The Pennylvania Bar Asociation is seeking applications for the PBA Bar Leadership Institute program for the 2010 - 2011 bar year.

The Bar Leadership Institute provides emerging bar leaders with an opportunity to learn about the association while actively participating in key meetings. Participants network with PBA members and leadership and build lasting relationships that will serve as invaluable resources for future success.

This year's BLI is co-chaired by Mary E. Schellhammer and Paul C. Troy, who have participated in previous BLI programs.

Ten individuals will be selected for this year's class. The criteria for inclusion in the ten-member class is a demonstration of leadership ability in some capacity, a willingness to make the time commitment to the seven-month program, currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and age 38 years or younger or have practiced five years or less. Membership in the PBA is required, however, prior active participation in the PBA is not a criteria.

Candidate Application Form
Calendar of Events
Reference Form (to be forwarded and completed by your references)

The application packet is due by June 22, 2010.

Candidates will be notified of their selection in early July.

If you have questions please contact Susan Etter, PBA Education and Special Projects Coordinator.
Email: susan.etter@pabar.org
Phone: 800-932-0311 ext. 2256
 

PBA Announcement

Helpful Resources

The purpose of the Pennsylvania Bar Association as stated in the by-laws and original charter:

• to advance the science of jurisprudence;
• to promote the administration of justice;
• to see that no one, on account of poverty, is denied his or her legal rights;
• to secure proper legislation;
• to encourage a thorough legal education;
• to uphold the honor and dignity of the Bar;
• to cultivate cordial relations among the lawyers of Pennsylvania; and
• to perpetuate the history of the profession and the memory of its members.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association: A Brief History
This is a wonderful article from the January/February 2010 edition of the Pennsylvania Lawyer. It was written by the late Ted Stellwag, executive director emeritus of the PBA. Stellwag had an abiding love of history and historic preservation, especially when it came to the PBA and the Maclay Mansion, the PBA headquarters building in Harrisburg. This is a "must-read" for all PBA members.

The PBA Instruction Manual
A very helpful article written by PBA Communications Manager, Jeff Gingerich to help you understand the basics of how the PBA works so you can get the most out of belonging. It explains how the PBA is generally organized, how every member can take a leadership role (if ho or she wants to) and how every member can promote change in the association's policies and in the legal profession.

Seeing the PBA as an 'Extended Family' for Lawyers: Interview with incoming PBA President Gretchen Mundorff

Lawyers as Community Builders
A commentary written by JoAnne Epps, Dean, Temple University Beasley School of Law, offering some perspective on the community role of lawyers and the importance of including minority lawyers as full participants and sources of influence.

Where Does Our PABAR-PAC Money Go, Anyway?
A commentary by former PBA President William P. Carlucci.

How Pennsylvania's Legal Aid System is Organized
An article written by Samuel Milkes, executive director of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the statewide coordinating organization for 10 regional legal services programs and six specialized legal resource programs.

Your Mother Cares about Excuses, Your Audience Cares about Results: How to prepare powerful presentations
In this article author David J. Dempsey notes, "An engaging and persuasive message could mean the difference between you exiting the courtroom as the victor or the vanquished. You have only one chance to make the right impression."

Great Mentors
Veteran lawyer, Cliff Rieders, shares his thoughts on the people who have helped, guided and influenced his life and career in the law - and the qualities they have in common.