HARRISBURG (June 25, 2003) � The following Pennsylvania judges and lawyers were named chairs of Pennsylvania Bar Association committees and sections:

Judge Mason Avrigian, a partner in the Blue Bell law firm of Wisler Pearlstine Talone Craig Garrity & Potash LLP, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Judicial Administration Committee, which studies and makes recommendations on legislative issues pertaining to the operation, procedure and reform of the state and federal court systems. The committee also develops and recommends measures that work to improve the administration of the courts and address court reform.

John Bagnato, a lawyer with the Johnstown law firm of Spence Custer Saylor Wolfe & Rose, was renamed chair of the PBA Professional Practice Standards Committee. This committee reviews the specialization process of lawyers in Pennsylvania, guides the association�s involvement in the process and creates a proposal to implement a plan regarding specialization within the PBA.

Karen M. Balaban, a sole practitioner in Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Bar/Press Committee, which works to promote and increase cooperation and dialogue among the press, the bench and the bar. Through its efforts, the Committee seeks to create a more informed citizenry about the First and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States. Balaban also was renamed chair of the PBA Editorial Committee, which oversees the publications of the association.

Halmon L. Banks III, a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Martin Banks Pond Lehocky & Wilson, was named chair of the PBA Workers� Compensation Law Section. Supporting the exchange of information related to legal developments in workers� compensation law, this section acts as a liaison with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers� Compensation to ensure that the interests of claimants, employers and the legal community are protected fairly in the regulatory, legislative and administrative processes.

Alexis Barbieri, with the Office of Attorney General Public Protection Division, and David J. DeVries, with the Office of General Counsel, were named co-chairs of the PBA Government Lawyers Committee, which deals with matters of interest and concern to government-employed lawyers and provides them with specialized services and programs.

Patti S. Bednarik, a lawyer with the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was named chair of the new PBA Animal Law Committee, which promotes the study and understanding of laws, regulations and court decisions dealing with legal issues involving animals.

Michael A. Bloom, a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission, which works to provide Pennsylvania voters with solid recommendations on appellate candidates through a thorough review process.

Jeffrey S. Blum, a lawyer with Deloitte Touche LLP in Pittsburgh, was named chair of the PBA Tax Law Section. Specializing in state and local tax issues, this section works with state officials on proposed legislation affecting tax laws, plans educational programs and deals with practice development issues.

Harry M. Byrne Jr., principal of the Law Offices of Harry M. Byrne Jr. in Bala Cynwyd, was named chair of the PBA Family Law Section, which develops and works with laws relating to marriage, divorce, nonsupport and domestic relations, adoption and juvenile delinquency.

Michael J. Connolly, with the New Britain law firm of Sweet Stevens Tucker & Katz LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee, which develops programs designed to educate lawyers about current legislation and/or regulations that affect exceptional children and their families.

Thomas L. Cooper, a partner in the Pittsburgh law firm of Cooper & Ziegler, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Judicial Independence Committee. The committee is designed to protect the integrity of the court system and to promote the fair administration of justice. It also works to respond to unjust attacks against the judiciary.

Charles W. Craven, with the Philadelphia law firm of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, was named chair of the new PBA Appellate Advocacy Committee. This committee works to promote, support, and improve post-trial and appellate advocacy through regular member dialogues, seminars and interactions with the courts and similar national and state organizations.

Matthew J. Cr�me, with the Lancaster law firm of Nikolaus & Hohenadel, was named chair of the PBA Sports, Entertainment & Art Law Committee. This committee provides education to lawyers on issues affecting people and entities involved in the sports, entertainment and art communities.

Pamela F. Cross, with the Office of the Budget, was named chair of the PBA Quality of Life/Balance Task Force, which is charged with developing programs to help lawyers find balance between their personal and professional lives.

Philadelphia lawyer Kathleen L. Daerr-Bannon was renamed co-chair of the PBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, which works on current issues relating to mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes. The committee also conducts professional education programs and monitors legislation regarding alternative dispute resolution.

James DeAngelo, with the Harrisburg law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, was named co-chair of the PBA Equal Justice for the Poor Committee. This committee assists in the creation of programs that provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent people within the commonwealth. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service.

Richard E. Deetz, a sole practitioner in Stroudsburg, was named chair of the PBA Municipal Law Section. Focusing on issues related to representing police departments, municipal authorities and individuals who deal with these entities, this section assists lawyers with staying abreast of any changes to municipal laws in Pennsylvania. It also works with solicitors from any political subdivision other than a school system.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe was renamed co-chair of the PBA Judicial Administration Committee, which studies and makes recommendations on legislative issues pertaining to the operation, procedure and reform of the state and federal court systems. It also develops and recommends measures that work to improve the administration of the courts and address court reform. She also is the new chair of the PBA Criminal Law Section, which is concerned with protecting the rights of all individuals who are involved in criminal court proceedings. This section provides an opportunity for both defense and prosecution-oriented lawyers to be involved in issues such as prison overcrowding and the length of criminal proceedings in the court.

Lisa C. Detwiler, a lawyer with Lockwood Financial Services Inc. in Malvern, was named chair of the PBA Business Law Section, which works to develop and study laws dealing with banking, business and nonprofit corporations, partnerships and associations. The section also focuses on business regulation law and on legal transactions of the mercantile and commercial fields, including bankruptcy, insolvency and receiverships.

Francis P. Devine, with the Philadelphia law firm of White Williams LLP, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Judicial Independence Committee, which is designed to protect the integrity of the court system and to promote the fair administration of justice. The committee works to respond to unjust attacks against the judiciary.

Lee W. Doty, with the Philadelphia law firm of Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation that affect the healthcare system.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin was renamed co-chair of the PBA Plain English Committee, which works to improve the general public�s access to the law by removing the barriers of �legalese.�

Karl E. Emerson, with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations, and Robert D. Stets, with the Milton Hershey School, were named co-chairs of the PBA Charitable Organizations Committee, which focuses on matters of concern to lawyers who are employed by or represent charitable organizations.

Paul Eyerly IV, associate publisher for the Press-Enterprise newspaper in Bloomsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Bar/Press Committee. This committee works to promote and increase cooperation and dialogue among the press, the bench and the bar. Through its efforts, the Bar/Press Committee seeks to create a more informed citizenry about the First and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States.

Mark F. Flaherty, a partner in the Pittsburgh law firm of Flaherty & O�Hara PC, was named chair of the PBA Lawyers Assistance Committee, which develops programs to assist impaired lawyers, their law partners, clients and families.

Ronald W. Frank, a shareholder in the Pittsburgh law firm of Reed Smith LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA International and Comparative Law Section, which focuses its efforts on monitoring treaties, immigration matters and events related to the World Court. Members of this section typically work in multi-national corporations or are exposed to legal systems in foreign countries.

Victoria S. Freimuth, with the Governor�s Policy Office, was renamed chair of the PBA Committee on the Corrections System, which studies the corrections system in Pennsylvania and makes recommendations for its improvement.

Kevin M. French, with the Lancaster law firm of Hartman Underhill & Brubaker LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee, which responds to inquiries from PBA members on the impact of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

John D. Goetz, with the Pittsburgh law firm of Jones Day, was named chair of the PBA Aeronautical and Space Law Section, which places a strong emphasis on aviation law.

Richard M. Goldberg, with the Kingston law firm of Hourigan Kluger & Quinn PC, was named co-chair of the PBA Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, which promotes fair and dignified appellate judicial campaign advertising by monitoring and reviewing complaints. Goldberg also was named chair of the PBA Labor and Employment Law Section. Concerned with all aspects of labor relations, including the relationship between labor unions and employees, this section monitors legislative developments and judicial decisions relating to labor law.

John I. Gordon, principal of the Law Offices of John I. Gordon in Philadelphia, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Insurance Staff Attorney Committee, which promotes the interests of insurance staff counsel, fosters quality professional conduct and provides services to its members.

Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Robert A. Graci was named co-chair of the new PBA Appellate Advocacy Committee. This committee works to promote, support, and improve post-trial and appellate advocacy through regular member dialogues, seminars and interactions with the courts and similar national and state organizations.

Kimberly S. Gray, an attorney with Highmark Inc. in Cumberland County, was named co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation that affect the health-care system.

Drums physician Victor F. Greco was renamed co-chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society/Bar Association Committee, which works to strengthen the working relationship between the two organizations and to address issues/legislation of importance to both organizations.

Amy Greer, with the Pittsburgh law firm of Klett Rooney Lieber & Schorling PC, was named co-chair of the PBA Amicus Curiae Brief Committee, which identifies legal issues that have relevance to the bar and are appropriate subjects for amicus curiae briefs

Joyce A. Hatfield-Wise, a lawyer with Washington County Children & Youth, was named co-chair of the PBA Children�s Rights Committee. This committee studies problems affecting children and makes recommendations on legislation relating to their interests. It also develops education programs for lawyers dealing with effective advocacy on behalf of children in trial and appellate courts.

Marielle F. Hazen, a sole practitioner in Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA Elder Law Section. This section assists lawyers, the elderly population and those associated with the elderly community by developing educational programs focusing on advancements in elder law.

William F. Hoffmeyer, a partner in the law firm of Hoffmeyer & Semmelman, was renamed tri-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. This committee investigates all complaints against any individuals not authorized to practice law who are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.

Daniel B. Huyett, with the Reading law firm of Stevens & Lee PC, was named co-chair of the PBA Multijurisdictional Practice of Law Task Force. This task force studies the rules, restrictions and general issues presented to Pennsylvania lawyers who practice in multiple state and federal jurisdictions. It also studies how Pennsylvania rules affect out-of-state lawyers practicing in the state.

Emmanuel O. Iheukwumere, with the Philadelphia law firm of Eaton & McClellan, was renamed chair of the PBA Minority Bar Committee. This committee develops programs to promote the issues and concerns of minority lawyers. It also studies, reviews and makes recommendations on all legislation impacting minority citizens in the commonwealth.

Richard Jacobs, a partner in the Pittsburgh law firm of Jacobs & Saba, was named co-chair of the PBA Insurance Staff Attorney Committee, which promotes the interests of insurance staff counsel, fosters quality professional conduct and provides services to its members.

Lucille J. Johnston-Walsh, with the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law Family Law Clinic, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Children�s Rights Committee. This committee studies problems affecting children and makes recommendations on legislation relating to their interests. It also develops education programs for lawyers dealing with effective advocacy on behalf of children in trial and appellate courts.

Jill H. Kaplan, with the Bala Cynwyd law firm of Manko Gold Katcher & Fox LLP, was named chair of the PBA Environmental, Mineral and Natural Resources Law Section. This section focuses its efforts on issues concerning land preservation, commercial and individual sewage disposal, and mining and drilling regulations. It also monitors regulations issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Ralph E. Kates III, principal of the Ralph E. Kates Law Offices in Wilkes-Barre, was renamed chair of the PBA Civil and Equal Rights Committee, which works to promote and defend civil rights and responsibilities, fair treatment and equal opportunity for all individuals. It also focuses its efforts on the avoidance and elimination of wrongful discrimination and unfair bias.

Centre County Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas King Kistler, a member of the PBA Board of Governors, is the new chair of the association�s Civil Litigation Section, which is charged with focusing on issues that directly affect civil litigation cases in Pennsylvania courts.

Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Richard B. Klein was renamed co-chair of the PBA Plain English Committee, which works to improve the general public�s access to the law by removing the barriers of �legalese.�

John P. Knox, a partner in the Fort Washington law firm of Timoney Knox Hasson & Weand LLP, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee. This committee serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association. The committee also enacts services, programs and activities for its members to enhance their continued careers and quality of life.

Michael I. Levin, a sole practitioner in Huntingdon Valley, has been renamed chair of the PBA Education Law Section, which serves as a resource for lawyers involved in protecting the interests of students, teachers and administrators. It concentrates on curriculum requirements and employment rights and on helping to improve the relationship between school boards and their employees.

Joseph A. Macerelli, with the Pittsburgh law firm of Grogan Graffman PC, was renamed chair of the Pennsylvania Medical Society/Bar Association Committee, which works to strengthen the working relationship between the two organizations and to address issues/legislation of importance to both organizations.

Vincent B. Mancini, owner of the Law Offices of Vincent B. Mancini in Media, is the new chair of the PBA Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section. This section concentrates on landlord-tenant relations, environmental issues, eminent domain and probate matters. Section members also are active in improving the relationship between Realtors and lawyers.

James F. Marsh, principal of the James F. Marsh Law Offices in Stroudsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, which investigates all complaints against any individuals not authorized to practice law who are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.

Norristown lawyer Donald J. Martin was renamed chair of the PBA Solo and Small Firm Section. Focusing on the needs of solo and small firm lawyers, this section provides lawyers with information on everything from law office management techniques to the latest in important legal news.

Brenda K. McBride, a partner in the Grove City law firm of McBride & McBride PC, was named co-chair of the PBA Women in the Profession Committee. This committee looks at the status of women in the legal profession and recommends solutions to problems that prevent women from full participation in the work, responsibilities and rewards of the legal profession.

Jennifer McHugh, with the Philadelphia law firm of Cozen O�Connor, was named co-chair of the PBA Women in the Profession Committee, which looks at the status of women in the legal profession and recommends solutions to problems that prevent women from full participation in the work, responsibilities and rewards of the legal profession.

Michael M. Meloy, with the Bala Cynwyd law firm of Manko Gold Katcher & Fox LLP, was named chair of the PBA Agricultural Law Committee, which studies questions and problems affecting rural and agricultural interests in Pennsylvania and monitors and makes recommendations concerning proposals for legislation or regulations relating to such interests.

Janet L. Miller, with the Harrisburg law firm of Malatesta Hawke & McKeon LLP, was named chair of the PBA Public Utility Law Section, which is charged with developing and studying questions related to public utility law in the commonwealth and the United States.

Monroe County Court of Common Pleas Judge Linda Wallach Miller was renamed co-chair of the PBA Law-Related Education Committee, which oversees many of the PBA�s law-related youth education programs, including I Signed the Constitution, Project PEACE and Law Day.

James Mundy, a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Raynes McCarty Binder Ross & Mundy, was renamed chair of the PBA Political Action Committee.

Mark J. Murphy, a lawyer with the Disabilities Law Project in Pittsburgh, was named chair of the PBA Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities Committee, which works to institute statewide programs to educate the public and legal community about the legal rights of the disabled. The committee also monitors all legislation pertaining to mentally disabled and physically handicapped people.

David L. Narkiewicz, with the Office of General Counsel for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was renamed chair of the PBA Visions and Trends Committee, which identifies emerging issues for the profession and the association.

William H. Nast Jr., a Harrisburg lawyer, was renamed chair of the PBA Bylaws Committee. This committee proposes changes to the PBA�s governing bylaws and reviews comments on changes to the bylaws as suggested by other entities within the PBA.

Emmaus lawyer Craig B. Neely was renamed chair of the PBA Client and Community Relations Committee, which formulates and implements plans for improving the image of lawyers in Pennsylvania through client and public relations.

Joseph P. O�Brien, partner in the Media law firm of Kassab Archbold & O�Brien LLP, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. This committee investigates all complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.

Francis X. O�Connor, a sole practitioner in Great Bend, was renamed chair of the PBA Membership Development Committee, which develops and implements programs to increase the association�s membership base and to retain current members. It also evaluates and designs new programs and services to enhance the overall value of PBA membership.

Robert Racunas, executive director of Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, was named co-chair of the PBA Equal Justice for the Poor Committee. This committee assists in the creation of programs that provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent people within the commonwealth. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service.

Clifford A. Rieders, a partner in Rieders & Travis law firm in Williamsport, was named co-chair of the PBA Amicus Curiae Brief Committee, which identifies legal issues that have relevance to the bar and are appropriate subjects for amicus curiae briefs.

Carmen S. Santa Maria, with the Harrisburg law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, was named chair of the PBA Intellectual Property Section. Concerned with furthering the development of the law and procedures related to intellectual property, this section works to obtain uniformity with respect to both legislative and administrative matters concerning intellectual property law.

James R. Schadel, a partner in the Pittsburgh law firm of Weinheimer Schadel & Haber PC, was named chair of the PBA Professional Liability Committee, which focuses on issues concerning lawyers� liability case law. It also reviews administrative developments in lawyers� liability insurance coverage and the market for that insurance.

Mark C. Schultz, with the West Conshohocken law firm of Cozen O�Connor, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Multijurisdictional Practice of Law Task Force, which is studying the rules, restrictions and general issues presented to Pennsylvania lawyers who practice in multiple state and federal jurisdictions. It also is studying how Pennsylvania rules affect out-of-state lawyers practicing in the state.

David E. Schwager, a partner in the Wilkes-Barre law firm of Chariton & Schwager, was renamed chair of the PBA Statutory Law Committee. This committee is available to assist any state government and PBA entity drafting legislation. It also reviews legislation and other proposals that seek to improve Pennsylvania�s legislative process.

W. Edward Sell, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, which promotes fair and dignified appellate judicial campaign advertising by monitoring and reviewing complaints.

Joseph G. Skelly, a Harrisburg lawyer, was named chair of the PBA Professionalism Committee. This committee studies, recommends and implements programs and initiatives designed to promote professionalism among members of the legal community.

Louis N. Teti, with the law firm of MacElree Harvey Gallagher Featherman & Sebastian Ltd. in Exton, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Law-Related Education Committee, which oversees many of the PBA�s law-related youth education programs, including I Signed the Constitution, Project PEACE and Law Day.

Leonard Tinter, a partner in the Harrisburg law firm of Boswell Tinter Piccola & Wickersham, was renamed chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee, which serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association. The committee also enacts services, programs and activities for its members to enhance their continued careers and quality of life.

Charles J. Vogt, a sole practitioner in East Stroudsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Membership Development Committee. This committee develops and implements programs to increase the association�s membership base and to retain current members. It also evaluates and designs new programs and services to enhance the overall value of PBA membership.

Martha Baum Walker, a partner in the Chambersburg law firm of Walker & MacBride PC, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Judicial Independence Committee, which is designed to protect the integrity of the court system and to promote the fair administration of justice. The committee works to respond to unjust attacks against the judiciary.

Stephen M. Walker, an attorney with Highmark Inc. in Cumberland County, was renamed chair of the PBA In-House Counsel Committee, which works on matters of concern to lawyers employed as in-house corporate counsel. Specifically, this committee plans and hosts educational programs in areas of particular interest to in-house corporate counsel.

Mark A. Welge, principal of Welge Dispute Solutions LLC in Newtown Square, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, which works on current issues relating to mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes. The committee also conducts professional education programs and monitors legislation regarding alternative dispute resolution.

Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr., with the Philadelphia law firm of Cozen O�Connor, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee. This committee responds to inquiries from PBA members on the impact of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Joseph F. Wusinich III, a partner in the Downingtown law firm of Wusinich Brogan & Stanzione, was named chair of the PBA Medical & Health Related Issues Committee. This committee studies matters of concern to the medical and legal professions and reviews legislation addressing ethical considerations as related to these two disciplines.

Mary S. Wyatte, with the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, was named chair of the PBA Administrative Law Section. This section works to observe and make recommendations, primarily at the state level, on the effectiveness of government-issued regulations.