HARRISBURG (June 8, 2011) - More than 70 lawyers will serve as 2011-12 chairs of Pennsylvania Bar Association committees and sections. 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. The list of appointees includes the following lawyers:

Allegheny County

Steven F. Baicker-McKee, shareholder, Babst, Calland, Clements & Zomnir P.C., Pittsburgh, was named chair of the PBA Civil Litigation Section, which focuses on issues that directly affect civil litigation cases in Pennsylvania courts.

Lawrence R. Chaban, AlpernSchubert P.C., Pittsburgh, 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.

Jeffrey S. DeVore Jr., Jones Day, Pittsburgh, was named chair of the PBA Aeronautical and Space Law Section, which focuses on aviation law issues.

Cecilia R. Dickson, Jones Day, Pittsburgh, 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.

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, shareholder, Reed Smith L.L.P., 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.

Chris F. Gillotti, partner, Bunde, Gillotti, Mulroy & Shultz P.C., Pittsburgh, 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.

Jacqueline B. Martinez, founder, JBM Legal L.L.C., Pittsburgh, was named 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.

Richard D. Rose, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, Calgon Carbon Corporation, Pittsburgh, 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.

J. Marie Webb, staff attorney, KidsVoice, Pittsburgh, was renamed chair of the PBA Community and Public Relations Committee, which formulates and implements plans for improving the image of lawyers through public relations initiatives.

Berks County

Joan E. London, Kozloff Stoudt P.C., Wyomissing, was renamed 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, with particular reference to those of the commonwealth.

Heidi B. Masano, partner, Masano Bradley L.L.P., Wyomissing, 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.

Bucks County

Grace M. Deon, shareholder, Eastburn & Gray P.C., Doylestown, was named 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.

Butler County

Marion Laffey-Ferry, Butler, was renamed chair of the PBA Solo and Small Firm Practice 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.

Centre County

John C. Becker, State College, was named chair of the PBA Agricultural Law Committee, which studies questions and problems affecting rural and agricultural interests in Pennsylvania. The committee also monitors and makes recommendations concerning proposals for legislation or regulations relating to rural and agricultural interests.

Chester County

John J. Stanzione, partner, Wusinich, Brogan & Stanzione, Downingtown, 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.

Dauphin County

Sandra A. Ballard, pro bono/public services coordinator, Dauphin County Bar Association, Harrisburg, was named 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.

Zsuzsanna E. Benedek, CenturyLink, 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.

Lisa M. Benzie-Woodburn, Angino & Rovner P.C., Harrisburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation that affect the health care system.

Samuel T. Cooper III, partner, Dilworth Paxson L.L.P., Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Diversity Task Force, which recommends modifications to the association's practices to respond to changing demographics of the legal profession and to improve opportunities for underrepresented members to participate in leadership roles.

Barbara A. Darkes, McNees Wallace and Nurick L.L.C., Harrisburg, was named chair of the Administrative Law Section. The section observes and makes recommendations on the effectiveness of government-issued regulations.

Leo L. Dunn, Dunn Law, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Gay & Lesbian Rights Committee, which studies matters pertaining to the recognition and protection of the legal rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

John L. Gedid, Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Statutory Law Committee, which assists any state government and PBA entity in the drafting of legislation.

Kandice J. Giurintano, McNees, Wallace & Nurick L.L.C., Harrisburg, was named 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.

Stephanie Latimore, Legislative Reference Bureau, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Editorial Committee, which oversees the publications of the association.

Laurel T. McLeaish, Pennsylvania State Education Association, Harrisburg, 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.

Marsha Anne Sajer, partner, K&L Gates L.L.P., Harrisburg., 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.

Robert J. Shea, Office of Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 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.

R. Scott Shearer, Keefer Wood Allen & Rahal L.L.P., 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.

Kathryn H. Silcox, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of the Attorney General, Harrisburg, 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.

Craig J. Staudenmaier, managing partner, Nauman Smith Shissler & Hall L.L.P., Harrisburg, 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.

Jan Matthew Tamanini, JMT Law L.L.C., 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."

Rhodia D. Thomas, MidPenn Legal Services, Harrisburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Access to Justice Committee, which develops implementation strategies for the right to counsel in civil cases in which basic human needs are at stake

Martin A. Toth, 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.

Bridget M. Whitley, Skarlatos & Zonarich L.L.P., Harrisburg, 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.

Delaware County

Joseph P. O'Brien, Kassab Archbold & O'Brien L.L.C., 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.

Dveera Segal, professor of law, Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, was named co-chair of the PBA Access to Justice Committee, which develops implementation strategies for the right to counsel in civil cases in which basic human needs are at stake

Erie County

Judge Stephanie Domitrovich, Erie County Court of Common Pleas, 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.

Joseph P. Martone, Martone & Peasley, Erie, was named chair of the PBA Family Law Section. The section develops and works with laws relating to marriage, divorce, nonsupport and domestic relations, adoption and juvenile delinquency.

Matthew L. Wolford, Erie, was named chair of the PBA 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.

Lackawanna County

Melinda C. Ghilardi, Federal Public Defenders Office, Scranton, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Women in the Profession, 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.

Lancaster County

Paula Knudsen Burke, Patterson, Cody & Winters, Lancaster, was named 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.

Andrea Farney, founder, Triquetra Law, Lancaster, 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.

Lehigh County

Sally L. Schoffstall, Schoffstall and Focht P.C. Orefield, was named 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.

Luzerne County

Richard M. Goldberg, partner, Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn P.C. in 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.

Lycoming County

William P. Carlucci, partner, Elion, Wayne, Grieco, Carlucci, Shipman & Irwin P.C., Williamsport, and past PBA president, was renamed 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.

Clifford A. Rieders, partner, Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Harris, Waters & Waffenschmidt, Williamsport, was named co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation that affect the health care system.

Montgomery County

Cheryl L. Austin, Willow Grove, 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.

Hon. Mason Avrigian, of counsel, Wisler Pearlstine L.L.P., Blue Bell, was renamed chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee, which serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association.

Thomas R. Beveridge, Beveridge Law Offices P.C., Pottstown, was named 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.

Mary Cushing Doherty, partner, High Swartz L.L.P., Norristown, was renamed chair of the PBA Review and Certifying Board. The board 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.

Harold M. Goldner, Kraut Harris P.C., Blue Bell, 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.

William H. Pugh V, managing partner, Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer L.L.P., Norristown, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Diversity Task Force, which recommends modifications to the association's practices to respond to changing demographics of the legal profession and to improve opportunities for underrepresented members to participate in leadership roles.

Stephen G. Yusem, Morris and Clemm P.C., Plymouth Meeting, was named 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.

Deborah J. Zateeny, Zateeny Loftus L.L.P., Bala Cynwyd, 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.

Philadelphia County

Marc L. Bogutz, shareholder, Christie, Pabarue, Mortensen and Young P.C., was renamed chair of the PBA Professional Liability Committee, which focuses on issues concerning lawyers' liability case law.

Timothy W. Callahan II, Saul Ewing L.L.P., 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.

Hon. James G. Colins, Cozen O'Connor, was renamed chair of the PBA Constitutional Review Commission, which is examining specific issues related to the improvement of local government, the structure of the General Assembly, taxation, public education, legislative reapportionment, and the judiciary. The commission will make recommendations to the PBA House of Delegates regarding the possible need for legislative changes and a constitutional convention.

Cherylle C. Corpuz, Orlow, Kaplan & Hohenstein L.L.P., 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.

Jane L. Dalton, of counsel, Duane Morris L.L.P., was named co-chair of the PBA Women in the Profession, 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.

Emmanuel O. Iheukwumere, Emmanuel Law Firm L.L.C., Philadelphia, was named co-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.

Kim Kocher, partner, White and Williams L.L.P., 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.

Angus R. Love, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project, was named chair of the PBA Corrections System Committee, which studies the current corrections system in Pennsylvania and makes recommendations for its improvement.

Wesley R. Payne IV, partner, White and Williams L.L.P., was named co-chair of the PBA Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and co-chair of the PBA Minority Bar Committee. The PBA Military and Veterans Affairs Committee 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. The PBA Minority Bar 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.

Judge Norma L. Shapiro, U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 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.

Gerald Strachan, managing attorney, Strachan & Hatzell, 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.

Potter County

Guerline L. Laurore, Law Office of Guerline L. Laurore, Coudersport, was named chair of the PBA Law-Related Education Committee, which is responsible for overseeing many of the law-related youth education programs undertaken by the PBA. These programs include Celebrate the Constitution and Law Day.

Somerset County

Mary E. Schellhammer, Somerset, 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.

Wayne County

R. Anthony Waldron III, Hawley, 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, partner, Austin Law Firm L.L.C., York, was renamed chair of the PBA 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.

William F. Hoffmeyer, senior partner, Hoffmeyer & Semmelman L.L.P., 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.

Andrea Marceca Strong, York, 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.

Craig T. Trebilcock, Shumaker Williams P.C., York, 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.

Wilmington, Del.

Laverne R. Smith, Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, was named 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.

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 28,000 lawyers who are members of the association.