Published for the Monroe County Bar Associationassimediafinal.s3.amazonaws.com/site555/reseller82/...MONROE COUNTY BRIEF Published for the Monroe County Bar Association Dear Colleagues,

MONROE COUNTY BRIEF Published for the Monroe County Bar Association

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer. I'm pleased to advise that our annual

Support Staff Luncheon was a great success. Over 30 legal assistants attended, with most

of the judicial secretaries. Those in attendance were very interested in the Executive

Board's invitation that they form a legal assistants' group, and the group has held its first

meeting. MCBA leadership will work closely with them to help them plan future

activities and events.

Our annual Bench Bar Conference is fast approaching, please be sure to calendar Friday,

September 27, 2013, to join us for a fine day of fellowship and legal education.

Jane Maughan

President’s Message

On April 26, 2013, Stroudsburg lawyer James A. Swetz was elected President of the

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Annual Meeting of

the Association in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

See Swetz Page 4

Summer 2013

Volume 18 Issue 2 Issue 3

Jane Maughan, MCBA President

Monroe County Bar Associat ion, 913 Main St reet , Stroudsburg, PA 18360

www.monroebar.org [email protected] 570.424.7288

Monroe County Commissioners have appointed Jim Gregor as the county’s new

full-time Chief Public Defender. The full time position was created by the county

because of the increasing caseload.

Attorney Gregor currently works part time in the PD’s office and has his own

practice. He has worked as both an Assistant Public Defender and assistant

See Gregor Page 4

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Bill Sayer receives 2013 Gideon Award Jim Swetz elected President of the PACDL Alan Price Young 2013 A. Mitchell Palmer Honoree Jim Gregor appointed new Chief Public

Defender

At the joint annual meeting of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania and

the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Hilton Hotel,

Helen Stolinas, President of the Public Defender Association presented to Bill Sayer

of Monroe County the association's highest honor, the Gideon Award, for his

See Sayer Page 4

The East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge #319 has selected decorated military veteran,

attorney, and long-time community leader Alan Price Young as recipient of the

2013 A. Mitchell Palmer Award.

The annual A. Mitchell Palmer Award recognizes individuals within Monroe

See Young Page 4

http://www.monroebar.org/

mailto:[email protected]

Page 2 Monroe County Brief

MCBA YLD

Division

Frank O’Connor, Judge Renee Cohn

Jubelirer, and Forest Myers

Friday, September 28, 2012

The YLD raises money and plans events Jeff Frankenburger, YLD President

Please see Tight Space on page 4

This past May, the YLD sponsored a Relay for Life team. Through the amazing efforts of Syzane

Arifaj who spearheaded this event and all those who volunteered or made contributions, we raised

over $2,000!

This summer, we have held two mentor lunches where we were lucky to have Todd Weitzmann,

Esq. and Gerard Geiger, Esq. agree to share their knowledge and insight with us. If you are

interested in participating in a mentor lunch, please contact MCBA or Hillary Madden.

The YLD is gearing up for our summer event: river rafting! The trip will be held on Saturday,

August 10th

beginning at 10am. We will meet at Edge of the Woods Outfitters’ River Trip Office at

Fernwood Resort. This event is free for YLD members and $10 for general membership and family

members.

We are still working hard to coordinate Wills for Heroes and our annual blood drive and hope to

make them as successful as possible. If you have any ideas for events or activities, please feel free to

contact the MCBA staff.

Jeff Frankenburger, YLD President

YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION

Jeff Frankenburger, President

Matthew Bernal, Vice President

Brian Jordan, Secretary

Kathleen Walters, Treasurer

We are pleased to announce that the Foundation awarded three scholarships to graduating

high school seniors this year. We provided three $500 scholarships to Monroe County

seniors.

Graduating from Stroudsburg High School, Maria Andrews will attend Marymount

Manhattan College. Maria plans to major in International Relations, with a goal of

working for the United Nations. She hopes to utilize her education and work experience

to pursue a career in government whereby she hopes to help end human trafficking.

Maria is the daughter of Peter Andrews.

George Serfoss, a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School South, plans on attending

East Stroudsburg University for his undergraduate studies and then pursuing his law

degree. Since the age of 6, George has been a member of the East Stroudsburg Crime

Monroe County Bar

Foundation

Board of Trustees

2013

William J. Reaser

Chair

Elizabeth Bensinger Weeks

Treasurer

Michelle Rogan

Secretary

Tom Dirvonas

Trustee

Diane Dagger

Trustee

Victoria Strunk

Trustee

Jason Altschul

Trustee

Monroe County Bar foundation continues to give

William J. Reaser, Jr., MCBF Chairman

Watch. He has been active in the National Honor Society, marching band and the rifle team. George is the son of Mary and

William Serfoss.

As a participant in the Mock Trials held in Monroe County each year and a prior MCBA Essay Contest winner, you may already

know Kyle Jorstad. Kyle graduated from East Stroudsburg High School South and plans on attending Grove City College to

major in law. His high school years have been very active for Kyle. In addition to being a counselor at Resica Falls Scout

Reservation in the summer, Kyle is an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 100, a volunteer for the United Way of

Monroe County, and is active in the National Honor Society and the speech and debate team.

In addition to our scholarships, MCBF is awarding almost $3,000 to various local charities by the end of July. Watch for our

press releases in the Pocono Record as well as in the next issue of the MCBA newsletter, Monroe County Brief.

Monroe County Brief Page 3

Tuesday, July 9, 2013 – Groupcast

Fire At-Will in Pennsylvania

3 hours substantive/0 hour ethics

9:00am to 12:30pm

Registration begins at 8:30am

Members: $139/Non-Members: $159

Friday, July 12, 2013 – Video

Dead Man’s Rule


9:00am to 12:30pm



Tuesday, July 16, 2103 – Video

Trial Tactics, Tips and Techniques

5 hours substantive/1 hour ethics*

9:00am to 5:00pm


Members: $169/Non-members: $189

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 – Video

Trusts: Drafting Well to

Administer Well

2 hours substantive/ 0 hour ethics

9:00am to 11:00pm



Thursday, July 25, 2013 –

Groupcast

Ohlbaum on Evidence Advocacy:

Using the Rules of Evidence to

Persuade

5 hours substantive/1 hour ethics*

8:30am to 3:30pm



Wednesday, July 31, 2013 – Video

SORNA Update: New Deadlines &

New

Crimes for SORNA & SORNA

Violations


9:00am to 12:30pm



Tuesday, August 6, 2013 – Video

Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

in a Post-Sandusky World


9:00am to 12:30pm



Thursday, August 8, 2013 – Video

Structuring & Crafting Com-

mercial Loan Documents


9:00am to 5:00pm


Members: $169/Non-Members $189

Wednesday, August 14, 2013 –

Video

Ethics Potpourri – Fee Practices,

Pointers & Traps of Fee

Agreements

0 hour substantive/1 hour ethics

9:00am to 10:00am



Thursday August 15, 2013

Evidence for Trial Lawyers (PEG)

6 substantive/ 0 ethics

9am to 5pm


Members $ 364/ Non-members $ 384

Breakfast & lunch included


Video

14th

Annual Estate & Elder Law

Symposium


9:00am to 5:00pm (Breakfast and

Lunch are included)



Thursday, August 22, 2013 – Video

Ethics Potpourri – Abe Lincoln,

Sydney Carton & the Art of

Aspiration

Thursday, August 22, 2013 –

Video (con)

0 hour substantive/1 hour ethics

9:00am to 10:00am




Video

Police Misconduct and the Defense

of Criminal Cases


9:00am to 1:30pm


Members: $249/Non-Members:

$269

Thursday, August 29, 2013 –

Video

Internet Legal Research


9:00am to 12:30pm


Members: $139/Non-Members:

$159

Friday August, 30, 2013

Litigation Technology Workshop

6 substantive/0 ethics

8:30am to 3:30pm

Registration begins at 8am

Breakfast & lunch will are included

Wednesday September 11, 2013

Legal Issues Affecting Military

Personnel:

Drawdown and Homecoming

6 substantive/0 ethics

9am to 5pm


Members $ 229/Non-members $ 249

Breakfast & lunch are included

Upcoming PBI Schedule at the Bar Center – Live-feed Group-casts & Video Replays

Courses subject to cancelation by PBI due to no or low pre-registration.


MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Sayer, from Page 1

lifetime of service as a lawyer to the accused unable to

afford counsel. Bill excelled as a trial lawyer including

death penalty defense and as an appellate lawyer and

recently retired from the Monroe County public defender

office where he served as an assistant public

defender. He is good example for all Pennsylvania

Public Defenders to follow.

Swetz, from Page 1

“The greatest protection we have against governmental

tyranny is the jury system protected by a right to

counsel.” Swetz said. “On the 50 Court’s decision in

Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteeing that everyone should

have counsel regardless of resources, unpopularity, or the

seriousness of the accusation pending against them, I am

humbled by the confidence my peers have expressed

in choosing me to lead PACDL.”

During his career, Swetz has defended many high profile

criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout

Northeastern Pennsylvania. Swetz has been listed in

Philadelphia Magazine as one of Pennsylvania’s top

criminal defense lawyers in 2007 and 2009-2012. He is

Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy and Civil

Pretrial and Trial Advocacy by the National Board of

Trial Advocacy. Swetz has also served on the

Lawyers’ Advisory Committee to the Judges of the

United States District Court for the Middle District of

Pennsylvania.

Young, from Page 1

County for their long-term and significant contributions in

the field of law, public safety, or community service. The

award is named in memory of the early 20th

century

Stroudsburg attorney, businessman and politician. Included

in his resume of lifetime public service, Mr. Palmer served

three terms in Congress and two years as Attorney General

of the United States. He was also a founding charter

member of the East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge #319 in 1895.

Alan Price Young joined the United States Air Force shortly

after graduating from Lehigh University in 1968 with an

Electrical Engineering degree. He served in the Vietnam

War as a tactical fighter pilot, flying 130 combat missions

and receiving many commendations – including the

Distinguished Flying Cross. Captain Young returned to

civilian life in 1974 and continued his education at Cornell

Law School. He graduated in 1978 and began his career in

law as the managing partner of the Stroudsburg law firm of

Young, Upright, Catina and Parker. In 2003, he formed the

law firm of Young and Haros. Attorney Young has practiced

law in Monroe County for 35 years in a variety of public and

private capacities, most recently as the court-appointed

custodian of an area charter school. His expertise lies in the

fields of real estate and community association law.

Over the years, Attorney Young has given his time and

energy to a long list of Monroe County community and

public service organizations, including the Pocono Medical

Center, the Monroe County Hospital Authority and the

Planning Commission, the Rotary Club, the Kettle Creek

Environmental Fund, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Alan Price Young, Esq. will receive the award at a dinner co-

sponsored by Elks #319 and the Monroe County Bar

Association, to be held at the East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge

on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Tickets to this event are

$50.00 and must be purchased in advance; tickets will not be

sold at the door. If interested in attending, or for more

information, please call event chairman Dave Merklin at

(570) 476-5773. Seating is limited.

Gregor from Page 1

Prosecutor. Gregor’s appointment becomes effective

after the July 17 Commissioner’s meeting. One of the

first duties of Gregor will be appointing a full-time

Deputy Chief Public Defender, replacing Attorney Bill

Sayer who retired earlier this year.

The Lawyer Referral Service is now the Find a Lawyer Program! The name has changed to more accurately describe the

nature of the program. You will notice a change in wording reflecting the name change in any correspondence the Bar

Association sends regarding this program going forward.

The Find a Lawyer program is now available online. Anyone who is looking for an attorney in Monroe County can find one

through our online system by visiting the MCBA website www.monroebar.org. The online system is the same as we use at the

office and meets the goal of being fair and random to the participants.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Bar Association at 570.424.7288.

Find a Lawyer replaces Lawyer Referral

http://www.monroebar.org/


Spring & Summer

MCBA Happenings

Law Day 2013 – Photo Opps!!

The Wizard of OZ Monroe County Style

Court Room 1

Court Room 2

Remember to notify the MCBA office if you have any changes to your membership. Up-to-date member information is available on the MCBA website: www.monroebar.org

Jake Muth, son of MDJ

Michael Muth as the Mayor of Munchkin

Town

Jason Leon and Zak Christman taking on the

role of the attorney

Dorothy, Cowardly

Lion and Oz waiting to

testify.

Steve Krawitz trying to convince Judge Higgins

that he is right. Does it look like he believes

Steve?

Does Eric scare you?

Court Room

2 Players

Court Room 3

Which

witch??

Jerry, Bill, Hillary

& Matt

Dorothy isn’t shaking

her fist at Judge Mark,

is she?


Monroe County Bar Association 913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

570.424.7288

Fax: 570.424.8234

Denise M. Burdge

Executive Director

[email protected]

Taharah Nix

Administrative Assistant/Journal Coordinator

[email protected]

Zenzi Boone

Clerical Staff

[email protected]

www.monroebar.org

Tid-bits of Info

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

Estate Lawyers Lunch – 1st Wednesday Real Estate Attorneys Lunch – 2nd Tuesday

Municipal Law Lunch – 3rd Tuesday Willowtree Inn, Noon- 1:00 pm

Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Lunch – 4th

Tuesday

Sarah’s Cafe

Remember to notify the MCBA office if you have any changes to your membership. Up-to-date member information is available on the MCBA website: www.monroebar.org

FOR UP-TO-DATE MCBA NEWS

and

COURTHOUSE NEWS

GO TO

MCBA Legal Links Page

2013 Monroe County Bar Association

Officer and Directors

Jane Roach Maughan President Daniel M. Corveleyn Vice President Lori J. Cerato Secretary Todd W. Weitzmann Treasurer Jeffrey A. Durney Member at Large Timothy J. McManus Member at Large Jeff Frankenburger Member at Large/YLD

President

Law Day Ceremony 2013

Joel Keller, Liberty Bell Honoree, with

MCBA President Jane Maughan,

below. 2013 Essay Contest winner Kyle

Jorstad with 2013 Law Day Chair

Kimberly Butts, below right.

Our Nation’s Colors presented on Law Day




http://www.monroebar.org/newsite/site/legallinks.htm




MCBA SUMMER EVENTS

SIGN UP NOW!

09/27/2013 Bench Bar Conference – Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort

(more info to follow in the near future)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

JOIN US FOR SOME FUN!

Sunday, July 21st – Iron Pigs Game

Tickets still on sale. $30 over 12 years old, $20 12 and under

Includes bus from MCBA and food at the game

Saturday, September 21st – New York City Bus Trip – “Free Style”

Bus tickets $25 each plus $3 driver tip

New York City Bound

Saturday, September 21, 2013

“Free Style” Plays **Shopping**Dining**Site-seeing**

$25.00 per person PLUS $3.00 cash

gratuity per person

8:45 am Leave MCBA Parking Lot

6:00 pm Leave NYC

8:30 pm Return to MCBA

RSVP by Calling 570.421.4288

Mail checks to: MCBA

913 Main St., Stroudsburg PA 18360