HARRISBURG (Aug. 30, 2002) - The following judges and lawyers were named chairs of Pennsylvania Bar Association committees:

Judge Mason Avrigian, a partner in the Blue Bell law firm of Wisler Pearlstine Talone Craig Garrity & Potash LLP, was named 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 Specialization Committee, which reviews the specialization process of lawyers in Pennsylvania, guides the PBA�s involvement in the process and creates a proposal to implement a plan regarding specialization within the PBA.

Karen M. Balaban, principal in the law firm of Balaban LLC, was named 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 Bar/Press Committee seeks to create a more informed citizenry about the First and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States. She also was renamed chair of the PBA Editorial Committee, which oversees the publications of the association.

Michael A. Bloom, a partner in the 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.

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

Joy Flowers Conti, newly confirmed judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Task Force on the Delivery of Legal Services, which looks at funding and program delivery issues related to legal services in Pennsylvania.

Thomas L. Cooper, a partner in the law firm of Gilardi Cooper & Lomupo, was renamed tri-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.

Kathleen L. Daerr-Bannon, a Philadelphia lawyer, 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.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe was named co-chair of the PBA Judicial Administration Committee. This committee 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.

Lisa Detwiler, a lawyer with Lockwood Financial, was renamed 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.

Francis P. Devine, a lawyer with the law firm of White Williams LLP, was renamed tri-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, a lawyer with Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP, was named chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation that affect the health-care 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.�

Jeffrey A. Ernico, a lawyer with the law firm of Mette Evans & Woodside, was renamed chair of the PBA Task Force on the Delivery of Legal Services, which looks at funding and program delivery issues related to legal services in Pennsylvania. He also was named chair of the PBA Equal Justice for the Poor Committee. This committee provides assistance in the creation of programs designed to 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.

Victoria S. Freimuth, a lawyer in the Office of Attorney General Litigation Section, 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, a lawyer with the law firm of Hartman Underhill & Brubaker LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee. The PBA Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee responds to inquiries from PBA members on the impact of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

John I. Gordon, principal of the Law Offices of John I. Gordon, 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.

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

Clifford E. Haines, a lawyer with the law firm of Litvin Blumberg Matusow & Young, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Task Force on the Delivery of Legal Services, which looks at funding and program delivery issues related to legal services in Pennsylvania.

J. Robert Hanlon Jr., a lawyer in the law firm of Meyer Unkovic & Scott LLP, was renamed 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.

William F. Hoffmeyer, a partner in the law firm of Hoffmeyer & Semmelman, was renamed tri-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.

Scott M. Hollander, a lawyer with Kids Voice in Pittsburgh, was named 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.

Emmanuel O. Iheukwumere, a lawyer with the law firm of Eaton & McClellan, was named 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 Canonsburg law firm of Jacobs & Saba, was named 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.

Robert I. Johnston, a lawyer with the Greensburg law firm of Belden Law, was renamed 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.

Lucille J. Johnston-Walsh, with the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law Family Law Clinic, was renamed 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.

Ralph E. Kates III, principal of the Ralph E. Kates Law Offices, 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.

Christine H. Kellet, also with the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, was named chair of the PBA Agricultural Law Committee, which studies questions and problems affecting rural and agricultural interests in Pennsylvania. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning proposals for legislation or regulations relating to such interests.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas 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.

Penina K. Lieber, a lawyer with the law firm of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, and Susan M. Mussman, a lawyer with the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP, were renamed co-chairs of the PBA Charitable Organizations Committee, which focuses on matters of concern to lawyers who are employed by or represent charitable organizations.Jennifer C. Lowman, a lawyer with the Education Law Center, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee, which designs programs to educate lawyers on current legislation and/or regulations that affect exceptional children and their families.

Joseph A. Macerelli, a lawyer with the 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.

James F. Marsh, principal of the James F. Marsh Law Offices, was renamed tri-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.

Jennifer McHugh, a lawyer with the law firm of Cozen O�Connor, was renamed 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.

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. It is composed of active PBA members, county bar association executive directors, civics and government educators and school administrators.

David L. Narkiewicz, principal of Narkiewicz Law Offices in Montgomeryville, was named 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.

Allentown lawyer Craig B. Neely was named 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 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 named chair of the PBA Membership 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 and generate revenue for the association.

Robert Racunas, executive director of Neighborhood Legal Services, 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 renamed 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.

Mark C. Schultz, a lawyer in 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 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.

James M. Sheehan, general counsel for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was renamed chair 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.

Arnold B. Silverman and David E. Tungate, both lawyers with the law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, were renamed chairs 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.

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, a lawyer with the law firm of MacElree Harvey Gallagher Featherman & Sebastian Ltd, 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. It is composed of active PBA members, county bar association executive directors, civics and government educators and school administrators.

Leonard Tinter, a partner in the 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.

Samuel J. Trueblood, a partner in the Norristown law firm of Trueblood & Amacher, was renamed chair of the PBA Lawyers Assistance Committee. This committee develops programs to assist impaired lawyers, their law partners, clients and families.

Charles J. Vogt, a sole practitioner in East Stroudsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Membership 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 and generate revenue for the association.

Chambersburg lawyer Martha Baum Walker was renamed tri-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, was renamed co-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, 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., a lawyer with the 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 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.

Sarah C. Yerger, a lawyer with the Office of Attorney General Civil Litigation Section, 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.