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The Causeway
The Monthly Newsletter for the Franklin County Bar Association
January, 2018
"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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Swearing-In Ceremony
On Tuesday, January 2nd Annie
R. Gómez Shockey was sworn in as our newest Magisterial District Judge.
The Honorable Shawn D. Meyers administered the oaths for MDJs, County officials, and Municipal officials.
Annie was joined by her father, Hector Gómez, for the swearing-in.
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Avoidance of Legal Malpractice Seminar
The Franklin County ALMS session hosted by PBA will be held on Tuesday, April 3rd. Please save this date in your calendar. More information to follow!
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2013 PBI Books Available
As we welcome 2018, we also say farewell to 2013's PBI Books at the Franklin County Law Library. Each year we make room for new books and discard the 5 year-old books. FCBA members are welcome to stop by the Law Library anytime during the month of January and take as many of these books as they would like.
Please
CLICK HERE to view the list of PBI books to-be-discarded.
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SCCAP 2017 Thank You Video
FCBA YLD is a proud sponsor of the Race Against Poverty, which benefits Support Circles.
You can
CLICK HERE to watch the thank you video and learn more about SCCAP's impact to our community.
SCCAP's mission is to empower families and engage the community to pursue innovative and effective solutions to break the cycle of poverty!
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Public Access Policy
On November 30th, Judge Meyers facilitated a lunch & learn for FCBA members and staff regarding the Public Access Policy of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania: Case Records of the Appellate and Trial Courts.
The Supreme Court approved a new public access policy for case records filed in and maintained by the appellate and trial courts. The policy's adoption marks the Court's continued commitment to making court records open and accessible to the public while safeguarding sensitive, private information contained in those records.
The policy becomes effective January 6, 2018.
The policy places the responsibility upon litigants and attorneys to safeguard confidential information in the documents they file with the courts; litigants and attorneys will need to comply with Sections 7.0 and 8.0. The policy provides that a court or custodian is not required to review any filed document for compliance.
Here is the information that was provided at the lunch & learn. Please click on each item to download a copy.
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You are invited...
The FCBA YLD is inviting all FCBA members, regardless of age and years-in-practice to join us for our monthly social events.
The first Thursday of the month is Happy Hour, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at a rotating, downtown location: January, April, July, and October is at Roy-Pitz Brewing Company; February, May, August and November is at GearHouse Brewing Company; and March, June, September, and December are at Bistro 71.
The third Tuesday of every month we meet in the FCBA office, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., for Games Night. Our members bring table top games, board games, and card games. The evening is BYOB and we normally order pizza.
On the Tuesdays that aren't Games Night you can find us at Roy-Pitz' trivia night. Trivia starts at 7 p.m.
Check the FCBA website's event calendar to stay up-to-date and join us for a great time.
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Members Section of FCBA Website Updated
We have made changes to the members sections of the FCBA website.
Sign in to our members' section by clicking on "
for MEMBERS
". Once you are signed in you have access to:
- Opinions - Published opinions from the Franklin County Legal Journal
- Committees - Information about FCBA's committees
- Member Directory - view all our members
- Download & Print Member List - PDF of our contact list *New*
- Court Contacts - Information for Franklin County Courts
- Newsletters and Memos - view archived newsletters and emails to our members. Also had memorial resolutions.
- My Profile - Keep your information up-to-date here
For log on and password assistance please contact Amelia Ambrose director@franklinbar.org or 717-267-2032
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Franklin County Law Library has LexisNexis Advanced
Did you know you can do online research at the Franklin County Law Library with LexisNexis Advanced? That's right. You have a wonderful research tool available to use for free! You can print your research for a small fee or email it at no cost.
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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
CLICK HERE to learn more.
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Upcoming PBI CLEs at FCBA
Thursday, January 18: Elder Law Update 2017, Video Replay, 2 substantive and 1 ethics credits *Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Thursday, January 25: Business Divorce, Video Replay, 5 substantive and 1 ethics (7 CPA) credits *Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Thursday, February 8: Ethics Potpourri - Ethics in Negotiations, Video Replay, 0 substantive and 1 ethics credits *Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Tuesday, February 13: Hacking: Practical Advice for Business & Entities, Video Replay, 3 substantive and 3 ethics credits (7 CPA) *Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Wednesday, February 14: Sophisticated Issues for Family Lawyers, Video Replay, 4 substantive and 0 ethics credits
*Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Friday, March 9:
Federal Trial Practice and Advocacy in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Live via Simulcast, 3 substantive & 0 ethics credits
*Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Friday, March 16:
1st Annual Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Symposium, Live via Simulcast, 5 substantive & 1 ethics credits
*Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
Monday, March 19:
Debt Collection Trends in Litigation,
Compliance and Enforcement, Live via Simulcast, 4 substantive & 0 ethics credits
click here for more information and to register
Thursday, March 29:
Civil Practice in Magisterial District Court, Live via Simulcast, 2 substantive & 1 ethics credits
*Call PBI 1-800-932-4637 for more information
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Member News
Walker, Connor and Spang, LLC is pleased to announce that Nathaniel F. Spang has been named a partner in the firm effective January 1, 2018. Nate's areas of practice concentration are family law and criminal defense.
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Newsletter items deadline
The deadline to submit items for The Causeway is the 20th of each month
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"Since our last chat..."
"Since our last chat..." is a periodic column in The Causeway by Bar members Barb Townsend, Annie Gómez Shockey, and Nikki Sipe.
by Annie Gómez Shockey
The first five women in the Franklin County Bar Association are listed in chronological order according to their admission dates: Martha Walker, Barbara Townsend, Kathleen Cramer, Deborah Hoff, and Eileen Finucane. You may remember already reading about Marty and Barb. I decided to finish the series by asking some questions of Kathleen, Debbie and Eileen.
Where did you grow up and how did you end up living/working in Franklin County?
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| 1986 |
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I was born and grew up in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. I met Bill Cramer while we were both undergrads, and after he returned from Viet Nam, we married in December of 1973. I started law School in the fall of 1974 at Ohio Northern, and upon Bill's graduation, I transferred to Dickinson. Bill wanted to live in the country, and Dickinson was, at the time, one of two law schools in rural areas. Bill drew a circle with a protractor from Carlisle, and applied to all the DA offices within that circle. At his interview with John Walker, the DA at the time, he became aware that George Glen was an ADA. George graduated from Ohio Northern the year before Bill, and they knew each other because ONU is a very small school. It was a perfect fit. Later in the semester, I interviewed with Judge John Keller and was hired as his law clerk. At the time, all law clerks were law students. Had to love it when a plan comes together! In addition, we loved the Cumberland Valley. We thought it was so beautiful, and would be a perfect place to raise a family. It has been all of that and more." - Kathleen Cramer
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1986 |
"I was born in Akron, Ohio, and grew up in suburban Cleveland. My family moved to Waynesboro in the 60s when my father took a job at Frick Company. I graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1970, and got my BA in economics from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut in 1974. I graduated from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia in 1977. I worked summers and school breaks in the Public Defender office, then continued working there on a part-time basis as the first woman in the criminal county offices. I also practiced in my own office in Waynesboro beginning in 1978, so continued and grew my practice after leaving the courthouse in 2009." - Debbie Hoff
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| 1986 |
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"I was born in suburban Philadelphia and grew up there and in Chambersburg (grades 1-9). I eventually returned to Chambersburg after attending high school/college/law school in the Philadelphia area and spending the first 2 years of my career in a Savannah, Georgia law firm. (Yes, I took Georgia and PA bars within 2 years of one another.) I returned to Chambersburg because I loved the area as a child, and because two of my brothers (Tom and Mike) had established homes and law practices here. Also, at that point I had started a family, and having other family members nearby was appealing." - Eileen Finucane
What surprised you most about the practice of law?
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| 1996 |
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I did not know that people could have such life difficulties. It never occurred to me before becoming a practicing lawyer that people actually drove despite the fact that they had no driver's license or no registered vehicle. I did not know that they would often resemble their parents and siblings not only in appearance but also in legal situations. I did not realize at the start that legal principles are not always black and white, or that clients would expect there to be no gray areas. Practice means that one learns every day, and that fact is often indeed stranger than fiction." - Debbie Hoff
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1996 |
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How vast and unknowable it is, a never-ending and daunting challenge no matter how many years you spend 'practicing' it." - Eileen Finucane
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| 1996 |
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I really knew nothing about the practice of law when I started working for Judge Keller. Without any preconceived notions, I really had no surprises. I remember finding it interesting that so many of the attorneys who practiced before the Franklin County Court were so passionate about their representation. At the same time, the level of collegiality was impressive. In court, the attorneys were strong advocates, and immediately after the session in court, they were friendly and good-humored with each other. I guess you could say I was surprised at the level of civility and genuine kindness." - Kathleen Cramer
Is there something you wish you'd known or a skill you wish you'd had starting out in the legal field?
"More history, more math, more computer skills, and perhaps more psychology!" - Eileen Finucane
"I think a deeper knowledge of accounting would have been useful. Also, I noted that my son's law school put emphasis on preparation for court appearances. It was more academic and less practical when I went to law school. I think the new approach is better and more useful." - Kathleen Cramer
"Technology has had such a major effect on legal research and practice generally. There was no way to foresee all the developments over the past 30 years or to prepare for them
." - Debbie Hoff
What words of wisdom can you offer to attorneys starting in this profession?
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| 2012 |
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"I would not presume to give words of wisdom to anyone, much less other attorneys. My "practice" was limited and spaced between working for common pleas and the appellate courts, so I do not regard myself as an expert in any way. I guess if I was pushed to it, I would recommend that a young attorney have the courage to follow their heart in choosing the way they practice law, and the concentrations in which they choose to become conversant. I would say that the best decisions that Bill and I made separately and together were made in total ignorance of the fact that we probably could not get it done. We both respect the value of courage, the truth in the voice from your heart, and the power of ignorance of pitfalls. People who say you cannot do something are really saying they, themselves, are afraid to try. Success requires the try!" - Kathleen Cramer
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2012 |
"I think it is important to examine the disputed issues from the viewpoint of both sides of the dispute. Listening carefully and absorbing is extremely important. Being more prepared than the opponent is a goal, as is trying to reach resolutions without harming the parties' ongoing relationship, especially in the area of family law. And I believe that it is critical to read widely - not just law or non-fiction - to help in understanding human character and relationships. Life balance is also critical because practicing law can absolutely consume waking hours: it's important to make the time to smell the roses along the way." - Debbie Hoff
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| 2012 |
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Strive to be professional, prepared, principled, collegial, realistic, and patient--with colleagues and clients!" - Eileen Finucane
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CLOSED, New Year's Day - Monday, January 1
YLD Happy Hour @ Roy-Pitz - Thursday, January 4
YLD Business Meeting - Friday, January 5
YLD Games Night - Tuesday, January 16
FCBA Board of Directors Meeting - Friday, January 19
YLD Happy Hour @ GearHouse - Thursday, February 1
YLD Business Meeting - Friday, February 2
CCBL - Conference of County Bar Leaders @ Nittany Lion Inn - February 22 - 23
YLD Happy Hour @ Bistro 71 - Thursday, March 1
YLD Business Meeting - Friday, March 2
FCBA Board of Directors Meeting - Friday, March 16
YLD Games Night - Tuesday, March 20
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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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