Sheppard, Liebenberg to Receive Bar Honors at Oct. 20 Quarterly
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Philadelphia ® The Monthly Newspaper of the Philadelphia Bar Association Vol. 37, No. 10 October 2008 Sheppard, Liebenberg to Receive Women Bar Honors at Oct. 20 Quarterly Leaders on Role, Future on Oct. 20 n By Jeff Lyons A panel of women executives from across Philadelphia will discuss the role and future of female leaders at the Associ- ation’s Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 20. Moderated by CBS-TV 3’s evening weekend anchor, Mary Stoker Smith, panelists include Arlene Ackerman, CEO, School District of Philadelphia; Nina M. Gussack, chair, executive commit- tee, Pepper Hamilton LLP; Tara Weiner, managing partner of the Philadelphia office of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP; Women in the Profession Committee Co-Chair Danielle Banks (left) joins Co-Chair Maria A. Feeley (right) in congratulat- and Ahmeenah Young, president and ing Roberta D. Liebenberg on being named the recipient of the 2008 Sandra Day O’Connor Award. CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center state or federal bench, whether active Authority. n By Jeff Lyons or retired, who has made a significant, “Oct. 20 will be a day to salute the positive impact on the quality or ad- ongoing role of women in the profession Philadelphia Court of Common ministration of justice in Philadelphia is continued on page 17 Pleas Senior Judge Albert W. Sheppard eligible for consideration. Examples of Jr. and former Women in the Profes- accomplishments worthy of nomination sion Committee Co-Chair Roberta D. include innovations in court administra- In This Issue Liebenberg will be presented with two of tion, implementation of pioneering case 4 Chancellor’s Forum the Association’s most prestigious awards management techniques, assumption at the Monday, Oct. 20 Quarterly Meet- of a leadership role in areas affecting the 5 E-Filing Update ing and Luncheon. administration of justice, publication of Judge Sheppard is the recipient of the a significant opinion, article, or other 9 Judges on Briefs 2008 Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Dis- scholarly work, or the like. tinguished Jurist Award. Liebenberg will “Judge Sheppard has been a beacon 13 Annual Conference receive the 2008 Sandra Day O’Connor for innovation in the administration of 20 Pro Bono Training Award. justice. We recognize how he has created Photos by Jeff Lyons The Brennan award recognizes a this new paradigm while maintaining the Judge Albert W. Sheppard Jr. will re- 24 33 Years in Law jurist who adheres to the highest ideals rights of all parties,” said Brennan Award ceive the Justice William J. Brennan of judicial service. Any member of the continued on page 10 Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award. www.itacceleration.com COMPUTER FORENSICS EXPERTS Contact us now for more information: FORENSIC COMPUTING • eRISK PROTECTION • IT INFRASTRUCTURE 610-995-9160 x813 or [email protected] Micki Sells all the right places . On Rittenhouse Square 1914 – 1916 Rittenhouse Square Compelling. 57’ Frontage Facing Rittenhouse Square. Vast Land. Grand Scale. Six Lots. 8600sf Townhouse. 3000sf Carriage House. Garages. Courtyard. Opportunities. Priced to Sell. By Appointment 215 790 5676 mickistolker.com 215 546 0550 2 Philadelphia Bar Reporter October 2008 philadelphiabar.org Frontline Mentors Can Make Difference Editor-in-Chief Sunah Park, Esq. in a Young Attorney’s Career Editor Emeritus Much has been written about is vital to leveraging With the launch of Bruce H. Bikin, Esq. By A. Michael Pratt businesses and organizations devoting in- performance into career the Chancellor’s Diver- Associate Editors creasing time and money to the concept advancement. sity Training Series, the Heather J. Holloway, Esq. of diversity. Although the issue of increas- In fact, without the Association’s Office for Asima Panigrahi, Esq. ing opportunities for underrepresented outstanding mentors Diversity will impart Kathryn C. Harr, Esq. groups has been around for decades, law who coached me early practical advice, skills Ria C. Momblanco, Esq. firms today are deeply involved in the on, my own career might and knowledge to young Regina Parker, Esq. movement to increase diversity among have turned out differ- attorneys seeking to en- Raymond M. Williams, Esq. their attorney and staff ranks. ently. hance their professional Contributing Editor A recent survey of the AmLaw 200 Most frequently, the viability. This workshop Richard Max Bockol, Esq. firms revealed that all of the 80 re- attorney who loses out series will cover career Advisory Editors spondents to the survey had a diversity does so because he or she advancement topics Molly Peckman, Esq. director or diversity committee overseeing may not have a mentor such as transition from Marc W. Reuben, Esq. the firms’ efforts. The institutionalization or a champion within the organization government service to law firm practice, of this role is a major step forward for who can help them maneuver the unique business development and best practices Director of Communications the diversity movement, and these firms challenges of career advancement as a for the partnership track. and Marketing should be applauded for taking action on minority or female attorney. It is simple This Diversity Training Series (as well Martha Phan such a vital issue. math: With fewer minority attorneys as similar programs at our city’s law firms) Senior Managing Editor However, as a person of color at an at leadership levels, young minority at- are evidence of a tangible investment in Jeff Lyons AmLaw 200 firm, I can stress that survey torneys have fairly low odds of finding the professional development of young Executive Director numbers don’t tell the whole story. In mentors with whom they feel familiar attorneys. The short-term return on these Kenneth Shear addition to formal diversity programs, the and who can advise them from the investments is the connection made informal culture surrounding diversity minority perspective. Thus we all have a between diligent, talented, young lawyers The Philadelphia Bar Reporter (ISSN 1098- at a firm and its impact on networking responsibility – minority and majority – and more senior practitioners who have 5352) is published monthly and available by opportunities is just as important to the to reach out and mentor young attorneys walked in their shoes. subscription for $45 per year by the Philadel- phia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th success of minority and female attorneys. with potential. My hope is that this type of profession- floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107-2911. Periodicals One way that all people, including As an active mentor myself, I always al development will help level the playing postage paid at Philadelphia, Pa. POSTMAS- TER: Send address changes to Philadelphia attorneys, network with each other is by stress to new lawyers that they are ulti- field for all attorneys looking to advance Bar Reporter, c/o Philadelphia Bar Association, seeking out and making contact with mately responsible for identifying profes- in their legal careers, yielding a long-term 1101 Market St., 11th floor, Philadelphia, Pa. people who seem familiar: We look, talk, sional mentors, promoting themselves gain of more realistic gender and/or racial 19107-2955. Telephone: (215) 238-6300. As- sociation Web site: philadelphiabar.org. News- act or have backgrounds and interests and leveraging their talent. Still, firms and ethnic representation among partner paper e-mail address: [email protected]. similar to one other. Whether they work have an obligation to support these efforts and leadership ranks in Philadelphia law The editorial and other views expressed in the for government agencies, public interest and encourage a culture of inclusion firms. Philadelphia Bar Reporter are not necessar- ily those of the Association, its officers or its organizations, corporations or in private that makes this process less burdensome. I ask you to please attend or sup- members. Advertising rates and information practice, all attorneys use these informal The Philadelphia Bar Association also port your attorneys’ attendance at our are available from Howard Hyatt at MediaTwo, 1014 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD, 21211. Tele- contacts to find out what they need to shoulders this responsibility as a core Diversity Training Series, which I will be phone: (410) 902-5797. know about the way things work in their component of providing member benefits moderating: Page 1 skyline photo by Edward Savaria, Jr./PCVB organizations. This insider information to Philadelphia attorneys. continued on page 12 Tell Us Association’s Elections Committee Formed What You Think! The Philadelphia Bar Association Board Chair Stephanie Resnick. members who are entitled to vote; and for has formed its first Elections Committee. Offices for which candidates are being candidates for Vice-Chancellor, shall be The Philadelphia Bar Reporter Pursuant to a change in the Association’s solicited are Vice Chancellor, Secretary, signed by at least 100 members who are welcomes letters to the editors for publication. Letters should be typed. Bylaws, the Elections Committee, which Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant entitled to vote. There is no word limit, but editors replaces the Nominations Committee, is Treasurer, and five seats on the Board Individuals who wish to be nominated reserve the right to condense for chaired by Immediate-Past Chancellor of Governors. Each Board seat carries a for any of the above-named offices should clarity, style and space considerations. Jane Leslie Dalton and consists of Ronald three-year term. contact Staff Counsel