PHILADELPHIA ® March 2004 The Monthly Newspaper of the Philadelphia Bar Association Vol. 33, No. 3 Proposed Tax on Legal Services Opposed Chancellor Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua has told the House Majority Policy Comm- ittee in Harrisburg that the Association opposes any effort to create a sales tax of any kind on legal services. In written testimony, Bevilacqua tagged the proposed tax a “misery tax” and said it would fall most heavily on consumers and small businesses. The Chancellor said such a tax would also impose “an unfair burden on the justice system.” His complete testimony follows: On behalf of the Philadelphia Bar Association and its 13,000 members, thank you for allowing me the opportu- Photo by Daniel A. Cirucci Chancellor Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua visits with CBS 3 Eyewitness News anchors Larry Mendte (left) and Alycia Lane at the station’s Old nity to submit this written testimony to City studio. Bevilacqua was there for a taping of “Eyewitness Newsmakers” with anchor Marc Howard. the House Majority Policy Committee regarding the expansion of the Commonwealth’s sales tax, in particular, CBS 3 Anchors to Address YLD how it relates to all professional services. The Philadelphia Bar Association oppos- by Jeff Lyons Glimpse From the Television Media.” day anchor and investigative reporter es any legislation to impose a sales tax Mendte, a “hometown guy” whose at Chicago’s WBBM-TV. While at on legal services. Larry Mendte and Alycia Lane, first job in the news business was de- WBBM, Mendte earned a record 27 Legal services sales tax anchors of CBS 3 Eyewitness News at livering the Evening Bulletin as a boy, Emmy Awards and was twice named is not sound tax policy 6 and 11 p.m., will be the guest spea- takes special pleasure in the fact that, “Best Reporter” in Illinois by the As- Although the Philadelphia Bar Ass- kers at the Young Lawyers Division as an adult, he is still delivering the sociated Press. Prior to WBBM, Men- ociation is keenly aware of the budget Annual Meeting on Monday, March evening news in Philadelphia. Mend- dte was a main anchor for KFMB-TV crisis facing our Commonwealth and the 8. Kim R. Jessum, chair of the YLD, te has earned 16 regional Emmy Aw- in San Diego and a weekend anchor need to reform our current property tax will also address the meeting, outlin- ards since returning to the Delaware at WABC-TV in New York. continued on page 10 ing her plans for 2004. Valley, three of which were in the Raised in Lansdowne, Delaware The YLD will also present three “Best Anchor” category. County, Mendte graduated from awards: the F. Sean Peretta Service Before joining CBS 3 in July 2003, Monsignor Bonner High School and Award, the Craig M. Perry Commun- Mendte was evening news anchor for West Chester University where he re- Web ity Service Award and the YLD Vision WCAU-TV, the NBC station in Phila- ceived his Bachelor of Arts degree in √ Award. The event begins at noon at delphia. He returned to Philadelphia Communications. Mendte and his The Westin Philadelphia, 99 S. 17th St. in 1997 to anchor at NBC10. Previ- wife, Fox 29 anchor Dawn Stensland, check Tickets are $35 and can be ordered ously, he co-hosted “Access Holly- live in Philadelphia with his son and To purchase tickets online for online at www.philadelphiabar.org wood,” the daily half-hour entertain- daughter. the April Quarterly Meeting or Mendte and Lane will discuss ment news magazine produced by Lane joined CBS 3 in September YLD Annual Meeting, visit “Celebrity Showtrials: An Inside NBC in Los Angeles, and was week- continued on page 13 www.philadelphiabar.org. KNIPES-COHEN COURT REPORTING 215-928-9300 COURT REPORTING • VIDEOGRAPHY • VIDEOCONFERENCEING 400 Market Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, Phone: 800-544-9800 • 215-928-9300 • Fax: 215-627-0555 PHILADELPHIA 2 MARCH 2004 / BAR REPORTER Show Support Through Worthwhile Causes by Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua Cancer. Diabetes. Severely ill chil- FRONTLINE There are many reasons for us to become involved: it’s the right thing to dren. do; we can make a real difference in the lives of others; and we can These very words seem to prompt instant anxiety if not outright fear and offer hope and encouragement when it is desperately needed. dread. All of us have been touched in one way or another by these types of dis- similar fund-raisers, this pioneering inflicts is deep and real. The hurt that eases and misfortunes. In fact, in 2000 event remains very popular and has family members, friends, colleagues the National Cancer Institute estimated raised hundreds of thousands of dol- and neighbors feel demands our per- that there were 10 million Americans lars over the years. Since it marks a sonal involvement. with a history of cancer. Some were milestone anniversary, this year’s There are many reasons for us to cancer-free while others still showed Run/Walk will be very special. become involved: it’s the right thing to evidence of the disease and were Philadelphia lawyers have participated Also, for several years now we have do; we can make a real difference in undergoing treatment. These are peo- in this event (many local law firms, also been supporting Variety Club’s the lives of others; and we can offer ple that we know – our colleagues, including my firm, Saul Ewing LLP, annual Old Newsboys’ Day with indi- hope and encouragement when it is friends, neighbors, family members, or annually field teams) it is the first time vidual law firms and legal departments desperately needed. ourselves. that we will sponsor an official competing to maximize their participa- But I think Ralph Waldo Emerson Our Philadelphia legal community Philadelphia Bar Association team. tion in this fund-raising effort that gave one of the best reasons to become has been hit hard by cancer. Every one Furthermore, all of the individual law supports services to special-needs chil- involved when he said that “It is one of of us can name someone who is bat- firm teams entered will be part of the dren throughout the Delaware Valley. the most beautiful compensations of tling cancer or who may have been Philadelphia Bar Association effort. When you buy the “Happiness Edition” life, that no person can sincerely try to lost to this terrible disease. Increasingly You will be given the opportunity to of The Philadelphia Inquirer from one of help another without helping himself.” though, we can also cite active, loving, sign up for the Bike-a-Thon just as we our lawyers, you are contributing to Do it for others. Then, be strength- healthy cancer survivors in our midst. invite you to participate in so many this cause. ened by your own good deeds and Along with everyone else who battles other worthwhile endeavors that help And of course we continue to lend a renew your resolve to continue to help. disease and adversity these people give our colleagues and friends. Such activi- hand to efforts that help lawyers grap- us hope and strength. ties are hardly innovations for the pling with addiction and other prob- Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua, a partner at Saul Ewing LLP, is Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. His e- On July 11, the Philadelphia Bar Philadelphia Bar Association. lems through the statewide Lawyers mail address is [email protected]. Association will field a team in the This year on May 16 we will spon- Concerned for Lawyers and our own American Cancer Society Bike-a-Thon sor the 25th Anniversary Philadelphia Lawyers and Judges Assistance PHILADELPHIA pedaling its way from here to Atlantic Bar Association 5K Run/Walk benefit- Committee. This year we are making a City. The event’s goal this year is to ing the American Diabetes Association special effort to increase our assistance raise $1 million for the Cancer Society. and the Support Center for Child in this area. While this is hardly the first year that Advocates. Having charted the way for Illness is personal. The pain that it Editor-in-Chief Molly Peckman, Esq. Associate Editor Nominees Sought for Scalia Award Sunah Park, Esq. Contributing Editor by Jeff Lyons the lawyer or as well as a true spirit of cordiality, Richard Max Bockol, Esq. judge who has, good humor and respect for others. Advisory Editors Nominations are now being accept- through his or “The award is meant to honor a dis- Bruce H. Bikin, Esq. ed for the Association’s inaugural her life and work, tinguished member of our profession Merih O. Erhan, Esq. Justice Antonin Scalia Award for exhibited the whose personal and professional val- Marc W. Reuben, Esq. Professional Excellence. The award will high ideals and ues, demeanor and accomplishments Director of Publications and New Media be presented by Justice Scalia at the commitment to speak to all these qualities, and whose Mark A. Tarasiewicz Association’s April 29 Quarterly professionalism life of service adds a noteworthy mea- Managing Editor Meeting and Luncheon. exemplified by sure of pride, honor and dignity to the Jeff Lyons The Justice Antonin Scalia Award for U.S. Supreme Justice Antonin Scalia law and the justice system,” said Chan- Professional Excellence is presented to Court Associate cellor Gabriel L.I. Bevilacqua. Copy Editor Kate Maxwell Justice Antonin Scalia. The deadline for nominations is Fri- The award recognizes a lifelong day, March 26. Nominations should Associate Executive Director for Communications and Public Affairs record of professional accomplishment, state a candidate’s worthiness for the Daniel A. Cirucci Clarification scholarship, reverence for the law and award in 500 words or less and include An article in the February learning, and a yearning for mental all relevant supporting materials.