HARRISBURG (June 11, 2020) — Pennsylvania Bar Association President David E. Schwager has named 18 Pennsylvania lawyers to the 2020-21 class of the association’s Bar Leadership Institute (BLI).
“Each BLI class member this year has a unique, diverse background and perspective along with new ideas and goals for the future to help shape the association,” said Schwager. “I look forward to working with them as they learn more about the PBA’s varied paths to leadership and connect with other PBA members and leaders. Given the changes necessitated by the recent pandemic, this year's BLI class will have more opportunities to connect to PBA programs and events remotely but will have added challenges as a result of the transition to virtual gatherings. Nevertheless, BLI is a marvelous opportunity for these up-and-coming young lawyers to create a tight-knit community of PBA leaders from throughout the commonwealth to effect positive change.”
The new BLI class members include:
Allegheny County
Katherine Kennedy, Allegheny County Office of Children Youth & Families, Pittsburgh
Bucks County
Mariam W. Ibrahim, Antheil Maslow & MacMinn LLP, Doylestown
Butler County
Alyson Landis, Boyer Paulisick & Eberle, Butler
Dauphin County
Anthony D. Cox Jr., Dickie McCamey & Chilcote, Harrisburg
Nicholas A. Dalessio, Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Kimberly K. Meyer, Caldwell & Kearns PC, Harrisburg
Triston “Chase” O’Savio, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, Harrisburg
Cheri A. Sparacino, President Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Sarah Stoner, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Harrisburg
Franklin County
Cayla E. Amsley-Mummert, Franklin, County Public Defender’s Office, Greencastle
Lycoming County
Ryan W. Sypniewski, Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Williamsport
Monroe County
Gary Saylor, Cramer, Swetz, McManus & Jordan, P.C.,
Montgomery County
Daniel Cortes, Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Norristown
Ravi V. Mohan, Law Offices of Jennifer J Riley, Blue Bell
Christopher M. Sperring, Warren McGraw & Knowles, Blue Bell
Philadelphia County
Leigh Ann Benson, Cozen O'Connor, Philadelphia
Taylor E. Pacheco, Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, Philadelphia
York County
Roberto D. Ugarte, Mooney Law, Hanover
This year’s BLI co-chairs are Stephanie F. Latimore, Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg and Michael J. McDonald, McDonald & MacGregor LLC, Scranton. Both Latimore and McDonald have served in a number of PBA leadership roles.
To apply for the BLI, candidates had to demonstrate leadership ability, commit to attendance and participation in the required events, be currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, be a PBA member, and be age 40 years or younger or have practiced five years or less.
The BLI was originally developed by Arthur L. Piccone of Kingston in 1995-96 during his year as PBA president to strengthen the PBA’s ongoing efforts to recruit and develop leaders of the association. The first chair of the institute, Gretchen A. Mundorff of Connellsville, re-launched the BLI when she became the 2010-11 president of the PBA. Its current purpose is to inform participants on the day-to-day operations, governance, resources and staffing of the association, as well as provide introductions to its various leadership opportunities.
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.