Learn more about the sessions being offered at the 18th Bench Bar Conference of the 39th Judicial District, on Friday, October 4th.
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for any practice area
9 – 10 a.m.
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape various industries, the legal profession stands at a critical juncture. Chat GPT, an advanced AI model, represents a significant technological advancement that offers both opportunities and some serious challenges for attorneys and the courts. The CLE aims to provide attorneys with an overview of practical applications, benefits and potential pitfalls of ChatGPT, AI, evaluation of potential ethical obligations of attorneys and AI and the Court’s response to this ever-changing landscape.
Presenters:
Kristen B. Hamilton, Esq. BIO
Philip H. Yoon, Esq. BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Criminal Law
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
This CLE will cover what the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing has observed through initial submissions through the time of the session.
Presenter:
Robert J. Sisock BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for any practice area
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
New mandates on the horizon; solutions for lawyers, law firms, County Bar Associations and Courts of Common Pleas.
On March 2, 2024 the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issues a Proposed Rule Making for a new RPC 1.20 mandating specific emergency planning activities by attorneys. In May the PBA House approved a Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee [LEPRC] Report commenting on the Proposed Rule and making several suggestions.
This presentation, in “workshop” format, [audience participation strongly encouraged] is designed to introduce the background and development of the Rules based approach and to explore the options that lawyers, the Bar, and Bench may undertake to successfully address real challenges in a client-centered approach that balances effective solutions and avoids undue burdens on individual lawyers.
Presenter:
David Fitzsimons BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Family Law
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
The family law bench will present on the following topics:
Uniform Child Custody and Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)
Notable family law decisions (since our last bench bar conference)
Panelists:
The Honorable Jeremiah D. Zook BIO
The Honorable Todd M. Sponseller BIO
The Honorable Mary Beth Shank BIO
Sponsored by 
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Workers’ Compensation Law
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
A three person panel consisting of Anthony Cosentino, Katherine Bavoso, and Nariman Dastur, will review five recently decided cases relevant to workers’ compensation law and the case impact on both the Defendants’ bar and Claimants’ bar. We will also provide a Legislative update on bills recently passed and/or pending in this area of law.
Panelists:
Anthony J. Cosentino, Esq.
Katherine E. Bavoso, Esq. BIO
Nariman P. Dastur, Esq. BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Criminal Law
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Remaining up to date on issues that impact Pennsylvania criminal law practice is paramount for any practitioner. This hour-long presentation will highlight the case law, statutes and rules that all practitioners should be aware of from the last year, including a look at issues currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Presenter:
Maureen Flannery Spang, Esq BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Family Law
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A Judges perspective on what an effective and enforceable agreement should include and exploring pitfalls and what to avoid in drafting marital agreements.
Presenter:
The Honorable David R. Workman BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Elder Law
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
This CLE session will explore the complexities of Medicaid planning. We will cover key topics including coverage and eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid and the application process for Medicaid benefits when a client transitions to a skilled-care nursing facility.
Attendees should expect to gain valuable insights into the complicated process of Medicaid benefits. We will discuss numerous scenarios to explain the advanced strategies of asset protection, permissible asset transfers, and Medicaid-compliant annuities. This session aims to equip legal professionals with the required expertise to ensure the elderly community receives the care they deserve.
Presenter:
Jared S. Childers, LL.M., CELA BIO
Sponsored by 
1 Ethics CLE Credit – Recommended for any practice area
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Have you ever walked out of a courtroom and blamed a poor result on the judge? Or complained about a jurist to your client or another attorney? Or believed a news story that a judge’s decision was based on his or her political affiliation? If you have, it may help to understand the Code of Judicial Conduct – ethical rules that address how judges should think, work, play, and campaign. The Code applies to judges “at all times” – meaning that both their professional and personal lives are subject to “public scrutiny that might be viewed as burdensome if applied to other citizens.” In this presentation, attorneys will learn what judges can and cannot ethically say and do. Ultimately, lawyers will understand they have a professional responsibility to manage their clients and to educate the public about the role of judges – thus protecting them from unwarranted criticism.
Presenter:
The Honorable Linda Rovder Fleming BIO
Sponsored by 
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Family Law
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
An experienced Family Court Judge will offer valuable insight on the impact of “Kayden’s Law”, effective August 13, 2024, in child custody cases. The historical context of the legislation, including its path to passage, will be addressed as well as how our family courts are implementing the changes.
Presenter:
The Honorable Daniel J. Clifford BIO
Administrative Judge – Family Division – Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Chair, Family Court Section, Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges Past Chair, Supreme Court Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee Member, Joint State Government Commission, Advisory Committee on Family Law
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Criminal or Civil Law
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
From a Toxicology 101 standpoint, how consumption of alcohol leads to intoxication which may produce functional or behavioral impairments which may in turn cause adverse events (e.g., car crashes, falls, fights, etc.) will be presented in an easily understandable way. This presentation will cover many issues and misconceptions about alcohol intoxication that juries tend to have. Many of the key concepts will be illustrated using real case examples.
Presenter:
Michael J. McCabe, Jr., Ph.D. BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Civil Law
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
The means and methods may have changed, but the importance of preparation can never be overstated. A successful outcome begins with case (and client) selection, evaluation, investigation, and the gathering of important information. Forget the posturing and social media posts; what’s important is creating a compelling narrative from the facts you are able to develop through your own investigation and through discovery. That narrative and the controlling law drives your resolution through mediation or trial.
Presenter:
Jay N. Silberblatt, Esq. BIO
Sponsored by 
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Estate Law
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
This session will include Trust and Estate planning, and cover tax efficiencies utilizing investment planning within irrevocable trusts.
Presenters:
Deborah Miner, JD, CLU, ChFC, RICP, CFP BIO
Paul Ritchie BIO
Sponsored by 
1 Ethics CLE Credit – Recommended for any practice area
3 – 4 p.m.
The legal profession is both enhanced and intensified by the constantly evolving implementation of electronics in the practice of law. This session will explore the evolution of those changes through the years and discuss methods for promoting professionalism and cultivating civility in our practices and in the profession.
Presenter:
Anne N. John, Esq. BIO
Sponsored by 
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Family Law
3 – 4 p.m.
In this course we will explore the applicable valuation standards and the nuts and bolts of developing a solid opinion of the equity value of a closely held business interest. The three approaches to value, capitalization rates and applicable discounts will all be addressed in this course that is designed to provide attendees with a solid foundation of valuation concepts to help in getting the most out of your valuation experts and developing effective cross examination.
Presenter:
Heather Baranowski BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Business Law
3 – 4 p.m.
This hour-long presentation will summarize the new federal and state reporting requirements for Pennsylvania entities. The first part of the presentation will be a summary of the federal Corporate Transparency Act and its application in 2024 to business entities, including reporting deadlines, report content, and exemptions from reporting. Second, the presentation will focus on the upcoming Department of State annual report requirements for Pennsylvania entities. Attendees will receive copies of the reporting forms and the Small Entity Compliance Guide published by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Presenter:
Timothy A. Hoy, Esq. BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for Litigation Law (and/or History Enthusiasts)
3 – 4 p.m.
This session will be in 2 parts. 1st part is Motor vehicle code update and pending legislation. 2nd part will be discussion on lawyers who fought at or connected to Gettysburg Battle, including a Franklin County lawyer instrumental in shaping post war legislation.
Presenter:
P. Richard Wagner, Esq. BIO
1 Substantive CLE Credit – Recommended for any practice area
4:15 – 5:15 p.m.
This 1-hour session will give you updates from the Bench of the 39th Judicial District.
Panelists:
The Honorable Shawn D. Meyers, President Judge BIO
The Honorable Jeremiah D. Zook BIO
The Honorable Todd M. Sponseller BIO
The Honorable Mary Beth Shank BIO
Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, Omni Bedford Springs Resort is the ideal location for our conference.
Guest Room Reservations
A block of rooms has been reserved for the Bench Bar Conference. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Make your guest room reservations directly with Omni Bedford Springs Resort. The group rate is $221 plus resort fee and tax for Thursday, October 3rd.
Please reserve your room by September 5th to receive the discounted rate.
Call 877-409-6664 to book your room or book online at https://tinyurl.com/BBC-Rooms
