January 2015 Diversity Action Plan Approved ■ by Jeff Lyons
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Philadelphia ® The Monthly Newspaper of the Philadelphia Bar Association Vol. 44, No. 1 January 2015 Diversity Action Plan Approved ■ By Jeff Lyons THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS HAS APPROV- ed a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to ensure the Association fulfills its commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Te Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan was approved at the Board’s Dec. 18 meet- ing. According to the Plan, all Association leaders are expected to promote diversity and inclusion in the profession as set forth in the Statement of Diversity and Inclu- continued on page 18 Photo by Jeff Lyons Jeff by Photo Chancellor-Elect Albert S. Dandridge III received a warm ovation following his inaugural remarks on Dec. 9. Community Service, Help for Vets, Attorneys Top Dandridge’s Agenda ■ By Jeff Lyons endary attorneys who helped “usher in a inclusive firm. Hopefully, that type of Philadelphia Bar Association new sense of what it was to be a “Phila- tradition lives on,” he said. Segal served Annual Gold Sponsors COMMUNITY SERVICE, PROMOTING delphia Lawyer.” as Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar programs to help veterans and enhanc- “I am reminded of when Attorney Association in 1952-1953. ing opportunities for all attorneys will General William A. Schnader was joined “Te struggles and challenges of be the cornerstones of Chancellor Albert in private practice by his Deputy Attor- women in this profession are well chron- In This Issue S. Dandridge III’s initiatives in leading ney General Bernie Segal. Bernie made icled. Some of those struggles continue, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the a point of telling Gen. Schnader that he especially for women of color. In our law 3 Election Results decorated Marine Corps veteran said at was a Jew, saying that: ‘in eminent Phila- firms particularly, the results have been 7 Forum with Champ the Dec. 9 Annual Meeting. delphia law firms there are no Jews, and extremely disappointing. Knowing this Dandridge, a partner and chief diver- … the firm with which you were con- history, I do not think that Bernie Segal 8 Bar Leadership sity officer at Schnader Harrison Segal & nected is one of them.’ General Schnader would be proud of where we are today,” Lewis LLP, recalled the work of Bernard changed that. He started his own firm Dandridge said. 10 Year-End Events G. Segal and Cecil B. Moore, two leg- with Bernie Segal – a more diverse and continued on page 17 2 Philadelphia Bar Reporter January 2015 philadelphiabar.org Frontline Chancellor’s Reception Set for Jan. 6 Editor-in-Chief This is Not “My Year” ALL MEMBERS OF THE PHILA- Heather J. Austin, Esq. delphia legal community are Associate Editors WITH ALL DUE RESPECT By Albert S. Dandridge III munity, have not had an invited to a complimentary Regina Parker, Esq. and with no offense organized and concerted reception in honor of Albert Thomas L. Bryan, Esq. intended, it is my request effort as to how we give S. Dandridge III, 88th Chan- Julia Swain, Esq. Angie Halim, Esq. and preference that you back. cellor of the Philadelphia Bar Mary-Kate Martin (née Breslin), Esq. do not refer to 2015 as So now what? At this Association, on Tuesday, Jan. 6 Benjamin F. Johns, Esq. “my year.” I hate that month’s Bar Leaders from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Grand Annie Kelley, Esq. term. It is my promise Retreat, the heads of our Ballroom of the Hyatt at Te James R. Nixon Jr., Esq. Lauren A. Strebel, Edsq. as your new Chancellor Sections and Committees, Bellevue, Broad and Walnut Amanda Dougherty, Esq. that you will not hear me along with our Board of streets. Elisa C. Advani, Esq. refer to this year as “my Governors and several No RSVP is necessary. Tis Maureen M. Farrell, Esq. year,” because it is in fact nonprofit community is the event in which even the Advisory Editor our year. leaders, will have brain- city’s busiest legal luminaries Molly Peckman, Esq. With that being said, storming sessions to figure patiently wait in line to wish the let me start by telling you a out what our community new Chancellor and each other Senior Managing Editor, In the words of bit about my call to action. service initiative is going to good luck in the year ahead. Publications Jeff Lyons As you may have heard Maya Angelou, look like. Te final product in my inaugural speech “I’ve learned likely will be a combination Director of Communications last month at our Annual of some of the work that people will never forget how you made and Marketing Meeting Luncheon, or as that people will already is being done by them feel.” I am not saying that we have Meredith Z. Avakian-Hardaway you may have read in the forget what you our members as well as new all of the answers, but I would like to Executive Director related media coverage, community service oppor- believe that we have the heart and the Mark A. Tarasiewicz one of our main initiatives said, people will tunities for our members. resources to do more. Now I am asking this year is community Stay tuned for much more you to give more of your least expensive The Philadelphia Bar Reporter (ISSN 1098- forget what you 5352) is published monthly and available by service. information in the follow- yet most precious commodity, your time. subscription for $45 per year by the Philadel- We as a legal commu- did, but people ing weeks. Additionally, there will be a new phia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th foor, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2911. Periodicals nity are very good at doing will never forget In our beloved city of column in the Bar Reporter that will postage paid at Philadelphia, PA POSTMASTER: pro bono work and serving Philadelphia, the fifth- completely be dedicated to community Send address changes to Philadelphia Bar Re- on boards and writing how you made largest city in the nation, service. We will be asking some of our porter, c/o Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th foor, Philadelphia, PA 19107- checks to charitable causes. them feel.” we have one of the highest nonprofit community partners to write 2955. Telephone: (215) 238-6300. Association Tat is fantastic and I hope poverty rates and this is these columns, tell us a bit about their re- Web site: philadelphiabar.org. Newspaper e- we continue to provide simply unacceptable. We spective organizations, and how members mail address: [email protected]. The edi- torial and other views expressed in the Phila- that kind of support to our have children growing up of the Philadelphia Bar Association can delphia Bar Reporter are not necessarily those community-at-large. One without both parents in the help. of the Association, its offcers or its members. Advertising rates and information are available thing I think we do not do household. We have young In the spirit of collaboration and from Don Chalphin at American Lawyer Media, enough of is spending time rolling up our men and women who may not have teamwork, I look forward to working 1617 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19103. sleeves and providing meaningful, hands- real-life role models. Tere are kids who with you. Tank you in advance for your Telephone: (215) 557-2359 or e-mail dchal- [email protected]). on support for our community members may not have someone to give them the service in our year together. Page 1 skyline photo by Edward Savaria, Jr./PCVB in need. proper time and attention they deserve. Some of you reading this may in fact We all know what the result of this sort of Albert S. Dandridge III (adandridge@ volunteer in your communities, which upbringing can lead to. schnader.com), a partner and chief diversity again is wonderful and your service is In the words of Maya Angelou, “I’ve officer at Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis appreciated. However, we, as lawyers and learned that people will forget what you LLP, is Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Tell Us members of Philadelphia’s legal com- said, people will forget what you did, but Association. What You Think! The Philadelphia Bar Reporter Gross Elected Vice Chancellor welcomes letters to the editors for publication. Letters should be typed. DEBORAH R. GROSS, A PARTNER IN THE LAW Mary F. Platt, Assistant Treasurer. There is no word limit, but editors Offices Bernard M. Gross, P.C. and current Te following five candidates for Board of reserve the right to condense for president of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, Governors were elected on Dec. 9 and will clarity, style and space considerations. will serve as Vice Chancellor of the Philadel- begin their terms on Jan. 1 – Kathleen Kirk- Letters must be signed to verify phia Bar Association in 2015 after running patrick, Ira S. Lefton, Kevin Mincey, Jeffrey N. authorship, but names will be withheld upon request. Letters may be mailed, unopposed in the Association’s Tuesday, Dec. Rosenthal and Julia Swain. faxed or e-mailed to: Jeff Lyons, Senior 9 Annual Election. Gross will serve as Chan- Te following seven candidates for the Managing Editor, Philadelphia Bar cellor-Elect in 2016 and Chancellor in 2017. Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee Reporter, Philadelphia Bar Association, Te following candidates for Bar offices were elected on Dec. 9 and will begin serving 1101 Market St., 11th foor, Philadel- ran unopposed and will begin serving in their their terms on Jan. 1 – Caitlin M. Donnelly, phia, PA 19107-2955. Phone: (215) positions on Jan. 1: Jacqueline G. Segal, Secre- Melanie J. Foreman, Dana Gittleman, Lindsay 238-6345.