability

To monitor and make recommendations concerning lawyers¹ liability case law and related statutes and administrative developments, including lawyers¹ liability insurance coverage and the market for that insurance, the formation and operation of any PBA-related lawyer liability insurer, and PBA-sponsored or endorsed lawyers¹ liability insurance programs. The committee shall explore and conduct legal malpractice avoidance and loss prevention programs.

Quality of Life/Balance

To identify issues in the changing legal marketplace that adversely affect the lawyers ability to balance his/her professional and personal life. The Task Force shall identify solutions to improve the quality of life of lawyers and develop ways to disseminate those solutions and recommendations.

Senior Lawyers

To serve as the voice of the senior lawyer within the association and shall enact services, programs, and activities for its members to enhance their continued careers and quality of life. The committee shall serve the interests and needs of the profession and the public by sharing the accumulated knowledge and experience of its members. PBA members age 60 and older qualify for membership.

Statutory Law

To assist any entity of state government and of the Pennsylvania Bar Association regarding bill draftsmanship and codification. The committee shall review legislation or other proposals to improve Pennsylvania’s legislative process and the public’s participation therein.

Unauthorized Practice of Law

To investigate all complaints against any person not authorized to practice law who is alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law, to take informal action as necessary against the unauthorized practice of law, to punish or prevent the unauthorized practice of law and to coordinate its activities with those of similar county bar association committees.

Women in the Profession

To assess the current status of women in the legal profession and to identify barriers that prevent them from full participation in the work, responsibilities and rewards of the profession; make recommendations to the PBA Board of Governors and House of Delegates for action to solve problems the committee identifies and develop educational programs to address discrimination against women lawyers and the unique problems they encounter in pursuing their professional careers.

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