HARRISBURG (June 20, 2001) - Seventeen Pennsylvania lawyers have been named chairs of Pennsylvania Bar Association sections.

Pittsburgh lawyer Edward J. Abes, a partner in the law firm of Abes Baumann PC, was named chair of the PBA Workers� Compensation Law Section. Supporting the exchange of information related to legal developments in workers� compensation law, this section 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.

Berks County lawyer Jana R. Barnett, a sole practitioner, was renamed chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Practice Section. Focusing on the needs of solo and small firm lawyers, this section provides lawyers with information on everything from law office management techniques to the latest in important legal news. In addition, the section sponsors an annual spring retreat to help its members stay abreast of current trends and issues in the legal profession.

Mark B. Dischell, a partner in the Lansdale law firm of Dischell Bartle Yanoff & Dooley PC, has been named chair of the PBA Family Law Section, which focuses its efforts on domestic issues, including marriage, divorce, child custody and surrogate motherhood.

Pittsburgh lawyer Ronald W. Frank, with the law firm of Reed Smith LLP, has been 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.

John L. Gedid, a professor at the Widener University School of Law, is chairing the PBA Administrative Law Section, which works to observe and make recommendations, primarily at the state level, on the effectiveness of government-issues regulations.

Pittsburgh lawyer Andrea Geraghty, a partner in the law firm of Geraghty Friedman PC, was named chair of the PBA Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section. This section concentrates on landlord-tenant relations, environmental issues, eminent domain and probate matters. Section members also are active in improving the relationship between Realtors and lawyers.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Robert A. Graci of Dauphin County is the new chair of the PBA Criminal Law Section, which is concerned with protecting the rights of all individuals who are involved in criminal court proceedings. This section provides an opportunity for both defense and prosecution-oriented lawyers to be involved in issues such as prison overcrowding and the length of criminal proceedings in the court.

Lehigh County lawyer Thomas L. Heimbach, a partner with the law firm of Heimbach Spitko & Heckman, was named chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section. Concerned with all aspects of labor relations, including the relationship between labor unions and employees, this section monitors legislative developments and judicial decisions relating to labor law.

Philadelphia lawyer David M. Kuchinos, with the law firm of Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley, has been renamed chair of the PBA Tax Law Section. Specializing in state and local tax issues, this section works with state officials on proposed legislation affecting tax laws, plans educational programs and deals with practice development issues.

Michael I. Levin, a sole practitioner in Huntingdon Valley, Levin has been renamed chair of the PBA Education Law Section. This section serves as a resource for lawyers involved in protecting the interests of students, teachers and administrators. It concentrates on curriculum requirements and employment rights and on helping to improve the relationship between school boards and their employees.

Pittsburgh lawyer John W. McIlvaine III, with The Webb Law Firm, is the new chair of the PBA Intellectual Property Section. Concerned with furthering the development of the law and procedures related to intellectual property, this section works to obtain uniformity with respect to both legislative and administrative matters concerning intellectual property law.

Scott C. Penwell, a lawyer with the Harrisburg law firm of Duane Morris & Heckscher LLP, is the chair of the PBA Business Law Section, which works to develop and study laws dealing with banks and 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.

Pittsburgh lawyer James H. Roberts, with the law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, was named chair of the PBA Municipal Law Section. Focusing on issues related to representing police departments, municipal authorities and individuals who deal with these entities, this section assists lawyers with staying abreast of any changes to municipal laws in Pennsylvania. This section also works with solicitors for any form of political subdivision other than a school system.

John E. Salmon, a lawyer with the Philadelphia law firm of Rawle & Henderson, has been renamed chair of the PBA Aeronautical and Space Law Section, which places a strong emphasis on aviation law.

Barrett C. Sheridan, a lawyer with the Office of Consumer Advocate in Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA Public Utility Law Section. This section is charged with developing and studying questions related to public utility law in the commonwealth and the United States.

Jay N. Silberblatt, a partner in the Pittsburgh law firm of Silberblatt Mermelstein, is the new chair of the PBA Civil Litigation Section. This section is charged with focusing on issues that directly affect civil litigation cases in Pennsylvania courts.

Philadelphia lawyer J. Robert Stoltzfus, with the law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, is the new chair of the PBA Environmental, Mineral and Natural Resources Law Section. This section focuses its efforts on issues concerning land preservation, commerical and individual sewage disposal, and mining and drilling regulations. It also monitors regulations issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.