MONROE COUNTY BRIEF
Published for the Monroe County Bar Association
Summer 2013
Volume 18 Issue 2
Issue 3
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Monroe County Bar Association, 913 Main Street,
www.monroebar.org [email protected] 570.424.7288
President’s Message
Jane Maughan, MCBA President
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer. I'm pleased to advise that our annual
Support Staff Luncheon was a great success. Over 30 legal assistants attended, with most
of the judicial secretaries. Those in attendance were very interested in the Executive
Board's invitation that they form a legal assistants' group, and the group has held its first
meeting. MCBA leadership will work closely with them to help them plan future
activities and events.
Our annual Bench Bar Conference is fast approaching, please be sure to calendar Friday,
September 27, 2013, to join us for a fine day of fellowship and legal education.
Jane Maughan
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Bill Sayer receives
2013 Gideon Award
Jim Swetz elected
President of the
PACDL
Alan Price Young 2013
A. Mitchell Palmer
Honoree
Jim Gregor appointed
new Chief Public
Defender
At the joint annual meeting of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania and
the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Hilton Hotel,
Helen Stolinas, President of the Public Defender Association presented to Bill Sayer
of Monroe County the association's highest honor, the Gideon Award, for his
See Sayer Page 4
On April 26, 2013, Stroudsburg lawyer James A. Swetz was elected President of the
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at the Annual Meeting of
the Association in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
See Swetz Page 4
The East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge #319 has selected decorated military veteran,
attorney, and long-time community leader Alan Price Young as recipient of the
2013 A. Mitchell Palmer Award.
The annual A. Mitchell Palmer Award recognizes individuals within Monroe
See Young Page 4
Monroe County Commissioners have appointed Jim Gregor as the county’s new
full-time Chief Public Defender. The full time position was created by the county
because of the increasing caseload.
Attorney Gregor currently works part time in the PD’s office and has his own
practice. He has worked as both an Assistant Public Defender and assistant
See Gregor Page 4
Monroe County Brief
Page 2
The YLD raises money and plans events
MCBA
YLD
Division
YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
Jeff Frankenburger, YLD President
This past May, the YLD sponsored a Relay for Life team. Through the amazing efforts of Syzane
Arifaj who spearheaded this event and all those who volunteered or made contributions, we raised
over $2,000!
This summer, we have held two mentor lunches where we were lucky to have Todd Weitzmann,
Esq. and Gerard Geiger, Esq. agree to share their knowledge and insight with us. If you are
interested in participating in a mentor lunch, please contact MCBA or Hillary Madden.
Jeff Frankenburger, President
Matthew Bernal, Vice President
Brian Jordan, Secretary
Kathleen Walters, Treasurer
Monroe County Bar
Foundation
Board of Trustees
2013
William J. Reaser
Chair
Elizabeth Bensinger Weeks
Treasurer
Michelle Rogan
Secretary
Tom Dirvonas
Trustee
Diane Dagger
Trustee
Victoria Strunk
Trustee
Jason Altschul
Trustee
The YLD is gearing up for our summer event: river rafting! The trip will be held on Saturday,
August 10th beginning at 10am. We will meet at Edge of the Woods Outfitters’ River Trip Office at
Fernwood Resort. This event is free for YLD members and $10 for general membership and family
members.
Frank O’Connor, Judge Renee Cohn
Jubelirer,
anddrive
Forestand
Myers
We are still working hard to coordinate Wills for Heroes and our annual
blood
hope to
Friday,
Septemberplease
28, 2012
make them as successful as possible. If you have any ideas for events
or activities,
feel free to
contact the MCBA staff.
Jeff Frankenburger, YLD President
Monroe County Bar foundation continues to give
William J. Reaser, Jr., MCBF Chairman
We are pleased to announce that the Foundation awarded three scholarships to graduating
high school seniors this year. We provided three $500 scholarships to Monroe County
seniors.
Graduating from Stroudsburg High School, Maria Andrews will attend Marymount
Manhattan College. Maria plans to major in International Relations, with a goal of
working for the United Nations. She hopes to utilize her education and work experience
to pursue a career in government whereby she hopes to help end human trafficking.
Maria is the daughter of Peter Andrews.
George Serfoss, a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School South, plans on attending
East Stroudsburg University for his undergraduate studies and then pursuing his law
degree. Since the age of 6, George has been a member of the East Stroudsburg Crime
Watch. He has been active in the National Honor Society, marching band and the rifle team. George is the son of Mary and
William Serfoss.
As a participant in the Mock Trials held in Monroe County each year and a prior MCBA Essay Contest winner, you may already
know Kyle Jorstad. Kyle graduated from East Stroudsburg High School South and plans on attending Grove City College to
major in law. His high school years have been very active for Kyle. In addition to being a counselor at Resica Falls Scout
Reservation in the summer, Kyle is an Assistant Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 100, a volunteer for the United Way of
Monroe County, and is active in the National Honor Society and the speech and debate team.
In addition to our scholarships, MCBF is awarding almost $3,000 to various local charities by the end of July. Watch for our
press releases in the Pocono Record as well as in the next issue of the MCBA newsletter, Monroe County Brief.
Page 3
Monroe County Brief
Upcoming PBI Schedule at the Bar Center – Live-feed Group-casts & Video Replays
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 – Groupcast
Fire At-Will in Pennsylvania
3 hours substantive/0 hour ethics
9:00am to 12:30pm
Registration begins at 8:30am
Members: $139/Non-Members: $159
Friday, July 12, 2013 – Video
Dead Man’s Rule
3 hours substantive/0 hour ethics
9:00am to 12:30pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $139/Non-Members: $159
Tuesday, July 16, 2103 – Video
Trial Tactics, Tips and Techniques
5 hours substantive/1 hour ethics*
9:00am to 5:00pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $169/Non-members: $189
Tuesday, July 23, 2013 – Video
Trusts: Drafting Well to
Administer Well
2 hours substantive/ 0 hour ethics
9:00am to 11:00pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $99/Non-Members: $109
Thursday, July 25, 2013 –
Groupcast
Ohlbaum on Evidence Advocacy:
Using the Rules of Evidence to
Persuade
5 hours substantive/1 hour ethics*
8:30am to 3:30pm
Registration begins at 8:00am
Members: $349/Non-Members: $369
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 – Video
SORNA Update: New Deadlines &
New
Crimes for SORNA & SORNA
Violations
3 hours substantive/0 hour ethics
9:00am to 12:30pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $139/Non-Members: $159
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 – Video
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
in a Post-Sandusky World
3 hours substantive/0 hour ethics
9:00am to 12:30pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $139/Non-Members: $159
Thursday, August 8, 2013 – Video
Structuring & Crafting Commercial Loan Documents
5 hours substantive/1 hour ethics
9:00am to 5:00pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $169/Non-Members $189
Wednesday, August 14, 2013 –
Video
Ethics Potpourri – Fee Practices,
Pointers & Traps of Fee
Agreements
0 hour substantive/1 hour ethics
9:00am to 10:00am
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $59/Non-Members: $69
Thursday August 15, 2013
Evidence for Trial Lawyers (PEG)
6 substantive/ 0 ethics
9am to 5pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members $ 364/ Non-members $ 384
Breakfast & lunch included
Wednesday, August 21, 2013 –
Video
14th Annual Estate & Elder Law
Symposium
5 hours substantive/1 hour ethics
9:00am to 5:00pm (Breakfast and
Lunch are included)
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $169/Non-Members: $189
Thursday, August 22, 2013 – Video
Ethics Potpourri – Abe Lincoln,
Sydney Carton & the Art of
Aspiration
Thursday, August 22, 2013 –
Video (con)
0 hour substantive/1 hour ethics
9:00am to 10:00am
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $59/Non-Members: $69
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 –
Video
Police Misconduct and the Defense
of Criminal Cases
4 hours substantive/0 hour ethics
9:00am to 1:30pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $249/Non-Members:
$269
Thursday, August 29, 2013 –
Video
Internet Legal Research
2 hours substantive/1 hour ethics
9:00am to 12:30pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members: $139/Non-Members:
$159
Friday August, 30, 2013
Litigation Technology Workshop
6 substantive/0 ethics
8:30am to 3:30pm
Registration begins at 8am
Breakfast & lunch will are included
Wednesday September 11, 2013
Legal Issues Affecting Military
Personnel:
Drawdown and Homecoming
6 substantive/0 ethics
9am to 5pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Members $ 229/Non-members $ 249
Breakfast & lunch are included
Courses subject to cancelation by PBI
due to no or low pre-registration.
Monroe County Brief
Page 4
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Sayer, from Page 1
Young, from Page 1
lifetime of service as a lawyer to the accused unable to
afford counsel. Bill excelled as a trial lawyer including
death penalty defense and as an appellate lawyer and
recently retired from the Monroe County public defender
office where he served as an assistant public
defender. He is good example for all Pennsylvania
Public Defenders to follow.
County for their long-term and significant contributions in
the field of law, public safety, or community service. The
award is named in memory of the early 20 th century
Stroudsburg attorney, businessman and politician. Included
in his resume of lifetime public service, Mr. Palmer served
three terms in Congress and two years as Attorney General
of the United States. He was also a founding charter
member of the East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge #319 in 1895.
Swetz, from Page 1
“The greatest protection we have against governmental
tyranny is the jury system protected by a right to
counsel.” Swetz said. “On the 50 Court’s decision in
Gideon v. Wainwright guaranteeing that everyone should
have counsel regardless of resources, unpopularity, or the
seriousness of the accusation pending against them, I am
humbled by the confidence my peers have expressed
in choosing me to lead PACDL.”
During his career, Swetz has defended many high profile
criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout
Northeastern Pennsylvania. Swetz has been listed in
Philadelphia Magazine as one of Pennsylvania’s top
criminal defense lawyers in 2007 and 2009-2012. He is
Board Certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy and Civil
Pretrial and Trial Advocacy by the National Board of
Trial Advocacy.
Swetz has also served on the
Lawyers’ Advisory Committee to the Judges of the
United States District Court for the Middle District of
Pennsylvania.
Gregor from Page 1
Prosecutor. Gregor’s appointment becomes effective
after the July 17 Commissioner’s meeting. One of the
first duties of Gregor will be appointing a full-time
Deputy Chief Public Defender, replacing Attorney Bill
Sayer who retired earlier this year.
Alan Price Young joined the United States Air Force shortly
after graduating from Lehigh University in 1968 with an
Electrical Engineering degree. He served in the Vietnam
War as a tactical fighter pilot, flying 130 combat missions
and receiving many commendations – including the
Distinguished Flying Cross. Captain Young returned to
civilian life in 1974 and continued his education at Cornell
Law School. He graduated in 1978 and began his career in
law as the managing partner of the Stroudsburg law firm of
Young, Upright, Catina and Parker. In 2003, he formed the
law firm of Young and Haros. Attorney Young has practiced
law in Monroe County for 35 years in a variety of public and
private capacities, most recently as the court-appointed
custodian of an area charter school. His expertise lies in the
fields of real estate and community association law.
Over the years, Attorney Young has given his time and
energy to a long list of Monroe County community and
public service organizations, including the Pocono Medical
Center, the Monroe County Hospital Authority and the
Planning Commission, the Rotary Club, the Kettle Creek
Environmental Fund, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Alan Price Young, Esq. will receive the award at a dinner cosponsored by Elks #319 and the Monroe County Bar
Association, to be held at the East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge
on Tuesday, September 17, 2013. Tickets to this event are
$50.00 and must be purchased in advance; tickets will not be
sold at the door. If interested in attending, or for more
information, please call event chairman Dave Merklin at
(570) 476-5773. Seating is limited.
Find a Lawyer replaces Lawyer Referral
The Lawyer Referral Service is now the Find a Lawyer Program! The name has changed to more accurately describe the
nature of the program. You will notice a change in wording reflecting the name change in any correspondence the Bar
Association sends regarding this program going forward.
The Find a Lawyer program is now available online. Anyone who is looking for an attorney in Monroe County can find one
through our online system by visiting the MCBA website www.monroebar.org. The online system is the same as we use at the
office and meets the goal of being fair and random to the participants.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Bar Association at 570.424.7288.
Page 5
Monroe County Brief
Spring & Summer
MCBA Happenings
Does Eric scare you?
Law Day 2013 – Photo Opps!!
The Wizard of OZ Monroe County Style
Court Room 1
Court Room
2 Players
Jake Muth, son of MDJ
Michael Muth as the
Mayor of Munchkin
Town
Court Room 3
Jason Leon and Zak
Christman taking on the
role of the attorney
Which
witch??
Dorothy, Cowardly
Lion and Oz waiting to
testify.
Jerry, Bill, Hillary
& Matt
Court Room 2
Steve Krawitz trying to
convince Judge Higgins
that he is right. Does it
look like he believes
Steve?
Dorothy isn’t shaking
her fist at Judge Mark,
is she?
Monroe County Brief
Page 6
Law Day Ceremony 2013
Joel Keller, Liberty Bell Honoree, with
MCBA President Jane Maughan,
below. 2013 Essay Contest winner Kyle
Jorstad with 2013 Law Day Chair
Kimberly Butts, below right.
Our Nation’s Colors presented on Law Day
YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
Tid-bits of Info
FOR UP-TO-DATE MCBA NEWS
and
COURTHOUSE NEWS
GO TO
MCBA Legal Links Page
Estate Lawyers Lunch – 1st Wednesday
Real Estate Attorneys Lunch – 2nd Tuesday
Municipal Law Lunch – 3rd Tuesday
Willowtree Inn, Noon- 1:00 pm
Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Lunch – 4th
Tuesday
Sarah’s Cafe
Monroe County Bar Association
2013 Monroe County Bar Association
Officer and Directors
Jane Roach Maughan
Daniel M. Corveleyn
Lori J. Cerato
Todd W. Weitzmann
Jeffrey A. Durney
Timothy J. McManus
Jeff Frankenburger
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Member at Large
Member at Large
Member at Large/YLD
President
913 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570.424.7288
Fax: 570.424.8234
Denise M. Burdge
Executive Director
[email protected]
Taharah Nix
Administrative Assistant/Journal Coordinator
[email protected]
Zenzi Boone
Clerical Staff
[email protected]
www.monroebar.org
Remember to notify the MCBA office if you have
any changes to your membership.
Up-to-date member information is available on
the MCBA website: www.monroebar.org
Monroe County Brief
Page 7
Page 8
Monroe County Brief
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Monroe County Brief
MCBA SUMMER EVENTS
SIGN UP NOW!
09/27/2013 Bench Bar Conference – Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort
(more info to follow in the near future)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
JOIN US FOR SOME FUN!
Sunday, July 21st – Iron Pigs Game
Tickets still on sale. $30 over 12 years old, $20 12 and under
Includes bus from MCBA and food at the game
Saturday, September 21st – New York City Bus Trip – “Free Style”
Bus tickets $25 each plus $3 driver tip
New York City Bound
Saturday, September 21, 2013
“Free Style”
Plays **Shopping**Dining**Site-seeing**
$25.00 per person PLUS $3.00 cash
gratuity per person



8:45 am Leave MCBA Parking Lot
6:00 pm Leave NYC
8:30 pm Return to MCBA
RSVP by Calling 570.421.4288
Mail checks to:
MCBA
913 Main St., Stroudsburg PA 18360