HARRISBURG (June 27, 2019) — More than 80 lawyers and judges from across the state have taken leadership roles as 2019-20 chairs of committees and sections of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA). Many of the association’s policies and positions prompting development of state laws and actions viewed as beneficial to the legal system, the courts and the public result from actions initiated by the leaders and members of these groups.
Here is the latest list of committee and section chairs:
Allegheny County
Jayme L. Butcher, Blank Rome LLC, Pittsburgh, was named co-chair of the PBA Large Law Firm Committee, which studies and makes recommendations regarding membership development and retention of attorneys in large firms in Pennsylvania. The committee also develops programs and services to enhance the value of PBA membership.
Judge D. Michael Fisher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Pittsburgh, was renamed chair of the PBA Federal Practice Committee. The committee promotes communication between lawyers practicing in federal courts and members of the federal judiciary and enhances professional capabilities of lawyers practicing in the U.S. District Courts in Pennsylvania. The committee also makes recommendations about federal legislation and proposed changes to bankruptcy, civil and criminal procedures and federal district court rules.
Ronald W. Frank, Blank Rome LLP, Pittsburgh, was elected chair of the PBA International and Comparative Law Section, which focuses its efforts on monitoring treaties, immigration matters and events related to the World Court. Members of this section typically work in multi-national corporations or are exposed to legal systems in foreign countries.
David L. Harnish, D.L. Harnish & Associates LLC, Wexford, was elected chair of the PBA Business Law Section, which works to develop and study laws dealing with banking, business and nonprofit corporations, partnerships and associations. The section also focuses on business regulation law and on legal transactions of the mercantile and commercial fields, including bankruptcy, insolvency and receiverships.
Maureen E. Lally-Green, Duquesne University School of Law, was named co-chair of the PBA Clear & Effective Communication Committee (formerly Plain English Committee), which encourages efforts to improve access to the law by de-mystifying its language, enabling lawyers to better counsel clients and increasing respect for the legal profession by removing the barriers of legalese.
Judge Jennifer A. McCrady, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Pittsburgh was named chair of the PBA Children’s Rights Committee, which studies questions and problems that affect children and monitors and makes recommendations concerning legislation relating to their interests. The committee informs lawyers on matters concerning children and develops programs for the legal profession to promote more effective advocacy on behalf of children in trial and appellate courts.
Beaver County
Judge James J. Ross, Beaver County Court of Common Pleas, Beaver, was named chair of the PBA Judicial Administration Committee. The committee studies and makes recommendations on legislative issues pertaining to the operation, procedure and reform of the state and federal court systems.
Berks County
Daniel B. Huyett, Stevens & Lee PC, Reading, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Independence Committee, which protects the integrity of the court system and promotes the fair administration of justice. It also works to respond to unjust attacks against the judiciary.
Heidi B. Masano, Masano Bradley LLP, Wyomissing, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Evaluation Commission, which works to provide Pennsylvania voters with recommendations on appellate candidates through a thorough review process.
Jill M. Scheidt, Masano Bradley LLP, Wyomissing, was renamed chair of the PABAR-PAC. The committee raises funds and contributes to the campaigns of incumbent legislators and legislative candidates supporting legislation and related issues of interest to lawyers and the PBA.
Terry D. Weiler, Huckabee, Weiler & Levengood PC, Wyomissing, was renamed chair of the PBA Planning Committee, which assists the presidential leadership by identifying priorities and initiatives to ensure the continuation of programs and policies that are beneficial to the association and its membership. Weiler is also treasurer of the association.
Bucks County
Henry A. Carpenter II, Yardley, will become chair of the PBA Elder Law Section effective July 18. The section assists lawyers, the elderly population and those associated with the elderly community through educational programs focusing on advancements in elder law.
Thomas C. Warner, Sweet Stevens Katz & Williams LLP, New Britain, was named chair of the PBA Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee. The committee develops programs designed to educate members of the legal profession about current legislation and regulations affecting exceptional children and their families. It also makes recommendations concerning legislation and regulations.
Centre County
Sharon D. Barney, Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl LLC, State College, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee. The committee provides assistance in the creation of programs designed to provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent Pennsylvanians. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service.
Chester County
John C. Cameron, Penn State Great Valley School of Professional Studies, Malvern, was named co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation affecting the health care system.
Theodore J. Murphy, Murphy Law Firm PC, West Chester, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Immigration Law Committee, which addresses issues in the area of immigration law, monitors and makes recommendations concerning legislation in this area, and promotes understanding of immigration related laws, regulations and court decisions.
Scot R. Withers, Lamb McErlane PC, West Chester, was named co-chair of the PBA Appellate Advocacy Committee, which promotes, supports and improves post-trial and appellate advocacy through regular member dialogues, seminars, a newsletter and interactions with the courts and similar national and state organizations.
Columbia County
Susan Schwartz, Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Bar/Press Committee. The committee works to promote and increase cooperation and dialogue among the press, the bench and the bar. Through its efforts, the Bar/Press Committee seeks to create a more informed citizenry about the First and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States.
Cumberland County
Lisa M. Grayson, Cumberland County Register of Wills, Carlisle, was named chair of the PBA Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which provides educational programming and coordinates statewide efforts on legal matters affecting active, reserve and National Guard military service members, retirees and veterans and their families.
Ann V. Levin, Levin Hoover Family Law Firm, Lemoyne, was named chair of the PBA Collaborative Law Committee, which addresses current issues regarding the collaborative law dispute resolution process, educates lawyers and the public about the process, recommends standards of practice, and monitors, proposes and supports legislation and rules of court that further the development of the process.
Grace R. Schuyler, Camp Hill, was named chair of the PBA Community and Public Relations Committee, which formulates and implements plans for improving the image of lawyers through public relations initiatives.
Magisterial District Judge Kathryn H. Silcox, Mechanicsburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. The committee investigates complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.
Dauphin County
Rodney R. Akers, Governor’s Office of General Counsel, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA In-House Counsel Committee, which works on matters of concern to lawyers employed as in-house corporate counsel.
Madelaine N. Baturin, Baturin & Baturin, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Disability Services Committee, which works to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to legal representation.
Katherine E. Bavoso, Cipriani & Werner, Harrisburg, was elected chair of the PBA Workers’ Compensation Law Section, which supports the exchange of information related to legal developments in workers’ compensation law. The section also acts as a liaison with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to ensure that the interests of claimants, employers and the legal community are protected fairly in the regulatory, legislative and administrative processes.
William Joseph Cluck, Law Office of William J. Cluck, Harrisburg, was elected chair of the PBA Environmental and Energy Law Section, which focus on issues of the law relating to the environment, ecology and mineral and natural resources, including air, water and land.
David R. Fine, K&L Gates LLP, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Amicus Curiae Brief Committee, which identifies legal issues that have relevance to the bar and that are appropriate subjects for amicus curiae briefs.
Vincent C. DeLiberato Jr., Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Statutory Law Committee, which assists any state government and PBA entity in the drafting of legislation.
Cory Iannacone, Pillar+Aught, Harrisburg, was elected chair of the PBA Labor and Employment Law Section, which is concerned with all aspects of labor relations, including the relationship between labor unions and employees. The section also monitors legislative developments and judicial decisions relating to labor law.
Kevin R. Klinkner, Office of Attorney General, Harrisburg, was elected chair of the PBA Administrative Law Section. The section observes and makes recommendations on the effectiveness of government-issued regulations.
Jonathan D. Koltash, Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Government Lawyers Committee, which deals with matters of interest and concern to government-employed lawyers and provides them with specialized services and programs.
Jonathan W. Kunkel, Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Office of Administration, Harrisburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Government Lawyers Committee, which deals with matters of interest and concern to government-employed lawyers and provides them with specialized services and programs.
Stephanie F. Latimore, Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Bar Leadership Institute, which strengthens efforts to recruit and develop future leaders of the association
Melissa M. Leininger, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Workers’ Compensation Division, Harrisburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Membership Development Committee, which develops and implements programs to increase the association’s membership base and to retain current members. She was also selected to co-chair the Commission on Women in the Profession Committee, which looks at the status of women in the legal profession and recommends solutions to problems that prevent women from full participation in the work, responsibilities and rewards of the legal profession.
Burke McLemore Jr., Thomas Thomas & Hafer LLP, Harrisburg, was named chair of the PBA Review and Certifying Board, which reviews applications from organizations seeking to certify a lawyer’s expertise in a specific field of practice and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for accreditation or reaccreditation of certifying organizations.
Samuel W. Milkes, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee. The committee provides assistance in the creation of programs designed to provide for the delivery of legal services to indigent Pennsylvanians. It also monitors and makes recommendations concerning all legislation regarding unmet legal needs and pro bono service.
Paul Richard Morcom, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, Harrisburg, began his second year of a two-year term as chair of the PBA Tax Law Section, which specializes in state and local tax issues. The section works with state officials on proposed legislation affecting tax laws, plans educational programs and deals with practice development issues.
Renee Mattei Myers, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Commission on Women in the Profession Committee, which looks at the status of women in the legal profession and recommends solutions to problems that prevent women from full participation in the work, responsibilities and rewards of the legal profession.
David L. Narkiewicz, Office of General Counsel, Pennsylvania Department of General Services, Harrisburg, was renamed chair of the PBA Editorial Committee, which oversees the publications of the association.
Leonard Tintner, Boswell Tintner & Piccola, Harrisburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee, which serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association and enacts services, programs and activities for its members to enhance their careers and quality of life.
Elizabeth R. Triscari, Pennsylvania American Water Company, Hershey, was elected chair of the PBA Public Utility Law Section, which is charged with developing and studying questions related to public utility law in the commonwealth and the United States.
Delaware County
Matthew H. Fry, DiOrio & Sereni LLP, Media, was renamed chair of the PBA Corrections System Committee, which studies the current corrections system in Pennsylvania and makes recommendations for its improvement.
Joseph Patrick O’Brien, KAO Law Associates, Media, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. This committee investigates complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.
Nicole J. O’Hara, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Wayne, was elected chair of the PBA Intellectual Property Section, which is concerned with furthering the development of the law and procedures related to intellectual property.
Franklin County
Forest N. Myers, a past PBA president and principal of Law Offices of Forest N. Myers, Shippensburg, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Senior Lawyers Committee, which serves as the voice of senior lawyers within the association and enacts services, programs and activities for its members to enhance their careers and quality of life.
Lancaster County
Jason Matthew Hess, Morgan Hallgren Crosswell & Kane PC, Lancaster, was reelected chair of the PBA Municipal Law Section, which deals with the development and practical working of the law, both substantive and procedural, relating to municipal subdivisions of states throughout the commonwealth.
Lehigh County
Nancy Conrad, White and Williams LLP, Center Valley, was named chair of the PBA Diversity Team, which establishes resources and forums to increase communications among PBA groups with diversity initiatives by working collaboratively with PBA leadership, staff and other PBA-related entities. She also chairs the Task Force on PBA Dues Structure.
Luzerne County
Jerry B. Chariton, Chariton Schwager & Malak in Wilkes-Barre, was renamed chair of the PBA Charitable Organizations Committee, which focuses on matters of concern to lawyers who are employed by or who represent charitable organizations.
Diana M. Collins, Pittston, was named chair of the PBA Law-Related Education Committee, which is responsible for programs that educate young people about the rule of law, the history and workings of government and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Richard M. Goldberg, Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn PC, Kingston, was renamed chair of the PBA Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, which promotes accurate, fair and dignified judicial campaign advertising among candidates seeking election to the commonwealth’s appellate courts by monitoring and reviewing complaints.
Jeffrey J. Malak, Chariton Schwager & Malak, Wilkes-Barre, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Shale Energy Law Committee, which communicates with fellow PBA members about shale energy legislation and regulations and facilitates education about shale energy for lawyers and the public.
Montgomery County
Tyler Benjamin Christ of Mayerson Law PC in Pottstown was renamed co-chair of the PBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, which works on current issues relating to mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes. The committee also conducts professional education programs and monitors legislation regarding alternative dispute resolution.
Marshal Granor, Granor & Granor PC, Horsham, was elected chair of the PBA Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, which concentrates on landlord-tenant relations, eminent domain, probate matters, estates and guardianships.
Robert H. Lefevre, Morrow Tompkins Trueblood & Lefevre LLC, Norristown, was named chair of the PBA Lawyers’ Assistance Committee, which develops programs to assist impaired lawyers and their law partners, clients and families.
William G. Roark, Hamburg Rubin Mullin Maxwell & Lupin PC, Lansdale, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee, which aims to keep the bar apprised of developments within the field of medical cannabis and hemp law by fostering communications and facilitating continuing education programs in the areas of client representation, industry developments, and ethical and other issues of concern to members.
Gerald L. Shoemaker Jr., Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Norristown, was renamed chair of the PBA GLBT Rights Committee, which studies matters pertaining to the recognition and protection of the legal rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The committee also monitors and makes recommendations on issues and developments in the law impacting GLBT people in the public and the legal profession.
Roseann B. Termini, Wynnewood, was named co-chair of the PBA Health Care Law Committee, which monitors legislation and litigation affecting the health care system.
Paul C. Troy, Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer LLP, Norristown, was renamed chair of the PBA Leadership Recruitment and Development Committee, which identifies future leaders of the PBA, provides information about how to obtain leadership positions and encourages members to seek those positions.
Philadelphia County
Michael E. Bertin, Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, will become chair of the PBA Family Law Section effective July 14. The section develops and works with laws relating to marriage, divorce, nonsupport and domestic relations, adoption and juvenile dependency.
Josh J.T. Byrne, Swartz Campbell LLC, was renamed chair of the PBA Professional Liability Committee, which focuses on issues concerning lawyers’ liability case law.
Michael Churchill, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia, was elected co-chair of the PBA Education Law Section, which promotes the interests in and the advancement of knowledge in areas of the law concerned with or impacting the field of education to better equip lawyers to serve the profession and the public and provide influence upon the development of a body of statutory, common and administrative law to serve all interests in the field of education.
Jennifer S. Coatsworth, Margolis Edelstein, was elected chair of the PBA Civil Litigation Section, which focuses on issues that directly affect civil litigation cases in Pennsylvania courts.
Cheryl F. Cutrona, Good Shepherd Mediation Program, was renamed co-chair of the PBA
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, which works on current issues relating to mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes. The committee also conducts professional education programs and monitors legislation regarding alternative dispute resolution.
Daniel Q. Harrington, Cozen O’Connor, was renamed chair of the PBA Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee, which responds to inquiries from lawyers on the impact of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Wendy Castor Hess, Landau, Hess, Simon & Choi, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Immigration Law Committee, which addresses issues in the area of immigration law, monitors and makes recommendations concerning legislation in this area, and promotes understanding of immigration related laws, regulations and court decisions.
Elissa B. Katz, Meranze Katz Gaudioso & Newlin PC, was named co-chair of the PBA Animal Law Committee, which promotes the study and understanding of laws, regulations and court decisions dealing with legal issues involving animals.
Deborah Klehr, Education Law Center — PA, was elected co-chair of the PBA Education Law Section, which promotes the interests in and the advancement of knowledge in areas of the law concerned with or impacting the field of education to better equip lawyers to serve the profession and the public and provide influence upon the development of a body of statutory, common and administrative law to serve all interests in the field of education.
Judge Richard B. Klein, Dispute Resolution Institute, was named co-chair of the PBA Clear & Effective Communication Committee (formerly Plain English Committee), which encourages efforts to improve access to the law by de-mystifying its language, enabling lawyers to better counsel clients and increasing respect for the legal profession by removing the barriers of legalese.
Ronald L. Marrero, Robert J. Casey Jr. & Associates, was renamed chair of the PBA Insurance Staff Attorney Committee, which promotes the interests of insurance staff counsel, fosters quality professional conduct and provides services to its members.
Tyesha C. Miley, SEPTA, was named chair of the PBA Minority Bar Committee, which develops programs to promote the issues and concerns of minority lawyers. It also studies, reviews and makes recommendations on all legislation impacting minority citizens in the commonwealth.
Gregg Miller,Pepper Hamilton LLP, was named co-chair of the PBA Animal Law Committee, which promotes the study and understanding of laws, regulations and court decisions dealing with legal issues involving animals.
Joshua A. Mooney, White and Williams LLP, was renamed chair of the PBA Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee, which analyzes cybersecurity issues and educates members about legal, regulatory and industry standards that preserve the confidentiality of protected information. The committee also advocates: for best practices and legal and regulatory requirements that address data privacy concerns; for best practices to prevent, detect and mitigate data breaches; and for unified standards.
Karl S. Myers, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP, was named co-chair of the PBA Appellate Advocacy Committee, which promotes, supports and improves post-trial and appellate advocacy through regular member dialogues, seminars, a newsletter and interactions with the courts and similar national and state organizations.
Wesley R. Payne IV, White and Williams LLP, was named co-chair of the PBA Large Law Firm Committee, which studies and makes recommendations regarding membership development and retention of attorneys in large firms in Pennsylvania. The committee also develops programs and services to enhance the value of PBA membership.
Riley H. Ross III, Ross Legal Practice LLC, was renamed chair of the PBA Civil and Equal Rights Committee. The committee works to promote and defend civil rights and responsibilities, fair treatment and equal opportunity for all individuals.
Andrew B. Sacks, Sacks Weston Diamond LLC, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Law Committee, which aims to keep the bar apprised of developments within the field of medical cannabis and hemp law by fostering communications and facilitating continuing education programs in the areas of client representation, industry developments, and ethical and other issues of concern to members.
Erin M. Siciliano, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, was named co-chair of the PBA Quality of Life/Balance Committee, which is charged with developing programs to help lawyers find balance between their personal and professional lives.
Philip H. Yoon, Superior Court of Pennsylvania chief staff attorney, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Bar Leadership Institute, which strengthens efforts to recruit and develop future leaders of the association.
James A. Wells, Gay & Chacker, was named co-chair of the PBA Membership Development Committee, which develops and implements programs to increase the association’s membership base and to retain current members.
Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr., Cozen O’Connor and a past PBA president, was renamed chair of the PBA Bylaws Committee. The committee proposes changes to the association’s government bylaws and reviews comments on changes to the bylaws that are suggested by other PBA committees, sections and task forces.
Brian J. Zeiger, Levin and Zeiger LLP, was elected chair of the PBA Criminal Justice Section. The section is concerned with protecting the rights of all individuals involved in criminal court proceedings.
Snyder County
Robertson Davidson, RHP Law Group LLC, Selinsgrove, was renamed chair of the PBA Agricultural Law Committee. The committee’s focus is to study questions and problems affecting rural and agricultural interests in Pennsylvania, and monitor and/or make recommendations concerning proposals for legislation or regulations relating to such interests.
Westmoreland County
James R. Antoniono, DeBernardo Antoniono McCabe & Davis PC, Greensburg, was named co-chair of the PBA Quality of Life/Balance Committee, which is charged with developing programs to help lawyers find balance between their personal and professional lives.
York County
Sara A. Austin, a past PBA president and sole practitioner at Austin Law Firm LLC, York, was reelected chair of the PBA Solo and Small Firm Section, which enhances the skills of lawyers in solo and small firm practice by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information essential to improvement of the lawyers' quality of legal services.
Niles S. Benn, Benn Law Firm, York, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Bar/Press Committee. The committee works to promote and increase cooperation and dialogue among the press, the bench and the bar. Through its efforts, the Bar/Press Committee seeks to create a more informed citizenry about the First and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States.
William F. Hoffmeyer, Hoffmeyer & Semmelman LLP, York, was renamed co-chair of the PBA Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. The committee investigates complaints against any individuals who are not authorized to practice and are alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law.
Out of State
Adam Berger, Duane Morris LLP, Cherry Hill, N.J., was renamed chair of the PBA Gaming Law Committee, which reviews, studies and makes recommendations concerning legislative proposals in the area of gaming law. It promotes the understanding of laws, regulations and court decisions in the gaming area and develops materials and educational programs of interest to gaming practitioners.
Yanai Z. Siegel, Appliance Dealers Cooperative, Monroe Township, N.J., was elected chair of the PBA Aeronautical and Space Law Section, which focuses on aviation law issues.
Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access of legal services; and serve the lawyer members of the state’s largest organized bar association.