Volunteers Needed for Wills for Heroes
The FCBA YLD will be hosting a Wills for Heroes event on Saturday, May 6th, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.The mandatory training for all the preparer volunteers will be held 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
You will receive CLE credits for attending this training.
You do not need any estate experience to be a preparer volunteer. We will have experts onsite to assist you with any questions.
If you are unable to be a preparer you can volunteer to be a witness. If you are available please consider signing up for the whole day. The FCBA YLD will be providing lunch for all volunteers!
If a member of your staff is a notary or is willing to be a witness, please let us know.
You can view open volunteer slots
HERE.
Wills for Heroes programs provide essential legal documents free of charge to our nation's first responders, including wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. By helping first responders plan now, they ensure their family's legal affairs are in order before a tragedy hits. The 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit Wills for Heroes Foundation supports these Wills programs, giving back to the community and "protecting those who protect us."
|
Friends of Legal Services Book Sale
The Franklin County Friends of Legal Services group has announced the book donation sites for its 33rd Annual Book Sale. Books may be donated at the following locations from February 13 through April 10:
Carlisle
M&T Bank, 1 W. High Street
Chambersburg
ACNB Bank, 850 Norland Avenue
Colony House Furniture, 4231 Philadelphia Avenue
Shop
'
n Save
-
4170 Philadelphia Avenue
Wolf
'
s Furniture Store, 480 Gateway Avenue
LA Cameras, 1019 Wayne Avenue
Sunny Way Foods, 40 Warm Spring Road
United Way of Franklin County, 182 S. Second Street
Shop
'
n Save
-
875 Lincoln Way West
Orrstown
Orrstown Bank, 3580 Orrstown Road
Fayetteville
Pound's Automotive Service, 2083 Lincoln Way East
Gettysburg
ACNB Bank, Lincoln Square Office
Gettysburg College, McCreary Hall, Rm. 201
MidPenn Legal Services, 128 Breckenridge Street
Greencastle
BB&T Bank, 40 Center Square
Mercersburg
M&T Bank, 10 N. Main Street (on the square)
BB&T Bank, 316 N. Main Street
Mont Alto
Pennsylvania State University, Campus Library
Quincy
BB&T Bank, Quincy Branch, 7357 Anthony Highway
St. Thomas
Modnur Pharmacy, 4495 Lincoln Way West
Shippensburg
Shippensburg University, Ezra Lehman Library
Weis Markets, 1075 W. King Street
Waynesboro
Kulla, Barkdoll & Stewart, 9 East Main Street
Donations will be accepted from February 13 through April 10. The group solicits not only books, used and new, hardback and paperback, but also artwork, CDs (including audio books), DVDs, sheet music,
puzzles, and board games. E
ncyclopedias, textbooks, cassettes, and VHS tapes (except Disney) are not accepted.
Rare books and collector's items are welcome and are priced and displayed separately at the sale. The group will provide receipts for tax purposes on request. To make special arrangements to donate a large quantity of books, call Franklin County Legal Services at (717) 262-2326 or email gloria@fcls.net.
The sale will take place on May 19-21, at Laird Hall on the Wilson College campus in Chambersburg. The sale will run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Friday, May 19, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 20, and from noon to 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 21. Proceeds support the provision of civil legal services for low-income individuals in the community. The Chambersburg law firm
DiLoreto, Cosentino & Bolinger is a sponsor of the sale, having provided generous financial support for it.
The group is also looking for donated or affordable space-about 2000 square feet, with a restroom, climate-controlled to protect the books-in the Chambersburg area for sorting and storing the books each year before the sale. Anyone who knows of space that might be available is asked to contact Gloria Keener at (717) 262-2326 or gloria@fcls.net.
The Book sale will be May 19-21, 2017. Over 60,000 new and used books of all types, plus CDs, DVDs, audio books, puzzles, and artwork, will be offered for sale at bargain prices at the 33rd Annual Friends of Legal Services Book Sale at Laird Hall on the Wilson College campus in Chambersburg. Includes silent auction for rare books on May 19 and 20. Hours are 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Friday, May 19; 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 20; and noon to 4:00 PM on Sunday, May 21. For information call (717) 262-2326. Food and drinks will also be sold throughout the sale.
|
Penn State Law Community Fellows Program
Penn State Law's Community Fellows Program is designed to expose law students, in the summer after their second year of study, to the broad range of legal practice opportunities that exists in Pennsylvania outside of the state's three largest urban areas. The program works as follows:
Each summer, up to four Community Fellows will spend 10 weeks working for solo practitioners or law firms with 10 or fewer full-time attorneys in counties outside of the Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas. Fellows will receive compensation of at least $5,000 for a 10-week program (at least $500 per week), with $2,500 paid by Penn State Law in the form of a scholarship and the remainder paid by the employer. Employers will also be expected to provide a designated attorney mentor to the student. At the conclusion of the 10-week program, both employers and participating students will be asked to evaluate their experience.
|
Hamilton C. Davis died unexpectantly on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at his home at the age of 71. He and Joel R. Zullinger co-founded the law firm Zullinger-Davis, P.C. (now Zullinger-Davis-Trinh, P.C.) on July 1, 1986, and proceeded over the next thirty years to build a successful firm dedicated to its clients.
While Hamilton was born and raised in Arkansas, he spent most of his life in Pennsylvania. However, he always retained the reserved, gracious attitude of a southern gentleman. After college, Hamilton was admitted to Dickinson School of Law and graduated in 1972. Prior to the formation of Zullinger-Davis, P.C. in 1986, both Hamilton and Joel were affiliated with other firms and at times practiced on their own.
Hamilton was well-respected for his work in the areas of business planning, real estate, and estate planning. He liked nothing better than to take a difficult tax question and research it until he was sure of the answer. He was meticulous in research and planning for his clients, and his clients always came first. He loved his work.
In March of 2016, Hamilton retired from the practice of law due to advancing Parkinson's disease. He will be greatly missed by the many clients he served over the years and by those of us who had the honor of working with him.
|
2017 Speaker Series at Fort Ritchie Community Center
March 3rd
Like Robin Hood, David Lewis robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Scoundrel, rogue, lady's man, hero, criminal - come find out the "true" story of Davey, or "Lewis the Robber"
presented by Gary Johnson, Local Historian
June 2nd
Canine Warrior Connection
Warrior Canine Connection is a pioneering organization that utilizes its Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help wounded Warriors reconnect with life, their families, their communities, and each other.
presented by Rick Yount, Executive Director
September 29th
Journey Through the Hallowed Ground
The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership is dedicated to raising national and international awareness of the unparalleled history in the region extending from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, through Maryland and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Jefferson's Monticello in Albemarle County, Virginia.
presented by Bill Sellers, CEO
All events begin at 6:30 pm
Tickets: $15 per person/$25 per couple
Location: The Fort Ritchie Community Center
|
Press Releases, Memos and Important Notices
|
|
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.
|
Upcoming PBI CLEs at FCBA
Thursday, March 2:
Estate Planning: Beyond the Basics, Live via Simulcast, 5 sub & 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, March 7:
Big Changes Coming for LLCs, LLPs, LPs and GPs, Live via Simulcast, 6 sub credits
click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, March 8:
Running Your Law Firm Like a Business, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits
click here for more information and to register
Thursday, March 9:
Sentencing in PA State Courts, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits
click here for more information and to register
Thursday, March 9: Using Social Media Effectively & Ethically in Your Practice, Video Replay, 2 sub and 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, March 15: The PA Sunshine Act, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, March 15: 18th Annual Estate & Elder Law Symposium, Video Replay, 5 sub and 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, March 16: Using & Abusing the Residential Agreement of Sale, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, March 23: Selecting & Influencing Your Jury (PEG), Live via Simulcast, 6 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, March 29: The Law of Arrest, Search and Seizure in PA, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Monday, April 3:
Ethics Potpourri: The Race for Clients: Is Attorney Marketing Outpacing the Ethics Rules?, Video Replay, 0 sub and 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Monday, April 3:
Tough Problems in Workers' Compensation, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub & 0 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Monday, April 10:
The Intersection of Estates and Civil Litigation, Live via Simulcast, 2 sub & 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, April 19:
From File to Trial: 8 Keys to Success in Court & Beyond, Video Replay, 5 sub and 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Wed. - Thurs., April 19-20:
Family Law Institute 2017, Live via Simulcast, 9 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Thursday, April 20:
Mastering Medical Records, Video Replay, 5 sub and 1 ethics credits
Click here for more information and to register
Monday, April 24:
How to Handle Small and Insolvent Estates, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, April 25:
Advising the Family Owned or Closely Held Business, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits
Click here for more information and to register
|
|
Member News
* Graig Shockey and Annie Gomez Shockey are proud to announce the birth of their son, Jenson Edward Shockey. Jenson was born on December 15, 2016 at 12:20am at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, MD. He was 6 lbs. 7 oz. and 21 inches long. Jenson was baptized on February 26, 2017 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Waynesboro, PA.
* The Daily Record
selected
Waynesboro Native Ann Marie Rotz,
attorney/principal, Rotz Law Offices LLC to receive one of the 201
6
Leading Women award
s
presented Dec. 5
in Annapolis.
The Daily Record's
Leading Women awards honor 50 women who are 40 years of age or younger for the accomplishments they have made so far in their careers. A panel of previous Top 100 Women and Leading Women winners selected the honorees based on their professional experience, community involvement and commitment to inspiring change.
Nominees for Leading Women were asked to complete an application that outlined their education and career history, examples of mentoring, career-related officer and board memberships in professional, business or trade organizations, volunteer involvement in civic and nonprofit organizations, awards and honors, professional accomplishments, and commitment to inspiring change in their organization or the community.
Rotz has dedicated her career to families and their future by specializing in estate planning and in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Her dedication shows in her extensive community involvement including her current roles as the Board President of Leadership Washington County, a member of Washington County Judicial Nominating Committee, a member of HEAL board of directors, and serving on the Ethics Review Committee for Washington County Public Schools. A native of Waynesboro, PA, Rotz is a graduate of Waynesboro Area Senior High School Class of 1995; she received her bachelor's degree from George Washington University and her law degree from University of Georgia. Rotz Law is located in Hagerstown, where Ann practices with her trusty office staff, "Madeline" the Golden Retriever and "Bear," the Presa Canario.
"The Daily Record's 2016 Leading Women are truly inspirational. Their professional accomplishments, community involvement and commitment to inspiring change exemplifies why they are Leading Women in Maryland," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. "They excel to high levels professionally and personally, and The Daily Record congratulates them on this award."
|
|
Newsletter items deadline
The deadline to submit items for The Causeway is the 20th of each month.
|
"Since our last chat..."
"Since our last chat..." is a periodic column in The Causeway by Bar member Barb Townsend.
One evening in January, as I was bundled in my recliner attempting to defeat the usual winter illness which follows travel, I caught the 7:00 p.m. news on ABC27, WHTM. There, speaking to a reporter, was Paul T. Schemel, Esq., of Dick, Stein, Schemel, Wine & Frey, LLP, and now member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 90th District, (which includes not only Waynesboro and Greencastle, but Hamilton Township, Quincy, Upper Strausburg and Lurgan). Paul was being interviewed about his push to reform the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System [SERS] and the Public School Employees Retirement System [PSERS]. I immediately turned up the sound to listen.
[Since I concentrate in domestic relations law, I have some familiarity with the numerous retirement systems. For the uninitiated, though, the Reader's Digest version of PSERS and SERS is that the teacher or employee who works for ten years in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania retires with a benefit equal to their final three year average salary times a factor of 2.5% times the length they worked for the Commonwealth. Thus, someone who works for ten years receives 2.5% X 10 X average salary, or 25% of their average salary for life after retirement. Someone earning $75,000.00, who has forty years employment for the Commonwealth or has taught school in Pennsylvania, (2.5% X 40 = 100%), will be paid $75,000.00 per year for the rest of his or her life. In contrast, someone who works for the federal government who is a beneficiary under the Federal Employees Retirement System [FERS], for the same length of time and the same salary, will receive approximately $33,000.00 per year from that defined benefit plan, (1.1% X length of service X average salary). All are also eligible for Social Security. Quite a give away.]
Paul is tackling the issue of the Pennsylvania retirement benefits and trying to get some reforms in Harrisburg. Naturally, since the Legislature will be asked to change a valuable benefit for vocal constituents, he's meeting resistance. His driving force, though, is the run away deficit that the Commonwealth is annually incurring. The retirement programs are under funded. The amount that the programs are under funded was estimated at $47 billion in January, 2013. Recent figures of under funding range from $60 billion to the $74 billion that Paul proffers. Yet in 2000, before this system was revised to its current level, there was a surplus of $6 billion.
So many of the politicians have been promising that they will find a way to reduce the property taxes. That's an illusory promise if the state's school districts have to continue to fund the existing retirement system, even for the currently eligible employees. Paul notes that about forty percent of the current school budgets are currently paying for pensions. Without changes, this percentage and dollar amount will have to increase to meet existing obligations. School districts are limited to property taxes to raise funds unless the Commonwealth provides other funds.
Paul is well equipped to handle this problem. Although his family was from Buffalo, NY, they managed to escape the snow belt by moving to Arkansas. Paul headed to the University of Dallas after high school and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1994. He continued at the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business at the University of Dallas after graduation. He married Lucy in 1995, about the time she earned her master's degree in Philosophy and Theology. Paul earned his MBA in 1996. Paul then enrolled in Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, VA. He receive his JD in 1999, working part time at the Attorney General of Virginia's office during his senior year.
Paul and Lucy have six children ranging from a college student to a first grader. Not that there'll be a quiz, but the children are: Caroline, Billy, Peter, John Paul, Tommy and Monica.
After graduation, Paul came to work with Bill Dick and is currently partner in Dick, Stein, Schemel, Wine & Frey, LLP. Paul has been admitted to the Maryland and West Virginia Bars as well as ours. He concentrates his practice in estates and business planning. He worked for a year in 2009 for the Department of State, assigned to the Marines in Iraq. The focus of his work was to assist forming a working government for the area to which he'd been assigned. He has also served on the Greencastle Borough Council.
Paul and I discussed his position on the defined benefit plans in person and by e-mail. Paul noted that the current situation was created by failing to properly calculate what might be needed for funding or paying for the benefit, given investment market variations. He also noted that it's easy for the legislature to procrastinate what's needed to be set aside. By making the individual primarily responsible for retirement savings, he felt that this encourages workers to move occupations and provides increase flexibility, such as teach, then work for private industry, then return to teaching, thereby creating a more vibrant work force.
I noted that I was in favor of at least changing the current system to a hybrid plan similar to FERS combined with the federal employee's contributory plan: Thrift Savings Plan. Paul disagreed. In response to one of my mails, he stated: "What you are proposing is something that already receives a great deal of support. I support this approach [hybrid] as better than nothing, but only ever so slightly better than nothing. There are two reasons that I am not particularly keen on the proposal. First, as long as there is a defined benefit program [current PSERS and SERS], the legislature will have the moral hazard that funding a large fund presents. We will always ultimately under fund as we decide to send the funding elsewhere.
Also, I personally believe that people should have the opportunity to manage and save their own money. If some people choose to use it earlier and then have to work in their old age, that is their choice. ...I believe in personal responsibility and consequences. I don't believe that the government should treat us all as children who cannot be trusted."
OK...so this column was a little heavy. Sometimes I can get serious. Look, instead of us advocating our client's opinions, Paul got a chance (as did I) to give his own opinion. I did ask for an interview to discuss this topic with Senator Richard Alloway, Esq., but did not hear from him. Is there a topic you'd like pursued? Write or call.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Calendar of Events
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., March 2
YLD Meeting
Fri., March 3
Board of Directors Meeting
Fri., March 17
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., April 6
YLD Meeting
Fri., April 7
CLOSED, Good Friday
Fri., April 14
Law Day, Mock Trial
Fri., May 5
Wills for Heroes
Sat., May 6
Juror Appreciation Day
Mon., May 8
Board of Directors Meeting
Fri., May 12
CLOSED, Memorial Day
Mon., May 29
|
|
|
|
|
Visit the Franklin County Bar Association's website.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Follow the Franklin County Bar Association on Twitter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact the Bar
Amelia Ambrose
Executive Director
|
|
|
