FCBA
Presents Attorney Ed Steckel with
the 2016 Edmund C. Wingerd Jr. Award
Attorney Edward Steckel was honored with the Edmund C. Wingerd Jr. Award during the annual Admissions Ceremony of the Franklin County Bar Association (FCBA) held on December 2nd.
The Wingerd Award is bestowed upon a FCBA member who has shown commitment to community and the highest standards of professionalism and service to his or her private clients and the needs of the underprivileged.
"Attorney Steckel is most deserving of this recognition and his commitment to client and community embodies the spirit of this award in a manner that should truly inspire the 172 members of our association," said FCBA President, Mary Beth Shank, who presented the award. "Ed cares about his clients and consistently demonstrates professional and personal integrity in addressing and serving their needs, whether on behalf of private or pro bono client," Shank added.
Steckel is a sole practitioner located in Chambersburg. He received his bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin and his juris doctorate degree from University of Kentucky law school. In addition to his membership in the Franklin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, he is a past president of the Legal Services Society, former member of the Pennsylvania Judicial Evaluation Commission, Coyle Free Board of Directors, Borough of Chambersburg Zoning Hearing Board, Shook Home Board of Directors and Friends of Legal Services Board.
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Phil Cosentino, Vienna Vasquez, Ed Steckel and Lam Truong
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In receiving his award, Steckel charged the newly inducted members of the FCBA to take time to engage in their communities and find their own way to give back to their fellow man and society.
Steckel is married to his wife, Diana, and they are proud parents of two children, Julia and David.
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Attorney Steckel selected the Coyle Free Library Building Fund and Franklin County Legal Services as donation recipients. Pictured: Commissioner David Keller, Ed Steckel and Gloria Keener.
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FCBA
Admits Eleven New Members at Admission Ceremony
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Pictured left to right: Brain Mains, Jonathan Faust, Clark Stiteler, Julieanne Bateman, Nichole Vito, Vienna Vasquez, Bridget Fitzpatrick, John Keller, Victoria Beard and Alex Sharpe
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The Franklin County Bar Association admitted 11 new members at its Admission Ceremony held on Friday, December 2, 2016.
The new members admitted were John B. Keller, of Keller, Keller and Beck, LLC; Alex Sharpe, of Sharpe and Sharpe, LLP; Bridget Fitzpatrick, Law Clerk for the 39th Judicial District; Victoria Beard, of Greencastle, PA; Clark Stiteler, Assistant District Attorney of the 39th Judicial District; Julie Bateman, Assistant District Attorney of the 39th Judicial District; Nicole Vito, Assistant District Attorney of the 39th Judicial District; Brian Mains, Assistant Public Defender of the 39th Judicial District; Jonathan Foust, Assistant Public Defender of the 39th Judicial District; Simon Gemerek, of Salzmann Hughes, P.C.; and Vienna Vasquez, of Franklin County Legal Services.
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Pictured left to right: the Honorable Shawn D. Meyers, the Honorable Carol Van L. Horn, the Honorable Angela R. Krom, the Honorable Jeremiah D. Zook and the Honorable Todd M. Sponseller
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The ceremony, held in historic Courtroom One of the Franklin County Courthouse, included words of advice to the new admittees from the Honorable Angela R. Krom, Pennsylvania Bar Association President Sara Austin, Franklin County Bar Association President Mary Beth Shank and Young Lawyers Division Chair Tracy Ross.
Mary Beth Shank, Franklin County Bar Association's president said
"We are excited to welcome these fine lawyers into the growing ranks of our bar association. Franklin County attorneys have a rich history of convening to support those in our profession and Friday's ceremony was an example of the collegiality our new admittees will enjoy in our association."
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Pennsylvania Bar Association President Sara Austin
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Tracy Ross, Young Lawyers Division Chair, commented "The Young Lawyers Division of the Franklin County Bar Association is honored to welcome the new admittees. I am confident that they will continue the tradition of collegiality and professionalism that has made our bar association such a strong organization for many years. Our YLD members are very active within the bar association and our community, and we're excited for our newest members to get involved."
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Young Lawyers Division Chair Tracy Ross
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*More Admission Ceremony pictures are located below "since out last chat...", please scroll down to see them*
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FCBA Volunteers Decorate the Courthouse Planters
The FCBA Women's Club added holiday cheer to the Courthouse planters on December 3rd. Fresh greens and decorations replaced the fall decor.
Thank you to all the volunteers: Marty Walker, her daughter-in-law Maureen Spang, Maureen's daughter Alice, Barbara Townsend, Kristen Hamilton, Kristen's daughter Emma, Amelia Ambrose, Amelia's daughter Gwen, and Amelia's friend Nichole (not pictured).
A special thank you goes out to Elliott Sulcove and Mark Orndorf, of Black and Davison, who braved the cold and used a chainsaw to provide fresh greens, pine cones and berries.
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In May of 2002 the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania passed a rule requiring newly admitted lawyers to complete the Bridge the Gap program as a condition of compliance prior to the first CLE deadline on which CLE credits are due. In order to meet your first PA CLE compliance requirement, 4 hours of Bridge the Gap programming are required. If your admission date is May 2002 and forward, you are required to complete the Bridge the Gap program.
FCBA is once again hosting a Bridge the Gap CLE session in Chambersburg, on Wednesday, January 25th , 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Donuts and coffee will be provided for this FREE CLE.
Please visit http://www.franklinbar.org/rsvp/ to register. Hurry! Space is limited and will fill up fast.
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FCBA Welcomes New Wills for Heroes Coordinator
Alexandra Sipe, of Maxwell Sipe Law Offices, LLC, has completed the required PBA training to be FCBA's Wills for Heroes coordinator.
WFH is the largest pro bono program of the PBA. A program co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division, "Wills for Heroes" provides free basic estate planning documents to first responders and military veterans in Pennsylvania. "Wills for Heroes" provides police, fire, emergency medical personnel, other first responders and military veterans - those on the frontlines for our personal safety - the tools they need to prepare adequately for the future. Programs are staffed by lawyer volunteers and are conveniently offered to first responders at meeting halls and police and fire stations.
David K. Trevaskis, Esq., PBA Pro Bono Coordinator said "I was delighted to meet attorney Sipe and look forward to working with her as she continues the good efforts in Franklin County that Kevin Taccino began. Best wishes!"
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Here is a picture of Alexandra Sipe (left), the new Franklin County WFH coordinator, working with Lisa Shearman (right), one of the tri-coordinators of the Pennsylvania WFH Program at the December 3, 2016 WFH event at the Bucks County Public Safety Training Center just outside Doylestown.
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FCBA YLD Community Outreach this Holiday Season
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David Erhard and daughter Holden
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We want to thank Tracy Ross, David Erhard, Annie Gomez and Matt Stewart for braving the cold on 12/3 at the Chambersburg Walmart to donate their time to do bell ringing for the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army was very thankful for the YLD's efforts. Hopefully, we can make this a yearly project.
Also, we send a big thank you to FCBA members for the 20+ bags of food that were donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Society's food bank. The donations were very much appreciated.
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Civil Litigation Attorney Opening
Abom & Kutulakis, aCumberland County general practice firm seeks an Associate with excellent credentials and civil litigation experience. Please email cover letter and resume to
ejf@AbomKutulakis.com
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Free PBI Books Available
It's that time of year again. The Franklin County Law Library is removing the 5 year-old PBI books from the shelves to make room for the 2017 books. These books are free to FCBA members. Please stop by the Law Library by January 20th to get your free PBI books.
Please click HERE to view a list of books. All books were published in 2012.
The books are available on a first come, first serve basis, however you may contact Amelia Ambrose to hold books for you.
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Press Releases, Memos and Important Notices
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FCBA Offers Local &
Convenient CLE Credits
Did You Know?
Each month your Franklin County Bar Association hosts 8 to 10 CLE classes. This is a great opportunity to gain CLE credits close to home. Our CLE credits are just a short distance away and cost efficient. In addition to offering the CLE credits; we serve a delicious array of breakfast and/or lunch items for your convenience and enjoyment.
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Upcoming PBI CLEs at FCBA
Wednesday, January 12:
Succession Planning for Family & Closely Held Businesses, Video Replay, 3 sub & 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Friday, January 13: Act 79:
Omnibus Changes to the PEF Code, Video Replay, 3 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, January 18:
Making Use of Trusts for Asset Protection of the Middle Class, Live via Simulcast, 2 sub & 1 ethics credits
click here for more information and to register
Thursday, January 19:
20th Annual Family Law Update, Video Replay, 3 sub credits
http://catalog.pbi.org/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=84488
Tuesday, January 24:
Thorny Issues in PA Landlord Tenant Law, Video Replay, 4 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Thursday, February 2:
Buying and Selling a Business, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Thursday, February 9:
Tell Me More: Stories to Attract and Engage, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits
click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, February 9:
The Law of Guns in PA, Video Replay, 5 sub & 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Friday, February 10:
Ethics Potpourri: Ethical Considerations in Depositions, Video Replay, 1 ethics credit
Click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, February 15:
Lies - In Business & Under Oath, Video Replay, 3 sub & 3 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Thursday, February 16:
What You Need to Know About Drones, Video Replay, 4 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Friday, February 17:
Unwinding or Defending Couples' Estate Planning Structure in Divorce, Video Replay, 3 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, February 21:
Alcohol Law, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, February 22:
18th Annual Estate & Elder Law Symposium, Live via Simulcast, 5 sub & 1 ethics credits
click here for more information and to register
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Member News
* Mary Beth Shank and John McPaul were united in marriage on December 10, 2016 and shared this very happy day with their family and friends.
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Forest Meyers recently acquired 2 sets of books from Tioga County Law Library. They are AMJur Proof of Facts and AM Jur Trials. If you are interested in purchasing either set please contact Mr. Myers.
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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 member Barb Townsend.
I had intended to skip a chat this month. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I've been rapidly replenishing my air miles to fulfill my assignments as Granny Nanny. In between, I had four or five trial/hearing dates scheduled. Fortunately, two settled, two continued. That only left one trauma drama, but I joked with friends afterwards to lighten my mood. I also had a dress rehearsal (read that five hours) and three performances, albeit part of a group of thirty.
Nevertheless, I decided that I would be totally remiss if I did not wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays, and a heathy, stable, and prosperous New Year. Regards and Blessings.
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"Jeb" John B. Keller (center) presented by David S. Keller (left) and John N. Keller (right)
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Alex Sharpe (center) presented by Jack Sharpe (left) and John McD. Sharpe Jr. (right)
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Bridget Fitzpatrick (right) presented by the
Honorable Shawn D. Meyers (left)
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Victoria Beard (right) presented by the
Honorable Shawn D. Meyers (left)
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Matthew Fogal (left) presenting (l-r) Clark Stiteler, Julie Bateman, and Nicole Vito
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Ian Brink (left) presenting Brian Mains (right)
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Ian Brink (left) presenting Jonathan Faust (right)
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Simon Gemerek (right) presented by
Stephen Coccorese (left)
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Vienna Vasquez (right) presented by
Lam Truong (left)
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Signing his attorney oath, Jeb Keller
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Prothonotary Tim Sponseller welcomes Nicole Vito
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Prothonotary Tim Sponseller welcomes Simon Gemerek
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Calendar of Events
Closed, New Year's
Mon., January 2
YLD Happy Hour Thurs., January 5
YLD Meeting
Fri., January 6
Board of Directors Meeting
Fri., January 20
Bridge the Gap CLE
Wed., January 25
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., February 2
YLD Meeting
Fri., February 3
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., March 2
YLD Meeting
Fri., March 3
Board of Directors Meeting
Fri., March 17
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Visit the Franklin County Bar Association's website.
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The Bar is on Facebook! "Like" the Franklin County Bar Association page for event reminders and news of interest to the bar and see photos of member activities.
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Follow the Franklin County Bar Association on Twitter.
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Contact the Bar
Amelia Ambrose
Executive Director
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