newsletter of the administrative office of pa courts

Issue 4, 2016

(continued on page 2)

¡Hola!你好

хорошего дня!

ابحرم

Witaj! Chào bạn!

Hello!

Pennsylvania’s courts are addressing the Commonwealth’s growing number of spoken languages. The goal is to

provide meaningful court access to all Pennsylvanians.

Speaking the same language

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Maybe you’ve noticed an increasing emphasis on learning Spanish or American Sign Language in your kids’ schools.

Or maybe you’ve driven by a Korean community center or noted your church is offering Mass in Spanish.

Pennsylvania is a remarkably linguistically diverse state. The most recent report of the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau puts us as the 10th most linguistically diverse state in the country.

About 10 percent of our population speaks another language at home. Slightly more than 4 percent of our population meets the census definition of limited English proficient (LEP): “speaks English less than very well.”

And it’s not just Spanish, nor just in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

A linguistically diverse Commonwealth

Although Spanish is spoken in all 67 of our counties, American Sign Language is right behind it as the number two most common non-English language in our courts. Pennsylvania’s courts also get requests for interpreters who speak Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Arabic, Korean, Polish, Italian and French as well as many other languages you may never have heard of.

Based on figures from the American Community Survey, 14 counties have populations of greater than 10 percent who speak another language at home. Philadelphia and the four-county area surrounding it — Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware — are in the mix, but also included are Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Union, Berks,

Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon and Pike counties.

Obligations under federal law

This diversity brings both benefits and challenges. Under federal law any recipient of federal funds must provide language access. This means that our hospitals, schools, courts and county departments — sheriffs’ offices and health and corrections departments — must provide translated written materials, bilingual signage, and interpreters to make their services, programs and activities accessible to members of the public who have limited English proficiency or are deaf or hard of hearing.

What are the courts doing?

Since 2006, with the passage of the Pennsylvania Interpreter Act, our courts have been on the case (pun intended). The Interpreter Act authorized the court administrator of Pennsylvania to create an interpreter certification program to train, test, certify and monitor the provision of interpreters in our courts.

Led by Osvaldo Avilés, himself a former court interpreter, the Interpreter Certification Program maintains a roster of professionals qualified to interpret in both administrative and judicial proceedings. The roster currently boasts more than 200 interpreters who speak 32 languages. (You can find the roster on the Unified Judicial System’s website: www.pacourts.us) When courts need an interpreter for one of the rarer, Languages Other Than Spanish (LOTS): Nepali, Karin, Gujarati, Malayalam, Hmong — Avilés is a resource.

Over the past two-plus years, with the creation of my position as coordinator

for court access at the AOPC, Pennsylvania’s courts have undertaken a major initiative to improve access to the courts for our LEP and deaf or hard of hearing court users. Among our accomplishments so far, we provided a template for our 60 judicial districts to use in creating their own district-specific language access plans that address the demographics in their own communities and courts.

These plans answer such questions as how to get an interpreter, where the bilingual court employees are assigned, whether bilingual signage is available, and how to access translated court forms. Each court now has a language access coordinator, designed to be a single point of contact for language access resources within that court. (The list of language access coordinators is also available on the Interpreter Program page of the UJS website.)

We’ve trained our district court administrators, magisterial district judges and other court staff. We’ve made bench cards for judges, with tips on working with interpreters and the oath to be used to swear in interpreters. We’ve produced posters to help court staff struggling with how to assist an LEP court user when staff doesn’t know what language the user is speaking.

At the state level, the AOPC has convened a Language Access Advisory Group (LAAG) that has drafted a language access plan for the Unified Judicial System.

The plan will provide greater guidance on such topics as advance notice to court users of interpreter availability, translation of court forms, bilingual signage and training of judges and court staff.

Study shows PA ranks among Top 10 in language diversity in US

By Mary Vilter

Putting the accent on language diversity in PA courts

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Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste serves on the LAAG. Haste, who has long worked with these issues in linguistically diverse Dauphin County, recalled a relevant experience:

“There was a mother who came in because her son was in jail, and whatever the communication was between the mother and the staff, it became heated fairly quickly.

“As soon as the bilingual employee came out and spoke to the mother, things were quickly de-escalated. It turns out that both parties thought the other one was trying to be uncooperative. When bilingual staff started to communicate, it quickly went from a heated to a good discussion, and the parties began working together.”

How do we pay for this?

It is estimated that in recent fiscal years, Pennsylvania’s judicial districts have spent approximately $3.5 million on interpreters. Counties fund most court operating expenses. Fortunately, help is on the way.

The legislature, with the governor’s support, appropriated $1.5 million for both the 2015-2016 and 2016-

2017 fiscal years to defray the cost of providing language access in our courts.

Judicial districts can apply for partial reimbursement for expenses incurred to provide in-person and telephone interpreting, as well as for other language access services, such as form translation or bilingual signage.

Together, Pennsylvania’s counties and courts have formed a strong partnership to provide access to justice.

{Mary Vilter, Esq., is the AOPC’s coordinator for court access.}

(This article originally appeared in Pennsylvania County News Magazine, a publication of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and is reprinted with permission.)

Contact Mary Vilter (717) 231-3300 or mary.vilter@pacourts.us or Osvaldo Aviles (215) 560-6300 or visit: http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/interpreter-program]

¡Hola!你好

хорошего дня!

ابحرم

Witaj! Chào bạn!

Hello!

The top ten languages (other than English) spoken in Pennsylvania’s courts are Spanish, American Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese,

Arabic, Korean, Polish, Italian and French.

more INFORMATION

Breaking language

barriers for those

seeking protection

The AOPC is working with the

Pennsylvania Coalition Against

Domestic Violence (PCADV) and

the Pennsylvania Coalition Against

Rape to enhance language access

resources for people seeking civil

protection orders.

A video, “How to Obtain a Civil

Protection Order” under the

Protection from Abuse and Protection

of Victims of Sexual Violence Acts,

was produced in both English and

Spanish. Perry/Juniata Counties

President Judge Kathy A. Morrow

narrated the English version;

Philadelphia County Judge M. Teresa

Sarmina, the Spanish version.

Protection from Abuse petitions

and orders translated into 11 non-

English languages will be produced

in fillable format and made available

on the state court system’s website.

In addition, petition and order forms

under the Protection of Victims of

Sexual Violence Act will be available

in 11 non-English languages in

bilingual fillable format.

The AOPC along with the PCADV

conducted a webinar, “Access to the

Court: Language Access & Domestic

Violence,” on two occasions. The

webinars were available to judges,

district court administrators, language

access coordinators and domestic

violence advocates.

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Dozens of people were drawn to a commemoration of the work of artist Violet Oakley whose historically significant murals embellish the walls of rooms in the state Capitol, including those of the state Supreme Court.

Jurists, lawmakers, lawyers and other art-loving members of the general public gathered in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court courtroom to hear Andrew Masich, president and CEO of the Sen. John Heinz History Center, present an overview of Oakley’s life and work. A former chair of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Masich is an Emmy-award winning lecturer who is

renowned for his lively presentations on historical figures and events.

The lecture followed opening remarks by Justice Debra Todd on behalf of the Supreme Court, which sponsored the nearly 90-minute event. Justices David N. Wecht, Kevin M. Dougherty and Sallie Updyke Mundy also were on hand.

All three branches of state government were represented. House Speaker Mike Turzai, Sen. Majority Whip John Gordner and Pennsylvania Bar Association President Sara Austin also addressed the gathering. Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro

Cortes, Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne and General Services Secretary Curt Topper appeared on behalf of the executive branch.

Oakley, an artist from Philadelphia, labored on the Capitol Murals Project from 1902 to 1927, painting 43 canvasses that were applied directly to the walls of the historic seat of state government. Her hiring came at a time when men exclusively did murals, and served as a precursor to the changing role of women in society. She was the first American woman to receive a public mural commission.

Oakley originally was commissioned only for the murals in the Governor’s

Grand Reception Room. In the 14 reception room murals, Oakley depicts the story of William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania. In 1911 Oakley was offered the job of creating the murals for the Senate and Supreme Court Chambers, a 16-year project.

The artist’s success at the state Capitol led to many commissions and an international reputation as a painter of moral and idealistic subjects. She painted the first delegates of the League of Nations and the United Nations and published illustrated books in support of world peace, disarmament and human rights.

Left: Andrew Masich addresses gathering. Right top: House Speaker Turzai. Right bottom: Sen. Gordner (l); AOPC’s Josh Wilson

State Capitol art scene gets seen and heard

Supreme Court celebrates courtroom murals

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About AOPConnectedPublished quarterly

Managing EditorArt Heinz

Copy EditorGina L. Earle

Executive EditorJim Koval

ContributorsKimberly BathgatePatti CampbellRhonda HockerAmy Kelchner

Graphic DesignGretchen Hallman

Court Administrator of PATom Darr

Assistant Court Administrator of PAAndrea B. Tuominen, Esq.

All content is collected, written and edited by the AOPC Communications Office unless noted. You may reach the office by calling: (717) 231-3300 or by emailing: CommunicationsOffice@pacourts.us

For more information about Pennsylvania’s courts, visit the UJS website at: www.pacourts.usTwitter feed for general court information is: @PACourts

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Thomas G. SaylorChief Justice of Pennsylvania

Max BaerJustice

Debra M. ToddJustice

Christine DonohueJustice

Kevin M. DoughertyJustice

David N. WechtJustice

Sallie Updyke MundyJustice

Pennsylvania courts release video to help parents navigate the dependency processAn online video is now available to help parents whose children have been removed from their care or are under court supervision sort out visitation and case planning issues.

The video seeks to help parents learn what to expect in the courtroom, how to prepare for court, how to work with their caseworkers and attorney, what rights they’re entitled to and good questions to ask. The Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependency Process was co-produced by the AOPC’s Office of Children and Families in the Courts (OCFC) and the AOPC Communications Office.

“We believe this is the most comprehensive dependency court resource available in Pennsylvania – and quite possibly in the nation,” Supreme Court Justice Max Baer said in announcing the video’s release earlier this year. “This video will help parents – as well as attorneys, caseworkers and really anyone wanting to understand dependency court – navigate the dependency process.”

The 46-minute video is divided into five chapters so parents in the dependency process, can choose to watch segments that most pertain to their situations. The chapters include Courtroom Experience, Working with Your Attorney, Case Planning, Visitation and Permanency.

“Parents who come to dependency court are usually going through a difficult time, and it’s understandable that they might feel upset, afraid or even angry,” said Sandra Moore, OCFC director. “We hope to decrease some of that anxiety by breaking things down into manageable bits of information that are engaging and relatable.”

“Parents will hear from judges, caseworkers, attorneys, and most importantly, other parents who experienced many of the same circumstances and feelings but came out stronger on the other side,” Moore said. “The issues facing parents are serious – but it is possible to be successful by following the judge’s orders, preparing for and actively participating in court and working through your family’s case plan.”

Watch the video online on the PA Courts YouTube Channel, or obtain copies by contacting OCFC at 717-231-3300 ext. 4255 or elke.moyer@pacourts.us.

more INFORMATION

Another in a series of occasional articles showcasing state court system operations.

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A growing number of Pennsylvania counties want to get problem-solving court programs up and running. But knowing how to get over the initial hurdles can be challenging.

That’s where the AOPC’s Judicial District Operations and Programs Department comes in.

Problem-solving court staffers fan out across the state to make it easier for workers at the county level to understand how to establish the policies and practices that are used in successful programs around the country. The strategy sessions — also known as problem-solving court implementation training — are designed to provide a solid foundation for creating the programs and the tools for sustaining them.

“Implementation training is invaluable,” said Karen Blackburn, the AOPC’s problem-solving courts administrator. “Research tells us teams that receive training prior to implementation realize a cost savings 15 times greater than programs that do not.”

Drug court teams from three northeastern Pennsylvania counties met this past summer at the Schuylkill County Courthouse in Pottsville in one of those sessions to learn more about establishing procedures in their communities. Nearly three dozen participants from Tioga, Venango and Schuylkill counties gathered over the three-day event. Staff from the National Drug Court Institute ran the event.

The teams were led by Venango County President Judge Oliver J. Lobaugh; Tioga County President Judge George W. Wheeler and Schuylkill County Judge James P. Goodman. AOPC problem-solving court staff helping to support the programs included Nevin Warner, Brandy Yasenchak, and Andy Simpson.

Topics covered in the session included: research-based best practices of drug courts; understanding target populations and addiction; determining drug court structure and establishing program eligibility criteria.

“We strive to be facilitators of adult learning to encourage team members to take control of the process while we support them in developing the critical components of their

problem-solving court programs,” Simpson said.

Later in the year, court teams from Somerset, Centre and Carbon counties gathered at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg for a first-ever session conducted by AOPC staff. More than 20 people participated in the three-day event where they were provided an overview of the key components and best practices of problem-solving courts while they worked to create their program’s policies and procedures.   

Teams were led by Somerset County President Judge D. Gregory Geary; Centre County Judge Pamela A. Ruest and Carbon County Judge Joseph J. Matika. Warner and Simpson facilitated the event.    

“I thought it was very helpful,” Judge Ruest said of the session. “It got us thinking about all of the steps we needed to take. It really helps streamline the process and focus us — rather than starting from nowhere.”

Problem-solving courts bring together courts, probation officers, substance abuse treatment providers, mental health agencies and communities to help nonviolent offenders who have committed offenses as an alternative to jailing them. While ever expanding, there are more than 100 problem-solving courts across Pennsylvania, including adult drug courts, juvenile drug courts, DUI courts, veterans treatment courts, and mental health courts.

“Using performance benchmarks, best practice standards and field experience, we put together a comprehensive training for teams to start their policies and procedures,” Warner said.

In addition to the training, a panel of experts discussed the history, successes and challenges problem-solving courts face. The session, held in Pittsburgh in November, included Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd, state Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel, Allegheny County Judge John A. Zottola and York County Judge John S. Kennedy.

A beginner’s guide to problem-solving courtsEarly training ensures everyone understands how to run and maintain a successful program

Venango County President Judge Oliver Lobaugh (center) led a drug court team breakout session.

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The discussion was sponsored by the Supreme Court’s Commission on Judicial Independence; the University of Pittsburgh; the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics; the Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy; and the Allegheny County Bar Association.

www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/ court-programs/problem-solving-courts or contact Karen Blackburn, Problem-Solving Courts Program Administrator, at 215-560-6300.

more INFORMATION

Meghan Wheeler, a senior consultant with the National Drug Court Institute, provided an overview of treatment court program best practices at a

training session in Pottsville.

State’s first Elder Justice Resource Center opens

Older Philadelphians who need help with legal matters have a new option available to them in the First Judicial District.

Pennsylvania’s first Elder Justice Resource Center opened in October in Philadelphia City Hall Room 278. There, people 60 and older can get help with attorney referrals and navigating the court system. The center also assists seniors with victim services, financial planning, housing and other support services. Interpreters are available for those not able to speak or understand English.

Workshops designed to educate judges and court staff on elder abuse, aging and legal issues affecting seniors also are being offered at the center.

“As our elderly population continues to grow, it’s more important than ever that we provide these necessary legal resources to help seniors navigate challenging questions and situations that may arise,” said Philadelphia President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper, who led the effort to develop the center. “As judges we hear horror stories about seniors who’ve been

taken advantage of or lost their homes because of limited or no access to legal help. We hope to start changing that.”

President Judge Woods-Skipper is a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts — a driving force behind the center’s creation. The council is co-chaired by Superior Court Judge Paula Francisco Ott and retired Court Administrator of Pennsylvania Zygmont A. Pines. Justice Debra Todd is the Supreme Court liaison.

The resource center is a partnership of the district, the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, the SeniorLAW Center, Community Legal Services, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and the Temple University Law School. Volunteer

attorneys and advocates experienced in senior legal issues are providing services.

“Every day seniors are losing their homes through foreclosure and eviction; suffering shocking physical and financial abuse at the hands of family members and scammers; raising grandchildren who have been abandoned, abused or neglected,” said Karen Buck, executive director of the SeniorLAW Center. “The civil justice gap in our community and our nation today affects seniors especially harshly, as great numbers go unrepresented, particularly those who are low-income or vulnerable.”

More information: visit www.courts.phila.gov/ejc or call (215) 686-7027.

On hand to open the new Elder Law Resource Center were (l-r): President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper; Karen Buck, seniorLAW center director; Gaetan J. Alfano, Philadelphia Bar Association chancellor; Supreme Court Justice

Kevin M. Dougherty; Superior Court Judge Paula Francisco Ott; Joseph Evers, Philadelphia court administrator.

more INFORMATION

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allocated for legal services agencies to address systemic issues contributing to the housing crisis

to allocate after the first year of grant awards

Millions of dollars are being provided to Pennsylvania to settle claims of illegal mortgage lending practices.

The money mostly will be used for community redevelopment and to help struggling families keep their homes.

The Bank of America and its subsidiaries agreed to pay more than $490 million under terms of a settlement reached with the U.S. Department of Justice and six states. The states accused the servicers of using illegal practices to cheat homeowners and accelerate the

torrid pace of foreclosures around the country. Pennsylvania’s share of the settlement is $12.2 million, which will be distributed by the Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) Board.

The IOLTA Board is one of 56 state-based legal assistance organizations receiving funds under the settlement.

IOLTA helps provide civil legal aid to low-income and disadvantaged Pennsylvanians by collecting and managing funds received from sources both court-directed and legislatively

directed. It annually makes grants to about 35 legal aid organizations across the state and Pennsylvania’s nine law school clinical and externship programs —all of which provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families facing a civil legal crisis where basic human needs, such as shelter, food, medicine and safety, are at stake.

[Stephanie S. Libhart has been IOLTA’s executive director since 2013.]

$12 million received to help PA homeowners and communitiesBy Stephanie S. Libhart

distributed over three years for foreclosure defense, issues related to tangled title matters, and legal services to victims of land installment contracts and other predatory lending scams

$3 million

distributed over three years for legal services for individuals and families facing eviction or denial of rental housing, warranty of habitability cases, housing discrimination and/or displacement due to gentrification

$2.8million

distributed over five years for legal assistance to 10 to 15 communities that are facing severe foreclosure-related issues of declining property values and blight. Such financially stressed communities face an overall decline in the quality of services due to the loss of revenue from a decreasing tax base and businesses that close or move

$5million

$367,624 $1million

The IOLTA Board — with help from the AOPC’s

Research and Statistics Department — first

studied the impact of the foreclosure crisis on

communities across Pennsylvania before deciding

to allocate the funds as follows:

Visit www.paiolta.orgmore INFORMATION

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Around the judiciaryPhiladelphia judges and attorneys who are members of the Clifford Scott Green Judicial Council counseled Bartram High School students during the group’s third annual College Mentoring Workshop. Students receive mentoring to help them with the selection of schools, completion of college applications and in choosing and pursuing careers. 

Named after the late U.S. District Court Judge Clifford Scott Green, the council was established in 1995 to enhance the image of the judiciary and to improve the quality of life in the community. The council also works to encourage judicial participation in minority bar associations both nationally and locally.

Pictured left to right are Bartram Vice Principal Steven Sykes; Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Giovanni D. Campbell; Philadelphia CP Judge Sierra Thomas-Street, Kenneth Pratt (a job placement consultant) and Piayon Lassanah (an area attorney and Philadelphia city council fellow).

The Phillie Phanatic, with his trademark kisses and high fives, joined with Villanova basketball head coach Jay Wright to help the First Judicial District celebrate Juror Appreciation Week at the Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Philadelphia.

Pictured left-to-right are Common Pleas Judge Ann M. Butchart; Gaetan J. Alfano, chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association; CP Judge Barbara A. McDermott; Philadelphia Jury Commissioner Daniel Rendine; Coach Wright; CP President Judge Sheila Woods-Skipper; the Phanatic; CP Administrative Judge Jacqueline F. Allen and CP Judge Donna M. Woelpper. Coach Wright skippered the Villanova Wildcats to the 2016 NCAA national basketball championship.

“Phantical” about jury duty

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Listings include changes for the period Aug. 2-Nov. 1

New to the Judicial Branch

Gregory T. Armstrong – Carbon – district court administratorAimee R. Cook – Franklin-Fulton – deputy court administratorAndrew J. Coval – Legal – counselDeborah J. Daniels – Wayne – deputy court administratorJohn E. Savoth – Montgomery – deputy court administrator - special courtsJohn J. Sikora – Lehigh – deputy court administratorNicole A. Sutton – Finance – payroll supervisor

Appointments

Arthur S. Kafrissen – Philadelphia – sr. Common Pleas (CP) Court judge

Deaths

Sheryl Ann Dorney – York – former CP judgeJames J. Flaherty – former Commonwealth Court (sr.) judgeLevan Gordon – Philadelphia – former CP and PMC judgeTodd A. Hoover – Dauphin – former CP judgeDaniel J. Kelleher – Lackawanna – former (sr.) magisterial district judge (MDJ)Dorothy C. Laabs - Wayne – former (sr.) MDJDeborah P. Lachina – Berks – former (sr.) MDJStephen F. Lobick – Cambria – former district justice

Michael J. Perezous – Lancaster – former (sr.) CP judgeDebra A. Pezze – Westmoreland – CP judgeThomas C. Raup - Lycoming – former (sr.) CP judgeJames B. Richard – Allegheny – former district justiceMichael Rubish – Fayette – former (sr.) MDJAlbert John Snite Jr. – Philadelphia – former CP judgeWilliam R. Toal Jr. – Delaware – former (sr.) CP judgeRichard W. Webb – Carbon – (sr.) CP judge

Retirements

Roberta L. Brewster – Carbon – district court administratorJill M. Cicero – Northampton – district court administratorKathleen L. Hubbard – Luzerne – chief deputy court administratorSusan M. Jones – IT – help desk operatorKathleen M. Radwanski – Legal – paralegal

Resignations

Mark I. Bernstein – Philadelphia – CP judgeBruce F. Bratton – Dauphin – CP judgeDavid E. Brian – Lancaster – sr. MDJMichael J. Felice – Finance – directorColin S. Haviland – Legal – counselEric J. Kauffman – IT - Citrix server technicianMichael J. Leonardziak – Berks – MDJBrian J. Pierce – Legal – counselBenjamin B. Reynolds – IT – student internChristine Sanchez – Montgomery – deputy court administrator - criminalPaul I. Tlumach – IT – programmer-analystRashmi Tandon Zia – IT – systems trainerBrendan J. Vanston – Wyoming-Sullivan – sr. CP judgeSusann E. Welsh – Chester – sr. MDJ

Supreme Court Committees

Charles J. Avalli, Esq. – reapptd to Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules CommitteeBruce R. Beemer, Esq. – apptd to Criminal Procedural Rules CommitteeLori J. Cerato, Esq. – reapptd to Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules CommitteeAlan M. Feldman, Esq. – reapptd to Interest on Lawyers Trust Account BoardJohn P. Gismondi, Esq. – apptd to Committee on Rules of EvidenceKenneth J. Horoho Jr., Esq. – apptd chair of Continuing Legal Education BoardMargaret A. Hunsicker-Fleischer – apptd to Minor Court Rules CommitteeJohn P. Krill Jr., Esq. – designated vice chair of Committee on Rules of EvidenceJohn F. Meck, Esq. – reapptd to Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules CommitteeMaureen Murphy McBride, Esq. – designated chair of Committee on Rules of EvidenceJames L. McMonagle, Jr., Esq. – apptd to Appellate Court Procedural Rules CommitteeGretchen A. Mundorff, Esq. – apptd vice chair of Continuing Legal Education BoardWayne M. Pecht, Esq. – reapptd to Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee, designated vice chairJay N. Silberblatt, Esq. – apptd to Continuing Legal Education BoardBarry M. Simpson, Esq. – apptd to Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Board

Other Boards/Committees

Philadelphia CP Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart – apptd to Court of Judicial DisciplineLisa Steindel – reapptd to Judicial Conduct Board

Transitions

Elaine Bixler, a familiar face and voice of the Disciplinary Board of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years, is retiring at the end of the year from her post as secretary of the attorney regulatory agency.

Bixler began working as a clerk for the board in 1978 before moving into the role of secretary for more than 26 years. During her tenure the number of registered active attorneys grew from 13,057 to 64,509.

Julia Frankston-Morris, Esq., was appointed to succeed Bixler in a

move that will add oversight of the board counsel and Human Relations and Finance departments to the Office of the Secretary and Attorney Registration.

The announcement from Jane Penny, board chair, came in August when Frankston-Morris and Bixler began working collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition in the office.

Created in 1972, the board oversees annual attorney registrations, regulates attorney conduct and assists the Supreme Court with a wide range of

activities that includes rule making and education. 

A Harrisburg native, Frankston-Morris earned a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York. She previously served as a law clerk for Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Thomas G. Saylor prior to his leadership post on the high court and as a prosecutor for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in the Department of State.  She also served as disciplinary counsel for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in Districts I, II and III. 

Frankston-Morris appointed D Board secretary

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&Honors DispatchesChief Justice of Pennsylvania Thomas G. Saylor talked about the significance of the U.S. Constitution at Lebanon Valley College on a day set aside to commemorate the document’s ratification by the nation’s founders.

“It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle that the delegates from so many different states — which are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances and prejudices — should unite in forming a system of national government,” the chief justice said to the assembled students.

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The four newest justices on the Supreme Court served on a panel that fielded questions from AOPC Chief Counsel Greg Dunlap during the closing session of the Office of General Counsel University 2016 at the Radisson in Camp Hill, Cumberland County.

Pictured l-r: Justices Sallie Updyke Mundy; David N. Wecht; Kevin M. Dougherty; Christine Donohue and Dunlap.

The justices provided insight on Pennsylvania’s judiciary, appellate advocacy, the court’s King’s Bench powers and the appellate decision-making process.

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Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd administered the oath of office to Kenneth Turner as a member of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The oath-taking ceremony took place in Ellwood City where Justice Todd and Turner once were neighbors. Turner, a funeral director in the Lawrence County community, co-authored the 312-page The Civil War in Pennsylvania: A Photographic History.

Ed Boots (left) and Corey Wilson (right), western Pennsylvania Civil War re-enactors, added to the festive atmosphere, dressed as members of the 101st Pennsylvania Regiment.

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Five Commonwealth Court judges took questions from Widener University Commonwealth Law School students in Harrisburg following a special session that included oral arguments for nearly a dozen cases. Participants included President Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt and Judges P. Kevin Brobson; Anne E. Covey; Joseph M. Cosgrove and Julia K. Hearthway.

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Lackawanna County Judge Thomas J. Munley received the John Mitchell Man of the Year Award by an Irish Catholic fraternal organization, the Ancient Order

of Hibernians.

Judge Munley received the award in part for his career as a criminal defense attorney and on the bench as well as his military service in the Vietnam War that included receiving a Bronze Star. The award’s namesake helped ignite the labor movement in Northeast Pennsylvania, winning historic recognition for the miners.

“He wanted to be part of making the decision on what’s right or wrong for the citizens of our community,” County Commissioner Patrick O’Malley said in presenting the award. “He’s one of the best judges Lackawanna County has ever seen.”

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David Price, senior counsel for the AOPC’s Information Technology Department, was a panelist at a special forum sponsored by the Chester County Bar Association on the new Limited Access Law — also known as Act 5 of 2016. 

The law allows people convicted of certain nonviolent, misdemeanor offenses to request a court order to remove information about the convictions from public view under certain circumstances.  (The information would still be available to criminal justice agencies.) By removing information about the convictions from public view, the law is designed to provide people with greater access to employment, housing and educational opportunities.

Price discussed the changes that were made to the Common Pleas Criminal Case Management System and Magisterial District Judge System to comply with the new law. He addressed the creation of a new statewide petition and order form — available on the UJS website — and the protocols necessary to ensure that information about offenses subject to such an order would no longer be accessible to the public in the official paper case records or the electronic case records. (E.g., information about the offense would no longer be available on the public web docket sheets available on the UJS portal).

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Superior Court Judge Jack A. Panella and Sr. Judge Correale F. Stevens presented a lecture to Philadelphia judges and lawyers at the annual Philadelphia Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference.

The lecture, “The Challenges of Adult Victim Sexual Assault Cases,” focused on the targeting of young women on college campuses. The judges talked about the connection between the culture of sexual assault and the role of alcohol. Studies have shown as many as 70 percent of campus sexual assaults are not reported, they said.

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Former Philadelphia Judge Mark I. Bernstein was presented with the Justice William J. Brennan Distinguished Jurist

Award by the Philadelphia Bar Association at the 2016 Bench-Bar and Annual Conference.

The Justice Brennan Award is given

annually to a judge who has made a significant, positive impact on the quality or administration of justice in Philadelphia. Judge Bernstein was recognized for designing and implementing the Day Forward Case Management system in the First Judicial District. The program has been credited for helping to turn a court backlog into a more efficient case management system.

Judge Bernstein served in leadership positions in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas commerce court and the First Judicial District’s Class Action Program, and as a civil trial team leader

for many years. He served on numerous committees concerned with the quality of justice, including the Civil Jury Instruction Subcommittee of the Committee for Proposed Standard Jury Instructions and the Medical Malpractice Mediation Task Force (which encourages alternatives to litigation in malpractice claims).

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Allegheny Judge Guido A. DeAngelis was named Legal Professional of the Year by the National Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Chapter.

Judge DeAngelis was a goaltender on the Point Park University Pioneers ice hockey squad that won a Division II championship in 1980. He is certified by USA Hockey as a goaltending coach.

The National-Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit educational institution

dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of Italian-Americans in sports. The Pittsburgh chapter was founded in 1986 and has inducted nearly 100 athletes from the greater Pittsburgh region.

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Washington County President Judge Katherine B. Emery was appointed to the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Board, which oversees funds

that go to civil legal services for indigent defendants.

Board members are appointed by the Supreme Court and meet four times a year. President Judge Emery succeeded state Labor and Industry Secretary Kathy M. Manderino on the nine-member board.

601 Commonwealth AvenueHarrisburg, PA 17120