05252017Chairs

HARRISBURG (May 25, 2017) — More than 80 appointees from across the state have taken leadership roles as 2017-18 chairs of committees and sections of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA). Many of the association’s policies and positions prompting development of state laws and actions viewed as beneficial to the legal system, the courts and the public result from actions initiated by the leaders and members of these groups. Here is the list of 2017-18 committee and section chairs:

Allegheny County

Judge Eleanor L. Bush, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, was renamed chair of the PBA Children’s Rights Committee, which studies questions and problems that affect children and monitors and makes recommendations concerning legislation relating to their interests. The committee informs lawyers on matters concerning children and develops programs for the legal profession to promote more effective advocacy on behalf of children in trial and appellate courts.  

Judge D. Michael Fisher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Pittsburgh, was renamed chair of the PBA Federal Practice Committee. The committee promotes communication between lawyers practicing in federal courts and members of the federal judiciary and enhances professional capabilities of lawyers practicing in the U.S. District Courts in Pennsylvania. The committee also makes recommendations about federal legislation and proposed changes to bankruptcy, civil and criminal procedures and federal district court rules.

Ronald W. Frank, Blank Rome LLP, Pittsburgh, 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.

Barbara E. Griffin, Allegheny County Bar Foundation, Pittsburgh, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which provides educational programming and coordinates statewide efforts on legal matters affecting active, reserve and National Guard military service members, retirees and veterans and their families.

Jacqueline B. Martinez, JBM Legal LLC, Pittsburgh, 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.

Jay N. Silberblatt, Silberblatt Mermelstein PC, Pittsburgh, was renamed chair of the PBA Professional Liability Committee, which focuses on issues concerning lawyers’ liability case law.

Brett Solomon, Tucker Arensberg PC, Pittsburgh, was named chair of the PBA Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, which concentrates on landlord-tenant relations, eminent domain, probate matters, estates and guardianships.

Devin Arlie Winklosky, Jones Day, Pittsburgh, was renamed chair of the PBA Aeronautical and Space Law Section, which focuses on aviation law issues.

Berks County

Daniel B. Huyett, Stevens & Lee PC, Reading, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Independence Committee, which protects the integrity of the court system and promotes the fair administration of justice. It also works to respond to unjust attacks against the judiciary.

Jill M. Scheidt, Masano Bradley LLP, Wyomissing, was named chair of the PBA Diversity Team, which establishes resources and forums to increase communications among PBA groups with diversity initiatives by working collaboratively with PBA leadership, staff and other PBA-related entities, including the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, the Pennsylvania Bar Insurance Fund and Trust Fund, PABAR-PAC and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. 

Terry D. Weiler, Huckabee, Weiler & Levengood PC, Wyomissing, was named chair of the PBA Planning Committee, which assists the presidential leadership by identifying priorities and initiatives to ensure the continuation of programs and policies that are beneficial to the association and its membership. 

Blair County

Jon Patrick Higgins, Beard Legal Group, Altoona, was named chair of the PBA Law-Related Education Committee, which is responsible for programs that educate young people about the rule of law, the history and workings of government and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Michael P. Routch, McQuaide Blasko, Hollidaysburg, was named chair of the PBA Workers’ Compensation Law Section, which supports the exchange of information related to legal developments in workers’ compensation law. The section also 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.

Bucks County

Michelle Christian, Law Office of Michelle Christian, Newtown, was named co-chair of the PBA Community and Public Relations Committee, which formulates and implements plans for improving the image of lawyers through public relations initiatives.

Cambria County

Christopher G. Gvozdich, Gvozdich Law Offices, Ebensburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Quality of Life/Balance Committee, which is charged with developing programs to help lawyers find balance between their personal and professional lives.

Centre County

Steven S. Hurvitz, McQuaide Blasko, State College, will become chair of the PBA Family Law Section, effective July 16. The section develops and works with laws relating to marriage, divorce, nonsupport and domestic relations, adoption and juvenile delinquency.

Chester County

John C. Cameron, Penn State Great Valley School of Professional Studies, Malvern, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation affecting the health care system.

Theodore J. Murphy, Murphy Law Firm PC, West Chester, was named co-chair of the PBA Immigration Law Committee, which addresses issues in the area of immigration law, monitors and makes recommendations concerning legislation in this area, and promotes understanding of immigration related laws, regulations and court decisions.

James C. Sargent Jr., Lamb McErlane PC, West Chester, was renamed chair of the PBA Amicus Curiae Brief Committee, which identifies legal issues that have relevance to the bar and that are appropriate subjects for amicus curiae briefs.

Columbia County

Susan Schwartz, Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Bar/Press Committee. The 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.

Cumberland County

Lisa M. Grayson, Cumberland County Register of Wills, Carlisle, was named co-chair of the PBA Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which provides educational programming and coordinates statewide efforts on legal matters affecting active, reserve and National Guard military service members, retirees and veterans and their families.

Magisterial District Judge Kathryn H. Silcox, Mechanicsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. The committee investigates complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.

Dauphin County

Rodney R. Akers, Governor’s Office of General Counsel, Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA In-House Counsel Committee, which works on matters of concern to lawyers employed as in-house corporate counsel.

Madelaine N. Baturin, Baturin & Baturin, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the Disabilities Services Committee, which works to to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to legal representation.

Norris Elton Benns Jr., Pennsylvania Health and Wellness, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Minority Bar Committee, which 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.

Lisa M. Benzie, Navitsky Olson & Wisneski LLP, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PABAR-PAC. The committee raises funds and contributes to the campaigns of incumbent legislators and legislative candidates supporting legislation and related issues of interest to lawyers and the PBA.

James P. DeAngelo, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Large Law Firm Committee, which studies and makes recommendations regarding membership development and retention of attorneys in large firms in Pennsylvania. The committee also develops programs and services to enhance the value of PBA membership.

Vincent C. DeLiberato Jr., Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Statutory Law Committee, which assists any state government and PBA entity in the drafting of legislation.

Fawn Elizabeth Kehler, Curcillo & Maclay, Harrisburg was named chair of the PBA Criminal Justice Section. The section is concerned with protecting the rights of all individuals involved in criminal court proceedings.

Judith M. Gilroy, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA Administrative Law Section. The section observes and makes recommendations on the effectiveness of government-issued regulations.

Anna P. Hemingway, Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, was renamed 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.”

Jonathan D. Koltash, Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, 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. He is also chair of the PBA Young Lawyers Division.

Lora Ann Kulick, Office of Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Tax Law Section, which specializes in state and local tax issues. The section works with state officials on proposed legislation affecting tax laws, plans educational programs and deals with practice development issues.

Juliet M. Moringiello, Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Harrisburg, 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.

David L. Narkiewicz, Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of General Services, Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA Editorial Committee, which oversees the publications of the association.

Jessie L. Smith, Office of Attorney General, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Commission on 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.

Kenneth Riley Stark II, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, Harrisburg, 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.

Jonathan B. Stepanian, McQuaide Blasko, Hershey, was named chair of the PBA Civil Litigation Section, which focuses on issues that directly affect civil litigation cases in Pennsylvania courts.

Leonard Tintner, Boswell Tintner & Piccola, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee, which serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association and enacts services, programs and activities for its members to enhance their careers and quality of life.

Maribeth Wilt-Seibert, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Appellate Advocacy Committee, which promotes, supports and improves post-trial and appellate advocacy through regular member dialogues, seminars, a newsletter and interactions with the courts and similar national and state organizations.    

Delaware County

Mark DeLuca, Thornton, was named chair of the PBA Intellectual Property Section, which is concerned with furthering the development of the law and procedures related to intellectual property.  

Matthew H. Fry, DiOrio & Sereni LLP, Media, was named chair of the PBA Corrections System Committee, which studies the current corrections system in Pennsylvania and makes recommendations for its improvement.

Joseph Patrick O’Brien, KAO Law Associates, Media, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. This committee investigates complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.

Erie County

Zanita A. Zacks-Gabriel, The Law Office of Zanita A. Zacks-Gabriel, Erie, was renamed chair of the PBA Collaborative Law Committee, which addresses current issues regarding the collaborative law dispute resolution process, educates lawyers and the public about the process, recommends standards of practice, and monitors, proposes and supports legislation and rules of court that further the development of the process.

Fayette County

Anne N. John, John & John, Uniontown, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Shale Energy Law Committee, which communicates with fellow PBA members about shale energy legislation and regulations and facilitates education about shale energy for lawyers and the public. John was also named chair of the PBA Review and Certifying Board, which reviews applications from organizations seeking to certify a lawyer’s expertise in a specific field of practice and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for accreditation or reaccreditation of certifying organizations.

Franklin County

Forest N. Myers, a past PBA president and principal of Law Offices of Forest N. Myers, Shippensburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee, which serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association and enacts services, programs and activities for its members to enhance their careers and quality of life. 

Lackawanna County

Melinda C. Ghilardi, Office of Federal Public Defender — Middle District of Pennsylvania, Scranton, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Bar Leadership Institute, which strengthens efforts to recruit and develop future leaders of the association.

Lehigh County

Kathleen M. Mills, Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba PC, Center Valley, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Administration Committee. The committee studies and makes recommendations on legislative issues pertaining to the operation, procedure and reform of the state and federal court systems. 

Luzerne County

Lars Anderson, Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn PC, Kingston, was named co-chair of the PBA Community and Public Relations Committee, which formulates and implements plans for improving the image of lawyers through public relations initiatives. In addition, he was named chair of the PBA Labor and Employment Law Section, which is concerned with all aspects of labor relations, including the relationship between labor unions and employees. The section also monitors legislative developments and judicial decisions relating to labor law.

Elaine Cook, Cook Law PC, Drums, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation affecting the health care system.

Jerry B. Chariton, Chariton Schwager & Malak in Wilkes-Barre, was named chair of the PBA Charitable Organizations Committee, which focuses on matters of concern to lawyers who are employed by or who represent charitable organizations.

Richard M. Goldberg, Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn PC, Kingston, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, which promotes accurate, fair and dignified judicial campaign advertising among candidates seeking election to the commonwealth’s appellate courts by monitoring and reviewing complaints.  

Jeffrey J. Malak, Chariton Schwager & Malak, Wilkes-Barre, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Shale Energy Law Committee, which communicates with fellow PBA members about shale energy legislation and regulations and facilitates education about shale energy for lawyers and the public.

Lycoming County

William P. Carlucci, Elion, Wayne, Grieco, Carlucci & Shipman PC, Williamsport, and past PBA president, was renamed co-chair of the PABAR-PAC. The committee raises funds and contributes to the campaigns of incumbent legislators and legislative candidates supporting legislation and related issues of interest to lawyers and the PBA.

Tammy A. Weber, Marshall, Parker & Weber, Williamsport, will become chair of the PBA Elder Law Section, which assists lawyers, the elderly population and those associated with the elderly community through educational programs focusing on advancements in elder law. This appointment is effective July 21.

Montgomery County

Tyler Benjamin Christ of Mayerson Law PC in Pottstown was named 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.

Anderson Lee Hartzell, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Norristown, named chair of the Environmental and Energy Law Section, which focus on issues of the law relating to the environment, ecology and mineral and natural resources, including air, water and land.

Joseph James McGrory, Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin PC, Lansdale, was named chair of the PBA Municipal Law Section, which deals with the development and practical working of the law, both substantive and procedural, relating to municipal subdivisions of states throughout the commonwealth.

Robert F. Morris, Morris Wilson PC, Plymouth Meeting, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission, which works to provide Pennsylvania voters with recommendations on appellate candidates through a thorough review process.

Mary C. Pugh, Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, Norristown, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee. The committee provides assistance in the creation of programs designed to provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent Pennsylvanians. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service.

William G. Roark, Hamburg Rubin Mullin Maxwell & Lupin PC, Lansdale, was named co-chair of the PBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee, which aims to keep the bar apprised of developments within the field of medical cannabis and hemp law by fostering communications and facilitating continuing education programs in the areas of client representation, industry developments, and ethical and other issues of concern to members.

Gerald L. Shoemaker Jr., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Norristown, was renamed chair of the PBA GLBT Rights Committee, which studies matters pertaining to the recognition and protection of the legal rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The committee also monitors and makes recommendations on issues and developments in the law impacting GLBT people in the public and the legal profession.

Paul C. Troy, Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer LLP, Norristown, was renamed chair of the PBA Leadership Recruitment and Development Committee, which identifies future leaders of the PBA, provides information about how to obtain leadership positions and encourages members to seek those positions.

Lily Yazno-Bartle, The Law Offices of Caryl Andrea Oberman, Willow Grove, was renamed chair of the PBA Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee. The committee develops programs designed to educate members of the legal profession about current legislation and regulations affecting exceptional children and their families. It also makes recommendations concerning legislation and regulations.

Philadelphia County

Nadia Adawi, Law Offices of Nadia Adawi, was renamed chair of the PBA Animal Law Committee, which promotes the study and understanding of laws, regulations and court decisions dealing with legal issues involving animals.

Michael Churchill, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, was 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. The section concentrates on curriculum requirements and employment rights and on helping to improve the relationship between school boards and their employees.

Cheryl F. Cutrona, Good Shepherd Mediation Program, was named 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.

Lawrence S. Felzer, SeniorLAW Center, was renamed chair of the PBA Civil and Equal Rights Committee. The committee works to promote and defend civil rights and responsibilities, fair treatment and equal opportunity for all individuals.

Daniel Q. Harrington, Cozen O’Connor, was named chair of the PBA Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee, which responds to inquiries from lawyers on the impact of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Wendy Castor Hess, Landau Hess Simon Choi, Philadelphia, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Immigration Law Committee, which addresses issues in the area of immigration law, monitors and makes recommendations concerning legislation in this area, and promotes understanding of immigration related laws, regulations and court decisions.

Michael B. Lee, Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee. The committee provides assistance in the creation of programs designed to provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent Pennsylvanians. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service. In addition, Lee was named co-chair of the PBA Minority Bar Committee, which develops programs to promote the issues and concerns of minority lawyers.

Ronald L. Marrero, Robert J. Casey Jr. & Associates, Philadelphia, was renamed 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.

Andrew B. Sacks, Sacks Weston Diamond LLC, was named chair of the PBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee, which aims to keep the bar apprised of developments within the field of medical cannabis and hemp law by fostering communications and facilitating continuing education programs in the areas of client representation, industry developments, and ethical and other issues of concern to members.

Andrea B. Tuominen, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, was named co-chair of the PBA Commission on 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.

Philip H. Yoon, Superior Court of Pennsylvania Chief Staff Attorney, was named co-chair of the PBA Bar Leadership Institute, which strengthens efforts to recruit and develop future leaders of the association.

Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr., Cozen O’Connor and a past PBA president, was named chair of the Bylaws Committee. The committee proposes changes to the association’s government bylaws and reviews comments on changes to the bylaws that are suggested by other PBA committees, sections and task forces.

Snyder County

D. Robertson Davidson, RHP Law Group LLC, Selinsgrove, was named chair of the PBA Agricultural Law Committee. The committee’s focus is 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.

Washington County

Michele S. Haggerty, The Haggerty Law Office PC, Washington, was renamed chair of the PBA Lawyers’ Assistance Committee, which develops programs to assist impaired lawyers and their law partners, clients and families.

York County

Sara A. Austin, PBA immediate past president and sole practitioner at Austin Law Firm LLC, York, was named chair of the PBA Solo and Small Firm Section, which enhances the skills of lawyers in solo and small firm practice by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information essential to improvement of the lawyers' quality of legal services.

Niles S. Benn, Benn Law Firm, York, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Bar/Press Committee. The 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.

William F. Hoffmeyer, Hoffmeyer & Semmelman LLP, York, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. The committee investigates complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.

Out of State

Adam Berger, Duane Morris LLP, Cherry Hill, N.J., was named chair of the PBA Gaming Law Committee, which reviews, studies and makes recommendations concerning legislative proposals in the area of gaming law. It promotes the understanding of laws, regulations and court decisions in the gaming area and develops materials and educational programs of interest to gaming practitioners.

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.