Philadelphia ® The Monthly Newspaper of the Philadelphia Bar Association Vol. 38, No. 12 December 2009 Cooper to Outline 2010 Plans Rizzo, Dennis, Sullivan to as He Becomes 83rd Chancellor Receive Bar n By Martha Phan Honors Dec. 8 Born in Hawaii and raised in Den- ver, Colo., Chancellor-Elect Scott F. n By Jeff Lyons Cooper has spent the past 20 years mak- ing his mark in Philadelphia. Philadelphia Court of Common At age 44, he will become one of the Pleas Judge Annette M. Rizzo, former youngest Chancellors in the history of Chancellor Andre L. Dennis and Joseph the Philadelphia Bar Association. Cooper A. Sullivan will be honored by the As- will outline his plans for 2010 when he sociation at the Tuesday, Dec. 8 An- addresses Bar members at the Annual nual Meeting when they are respectively Meeting Luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 8 presented with the Justice William J. at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bel- Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award, levue, Broad and Walnut streets. the Chancellor’s Diversity Award and the Cooper is accustomed to the fast Wachovia Fidelity Award. track. He made partner at Blank Rome The Brennan Award recognizes a jurist LLP in just over five years at age 33. He who adheres to the highest ideals of is a member of the firm’s employment, judicial service. The Chancellor’s Diversity benefits and labor practice group. He has Award honors an individual who has made a national practice, representing employ- a substantial contribution to diversity and ers in both the private and public sectors. inclusion in the legal field. The Wachovia His clients cross all industry segments. Fidelity Award recognizes an attorney’s Most of Cooper’s practice time is spent significant accomplishments in improving on employment litigation, including the continued on page 20 complex areas of employment contracts, non-compete agreements, protection of trade secrets and discrimination claims. He lectures on all these topics throughout In This Issue the country. 4 Pro Bono Week He has earned an AV designation from Martindale Hubble, and Chambers USA: Scott F. Cooper 5 New Editor America’s Leading Lawyers for Business recognized him as among the best in Cooper spent a year clerking for U.S. Marvin Halbert of the Philadelphia 9 2010 Budget 2008 and 2009. District Court Judge Herbert J. Hutton. Court of Common Pleas. The Legal Intelligencer recognized him Prior to that, he completed an honors As a law student at Temple University’s 12 Holiday Events as a “Lawyer on the Fast Track” and the clinical internship with the Judge Dolores Beasley School of Law, he was a triple 13 Bench-Bar Wrap-Up Philadelphia Business Journal previously K. Sloviter, former chief judge of the U.S. threat: managing editor of the law review, named him one of the city’s “Top 40 Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. a member of the National Trial Team and 21 Election Guide under 40.” He also interned for U.S. District Court the Moot Court Honor Society. While Before joining Blank Rome LLP, Judge Clarence Newcomer and Judge continued on page 20 LAWYER’S PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE M. BURR KEIM AGENCY Fill in the application form at 2021 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19103 www.mburrkeimagency.com 215-563-8113 or FAX to 215-977-9386 and fax to 215.977.9386 to obtain a quote A trade name of M. BURR KEIM COMPANY QUESTIONS? 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Everything I Learned About Editor Emeritus Bruce H. Bikin, Esq. Associate Editors Life I Learned from My Dog Heather J. Holloway, Esq. Kathryn C. Harr, Esq. Ria C. Momblanco, Esq. n By Sayde Ladov Regina Parker, Esq. Raymond M. Williams, Esq. It is hard to believe that my year as Chancellor is Thomas Bryan, Esq. Edward P. Kelly, Esq. coming to a close and that this will be my last opportunity to Sarah K. Lessie, Esq. share my thoughts and views with you. Mary T. Kranzfelder, Esq. As I look back on this amazing year, I would be entirely remiss Julia Swain, Esq. if I did not thank the incredible professional staff of the Phila- Contributing Editor delphia Bar Association, a staff without peer. Their hard work, Richard Max Bockol, Esq. ingenuity, dedication to the project and kindness have enabled me to have one of the best years of my life. Advisory Editors I also want to thank my husband David for the countless Sunah Park, Esq. Chancellor Sayde Ladov and Bear share a moment. Molly Peckman, Esq. hours that he let me devote, both waking and sleeping, to this Marc W. Reuben, Esq. wonderful Bar Association. our lawyers who faced life-altering transition issues. We basked in I want to thank my mentors – Alan Gordon, Frank Devine, the recognition by our peers nationally with yet another Har- Director of Communications Doreen Davis, Larry Beaser, Abe Reich, and the Honorables rison Tweed Award for our internationally recognized mortgage and Marketing Martha Phan Pamela Pryor Dembe, Sandra Mazer Moss, Anne Lazarus, foreclosure program in which the First Judicial District, the Real Cynthia Rufe and Norma Shapiro. Each of you, in your own Property Section and Philadelphia VIP are critical role players. Senior Managing Editor, way, showed me how. Under the leadership of Joe Sullivan and Ethan Fogel, we began Publications I would like to thank my partners for their good will, good a new program: LTAMP, the landlord-tenant appellate mediation Jeff Lyons humor and absolute indulgence, particularly over this past program that will help to alleviate the backlog of appeals from Executive Director year. They enabled me to donate my time without question or Municipal Court. Kenneth Shear recrimination. We remembered to have a good time as well. This year’s I have also been blessed with the most incredible leadership Bench-Bar Conference, so ably planned by Molly Peckman and The Philadelphia Bar Reporter (ISSN 1098- 5352) is published monthly and available by team in this year’s Cabinet, chair of the Board, section and divi- Maria Feeley, provided opportunities to learn and enjoy. subscription for $45 per year by the Philadel- sion chairs, and committee heads. However, when I look at the ideas that germinated the seeds phia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th I would like to thank the leadership of the First Judicial of my agenda for 2009, no one could have ever anticipated floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107-2911. Periodicals postage paid at Philadelphia, Pa. POSTMAS- District for their support, guidance and partnership during this the downturn in the economy that compelled me to revisit my TER: Send address changes to Philadelphia challenging economic year. It is clear that they are called the First priorities. Bar Reporter, c/o Philadelphia Bar Association, Judicial District for a reason. But life comes at you from left field. In fact, I suggest that 1101 Market St., 11th floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107-2955. Telephone: (215) 238-6300. As- In addition, I want to acknowledge our federal district court the true measure of one’s success is in how you deal with the sociation Web site: philadelphiabar.org. News- judges, who have been so generous with their time, talent, energy unexpected. Personally, I have learned how to deal with unlikely paper e-mail address: [email protected]. The editorial and other views expressed in the and insights. Throughout the year they have participated in nu- challenges from some special teachers – my dogs! Philadelphia Bar Reporter are not necessar- merous Bar panels and programs, and we are so grateful to them. In my life, I have had four special dogs: Snoopy, my child- ily those of the Association, its officers or its Together, with your support, we accomplished most of what hood pet, a huge German Shepherd-collie mutt who saw me members. Advertising rates and information are available from Howard Hyatt at MediaTwo, we set out to do. The Bar’s new publication, “Upon Further through college and law school. Then David and I got Saman- 1014 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD, 21211. Tele- Review,” consistently turns out quality, relevant articles that keep tha, a golden retriever and our “first child.” Our beloved black phone: (410) 902-5797. our membership abreast of changes and trends in the law. Brian Labrador retriever Jake was the best friend I will ever have and, of Page 1 skyline photo by Edward Savaria, Jr./PCVB Sims deserves special recognition for his skill in putting out every course, we now have Bear, our chocolate teddy Lab. month’s new edition. Our Civil Gideon initiative is well under Here, cribbed from lists I have seen several times online and in Tell Us way with a masterful report authored by Joe Sullivan and Andy print, is what my dogs have taught me about life: Susko. Our Military Affairs Committee, under the leadership of • When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.