Please be advised that Judge Reibman’s Civil Walk-In Motions Court for Friday, April 27, 2018 will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 5B.
Family Motions/Miscellaneous Court for Friday, April 27, 2018 will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 5B.
Please note the change in time and location.
PA Office of Open Records (“OOR”) to launch Agency Open Records Officer Database
The Office of Open Records (“OOR”) is launching a searchable, online database of Agency Open Records Officer (“AORO”) contact information for every agency in the Commonwealth. The AORO database will allow the public to contact the correct AORO to request agency records and will ensure that the OOR can contact AOROs in the event an appeal is filed with the OOR. As part of the new online database, agencies can also update their AORO information online.
The OOR will launch the online AORO search function to the public on April 16, 2018. Prior to the launch date, the OOR is asking that all agencies review and confirm their AORO contact information at the following link: http://openrecords.pa.gov/AORO/
To review your agency’s contact information, search your agency’s name and click the edit icon next to your agency, then click submit. All emails associated with the account will receive a confirmation e-mail. Detailed step-by-step instructions are also available on the OOR’s website. The OOR will review and confirm any changes within five business days.
If you have any difficulty accessing the online registration form or have any other questions about the process, please contact the OOR at (717) 346-9903 or openrecords@pa.gov.
The OOR also provides many Right to Know Law resources on its website, http://openrecords.pa.gov, including OOR Final Determinations, court decisions, agency guides, sample affidavits, forms, and numerous other documents related to the RTKL.
2018 Bench Bar Conference: June 15th-17th
The Statler Hotel
An Iconic Ithaca, NY Hotel in the Heart of the Cornell Campus & the Finger Lakes Region
Highlighted Planned Events:
6/15/18
Bus Departs Lehigh Valley 11:30AM (1 Ethics Credit Video)
BALC Board Meeting (Board Members Only) 430 PM- The Statler Hotel
Welcome Cocktail Reception 530-730 PM- The Statler Hotel
6/16/18
CLE Seminars-9am-1130AM (Titles coming soon) The Statler Hotel
Optional Group Activity 1PM- Cayuga Wine Trail West Taste & Learn tour:
(Three wineries on the west side of Cayuga Lake with tastings that include experiential food pairings, vineyard/winery tour at the first winery, and a visit to Taughannock Falls. Price includes motor coach transportation to wineries, to after party and back to hotel. Also includes tastings and food pairings.) Tickets are on a first come basis until sold out. Limited seats available!
*$45 per Person*
6:30 PM After Party of Dinner, Beer, Wine and Music at Hopshire Brewing (All conference attendees invited to attend free of charge/complimentary admission includes private venue, food, entertainment and 2 Beer/Wine Drink Tickets. *Transportation included only for those participating in Optional Wine Tour* Brewery is a short drive, cab or uber ride from hotel*
6/17/18
Lehigh County Bench CLE Seminar 9AM The Statler Hotel
Depart for Lehigh Valley 10:30 AM (1 Ethics Credit Video)
Conference Cost
$249 Conference Registration Fee (Attorneys Only)
$119 Spouse/Guest Fee
$99 Young Lawyer Registration Fee
$75 Young Lawyer Spouse/Guest Fee
Book Your Room NOW!
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=27455&Chain=10328&arrive=6/15/2018&depart=6/17/2018&adult=1&child=0&group=BALC61418
Code: BALC61418
Or Call 607-254-2500 and reference code
Special Group Pricing of $225 single or double (taxes and service charges still apply)
Young Lawyers & Not So Young Lawyers-Act Now! BALC is offering up to 3 Bench Bar Scholarships for YLD and Solo Attorney Members. To qualify for application, YLD members must meet the YLD definition in the By Laws and Solo Attorneys (attorneys from small firms will also be considered) of at least 10 years membership with the BALC. Scholarship will cover Hotel Stay and Registration Fee for BALC Attorney Members only for all non-optional events. This applies to Lawyers only and spousal guest fee still applies. To Apply, send your statement of interest to Ray Bridgeman, rbridgeman@lehighbar.org by May 4th.
Contact Erin with registration questions
ehudson@lehighbar.org or 610-433-6204 x 19
Contact: Erin Yaworski
Tel: 610-625-2100
Email: eyaworski@cohenfeeley.com
Website: www.cohenfeeley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CFARLaw
Former Army JAG Corps Attorney Joins Local Law Firm
Thomas Harper is proud to call the Lehigh Valley his new home
ALLENTOWN, PA, February 5 – Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo (CFAR Law) is excited to announce the addition of Thomas Harper to their firm. Thomas, who is a former Army JAG Corps Attorney, will join the firm and will handle Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability and Personal Injury cases.
Originally hailing from North Carolina, Thomas Harper attended college at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, from which he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in political science. Thomas then attended Campbell University School of Law in Raleigh, NC, where he graduated cum laude in 2010.
Thomas has a long history of service to the nation, having originally enlisted as a Private in the Army Reserves in 2003. After completing the Army ROTC program, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2007. He entered active duty service as an attorney in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps). From 2012 until 2013 he served as an operational law attorney while stationed overseas in Afghanistan. He will now carry on his service to our country in the Army Reserves.
When asked why he thought Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo was a good fit, he had this to say. “Three things stood out to me about Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo almost immediately. First and foremost was the firm’s commitment to serving the people of the community. After having the honor of defending the interests of soldiers, retirees, and their families during my time in the Army, I was highly interested in a position that would let me do the same for people in the community. Second, the firm’s stellar reputation was a big draw. Although I’m new to the Lehigh Valley, I quickly realized how highly the firm is regarded, both for the work it does on behalf of clients and for being a great place to work. Finally, everyone has made me feel like family from day one, which has gone a long way to reaffirming that I absolutely made the right choice in joining them. “
For over 30 years, the attorneys at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo have been helping personal injury victims and those seeking Workers’ Compensation claims. Whether you have suffered an injury because of a serious car crash, slip-and-fall accident, workplace accident, medical mistake or any other catastrophic event, we understand the difficulties you face and we will do everything possible to help you. We are here for you, no matter what your legal needs are.
The Firms dedication to the community is seen in everything we do. All of our attorneys, paralegals and staff are involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley and it’s important to us that we support them, because without these organizations, the community we live in would be a very different place.
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In Case You Missed the Wine Tasting presented by Riedel, The Wine Glass Company:
Event Host, Jamie Newman, did a fantastic job informing members of the importance of various glassware.
As part of the special Riedel wine event from January 11th, we are offering a limited time promotion to BALC Members. Members will receive 30% off MSRP for most Riedel wine glasses and Nachtmann crystal. Please keep in mind, a portion of all orders will benefit the Bar Association. All orders should be submitted by Tuesday, January 23rd through Ray at rbridgeman@lehighbar.org or 610-433-6204 x15. Items will be available for pick up at the BALC office on or around February 10th. You will be notified by email when your order arrives.
Also, as a valued member and attendee at the Annual Bar Association dinner this past week, Via One Hope Wines has extended their event pricing through the end of the week. Please visit www.viaonehope.com/parties/20861 for event pricing which gives you 30% off retail. Special pricing of $169 for a case of 12 or $99 for 6 is being extended for BALC Members until 1/26/18. The wine club is also exclusively available through the link. Reminder: 10% of all sales benefit the Lehigh County Lawyer’s Charitable Fund for the BALC Holiday Campaign. Please email grapesandhope@gmail.com with any questions.
2018 Lawyer Referral Service
If you are interested in LRS participation, please return the Application along with the appropriate fee as noted below. All checks should be made payable to: LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE.
The registration fee for BALC MEMBERS is $75.00 per year; this includes membership on two (2) referral panels and subpanels. Each panel is bolded and you may choose as many subpanels as you like, covered under the panel price. You may elect to participate in more than two panels at an additional cost of $30 each.
1 PANEL: $75.00 4 PANELS: $135.00
2 PANELS: $75.00 5 PANELS: $165.00
3 PANELS: $105.00 6 PANELS: $195.00
Modest Means Program and Application
Thank you for your interest in the Lawyer Referral Service. In addition to LRS, please consider volunteering to serve those less fortunate members of our community with your expertise by also enrolling in the MMP portion of the Referral Service.
North Penn Legal Services was established to assist the area’s low income families in legal matters. In order to provide relief to the families who do not qualify for their services, The Bar Association of Lehigh County implemented the Modest Means Program (MMP) a few years ago, which aids those families in a slightly higher financial bracket of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
We need your help to ensure that those who need access to justice get access to justice! By utilizing this program, our goal is to pay back our community with the highly specialized services only attorneys can render. Many citizens are in need of legal assistance and do not have the means necessary to hire an attorney. By volunteering to serve those less fortunate members of our community with your expertise, the Modest Means Program will help those citizens in achieving their legal goals.
Our program offers client services at reduced rates provided by our attorneys. The initial consultation fee is still collected, as with all Lawyer Referral clients. However, any services rendered beyond the initial consultation, are at a reduced rate. The clients are screened by the LRS staff to determine eligibility. The client will also be instructed to sign a waiver stating their financial information is deemed true and accurate, however if the attorney determines otherwise, they will be charged regular attorney fees.
The cost for attorney members to enroll in the MMP program is $50 for the year.
Download the MMP application here.
Bar Association of Lehigh County Holiday Assistance Drive 2017
Dear Bar Association Member,
The Bar Association of Lehigh County has started the Annual Ask for the Lehigh County Lawyer’s Charitable Fund Grant. This year’s theme is “Veterans Programs” and this year’s recipients will be Valor Clinic Foundation and the Semper Fi Fund.
We are proud to remind all lawyers that the Bar Association of Lehigh County has conducted an Assistance Program to benefit area 501c3 organizations to provide much needed assistance to our surrounding communities for many years. This program has raised over $215,000 throughout that time and distributed these funds to many deserving area organizations.
This year to assist these organizations, we are asking each lawyer to give generously to help support those in our local community. Remember, these contributions stay in the Greater Lehigh Valley area.
The Program is administered through the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and all gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The Foundation will acknowledge all gifts for tax purposes.
We will recognize all those nonprofit organizations receiving funds as part of our Law Day celebration in May.
Past years’ contributions went to the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, Dream Come True, The Lehigh Valley Zoo, Community Bike Works, The Victory House, Angel 34 , Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley and many more.
Please help by sending your check today, payable to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and mail to:
Lehigh County Lawyer’s Charitable Fund Grant
Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
840 West Hamilton Street, Suite 310
Allentown, PA 18101
Thank you for your generous donation!
Kristin Noonan Hutchins, Esquire, Community Service Committee, Chair and Ray Bridgeman, Executive Director, BALC
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has adopted a policy effective January 6, 2018, governing access statewide to appellate and trial court case records. As society, and the courts, evolve from a paper-based system to a digital, online system, there are increasing concerns about access to private information, such as Social Security numbers, financial records, driver’s license numbers, medical records, etc.
There are two choices available on how best to implement this policy when pleadings/documents are filed. The Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County is requesting the input of all the members of the Bar Association of Lehigh County. Please review the information below and then access the survey to choose which option you prefer and reply by August 22, 2017.
| Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A. 515 W. Hamilton Street, Suite 502 Allentown, PA 18101 Contact: Cady J. Darago Marketing Manager (610) 391-1800 x2216 cdarago@nmmlaw.com |
July 5, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
_______________________________________________________
Nick Nanovic Elected President of the Estate Planning Council of Lehigh Valley
Allentown, PA (July 5, 2017) – The law firm of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A., is pleased to announce that R. Nicholas Nanovic, a Member of the Firm, has been named President of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley for 2017-2018.
The Council, founded in 1967, is affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, offering continuing education and networking opportunities to assist members in best serving their clients through estate planning strategies and engaged client interaction within a multi-disciplined approach, while adapting to the ever-changing tax, technology, trends, and deliverables applicable to estate planning services.
The President, elected at the Annual Meeting, serves as chief executive officer of the Council for a one-year term. The Council votes based on representative diversity from each of the member categories, including Attorneys, Accountants, Insurance or Financial Advisors, Trust Officers, and Planned Giving or Development Professionals.
A resident of Allentown, Nanovic focuses his practice on taxation, estate planning and administration, and business law. His practice is focused in Pennsylvania, although he is also licensed to practice in New Jersey and Florida. He has extensive experience in drafting estate planning documents including wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, revocable trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs), charitable lead trusts (CLATs and CLUTs), charitable remainder trusts (CRATs and CRUTs), qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), and irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs). Nanovic advises clients on asset protection planning through the proper titling of property and establishment of limited partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs). He handles all aspects of estate administration including probate, obtaining an inventory of the assets, management of estate assets, distributions to beneficiaries, protection of executor when making decisions on handling estate debts and assets, preparation of estate fiduciary income tax returns, and preparation of the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return.
Nanovic’s tax practice is focused on personal income taxes, business taxes, and gift and estate taxes. He also helps individuals and businesses negotiate their tax liabilities with the IRS and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. He also assists in the formation of business entities including corporations, S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships; advises clients on how to properly structure the governing documents; and interprets pre-existing governing documents to help clients understand their rights and obligations for their roles in the business.
Nanovic has been recognized in Philadelphia Magazine as a Rising Star, a distinction for lawyers aged 40 and under or who have been practicing for less than 10 years, reserved for no more than 2.5% of all attorneys in Pennsylvania. He is currently a board member and Immediate Past Vice President of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley. He is President of the Notre Dame Club of Lehigh Valley. While in law school, he interned for the Small Business/ Self-Employed division of the Internal Revenue Service in the Miami, Florida, office and was actively involved with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, serving as one of the project’s leaders for two years. Nanovic earned his LL.M. in Taxation in 2008 and his J.D. in 2007 from the University of Miami School of Law. He earned his B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame in 2004.
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Please visit online at www.nmmlaw.com for more information.