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From the Chair
 During 2023, we’ve seen many changes and enhancements concerning how the Disciplinary Board conducts its business and how our recent transparency works well for our legal community. We now offer so many resources for our lawyers that I thought a quick reminder would be appropriate in this, the season of giving.
The Disciplinary Board has worked hard to expand and perfect its outreach with all of Pennsylvania’s law schools, supporting Pennsylvania’s next generation of lawyers. The outreach program helps students learn the Rules of Professional Conduct, understand practice expectations, guard their mental health and well-being, and stay informed about cases and precedent. We have presented to professional responsibility classes at many of the law schools in Pennsylvania and will continue to do so for any school that responds to our standing offers. I am very pleased to report that this is a privilege shared by the entire Disciplinary Board, and most members of the Board have participated in this teaching process. The classes are very interesting, often in the form of a running conversation with the students and obviously, extremely informative. The exchange with the students during these sessions is something that I will miss the most when my time on the Board concludes.
Next, the Board affirms the importance of making itself a resource to both the Commonwealth’s lawyers and the general public. This year, two new projects were completed and released online. In May, the Board published its “Lawyer Well-Being” webpage, “connect[ing] Pennsylvania attorneys with available resources to better understand and support their mental health and well-being, particularly as they relate to the legal profession.” This page highlights mental health organizations, articles, and upcoming events for the legal community.
Later in the year, the Board also released its “Conservatorships” webpage. Obviously, an undue hardship develops for a client when an attorney becomes “absent” from a case or practice. Within Pennsylvania’s legal profession, a conservator is appointed to protect the clients’ interests. The new “Conservatorships” page details both open and discharged conservatorships. Each entry provides the name, attorney ID number, county, and public address of the relevant attorney as well as the date of the appointment order and the name and phone number of the designated conservator.
Further, as many lawyers are also contemplating retirement, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the options available to those preparing for the conclusion of his or her professional journey. The Disciplinary Board is here to assist in a smooth transition. There are four license status options available to those planning to retire: continue maintaining active status, assume inactive status, assume retired status, or request emeritus status. Most importantly, please remember that taking action with your license will help avoid unnecessary adverse consequences.
I encourage those seeking another way to serve their fellow Pennsylvanians to learn more about the Board’s emeritus status program. The program continues to grow every year! As lawyers, we certainly are aware of the effect that free, high-quality legal services have throughout the Commonwealth. However, there is still great need for legal services within our communities. Members of the emeritus program volunteer their unique expertise and wealth of experience to the advancement of Pennsylvania as a whole.
Finally, it is no surprise that I am exceptionally proud of all that the Board, its volunteer hearing committee members, and staff have accomplished in service of our mission to protect the public, maintain the integrity of the legal profession, and safeguard the reputation of the courts. As we are presented with new obstacles and opportunities in 2024, I look forward to all that they may bring to the Board and the profession at large.
Have a happy and safe holiday season, and remember, the Disciplinary Board is here to help, not hurt, Pennsylvania lawyers.
Dion G. Rassias
Board Chair
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Discipline Imposed
November 2023
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Reinstatements
November 2023
Note: The above-listed granted reinstatement matters reflect only those granted by Supreme Court Order. An attorney listed as reinstatement granted, but whose current license status does not reflect reinstatement, has yet to submit the fees necessary to finalize reinstatement.
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Disciplinary Board News
New Year, New License Status
Assuming retired status at the end of 2023? Please consider assuming emeritus status in the new year!
In 2018, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania adopted Rule 403 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement (Pa.R.D.E.), creating an emeritus status for attorneys who retire from the practice of law and seek to provide pro bono services to legal aid organizations. The Emeritus program creates a pool of qualified volunteer attorneys to provide necessary legal services to those in need. Emeritus attorneys perform valuable roles in the community by bolstering legal aid and other nonprofit programs to help close the gap between the need for and the availability of free legal services.
How do I assume Emeritus Status of my Pennsylvania law license?
- Application: Attorneys on retired status in Pennsylvania must complete and submit an Application for Emeritus Status, including appropriate documentation and payment as detailed on the application. *Attorneys not currently on retired status may be eligible to simultaneously assume retired and emeritus status.
- Legal Aid Organization Approval: Attorneys who have assumed emeritus status must submit an Eligible Legal Aid Organization Form for approval prior to the commencement of services. *A separate form must be submitted for each organization for which the attorney expects to perform pro bono services.
- Renewal: Attorneys on emeritus status are required to renew annually by January 31. Renewal forms are distributed on or before January 1. Failure to renew by January 31 will result in the transfer to retired status.
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Rules
Disciplinary Board Amends Board Rules to Conform to Supreme Court’s Enforcement Rule Changes
By Order No. 106, published December 16, 2023 at 53 Pa.B. 7704, the Disciplinary Board adopted a large series of amendments to the Disciplinary Board Rules and Procedures to adapt those rules to changes made in the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement by orders of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania dated July 19, 2023 and July 25, 2023.
Several terms added to the definitions in Pa.R.D.E. 102 are incorporated into numerous of the Board rules, including:
- “Active status”;
- “Disability inactive status”;
- “Disbarment”;
- “Emeritus status”;
- “Inactive status”;
- “Judge status”;
- “Permanent resignation”;
- “Retired status”; and
- “Suspension”.
Section 89.280(a) is amended to provide that costs of publication for a notice of reinstatement will be assessed to the attorney seeking reinstatement.
Section 89.285 now provides that an attorney on judge status who leaves judicial service shall notify the Attorney Registration Office of that change of status within twenty days and elect either active or retired status within sixty days. If no election is made within sixty days, the attorney will be administratively placed on retired status.
Sections 91.174 and 91.175 now provide that a financial institution may charge a lawyer a service fee for a report of a trust account overdraft or identifying a trust account.
A new Section 91.180 is added, setting forth requirements for reporting fiduciary accounts on the annual registration form. The rule follows and expands upon the requirements of Pa.R.D.E. 221(r) and (q). The section requires reporting:
1. All accounts in which an attorney held funds of a client or third party subject to R.P.C. 1.15;
2. All accounts in which the lawyer held funds of a client or a third person over which the attorney had sole or shared signature authority or authorization to transfer funds; and
3. All business operating accounts maintained or utilized by the attorney in the practice of law.
Section 93.23, defining the powers of the Board, reflects amendments adopted by Pa.R.D.E. 205 to add three new sections. New Subsection (18) authorizes the Board to establish, assess, and collect expenses of investigation and prosecution, late payment penalties, and administrative fees. Subsection (19) authorizes the assessment and collection of certain fees related to disciplinary actions and status changes. Subsection (20) addresses collection fees for returned payments.
Section 93.111 also adds a paragraph allowing the Board to assess collection fees for any payment returned as unpaid.
Section 93.141 has been extensively rewritten to reflect changes in the requirements of Pa.R.D.E. 219 for annual registration. There are significant changes in the wording as to what information must be reported on the annual registration form. The rule notes that the annual registration requirement is not satisfied if the registration form is incomplete, if the payment of the annual assessment is not completed, or if payment has been returned to the Board unpaid. Subsection (d) specifically warns that payment of the annual fee must not be made using an IOLTA, trust, escrow, or other fiduciary account.
Section 93.144(a)(1) writes into the rule that a late fee of $200 will be imposed for failure to make timely payment of the annual assessment. After August 1 of each year, a second non-waivable $200 late fee will be assessed in addition to the amount of the fee and the original late fee. Previously, these fees were not written into the rule and were set annually by the Board. New subsections (b) and (c) provide for reporting to the Supreme Court the names of attorneys who have failed to comply with continuing legal education requirements or to pay assessed costs and fees. A new Subsection (e) directs the Attorney Registration Office to transmit notices of administrative suspension ordered by the Supreme Court for failure to comply with these requirements.
Section 93.145 is amended to add subsections (b) and (c), describing reinstatement procedures for attorneys returning to practice from an interval of inactive or retired status of three years or less, to conform with Pa.D.R.E. 219(h) and (i).
Amendments to Sections 93.146 and 93.148 address procedures for various changes of status between active, inactive, administrative suspension, and retired status.
The amendments take effect thirty days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, or on January 15, 2024.
Board Proposes Rule for Permanent Resignation While Under Disciplinary Investigation
The Disciplinary Board has proposed an amendment to Rule 404 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, Permanent Resignation. Under the current Rule 404, attorneys in good standing or under administrative suspension may submit a permanent resignation from the practice of law. Such attorneys may not be reinstated but must apply for readmission to the bar.
The proposed amendment would add a new Subsection (c) to Pa.R.D.E. 404, extending the option of permanent resignation to attorneys who are under disciplinary investigation. An attorney who is the subject of a pending disciplinary investigation or proceeding would be permitted to seek permanent resignation from the practice of law if he or she: (1) is sixty-five years of age or older or suffers from a physical or mental impairment; and (2) does not have an active license to practice law in any other state or Federal jurisdiction or agrees to relinquish such licenses within twenty days after entry of an order granting the petition for permanent resignation.
The attorney seeking permanent resignation must obtain the written consent of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel which has discretion to consent except when certain circumstances exist, such as that the disciplinary investigation involves conversion of funds or criminal conduct or if the attorney has not repaid the Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security for any disbursements made due to the lawyer’s conduct.
Petitions for permanent resignation will be reviewed by a single member of the Disciplinary Board on whose approval the petition will be filed with the Supreme Court. Upon grant of the petition by the Court, the disciplinary investigation or proceeding will be closed. Petitions and orders under this procedure will be confidential and closed to the public.
Within twenty days of the approval of any petition for permanent resignation, the attorney must notify all jurisdictions in which he or she is admitted and provide a copy of the notification. The attorney is not permitted to reapply for or reactivate any license terminated under this procedure.
An attorney to whom resignation under this section is granted is forbidden to apply for a license status change, reinstatement, or readmission under the Pennsylvania rules. In short, “permanent” would mean permanent.
The proposed rulemaking was published on December 9, 2023 at 53 Pa.B. 7574. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on or before January 8, 2024 by mail, email, or fax to the Executive Office of the Disciplinary Board.
The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 5600
PO Box 62625
Harrisburg, PA 17106-2625
Fax: (717) 231-3381
Email: DBoard.Comments@pacourts.us
Board Proposes Amendments to the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement Relating to Conservators for Interests of Clients
The Disciplinary Board has issued a proposed rulemaking which would amend certain provisions in Rules 321 through 329 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, relating to the appointment and conduct of conservators for attorneys who are suspended, abandon their practice, disappear, die, or become disabled or incapacitated with no other partner or responsible successor to attend to their law practice.
The most important amendment would remove from Pa.R.D.E. 322(d)(2) language which prohibits a conservator, or any partner, associate, or firm of the conservator, from representing any client of the absent attorney for three years after the conclusion of the conservatorship. The Board found that there was no public policy reason for such an extended disqualification and that it was a disincentive for attorneys to accept appointment as a conservator.
Other amendments include:
- Amending Pa.R.D.E. Rule 321(b) to allow service of the application for appointment of a conservator upon a spouse or adult relative by blood in the case of a deceased attorney where no personal representative has been appointed.
- Amending Pa.R.D.E. 321(c) to provide that a hearing on an application for appointment of a conservator is not necessary if the absent attorney or other interested person concurs with the appointment of the conservator or the averments in the application.
- Amending Pa.R.D.E. 322(c)(2) to provide that at a minimum, the required notice by publication to clients of the appointment of a conservator must appear on one day in a newspaper of general circulation and the legal journal in the county in which the absent attorney maintained a principal office.
- Amending Pa.R.D.E. 322(c)(3) to require that a conservator maintain an electronic record of the receipts executed by clients or substitute counsel upon return of the files, and eliminate the requirement that the conservator deliver such receipts to the appointing court at the time of filing for discharge of the conservatorship.
- Amending Pa.R.D.E. 325 to expand the current appointment duration from six months to nine months and to allow the appointing court to grant one or more extensions, each extension not to exceed six months.
- Amending Pa.R.D.E. 327 to clarify that a conservator is immune from civil suit brought by or on behalf of the absent attorney.
The proposed rulemaking was published on December 2, 2023 at 53 Pa.B. 7356. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on or before January 2, 2024 by mail, email, or fax to the Executive Office of the Disciplinary Board.
The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 5600
PO Box 62625
Harrisburg, PA 17106-2625
Fax: (717) 231-3381
Email: DBoard.Comments@pacourts.us
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Upcoming Public Proceedings
We encourage you to observe our public disciplinary and reinstatement hearings, oral arguments, and public reprimands on the Board’s YouTube channel. You can also view “Upcoming Public Proceedings” at the bottom of the Board’s home page.
Scheduled proceedings begin at 9:30 am unless otherwise noted.
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Articles of Interest
Lawyers Come to Grief for Using Chatbots, Again
It seems like every month we read stories about lawyers getting into trouble for using legal documents written by Artificial Intelligence chatbots. Here are a few more cautionary tales:
- A Colorado lawyer two years out of law school filed a brief full of false citations drafted by ChatGPT. He was fired and referred for disciplinary action. He’s now starting a company where he will still use AI for legal research – but a specialized one, he says.
- A newly hired California attorney lost her job and was fined $999 for submitting a brief written by AI in an eviction case.
Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a computer scientist and director of the Center for Technology Responsibility at Brown University, told The Washington Post that chatbots are designed to make conversation and to come up with plausible-sounding answers to questions. They know they are supposed to provide citations but do not verify them and certainly don’t read them. He said, “What’s surprising is that they ever produce anything remotely accurate.”
Don’t farm your legal work out to a machine, people.
Lawyer Runs for Office in One State While Serving in Another
Those old enough to remember the comedy troupe Firesign Theater may recall the album How Can You Be Two Places at Once When You’re Not Anywhere at All?.
An Illinois lawyer might have asked himself that question. Or maybe it was a Missouri lawyer. There seems to be some confusion on the subject.
Andrew D. Purcell had a job as an assistant state's attorney in the state's attorney's office for Williamson County, Illinois. He was also serving a term as a member of the city council for Bridgeton, Missouri where he lived. Or didn’t.
Purcell’s troubles began when he filed to run for a seat on the Williamson County Board. An opponent filed a 150-page objection to Purcell’s candidacy, arguing that he was not a resident because he was actively serving on the Bridgeton City Council. It was subsequently revealed that Purcell had moved out of Bridgeton while still serving and collecting a salary as a council member, a position for which he was required to be a resident of the city. He registered to vote in Illinois in November 2021 but kept his seat on the Bridgeton council until April 2022.
Things unraveled pretty quickly for Purcell from that point. He lost the Williamson County race, was separated from his job with the state’s attorney office, pled guilty to a charge of stealing, was compelled to repay $6,000 to Bridgeton for salary paid while he was not eligible to serve, and was disbarred by the Supreme Court of Missouri.
He probably should have waited for the next round.
Indiana, Oregon Consider Nontraditional Approaches to Bar Exams
The Supreme Court of Indiana has published a proposed amendment to its bar admission rules which would allow graduates of law schools not accredited by the American Bar Association to take the bar examination as a path to licensure as attorneys. The amendment would allow the State Board of Law Examiners to waive the requirement of graduation from an ABA-approved law school for any applicant who:
1. Has graduated from a law school located in the United States that is not approved by the ABA,
2. Was eligible upon graduation from that law school to take the bar examination of another state, and
3. The Board finds is qualified by reason of education or experience to take the Indiana bar examination.
The amendment follows a campaign by Purdue Global Law School, an unaccredited California law school acquired by Purdue University in 2018, to have its graduates declared eligible to take the bar. In 2023, 62% of PGLS’s graduates passed the California bar exam.
The Indiana State Bar Association has come out in opposition to the proposal.
The Supreme Court of Oregon approved an alternative path to licensure which would allow aspiring lawyers to bypass the bar examination altogether. In an order dated November 7, 2023, the Supreme Court adopted the Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination which allows law school graduates to complete 675 hours of work under the supervision of a licensed attorney and submit a portfolio of legal work to be evaluated by the State Board of Law Examiners. Qualifying supervising attorneys must have been active members of the Oregon Bar for two years and to have practiced in some jurisdiction for three of the preceding five years. Applicants and supervising attorneys must be employees of a law firm, solo practitioner, business entity, non-profit organization, or government agency which must employ the applicant for at least twenty hours per week.
Detailed program requirements include supervised client interviews, negotiation, and preparation of at least ten journal entries discussing issues of professional responsibility.
The rule governing the program states that “the needs of clients must take precedence over completing the requirements of the Program”.
U.S. Supreme Court Adopts Ethics Code: Some Call for More
Perhaps in response to controversy over the acceptance of luxury trips and other favors by its justices, the United States Supreme Court adopted an ethics code for the first time in its 234-year history.
In a statement dated November 13, 2023, the Court published a Code of Conduct for the guidance of Supreme Court justices. The statement notes:
For the most part these rules and principles are not new: the Court has long had the equivalent of common law ethics rules, that is, a body of rules derived from a variety of sources, including statutory provisions, the code that applies to other members of the federal judiciary, ethics advisory opinions issued by the Judicial Conference Committee on Codes of Conduct, and historic practice.
Topics addressed by the Code of Conduct include impropriety and the appearance of impropriety, impartiality, disqualification, extrajudicial activities, fundraising, financial and fiduciary activities, government appointments, compensation and reimbursement, and political activity. The measure borrows from the Code of Conduct for United States Judges originally adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States in 1973 as amended.
Some ethics experts praised the adoption of the Code of Conduct as a first step toward accountability but noted that it is not mandatory as the directions are expressed as what a justice “should” do rather than what is required. They also observe that there is no enforcement mechanism to employ if a justice violates the guidelines or interprets them in a way inconsistent with their intent. It provides no path for complaints to be heard, investigations to take place, or neutral adjudication of issues. Supreme Court justices, like all Federal judges, can only be removed under the impeachment process set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
Some commentators have proposed alternative approaches to assuring the accountability of Supreme Court justices, consistent with the limitations the life terms established by the Constitution impose. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Connecticut) has sponsored the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 that would create a panel of judges to review ethics complaints. Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and others have introduced the Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act which would create the Office of the Inspector General for the Judicial branch. In another proposal, retired Federal Judge Jeremy Fogel and Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, suggests that the Chief Justice should appoint a panel of retired federal judges with deep experience and unquestioned integrity to advise justices with respect to motions for recusal and provide the justices with confidential advice as to their obligations. The major benefit of this proposal, the authors write, is not enforceability but transparency.
Ho, Ho, Holiday Gift Guide 2023
If you’re stuck for a last-minute gift for the lawyer on your list, the ABA Journal offers its annual 2023 Gifts for Lawyers Guide. Techie stuff and office gear predominates, as usual, but the RBG necklace also may suit the lawyer on your list.
Frankly, we think the Videoconference Mute Button sounds right for some of our colleagues.
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Attorney Well-Being
Managing Stress This Holiday Season
For many, the holiday season is a time for great joy, celebration, and closeness with loved ones. However, with high expectations, emotional triggers, difficult family dynamics, financial burden, and a seeming scarcity of time, the season can also beget a troubling abundance of stress. Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania (LCL) explains, “It is common to feel the pressure of overwhelming stress, depression, and loneliness during this time of year.”
A 2022 poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) revealed that nearly a third of Americans reported anticipating feeling more stressed that holiday season than even the year prior. APA President Rebecca W. Brendel, M.D., J.D. explained, “This is a busy time of year for many people, and it’s common to put a lot of expectations on ourselves during the holidays.”
However, the APA offers a few methods for coping with elevated stress throughout the holiday season:
- Practice mindfulness and meditation. Anyone can take simple, practical steps toward protecting his or her own mental health and well-being. Mindfulness and grounding techniques help to reconnect to a feeling of stability and awareness.
- Prevent burnout and say “no” when needed. It’s OK to say “no” to events and activities that cause undue stress. Focus on goal feelings for the season rather than a perfunctory checklist of undertakings. The APA offers a commonplace example: “It might be nice to make your grandmother's cookie recipe from scratch for every holiday, but if that's stressful for you, buy cookies at the store and celebrate.” Additionally, avoiding individuals or circumstances that have repeatedly produced mistreatment is not only ok ̶ it’s healthy.
- Take breaks. Treat the holiday season as a marathon or, better yet, a relay. Take breaks and accept help from those around you.
- Get fresh air and sunlight. Even small doses of fresh air and sunlight help to relax and calm. Myriad studies have correlated mental health benefits with spending time in nature.
- Keep any regularly-scheduled therapy sessions. For those who attend therapy, keep scheduled appointments. Sessions not only boost comforting structure and routine but also can address difficult emotions tied to the season or challenging personal interactions that may arise.
- Honor grief and loss. The winter holidays often are tied to strong memories, and many may struggle as they mourn a lost loved one (or even an experience of the past). Many psychiatrists recommend honoring cherished memories and celebrating those who have been lost rather than suppressing feelings of grief.
- Budget and avoid overspending. It is no surprise that financial burden is one of the most common stressors and is often exacerbated during the holiday season. Take time to budget for gift giving, holiday meals, and special events. Focus on presence and affection and consider incorporating homemade gifts or “Secret Santa” in holiday giving.
The Mayo Clinic Health System also suggests that maintaining healthy routines (e.g., sleep, movement, and nutrition) and being realistic with yourself and others can support your mental health and well-being during this season of cheer (and sometimes drear).
The Disciplinary Board would like to remind all PA lawyers that, even during the holidays, LCL is available to support the legal community through their free and confidential services. Their confidential helpline is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week at (888) 999-1941.
Explore the Disciplinary Board's Lawyer Well-Being Webpage
Earlier this year, the Disciplinary Board released a new "Lawyer Well-Being" webpage that connects Pennsylvania attorneys with pertinent resources, articles, events, and CLE opportunities to better understand and support their mental health and well-being. To access the Board’s new “Lawyer Well-Being” page, visit padisciplinaryboard.org/for-attorneys/well-being.
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers is a confidential assistance program for the Pennsylvania legal community and their family members. LCL may not report information about a subject attorney back to the Disciplinary Board.
Confidential 24/7 Helpline: 1-888-999-1941
Last year, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania adopted amendments to the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement (Pa.R.D.E.) relating to confidentiality of proceedings, providing for three exceptions to the requirement of confidentiality under Pa.R.D.E. 402(d). Included in these exceptions is the allowance for Disciplinary Counsel to make a referral of an attorney to Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania (LCL) and share information as part of the referral. However, it is crucial to note that LCL may not report information about a subject attorney back to the Disciplinary Board. LCL is a confidential assistance program for the Pennsylvania legal community and their family members.
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Around the Court
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Opens New History Center in Harrisburg
On November 28th, the Supreme Court officially unveiled its new history center at the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in Harrisburg. Following its three hundredth anniversary year, the opening of this new center offers an engaging look at the Court's storied past and its legal legacy. In addition to its multimedia exhibits, the center includes Seventeenth-Century artifacts predating the Court's establishment.
Marking the occasion, Chief Justice Debra Todd noted, "This new historical center will now become a space of inspiration and a place where future generations can gain a deeper understanding of the legal heritage and legacy of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.” She was joined by Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy who remarked, "The history center is a monument to our unwavering commitment to preserving our past. Within these walls the echoes of landmark decisions will reverberate, the wisdom of our esteemed justices will find new life, and the poignant struggles for justice will resonate for generations to come.”
The development of the history center largely was supported by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission which includes Disciplinary Board Members Robert J. Mongeluzzi and David S. Senoff.
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From the Pennsylvania Bar Association
Reflecting on Another Year
As we approach the end of 2023, it is a natural time to reflect. The team at the Pennsylvania Bar Association reflects on the thousands of hours that PA attorneys, judges, bar executives, and legal professionals have contributed to bettering our profession and communities ̶ whether through serving in volunteer leadership roles, performing pro bono service, providing quality continuing legal education programs, sharing important information through written articles and other media, reviewing pending legislation and proposed rules amendments, or serving on various committees, sections, and work groups that are the lifeblood of any professional organization. PBA is grateful for PA lawyers’ time, efforts, and dedication and looks forward to partnering in 2024 as the legal community works together to “help make good lawyers better”.
Please enjoy the holiday season, try to strike a healthy work-life balance, and watch out for those who may be struggling in any number of ways during this time of year. And, to those who aren’t already a member of PBA, please consider joining in the coming year. The benefits of membership and the relationships developed through active and engaged membership are invaluable to both career and quality of life. PBA looks forward to continuing to work hard as “your other partner” in 2024.
Please note that the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) are separate organizations. For more information about PBA, visit their website.
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We Want To Hear From You...
We are always on the lookout for stories of interest relating to legal ethics, new issues in the practice of law, lawyer wellness, and funny or just plain weird stories about the legal profession. If you come across something you think might be enlightening, educational, or entertaining to our readers or social media followers, pass it along. If you are our original source, there may be a hat tip in it for you.
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