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The Causeway
The Monthly Newsletter for the Franklin County Bar Association
December 2019
"The law is a causeway upon which, so long as he keeps to it, a citizen may walk safely" Robert Bolt, playwright
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Walk-In CLE Day at the FCBA - Friday, December 13th
YLD Game Night - Tuesday, December 17th
YLD Holiday Party - Thursday, December 19th
FCBA Office and FC Law Library Closed for Christmas - Tuesday, December 24th & Wednesday, December 25th
FCBA Office and FC Law Library Closed for New Year's Day - Wednesday, January 1st
YLD Business Meeting - Friday, January 3rd
FCBA Board of Directors Meeting - Friday, January 17th
YLD Game Night - Tuesday, January 21st
YLD Business Meeting - Friday, February 7th
YLD Game Night - Tuesday, February 18th
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Franklin County Bar Association Admits Eight New Members at Admission Ceremony
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| left to right: Molly Yingling, Paul Primrose, Steven Sess, William McGinnis, Jaime Keating, Nathan Boob, and Paul Edger |
The Franklin County Bar Association is pleased to announce a total of eight new attorneys joined its membership. Seven attorneys were admitted at the Annual Admission Ceremony held Friday, December 6, 2019, and an additional attorney was admitted at a separate ceremony held on Monday, December 9, 2019.
The new members admitted were Paul D. Edger, of MidPenn Legal Services; Nathan L. Boob, Jaime M. Keating, William F. McGinnis, Paul C. Primrose, and Steven M. Sess of the Franklin County District Attorney's Office; Molly S. Yingling, of Salzmann Hughes, P.C.; and Robert L. Kranz, of the Franklin County Public Defender's Office.
The ceremony, held in historic Courtroom One of the Franklin County Courthouse, included words of advice to the new admittees from the Honorable Carol L. Van Horn, Pennsylvania Bar Association President Anne N. John, Franklin County Bar Association President Kristen B. Hamilton and Young Lawyers Division Chair Victoria Beard. President Judge Van Horn spoke to the new attorneys about becoming involved in the Franklin County Bar Association and the community.
Kristen Hamilton, Franklin County Bar Association's president said, "The formal ceremony admitting new members to the Franklin County Bar Association is a time of great excitement; seeing new faces become members and hopefully reenergizing those attorneys previously admitted, who are present for the admission ceremony. The registry of attorneys is as old as the FCBA itself, this year celebrating our 120th year. The commitment to our community, the practice of law and the overall betterment of our profession is deeply-rooted within those pages by and through the attorneys who have signed and served as members. It is always our hope all new admittees take the opportunity to continue in this tradition of service. It has been a privilege to serve as the President of the FCBA and I cannot wait to see what this year's class brings to the table."
Victoria Beard, Chair of the Young Lawyers Division said, "The Franklin County Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is comprised of lawyers who have been admitted to the practice of law for 5 years or less or who are 40 years old or younger and are members of the Franklin County Bar Association. The YLD is a professional organization with a mind to civic engagement and we encourage those who are eligible to come and participate. Without new attorneys, the traditions of the past cannot be honored." She additionally encouraged those in attendance to continually strive to keep the profession honorable and to foster civility.
See more pictures from the admission ceremony at the end of the newsletter.
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Franklin County Bar Association and the 39th Judicial District Welcomes New President Judge
FCBA member, the Honorable Shawn D. Meyers was sworn in as President Judge of the 39th Judicial District on Friday, December 6th. President Judge Meyers' ceremony was attended by many of our members and his family in Courtroom One.
President Judge Meyers
started practicing law in 1993 with David C. Cleaver & Associates, P.C. before becoming a partner in the law firm of Steiger, Steiger & Meyers, Mercersburg, and also serving as Franklin County Solicitor.
Since January, 2010 the Honorable Shawn D. Meyers has served as a judge for the Court of Common Pleas for the 39th Judicial District. He lives in Chambersburg with his wife, Nancy, a practicing attorney and shareholder with Salzmann Hughes, P.C. Nancy is also the FCBA treasurer.
President Judge Meyers has served as chair of the following committees during his time on the bench: 39th Judicial District Orphan's Court Local Rules Committee, 39th Judicial District Civil Procedure Local Rules Committee, 39th Judicial District Family Law Committee and has been a member of the Franklin County eFiling and Civil Case Management Committee.
President Judge Meyers is an active member of our Bar, serving on the Bench Bar Conference committee for many years. He has brought many quality speakers and his unique perspective and experience to our conferences.
We sincerely
thank President Judge Meyers for his continued support of our Bar and community, and wish him well in his new role as president judge.
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Live CLE Credit Walk-In Day December 13th
Continuing Legal Education
December 13, 2019
$12 per credit hour
Need more live CLE credit?
On December 13, 2019, the Franklin County Bar Association will be offering a day of CLE video replays from other Pennsylvania county bar associations and CLEs recorded from our lunch and learns. These video replays count as live CLE credit and your credits will be reported by the Franklin County Bar Association. Come to any of the courses with no advance registration needed! Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $12 per credit hour and cash and checks payable to FCBA are accepted. (Nonmember pricing is $30 per credit hour.)
Drinks are available all day. Breakfast and lunch are not provided. Please feel free to bring food if you like.
Ethics CLEs in conference room 1
Faultlines and Eruptions: Legal Ethics in Perilous Times - $24
This course presents a variety of legal ethics scenarios inspired by current events and includes a discussion of recent developments in legal ethics.
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Ethical Rainmaking: Building a Million Dollar Book of Business - $12
(1 PA Ethics CLE)
Dan Lynch, author of "Building a Million Dollar Book of Business: Principles & Behaviors for a Successful Law Practice" (available on Amazon) discusses ethical concerns to keep in mind while building your law practice.
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Ethical Quandaries in Dealing with the Psychiatrically Ill within the Judicial System - $24
(2 PA Ethics CLEs)
This course explores the issues and ethical challenges associated with working with the psychiatrically ill throughout the courts and in the justice system. The speakers will present and discuss a number of case studies to illustrate the many issues that can arise for attorneys, the courts, and the parties involved in court cases when mental health care and treatment are part of the case.
These courses includes videos recorded for the Washington County Bar Association's 2019 Winter Bench Bar.
Immigration CLEs in conference room 2
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Immigration 101
- $12
(1 PA Substantive CLE)
This is the first course in the Franklin County Bar Association's Introduction to Immigration Continuing Legal Education Series.
Have you considered adding immigration law to your practice or simply interested in learning more about this hot topic? The Introduction to Immigration CLE Series will provide you with a basic understanding of immigration law and is intended for practitioners who have no or very little immigration law experience. Immigration law is a complex topic. This CLE series will provide the basic groundwork to assist someone in starting to learn the various components of the system. Topics include an overview of the different agencies involved with immigration practice, sources of law, and acronyms used in immigration practice.
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Immigration Series Part Two: Family Immigration
- $12
(1 PA Substantive CLE)
Introduction to Family Immigration: My family member is a U.S. citizen, what do I do?
This course will focus on family-based immigration. The session will cover who can petition for their family members as well as providing an overview of the family-based immigration process including adjustment of status and consular processing. Practitioners will receive nuts and bolts tips on preparing and submitting applications as well as information on developing issues in the field of family immigration.
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Immigration Series Part Three: Naturalization
- $12
(1 PA Substantive CLE)
This will introduce you to the naturalization process. It will help you to identify issues that may cause problems for someone in their naturalization process.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Immigration Series Part Four: Employment Visas
- $12
(1 PA Substantive CLE)
Introduction to Employment Immigration I: Nonimmigrant Visas CLE will look at temporary visas like student visas where the person is coming for a
specific purpose with plans to return to their home country.
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Immigration Series Part Five: Employment Visas
- $12
(1 PA Substantive CLE)
Introduction to Employment Immigration II: Immigrant Visas CLE will discuss the process an employer must do in order to petition for a green card for an employee.
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Women's Club of FCBA Decorated the Courthouse Planters for Christmas
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| 2019 Decorating team L-R Marty Walker, Barb Townsend, Nancy Meyers, Sara Grove, and Anne Shepard |
The FCBA Women's Club decorated the Courthouse Planters for the holidays. Thanks to Marty Walker and Barb Townsend for organizing the planter decorating. And thanks to Nancy Meyers, Sara Grove, and Anne Shepard for joining in holiday decorating!
Look for an announcement with our next decorating date before Ice Fest.
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Law Library After Hours Usage Policy
The Board of the Franklin County Law Library Association met on November 15, 2019 and implemented this After Hours Usage Policy. Franklin County Bar members may use the Law Library after hours (4:30 p.m. - 8:30 a.m. M-F and anytime on the weekends) for legal research only. Due to security and liability concerns, no clients or guests may be present in the Law Library after hours, except for FCBA sponsored events. Members are reminded to log their time spent in the Law Library after hours in the blue binder located at the front desk.
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Legal Services Needs Assessment
Franklin County Legal Services is conducting a survey to help us best meet needs. If you could please take a moment to answer JUST 4 questions, it would be most appreciated.
Please click on the following link to take the SHORT survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRM8MDG
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You will be receiving your dues invoices soon. When paying your dues you have the option of making a contribution the the PABAR-PAC and/or a donation to the FCB Foundation.
Thank you for your prompt payment of your membership dues!
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Amazon Smile for FCB Foundation
Did you know you could make a donation to the FCB Foundation when you shop at Amazon?
CLICK HERE to select FCB Foundation as your charity.
You shop. Amazon gives.
- Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
- AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
- Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com
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Press Releases, Memos and Important Notices
CUSTODY CONCILIATION MEMORANDUMS
The Conciliators of Hoskinson, Wenger & Rife have created a designated email address to be used to send your Conciliation Memorandums to the appointed Conciliator from our office. This form of communication helps to ensure that the Memorandums arrive in a timely manner, the required three (3) days prior to the hearings. If you choose to send your Memorandums by email, a hardcopy is not required. The email account is monitored by a staff member of our office on a daily basis. We hope you find this method convenient.
This email is for Conciliation Memorandums intended for Attorney Wenger and Attorney Rife only.
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The Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC) is offering a series of workshops that show court-appointed guardians how to use the new Guardianship Tracking System (GTS). The GTS makes it possible for guardians of adult incapacitated persons to file inventory and annual reports online from any internet-accessible computer.
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Upcoming PBI CLEs at FCBA
Please call PBI at 1-800-932-4637 for more information.
Tuesday, December 10th: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Drafting Successes and Failures from Recent High Profile Transactions, Live via Simulcast, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 11th: The Law of Guns In Pennsylvania 2019, Live via Simulcast, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 11th: LLCs & Partnerships: Act 170 & Title 15 - A 2019 Update, Video Replay, 2 substantive & 1 ethics credits http://www.pbi.org/Meetings/Meeting.aspx?ID=31357
Thursday, December 12th: The Best Retirement & Estate Plans for Attorneys 2019, Video Replay, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, December 17th: Finance for Lawyers with Joe Novello 2019, Live via Simulcast, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, December 17th: Preparing the PA Inheritance Tax Return 2019, Video Replay, 6 substantive & 0 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 18th: The Year in Review for the General Practitioner 2019, Live via Simulcast, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, December 18th: Maximizing the Outcome of Personal Injury Cases 2019, Video Replay, 4 substantive & 0 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, December 19th: Essential Ethics 2019, Live via Simulcast, 0 substantive & 6 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, December 19th: Construction Contract Drafting for Owners, Developers & Tenants 2019, Video Replay, 3 substantive & 0 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, January 14th: Impeachment 2020, Live via Simulcast, 2 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, February 5th: Estate and Elder Law Symposium 2020, Live via Simulcast, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, February 13th: Negotiating Software and Technology Contracts 2020, Live via Simulcast, 4 substantive & 0 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, February 19th: Mobile Productivity - Discovery and Safety 2020, Live via Simulcast, 3 substantive & 0 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, February 20th: Leave Time in Pennsylvania 2020, Live via Simulcast, 4 substantive & 0 ethics credits Click here for more information and to register.
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At the Annual Meeting on December 6th,
Janice Hawbaker, Jeb Keller, and Forest Myers were elected to serve on the Judicial Evaluation Committee and will start their 4-year term in 2020.
They will be joining Clint Barkdoll, Tony Cosentno, and Dr. Sara Grove who all have 2 more years on their 4-year term (2018-2021). Maria Cognetti and Bradley Griffie will be the alternates. AJ Benchoff will serve ex officio, as Bar President.
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The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas would like to announce that James M. Stein, Esquire has accepted the position of Standing Master in Divorce. Attorney Stein is a graduate of The University of Iowa School of Law, is currently a Partner with DSS Law, and brings decades of experience in the family law arena. Please join the Bench in welcoming Attorney Stein as Standing Master in Divorce effective December 12th. Christine "Beth" Eslinger will continue to serve as Legal Secretary in the Master of Divorce Office.
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Join the FCBA Newsletter Committee! We are seeking 1-2 members to write articles and conduct interviews for Coffee Corner.
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Coffee Corner
"Coffee Corner" is a periodic column in The Causeway by Bar members Annie Gómez Shockey and Brandon Copeland.
by Nikki Sipe
It's that time of year - the holidays! Most of us all love the holiday season - full of joy, merriment, and generosity. But it is also a stressful and overwhelming time of year - full of extra activities and events, shopping, and keeping up with our everyday lives including work and deadlines.
If you're anything like me, an additional stressor this time of year is the family members asking what I want for Christmas. It seems like an easy enough question, but I so rarely think about myself and my needs or wants that I can never come up with an easy answer.
So with that in mind, I decided that I'd share some gift ideas specifically with lawyers in mind for your own wish list or for the other lawyers in your life!
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1. Instant Pot
With long days and late nights, we may not have time to cook, especially not healthy, balanced meals. But an Instant Pot is a programmable electric pressure cooker that monitors and adjusts cooking temperature and times depending on the volume of food being cooked so that you can speed up the cooking process or program the pot to cook later so dinner is ready when you get home!
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2. Lawsuit - The Board Game (
www.lawsuitgame.com
)
Do you want to know what it's like to run your own law office and be the master of the courtroom - board-game style? Or maybe just play with others so they understand a bit more about what you do as a lawyer? This is the game for you! It was created by an attorney to teach her children what she, as a lawyer, does in real life. The game is designed for ages 8 and up; the game play includes making it through law school, passing the bar exam, and into your own law practice and the courtroom.
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3. Food Delivery Subscription
Don't have time to shop for food or come up with a menu for weekly meals, but still love to cook? Try a meal subscription service such as Blue Apron, HelloFresh, XXX. You will receive fresh, pre-portioned ingredients with easy, step-by-step instructions. The boxes are designed to stay cold so you don't even need to be home for delivery!
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4. A New Favorite Mug
It seems like every lawyer has their favorite mug - the one that sits on their desk, whether in use or not, to show off. For fun, check out the color-changing mugs like the Disappearing Civil Liberties Mug where the Bill of Rights disappears when you fill it with hot water!
Check out the other fun sayings below - or run a quick Google search and find so many more options!
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5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Concentration can be tough, especially with holiday songs playing all around you. Try writing a brief while trying to avoid getting "Jingle Bells" stuck in your head! Check out noise cancelling headphones to block out most of the noise around you, lessen distractions, and make you more productive!
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6. Foam Gavel
You've heard of a stress ball, but doesn't a stress gavel just make more sense? Hammer out your stress, bring order to your office, or just squeeze your stress away!
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7. Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard
As technology becomes a bigger and bigger part of our jobs, gadgets to make technology easier and more efficient to use become key! A portable Bluetooth keyboard that can work with your phone or tablet makes it so much easier to handle emails or draft documents right from your phone or tablet no matter where you are.
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8. Billable Hours Clock
Tired of doing the math for your billable hours? Enjoy a wall clock that shows the 6-minute increments to make your life just a little bit easier.
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9. Portable Scanner
The paperless movement is here, but that doesn't mean that we don't need a way to get paper documents into our digital files. A portable scanner is perfect for someone on the go - scan in client documents, court filings, or anything else you may need a copy of in the future. Some scanners can even create searchable PDF documents so you can search through pages of documents for keywords!
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10. A T-Shirt from ESK ESQ that Only Lawyers Will Understand
The law and legal profession is full of jokes and references that only another lawyer will understand. Grab a t-shirt from ESK ESQ who makes t-shirts just for us folk and enjoy all the strange looks from non-lawyers that don't understand what you're wearing.
Well, I hope you all had a little fun with this gift guide and I wish you all a happy holidays! On a completely different note, this is my last column for the Causeway as my primary practice has relocated to Cumberland County. While I will still be around on occasion, I thank all the members of the Bar who I have had the pleasure to work with or interact with during my years in Franklin County. It has truly been a pleasure!
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Admission Ceremony Photos
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| President Judge Van Horn presided over the ceremony |
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| Carrie Bowmaster presented Paul Edger |
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| Matthew Fogal presented Steven Sess |
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| Matthew Fogal presented Paul Primrose |
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| Matthew Fogal presented Nathan Boob |
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| Matthew Fogal presented Jaime Keating |
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| Matthew Fogal presented William McGinnis |
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| Samuel Wiser presented Molly Yingling |
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| FCBA member and Prothonotary Timothy Sponseller offers the attorney book to sign |
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| President Judge Van Horn offers advise to the new members |
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| FCBA president Kristen Hamilton speaks to the new members |
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| PBA president Anne John addresses the new members |
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| FCBA YLD chair Victoria Beard offers insight about the YLD and our Bar |
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| Shannon Barnett presented Robert Kranz in a ceremony on Monday, December 9th |
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Franklin County Bar Association
100 Lincoln Way East, Suite E, Chambersburg, PA 17201
director@franklinbar.org
717-267-2032
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