Berks Barrister Summer 2019 - 6

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OPENING STATEMENT
Continued from page 5

Summer Intern
Our Lawyer Referral Service and Modest Means Program
got a big boost this summer with the addition of a summer
intern. Leslie Martines-Rivera, who completed her junior year
at Alvernia University, was our first summer intern. She is a
Criminal Justice major and a graduate of Reading High School.
Leslie is a member of the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program at
Alvernia.
Thank you to Berks County District
Attorney John Adams, Berks Public Defender
Glenn D. Welsh, the Honorable Timothy
Rowley and his Law Clerk, Michael Wieder,
Abraham Cepeda, and MidPenn Legal
Services for allowing Leslie to spend time
shadowing staff and getting a behind-the-scenes
look at the legal profession. We wish Leslie well
in her senior year at Alvernia.
Leslie Martines-Rivera got our summer
internship program off to a great start.

Brainstorming and Representing Your Bar
Among the many rewarding experiences I've had as your Bar
President has been the chance to connect with other Bar leaders
from the region in hopes of picking up an idea or two.
Finding new events that appeal to our members, looking
for ways to improve service to members and the community,
and brainstorming about strategies for leading a successful Bar
are all important to ensuring that our Bar remains relevant and
responsive.

In April, Executive Director Kori Walter and I traveled to
The Barrister's Club in Allentown, which is the home of the Bar
Association of Lehigh County. Lehigh Bar President James J.
Kozuch and Executive Director Ray Bridgeman were gracious
hosts, giving us a tour of their office and engaging us in a frank
exchange of ideas, challenges and operational issues.

BCBA Past President and PBA Treasurer Terry D. Weiler addresses
the House of Delegates meeting in Lancaster on May 17.
6 | Berks Barrister

Bar leaders from across Pennsylvania gathered in May in
Lancaster for the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) House of
Delegates meeting. The Berks Bar was well-represented at the event
with eight members and our executive director attending.

In between Section and Committee meetings and a voting
session on a host of resolutions, our delegation networked and met
with our counterparts from other counties. And Berks County was
recognized once again for its tremendous support of the PBA's
Legislative Affairs efforts to defeat a sales tax on legal services and
other proposals detrimental to our legal community. Thank you to
Terry D. Weiler, Kim L. Lengert, Jill M. Scheidt, Donald F. Smith,
Jr., Frederick R. Mogel, Heidi B. Masano, G. Thompson Bell, III,
and Kori Walter in joining me in representing the BCBA.

Events Rundown
This issue is filled with photos from the packed schedule of events
here at the Bar over the summer.
I'll take just a moment to highlight two of those events, which
illustrate how the Bar works to help our members relieve stress and
have some fun outside the office.

First, the Wellness Committee coordinated a very successful "Pets
at the Park" event on June 22 in Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg
Township. This was the first time we invited members and their
families to kick off their summer by spending a morning getting
some fresh air and exercise with their four-legged friends. To add
a sweet touch to the event, the Sweet Ride Ice Cream truck served
sundaes to the approximately 30 people in attendance. Based on the
positive feedback from members, this may become an annual event.

Then on June 27, the BCBA organized a bus trip to watch
the Philadelphia Phillies complete a four-game sweep of the
National League East rival New York Mets. When outfielder and
$330-million free agent Bryce Harper smashed a homer out to
Ashburn Alley in the top of the sixth inning, several BCBA members
from the District Attorney's office had a chance at scooping up a
souvenir. Assistant District Attorneys Joe Speece, Bryan Boughter,
and Justin Bodor were making their way to a cheesesteak stand
when Harper's homer caromed off the concrete and, according to
his officemates, through Speece's hands. The close call made for
a great story and capped a hot, but fun-filled day. Entertainment
Committee Chair Julie Marburger and several of our young
lawyers, including YLD President Sara Haines Clipp, organized an
informative CLE seminar on workplace etiquette for the bus ride to
Citizens Bank Park.

BCBA members come close to snagging a Bryce Harper home run in
Ashburn Alley. They are highlighted by yellow arrows (from left): Joe
Speece, Bryan Boughter and BCBA Vice President Justin Bodor.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our weekly On Tap at the Bar
and bi-weekly E-Briefs columns to find out about events coming
up this Fall. I look forward to seeing you "around the Bar"!
Berks Barrister Summer 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Berks Barrister Summer 2019
