DBA Digest for November 7, 2025

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This week I had the opportunity to hear directly from school teachers and administrators about the transformative impact of school gardens at a “Meet Our Heroes” event held by  Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids (HFHK) at the Food Bank of Delaware. HFHK supports educators in Delaware by providing essentially a garden-in-a-box: all the tools and the curriculum, as well as the ongoing help desk-like support, to “bring life-lasting benefits of gardening and good nutrition to kids,” as they say. We learned with clear examples and real-life success stories about not only the empowerment these gardens give kids of all ages and abilities but the inclusive culture, indirect family and community benefits, and year-round educational advancements they yield.

And there could be no more urgent moment than right now to demonstrate the power and essential nature of food nutrition, as government benefits for food insecure neighbors are at risk. The Food Bank provides the critical stats on its “What hunger looks like in Delaware” page. That data goes well beyond the harsh facts that in fiscal year 2024, approximately 117,700 people in Delaware -- 11.2% of the state's population -- relied on SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition benefits from the federal government). Food-insecure folks are not only our neighbors but our co-workers and sometimes our own family.

So what can we do? Governor Meyer shared what our state government is doing. And every individual can make a difference: donate food (especially quality nutritious and shelf-stable food); volunteer at a food bank, food pantry, soup kitchen, or the like. Advocate for better policies to provide this essential safety net for those in need. And, if you can, donate funds, which can have the greatest impact because the recipients can often purchase at scale and at a much-reduced price, as well as purchasing what’s most needed in a particular community. The impact of a donation of any size can make a huge difference: every $1 donated to certain food banks allows them to provide as many as three or more meals to those in need. Our members too are helping to mitigate this crisis in myriad ways -- I encourage you to check out their websites and press news for details.

We are truly a State of Neighbors. And now more than ever, our neighbors need your help.

DCF Partners with The Delaware Institute to Offer Affordable Continuing Education Courses to Attorneys

The DCF will offer its first program through TDI – The Community Foundation Advantage: Flexible, Practical Solutions for Charitable Clients – on Wednesday, December 17, at the Delaware Historical Society’s Wilmington Campus. Presented by the DCF’s Director of Operations, Rebecca Elzey, the session will focus on understanding how the community foundation can offer attorneys and their charitably minded clients tax-advantaged and impactful solutions. The course is worth 1.5 continuing legal education credits. The DCF plans to offer at least two sessions annually on different aspects of philanthropy.



“This partnership with the DCF will provide members of the legal community with compelling, affordable, and accessible legal education which is our major focus,” said Caroleena Goldman, President of The Delaware Institute. “We are excited to help spread the word about the importance of philanthropy in legal, estate and trust planning.”

40 Richards Layton Attorneys Chosen as Delaware Today Top Lawyers

Forty Richards, Layton & Finger attorneys have been named Top Lawyers in Delaware Today magazine’s list of the best lawyers in the state. The magazine polls lawyers throughout Delaware to compile its annual Top Lawyers list. Four Richards Layton lawyers were designated “top vote getters” after receiving the most votes from their peers in their respective practice areas.

William Kelleher Accepted into the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A. is pleased to announce that attorney William (“Bill”) Kelleher has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).



ACTEC is a prestigious national organization of lawyers recognized for their exceptional skill and integrity in trust and estate law. Fellows are selected through a rigorous peer review process based on professional reputation, contributions to the field, and commitment to the highest standards of legal practice.

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella Recognized in

 2026 Best Law Firms®

Gordon, Fournaris & Mammarella, P.A. has four practice areas ranked in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®. Listed as Metropolitan Tier 1 this year are GF&M’s practice areas for Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Litigation-Trusts and Estates and Real Estate. Real Estate moved up from Metropolitan Tier 2 to Metropolitan Tier 1 in this Edition of Best Law Firms®. The rankings for Best Law Firms® are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of evaluations from clients and professional references. 

GF&M would like to thank those who submitted evaluations for our firm. It is an honor to be included in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®. We look forward to continuing our work in providing high quality advice, specialized knowledge and legal excellence to all of our clients. To read more about the process, please visit https://www.bestlawfirms.com/.

Morris Nichols Promotes Two Commercial & Alternative Entities Attorneys

Melanie Young

Miranda Kelly

Morris Nichols is pleased to announce that Melanie Young has been invited to join the firm partnership, effective January 1, 2026, and that Kelly Miranda will be promoted to special counsel.

“Melanie and Kelly have proven themselves to be exceptional lawyers,” said Bill Lafferty, chair of the firm’s executive committee. “On behalf of the firm partnership, I am delighted to congratulate them.”



Both attorneys are members of Morris Nichols’ commercial counseling group, focusing on alternative entities and transactional work.

Webinar: Investing in Innovation

November 12, 2025, 1:00 ET

Join the ABA and the Delaware-based Center for Advancing Financial Equity (CAFE) Accelerator for a unique chance for bankers to connect with emerging FinTech leaders and explore solutions that address the key challenges in the financial industry. This webinar will showcase the innovation and creativity of the inaugural cohort of groundbreaking startups focused on advancing financial equity. Hear quick pitches from each startup, highlighting their innovative solutions. Engage directly with these startups to learn more about their cutting-edge technology and how it can benefit your institution.

Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce and Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice Joint Mixer: November 13th

Join us for our Fall Mixer in partnership with the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, Thursday, November 13, 5:00 – 7:30 PM at Thompson Island Brewery, 30133 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. This mixer is all about bridging business and justice for a better Delaware. Enjoy great food, drinks, and conversation while connecting with fellow business owners, professionals, and community leaders. Let’s continue building strong relationships and expanding our network across the state. Reserve your spot today. Registration is free.

UD Trust Management Minor Reunion & Recognition Night: November 14th

Join us, Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM, 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark,

as we celebrate 8.5 incredible years of the University of Delaware’s Trust Management Minor — a program built on community, mentorship, and lifelong impact. This special gathering brings together alumni, current students, volunteers, mentors, advisory board members, faculty, committee members, industry partners, and friends of the program for an evening of reconnection, recognition, and inspiration. Whether you were there in year one or just joined the journey — you are part of the legacy. Let’s raise a toast to internship placement, job placement, student success, lifelong friendships, and the future of fiduciary excellence. 

Come celebrate this exceptional program! And if you’ve benefited from or contributed to the program, maybe you or someone you know would be interested in taking on the mantle of leadership as the full-time Continuing-track Instructor of Trust Management and Business Law for the Trust Management Minor program. We at the DBA are proud of our role, in collaboration with many of our members, in creating and supporting the program over all these years. Now we’d like to see it grow, under an energetic new leader. Please consider the role and share it within your networks. Click this link for more information and to apply.

NY Fed Presents Making Missing Markets: Connecting Communities and Capital, November 19th

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York will host a hybrid event on fostering and improving markets channeling investments into under-resourced communities. The event will explore strategies that help connect new sources of capital to community needs and solutions; scale existing sources of capital for communities; and connect previously unlinked buyers and sellers of services and products that address critical community challenges. Speakers and panelists will highlight the vital role of community-based interventions.

NCC Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leadership Conference: November 20th

The Women's Leadership Conference is back! RISE to meet the moment, to support one another, and to build a better future for all. This conference is for women ready to climb higher. It's an unparalleled opportunity to connect with over 500 accomplished women from all levels of the business world. Learn more and register at the link below.