York County (PA) Bar Association/York County Bar Foundation

Today we congratulate Member Services & CLE Coordinator Cheryl Kauffman for 12 years of employment at the York County Bar. Thank you Cheryl for all that you do to support the professional needs of our members and serve our community!

Congratulations to Erica Townes, Esq. who is the United Way’s featured speaker for the Interviews With Inspiring Women lunch program today.

Today our organization recognizes and celebrates 13 years of dedicated leadership by CEO Victoria Connor of the York County Bar. Congratulations Victoria and thank you for your service!

The York County Bar Association (YCBA) was honored with the 2024 National Association for Bar Professionals (NABE) LexisNexis Community and Educational Outreach Award for their collaborative efforts with the PARDON ME Film Screening and Panel Discussion that was held on October 4, 2023, at the Capitol Theatre. Victoria Connor, CEO of the York County Bar Association and York County Bar Foundation accepted the award at the 2024 NABE Annual Meeting held on August 1, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.

The LexisNexis Community & Educational Outreach Awards honor outstanding Bar public service and law-related education programs. The Pardon Project of York County (PPYC), in collaboration with community partners including the York County Bar Association and York County Bar Foundation, The Program, “It's About Change,” the York County District Attorney’s Office, the York County Clerk of Courts, the York County Economic Alliance, and the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, organized a special screening of the documentary film PARDON ME. The screening concluded with a livestreamed panel discussion moderated by York County District Attorney David Sunday. Panelists included filmmaker Shuja Moore, The Honorable William R. Carpenter of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, pardon recipients David Bryant, Laurie Besden, Esq., C. Reginald “Reggie” Johnson, Esq., and pardon fellow DaShawn Harrison. The screening was free and open to the public and marked the beginning of a statewide tour of showings and discussions across the Commonwealth.

Directed and produced by Shuja Moore, the documentary PARDON ME sheds light on the transformative power of pardons, not only providing individuals with the chance to lead fulfilling lives but also positively impacting lower-income communities. The film narrates the compelling stories of two individuals navigating the pardon process in Pennsylvania, with one of them having already received a pardon. It also includes insightful interviews with thought leaders such as Jeff Hornstein, head of The Economy League, and Brandon Flood, former Secretary of the PA Board of Pardons.

Pennsylvania is among the most heavily incarcerated and supervised states in the nation, and criminal records often present significant barriers to employment, housing, education, and more. The only way to remove a conviction from one's record is through a pardon from the Governor, and the only way to get to the Governor is through the Board of Pardons.

It’s now much easier to request a pardon, and since 2021, more than 8 out of 10 applicants who apply get a hearing. [1] The key to success lies in crafting a compelling application that tells the story of how someone has changed since their initial involvement. Pardon Coaches play a crucial role in guiding applicants through the pardon process and telling their story.

In Pennsylvania, there are currently 15 Pardon Projects. The goal of the statewide initiative is to double that number. After the York County event, representatives of three other counties expressed interest in starting Pardon Projects in their communities and five attendees reached out to the York County Bar and The Program, “It’s About Change” to get involved as Pardon Coaches. Several attendees contacted the Pardon Project to check their eligibility, and/or to start the pardon process.

Thanks to generous contributions, the screening not only raised awareness but also secured $7,000 to benefit Do Moore Good, the charity founded by Shuja Moore to advance this critical work throughout the Commonwealth.

To learn more about PPYC, applying for a pardon, or to volunteer as a Pardon Coach, visit theprogramitsaboutchange.org/pardons.

About the Pardon Project of York County:
The Pardon Project of York County was established in 2022 through the guidance of the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, uniting various government, nonprofit, and community stakeholders committed to providing enhanced access and information about pardons to York County residents. A pardon is a powerful tool for people who deserve a second chance. PPYC County was created to help individuals with a criminal record in our community move forward with their lives.

Not very long ago we congratulated Stan Rebert on attaining 50 years of membership with the York County Bar. Today we mourn his passing and extend our condolences to his family.

Read more about Stan's life and career here https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2024/07/28/stan-rebert-first-full-time-york-county-pa-district-attorney-has-died/1065000002/

Congratulations to YCBA member Judge Jennifer J.P. Clancy on being featured in local magazine “Stroll!”

Thank you to Fulton Bank for sponsoring the 18th annual Breakfast with the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans Court. The session today, “Case Studies from 25 Years as Solicitor for PA Registers of Wills and Clerks of Orphans’ Court”, featured David Cleaver, Esq., retired Solicitor for the Registers of Wills & Clerks of Orphans’ Court Association of PA
being Interviewed by Alex Snyder, Esq., of Barley Snyder, the new Solicitor for the Association.

This event was the final session of the 2024 Summer Conference of the
PA Registers of Wills & Clerks of Orphans’ Court. Thank you to all who attended. We hope you enjoyed your time at the beautiful The Yorktowne Hotel and in our community.

Our member's shredding event sponsored by the YCBA Social Committee was a success! Members brought boxes by car and by foot!

As an added bonus, our members enjoyed delicious Mediterranean food by Traveling J’s food truck (J is Justin Ilkhanoff, son of members Paula Silverstein and Bernard Ilkhanoff.)

📢 Don't forget to order your Best of the Bar Stools Memory Book! This fantastic keepsake photo album captures all the highlights from the Best of the Bar Stools awards event.

Pre-order your booklet now for just $40 per copy. To reserve yours, contact [email protected]. Orders are due by this Friday, July 19 at noon.

Contracts are the backbone of every organization and contain a wealth of data that can help maximize asset value. However, managing complexity and harnessing the data in contracts across every stage of production, distribution, and consumption requires a flexible and robust management solution. Learn how to leverage your contract data to drive profitability with this free complimentary guide.

Access is free, simply enter your contact information on our YCBA Knowledge Hub to download this complimentary guide.

The Power of Asset-Driven Contract Management: Harness Contract Data to Maximize Asset Revenue - Contract Logix Forward-thinking energy companies should be pursuing innovative dealmaking strategies. Unlock the full potential of contracts by mastering asset-driven contract management and data utilization.

We hope you have the opportunity to meet Isaac Praseedom, our other Honorable Clarence "Chuck" N. Patterson Diversity intern!

Isaac interned at the Cumberland County Public Defender's Office this past spring and is currently interning at the York County Public Defender's Office. Both opportunities have allowed him to gain essential experience in the defense of the rights of individuals.

Originally from Cambridge, United Kingdom, it was always Isaac's intention to return to the US for the study of law. His undergraduate studies were in Psychology at the University of Birmingham and the University of Minnesota Duluth. He obtained a Master of Arts in Law from the University of Law in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Prior to coming to law school, Isaac worked as a paralegal en route to qualification in the UK. Currently a rising 3L at Penn State Dickinson Law, he has been involved in the Student Bar Association, American Constitution Society and Dickinson Law Review, and will serve as Vice President for the Criminal Law Society next year.

York County's Court Self-Help Center was established in 2013 thanks to the persistent efforts of Judge Stephen P. Linebaugh and Megan Dietz, who had a vision to better assist self-represented litigants in York County. The York County Bar Foundation provided a $10,000 grant for startup fees and advertising.

In its first six months, the Center served 829 individuals. The following year, the Center served 2,500 people, and last year the Center fielded 6,685 requests for information. The initial investment from the Bar Foundation has allowed the Center to grow and plays a vital role in educating York Countians in need of interacting with the courts.

By reason of the death of Gary M. Gilbert, Esq. and to show our respect by adopting a minute in honor of his memory, a special meeting of the York County Bar Association has been called for tomorrow, July 12, 2024.

Join us at the York County Judicial Center, Courtroom 7004 at 11:00am.

We’re Hiring!

Be a key part of making York County a better place to live and work. Use your development, marketing, and communications expertise to spread the word about impactful programs and projects improving the lives of your neighbors. You will work across the organization to help make sure members are engaged in events and activities, fundraising goals are achieved, stakeholders have confidence in the York County Bar, and the community knows us and how our work and grantmaking support the community.

As the Director of Communications & Public Support you will work with the CEO and other team members to develop and implement the communications and marketing and fundraising strategies for all programs and services to achieve organizational goals. You will support the CEO in relating the value of the York County Bar to members and the community and creating a compelling case for support across multiple communications channels to several target audiences. You will coordinate all communications/public relations activities, participate in events, and direct the work of consultants and professionals to help improve public understanding of the justice system and inform members of the services and opportunities available to them through the York County Bar. Additionally, you will provide development, general office management, administration, and program support including organizing operational details of the financial and corporate records and funds, provide support for Leave A Legacy York County® and York County Estate Planning Council activities, and ensure the York Legal Record is produced with minimal errors in compliance with operating policies and guidelines. See complete job description here https://shorturl.at/hVkL3.

If you have exceptional Marketing/Communications/Fundraising/Management experience please submit cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three professional references to: [email protected]. No phone calls please.

Implementing changes at your firm can be a daunting task. Whether it's integrating artificial intelligence, adopting hybrid work arrangements, upgrading software, or employing innovative recruiting strategies, changes in the legal industry are accelerating. Legal Management provides insights on how to usher change at your law firm.

How to Usher in Change at Your Law Firm (and Not Scare Staff) Reading the room and starting slowly can go a long way to making sure changes at your firm run smoothly.

The York County Bar Association upholds the tradition of celebrating and recognizing the remarkable milestone of 50 years of YCBA membership, which stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication, commitment, and exemplary service to the legal profession. This year, we recognized the achievement of 29 Bar members. Among these distinguished members is the Honorable Stephen P. Linebaugh. Judge Linebaugh shared his insights and reflections on his career in law within York County.

Read more: yorkbar.com/news/676624

Searching for the right job can be time-consuming and your time is valuable. Upload your resume to the York County Bar Association Career Center and let the right job come to you! You can also have your resume evaluated for FREE.

Upload your resume today at careers.yorkbar.com!

Attention Legal Professionals! Help us honor our troops and first responders by volunteering at our Wills For Heroes event on September 7th!

The Wills for Heroes program provides essential legal documents free of charge to our nation’s first responders and military veterans including wills, living wills, and powers of attorney.

Contact Kristen McGuire to volunteer: [email protected]

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing you and your families a safe and joyous 4th of July!

The Bar Center will be closed July 4 & 5.

Alternative Fee Agreements offer customized pricing models to accommodate clients' budgets, build trust, and help lawyers expand their client base. Download this eBook to learn about alternative fee agreements and how they can help build a profitable law firm.

Access is free, simply enter your contact information on our YCBA Knowledge Hub to download this complimentary eBook.

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Have you met Christie Page, one of our 2024 YCBF Clarence "Chuck" N. Patterson Diversity Interns?

Christie is interning at the York County District Attorney's Office - District Attorney Dave Sunday this summer and hopes remain in the DA's office following graduation.

She's a second-year law student at Penn State Dickinson Law, where she attends on a full-tuition merit scholarship and is a proud member of their Moot Court team. Before law school, she earned her Bachelor of Music from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and served as an executive editor at a digital entertainment media company. She now resides in South Central PA with her fiancé and their son.

As a first-generation college and professional student, Christie brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work. She has personal experience with the Florida Department of Children and Families and has passionately advocated for women's rights, disability rights, and LGBTQ+ rights throughout her life. Her dedication to making a difference is evident through her fundraising efforts for the Arthritis Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the The Christopher Ricardo Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

We are thrilled to have you, Christie!

Check out our upcoming July and August CLEs including a special CLE offering on July 12 by the Pennsylvania Sheriffs Association.

Learn more: https://www.yorkbar.com/page/UpcomingCLEPBI

Be a CHANGEmaker in the legal community! The Change for Justice coin collection program benefiting the Clarence “Chuck” N. Patterson Diversity Internship Scholarship program continues. Your contributions, whether coins or dollars, are invaluable in supporting this important initiative.

Simply place your donations, along with your contact information, in a ziplock bag and deliver it to the Bar Center during regular business hours. A limited supply of free coin jars shown in the photo are available at the Bar Center.

*NEW - Relive the Best of the Bar Stools with a memory book! Booklets are available for pre-order at $40 per copy. Contact [email protected] to reserve yours.

Errors Tour and Best of the Bar Stools videos still available.

Our York County Estate Planning Council hosted a 'Get In the Know' program this evening, with speaker Attorney Larry Young of CGA Law Firm, who spoke on the intersection of bankruptcy and estate planning. We appreciate the attendance of our members and the valuable insights shared by Larry!

In continuing the spirit of Pride Month, the Pennsylvania Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness will host a webinar: "Pushing Forward: Local Protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians," on July 15, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Engage in a critical conversation on localized, non-discrimination ordinances: What are they, and how do they work? Why do we need them? How do they compare to protections for LGBTQ+ individuals at the state and federal levels? Which localities in PA have enacted them?

Register: bit.ly/3JUioGV.

Looking to advertise new attorney(s) and staff hires, firm announcements, retirements or job openings at your office? The YCBA is offering three times the exposure for one low fee to YCBA members through our Triple Play Advertisement!

Triple Play includes a one time ad in the York Legal Record, inclusion on the York Bar website under current news for 30 days, and inclusion in one York Bar E-newsletter.

Contact [email protected] for details!

The York County Bar is proud to support York’s arts and music community as a Make Music Day, York County sponsor! Today, you may have spotted Janelle Black representing the YCBA at the Musician Luncheon at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts.

As part of our commitment to the arts, the YCBA offers the York Lawyers for the Arts year-round to provide legal aid to local artists pro bono and reduced-fee representation. Learn more: https://www.yorkbar.com/page/YLA

"Legal Insights for Modern Compliance" is your essential resource for navigating today's regulatory complexities. Uncover key topics including modern compliance challenges, technology integration, cross-border regulations, fostering compliance culture, and real-world case studies.

Access is free, simply complete the form on our YCBA Knowledge Hub to receive this exclusive complimentary ebook.

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As an African American attorney and civil rights advocate, Sandra Thompson's dedication to justice extends beyond the courtroom. Motivated by her own court scheduling conflicts during Juneteenth observances, Attorney Thompson presented the issue to the YCBA. Sandra provided additional insights into her advocacy efforts for Juneteenth within the YCBA and PBA.

"I began advocating for change surrounding the Juneteenth Day of Observation because, as an African American attorney and civil rights advocate frequently invited to speak at events celebrating Juneteenth, I was limited as I was scheduled for court on the day of observance for Juneteenth 2023.

I started researching what legislature was passed and how each County was handling it. I brought it to the attention of the York County Bar's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee. Together, the Bar worked to prepare and adopt a resolution last year recognizing Juneteenth as an official holiday.

Then, I raised the issue and brought the York County Bar's Juneteenth Resolution to the attention of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Civil and Equal Rights Committee (CERC). CERC then created a Juneteenth subcommittee whereas, I and Jada Greenhowe, Esq, CERC's co-chairs, with James Smith, Esq., and Althea Bennett, Esq., CERC's vice chairs, finalized a Juneteenth Report & Recommendation that was approved by CERC. On behalf of CERC, Attorney Greenhowe and myself successfully presented CERC's Juneteenth Report and Recommendation to the PBA House of Delegates and the Board of Governors for adoption on May 10, 2024."

View the YCBA Juneteenth Resolution: www.yorkbar.com/news/675299