HARRISBURG (June 28, 2010) - More than 70 Pennsylvania lawyers will serve as 2010-11 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

Sally Griffith Cimini, shareholder, Babst Calland Clements & Zomnir P.C., Pittsburgh, was renamed 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.

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, Gillotti Capristo & Beck 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.

John D. Goetz, partner, Jones Day, Pittsburgh, was renamed chair of the PBA Aeronautical and Space Law Section, which focuses on aviation law issues.

Brian T. Must, Metz Lewis L.L.C., Pittsburgh, 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.

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.

Joanne Ross Wilder, president, Wilder and Mahood, Pittsburgh, was renamed 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.

Berks County

Joan E. London, Kozloff Stoudt P.C., Wyomissing, 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, 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

Hollie B. John, partner, Connolly, Jacobson, DePietro & John L.L.P., Doylestown, 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.

Butler County

Marion Laffey-Ferry, Butler, was named 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.

Chester County

Charles T. DeTulleo, The Law Office of Charles T. DeTulleo, West Chester, was renamed chair of the PBA Criminal Justice Section. The section is concerned with protecting the rights of all individuals involved in criminal court proceedings.

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.

Cumberland County

Jonathan W. Kunkel, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Camp Hill, was named chair of the Administrative Law Section. The section observes and makes recommendations on the effectiveness of government-issued regulations.

Laura J. Neal, Office of Chief Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Camp Hill, was named chair of the PBA Corrections System Committee, which studies the current corrections system in Pennsylvania and makes recommendations for its improvement.

Grace R. Schuyler, director of government affairs, Rite Aid Corporation, Camp Hill, was renamed 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.

Debra K. Wallet, sole practitioner, Camp Hill, 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.

Dauphin County

Sandra A. Ballard, public services coordinator, Dauphin County Bar Association, Harrisburg, 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.

Tracy L. Boak, Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Charitable Organizations, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Charitable Organizations Committee, which focuses on matters of concern to lawyers who are employed by or who represent charitable organizations.

Vincent Candiello, partner, Post & Schell, P.C., Harrisburg, 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.

Leo L. Dunn of Dunn Law, Harrisburg, was named 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.

Laurel Hettinger Fedak, Harrisburg, 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.

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.

John H. Howard, staff attorney, Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board, Harrisburg, was renamed 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.

Arnold B. Kogan, Goldberg Katzman P.C., Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section, which concentrates on landlord-tenant relations, environmental issues, eminent domain and probate matters.

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

Laurel T. McLeaish, staff attorney, 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.

Thomas T. Niesen, managing partner, Thomas Long Niesen & Kennard, 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.

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 named 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 of 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."

Martin A. Toth, Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System, was named co-chair of the PBA In-House Counsel Committee, which works on matters of concern to lawyers employed as in-house corporate counsel.

Lisa M. B. Woodburn, Angino & Rovner P.C., Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Medical & Health Related Issues Interdisciplinary Committee, which studies and reports on the technical, ethical and scientific aspects of medical- and health-related legal issues of interest to the PBA and which determines ways to enhance the collegiality and cooperation between Pennsylvania's legal and medical professions.

Delaware County

Abraham J. Gafni, professor of law, Villanova University School of Law, and former Court of Common Pleas judge, was named chair of the PBA Professionalism Committee, which studies, recommends and implements programs and initiatives designed to promote professionalism within the legal community.

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, was named 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

Karen Jackson Vaughn, Yeadon, 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.

Erie County

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

Lackawanna County

Melinda C. Ghilardi, Federal Public Defenders Office, Scranton, 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.

Lancaster County

Beverly H. Rampaul, Office of Public Defender, Lancaster, was renamed 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.

Elisabeth S. Shuster, chief counsel, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Manheim, 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.

Lehigh County

Victoria A. Coyle, executive director, North Penn Legal Services, Bethlehem, 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.

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 former 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, was named chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation that affect the health care system.

Montgomery County

Cheryl L. Austin, Norristown, 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.

Judge Mason Avrigian, partner, 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.

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.

Robert C. Gerhard III, partner, Gerhard & Gerhard, Glenside, 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.

Robert H. Lefevre, Morrow Tompkins Trueblood & Lefevre L.L.C., Norristown, 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.

Mary C. Pugh, administrative director, Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, Norristown, was renamed chair of the PBA Child Advocate Pro Bono Committee. The committee explores how to engage pro bono lawyers to provide free legal representation and social services to children who are victims of abuse and neglect.

Cheryl L. Young, shareholder, Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin P.C., Norristown, 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.

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.

Philip L. Hinerman, partner, Fox Rothschild L.L.P., was renamed 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.

Gary H. Hunter, German Gallagher & Murtagh, 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.

Kim R. Jessum, of counsel, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young L.L.P., was named co-chair of the PBA In-House Counsel Committee, which works on matters of concern to lawyers employed as in-house corporate counsel.

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.

Edward W. Madeira Jr., partner, Pepper Hamilton L.L.P., was renamed chair of the PBA Commission for Justice Initiatives in Pennsylvania. The commission is composed of government, judiciary, legal and community leaders and is responsible for developing and encouraging the implementation of programs and practices in several Pennsylvania judicial districts to enhance the public's trust and confidence in the justice system and to make the administration of justice more effective and efficient.

Bernadine J. Munley, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott L.L.C., 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.

Lori Odessa 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.

Paul H. Schieber, shareholder, Stevens and Lee P.C., was renamed 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.

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, Stratachan & Hatzell, 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.

Wayne County

R. Anthony Waldron III, Hawley, was named 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, sole practitioner, 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.

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 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.