YLD to Co-Host Networking Happy Hour on October 14

The Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the Labor & Employment and Criminal Justice Sections, is hosting a happy hour/networking event this Wendesday, October 14, 2009 at Alfa (1709 Walnut), from 5:30-7:30 p.m.  This event is sponsored by our friends at Veritext. 

The first 50 folks receive a complimentary drink ticket, and there will be appetizers (including Alfa’s famous tator tots) for everyone as well.  The tater tots are excellent.  It’s like being in grade school again.  In fact, a lot of the specialty drinks there have a retro 80s theme to allow those of us who grew up in the 80s to reminisice.

Happy Hour Tonight!

If you are looking for an excuse to cut out early and enjoy a nice day, head on over to the Mexican Post (1601 Cherry Street) at 5.30 p.m. for the YLD-Labor & Employment Law Committee happy hour and enjoy drink tickets, drink specials, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

You do not need to RSVP, but please bring a new and/or used tie for the Philadelphia Comprehensive Center for Fathers’ Work-N-Style for Men program. Work-N-Style is the only men’s clothing referral program in the tri-state area that provides low income fathers in Philadelphia with ready-to-wear clothing for interviews, court hearings, and special events.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Please join us at our upcoming events: 

March Happy Hour

Wednesday, March 19 for its happy hour at Prime Lounge, located on the second floor above Finn McCool’s (12th and Sansom streets).  After closing in summer 2007 for renovations, Finn McCool’s has recently reopened as an Irish pub with 16 taps on the first floor. Prime Lounge has a DJ and bottle service.  The happy hour will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will feature drink specials and appetizers. The first 60 people in attendance will receive a ticket for a free drink.

YLD Annual Meeting

Governor Edward G. Rendell will be the keynote speaker at the Young Lawyers Division Annual Meeting and Reception Tuesday, March 25 at G, 111 S. 17th St., below Davio’s, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $35 and include an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The YLD will officially welcome its new chair, Scott P. Sigman, at the event. The F. Sean Peretta Service Award will be presented to Maria Feeley of Pepper Hamilton, LLP. The Craig M. Perry Community Service Award will be presented to DaQuana Carter of Pepper Hamilton, LLP. Dechert LLP will receive the YLD Vision Award.  The event is co-hosted by Young Advocates for Mural Arts, which will be holding a raffle where the winner will paint a new mural with a friend, and receive lunch at a Center City restaurant. To purchase tickets click here.

 YLD Comedy Night Fundraiser

Join us for a night of laughs on Saturday, May 10 at the Academy of Natural Sciences featuring comedians Lynne Koplitz and Doug Benson. Tickets are available now and include open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a DJ.  All proceeds benefit the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.

HAPPY HOUR TODAY!

Don’t Miss the YLD April Happy Hour!!

at Rum Bar 2005 Walnut Street (next to the Irish Pub)

April 19th, 2007 from 5:30-7:30 pm

Drink Specials: $2 well drinks and ½ price drafts

Free Drink Tickets
(good for top shelf drinks)
for the first 60 people to arrive

Free hors d’oeuvres

Upcoming Events

The YLD has a number of upcoming events and we need YOUR help. In addition to the Comedy Night and happy hour at Rum Bar, Law Week is scheduled for April 30th to May 4th. Our theme for Law Week 2007 is Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy. Law Week is a series of programs that get our membership out in to the community to positively influence Philadelphia’s youth through direct interaction.

Some of our Law Week activities include:

• Lawyer for a Day- Volunteer attorneys and judges pair with high school students and “show them the ropes” of their jobs by taking them to their offices and into the courts. Several city courtrooms will be open to allow the participants to observe the proceedings. This program starts at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 4th at the Philadelphia Bar Association, and all participants are invited back to the Association’s 11th floor Conference Center at noon for a concluding lunch, which includes a keynote address by Philadelphia Common Pleas Court President Judge C. Darnell Jones II and his daughter, FOX 29 morning anchor Sheinelle Jones.

• Law Fair – On Wednesday, May 2nd at lunchtime, dozens of Philadelphia attorneys will gather to provide free, in-person legal advice from noon to 2 p.m., at The Gallery at Market East in Center City. Attorneys will provide answers to legal questions on a broad range of topics, including landlord/tenant law, divorce and child custody matters, wills and estate planning, real estate law and employment law.

• Legal Line – Also on Wednesday, May 2nd, from 5 to 8 p.m., area residents can call lawyers at (215) 238-6333 and have their legal questions answered free and confidentially. The lawyers will staff a phone bank at the headquarters of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th floor.

• Lawyer in the Classroom – This program takes place at various times throughout the week and involves lawyers enthusiastically visiting one or more classrooms to address students’ concerns about the law and the legal issues that affect them as they enter adulthood, and answer questions about the legal profession in a motivational way.

• Edward F. Chacker Essay Contest- Named for former Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Edward F. Chacker, the 2007 contest asks High School Seniors who attend public, parochial, charter or private schools in Philadelphia to write an essay of at least 1,000 words on the question: Do lawyers have more responsibility as citizens to protect and/or promote democracy? Why or why not?The winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship and will read their essay at a Naturalization Ceremony on May 1, 2007. Submissions should include the students’ name, address, telephone number and school on a cover sheet accompanying the essay. All entries must be received by Amy Muldoon at the Philadelphia Bar Association by NOON on Monday, April 23, 2007.

• 2007 Poster Contest- All 4th, 5th and 6th grade students who attend Philadelphia public, private, charter and parochial schools are invited to participate in the 2007 Poster Contest. Students are asked to draw a picture which best illustrates what democracy means to you. Posters should be produced on standard 22″ x 28″ poster board and students should include their name, address, telephone number and school on the back of the poster. First, second and third prize savings bonds will be awarded. All entries must be received by Amy Muldoon at the Philadelphia Bar Association by NOON on Monday, April 23, 2007.

These events are a fun way to give back to the Philadelphia community and a good way for you to use a small amount of time to influence someone else’s life. I have to admit that after participating in last year’s Law Week activities, I felt like I got as much of a boost as the students who participated and would recommend it to everyone.

We need all the help that we can get from our membership (and beyond) to make these events successful! If you would like to volunteer or know of someone who can, please forward this information to them (including teachers or parents of students in the 4th, 5th, 6th or 12th grade) or contact me to let us know. With your help, we look foward to a week of successful events!

Don’t Forget About Non-Lawyers

Last Thursday I went to a Big 10 Alumni happy hour in Manayunk.  About a month ago, Jocelyn had reminded me that it is important – and fun – to network with people outside of my immediate circle of friends and associates.  It was a lot of fun to meet new people, especially “non-lawyers.”

Between campaigning during the election for the YLD Executive Committee, trying to find a new legal job and attending bar association events, I have recently networked in the legal profession a lot.  At events and happy hours geared toward lawyers, I have met a lot of cool people, but I haven’t met many people who aren’t lawyers. 

 These were my observations of the Big 10 Alumni happy hour:

• There are three main reasons that people go to events:
  1. to meet new friends
  2. to meet a significant other
  3. to get business/find a new job
• For every nice person you meet, you will likely meet a crazy person.
• Talking to people who work in other professions/trades puts lawyer life into perspective.
• When your alma mater’s basketball team screws up everyone’s bracket, it’s bad.

Jocelyn reminded me and now I am reminding you – get out there and meet some new and interesting people.  It may or may not change your life, but it will definitely make it more interesting to talk about something other than practice.