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Pennsylvania Bar Association Names Lawyers for 2014-15 Class of Institute Developing Next Generation of Leaders

HARRISBURG (June 30, 2014) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President Francis X. O'Connor has named 11 Pennsylvania lawyers to the 2014-15 class of the association's Bar Leadership Institute (BLI).

The BLI helps prepare young lawyers for future leadership opportunities within the state's largest bar association.

"Lawyers selected for the institute get an inside look at the day-to-day operations of the association, its governance, its resources for members and the roles of staff," said O'Connor. "Each participant is required to attend a variety of PBA meetings and events and is paired with a member of the PBA Board of Governors who serves as mentor to the participant during the year-long program."

The following lawyers have been named as participants in the 2014-15 BLI class:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Samuel I. Yamron, Law Office of Samuel I. Yamron, Pittsburgh

BEAVER COUNTY
Sherri R. Hurst, Bowers and Fawcett LLC, Ambridge

CENTRE COUNTY
Kathryn L. Urbanowicz, Centre County Public Defender Office, Bellefonte

DAUPHIN COUNTY
Elizabeth R. Triscari, Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate, Harrisburg

DELAWARE COUNTY
Kristina M. DeSenze, Berman & Asbel LLP, Media

ERIE COUNTY
Jason R. Owen, Yochim, Skiba & Nash, Erie

FRANKLIN COUNTY
Kristen B. Hamilton, Stiltner, Taccino and Hamilton Law Offices, Chambersburg

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Jeremy F. Clark, Attorney at Law, Easton

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Antonio D. Michetti, Diehl, Dluge, Jones & Michetti, Sunbury

PHILADELPHIA
Nefertiri R. Sickout, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Philadelphia

PIKE COUNTY
M. Elizabeth Burton, The Law Office of Elizabeth Burton, Greentown

This year's BLI co-chairs are Kathy M. Manderino, Intercommunity Action Inc., Philadelphia, and Charles Eppolito III, White and Williams LLP, Philadelphia. Both Manderino and Eppolito have served in a number of PBA leadership roles, including terms as chair of the PBA House of Delegates.

The BLI class size was limited to 11 lawyers. To apply, candidates had to demonstrate leadership ability, commit to attendance and participation in the required events, be currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, be a PBA member, and be age 38 years or younger or have practiced five years or less.

The BLI was originally developed by Arthur L. Piccone of Kingston in 1995-96 during his year as PBA president to strengthen the PBA's ongoing efforts to recruit and develop leaders of the association. The first chair of the institute, Gretchen A. Mundorff of Connellsville, re-launched the BLI when she became the 2010-11 president of the PBA.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 27,000 lawyers who are members of the association.