Do you have extra documents you're looking to have shredded but are concerned about the confidentiality and security of those documents? The ACBA is inviting members to a free paper-shredding event in the parking lot at Burns White in Pittsburgh's Strip District on Thursday, April 30 from 2-3:30 p.m. Members can bring up to two boxes of papers to be shredded - right in front of your eyes - by Steel City Shredding's mobile shredding truck. There's a limit of two boxes per person. Thanks to Steel City Shredding and Burns White for sponsoring the event.

Longtime ACBA Executive Director David A. Blaner is retiring on June 30, concluding a long and historic career. The impact he has made on the Pittsburgh Legal Community – from individual members to entire firms – is undeniable. As a way to bid farewell to Dave, the ACBA will be publishing a commemorative edition of the Lawyers Journal newspaper on July 10. This edition will be filled with content on his impact, memories, and coverage of the 2026 Bench-Bar Conference, which doubles as his going away party.

Firms wishing to congratulate Dave on his retirement are invited to purchase an ad in this farewell edition. Advertising commitments are due by June 1, and all artwork must be submitted by June 8.

The National Trial Advocacy College has moved. The comprehensive litigation program and networking event will be held at William and Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Va., from Aug. 8-12. The ACBA Federal Court Section, the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pa. are awarding scholarships; deadline to apply is Friday, May 1. The trial advocacy college provides intensive hands-on advocacy training, daily presentations and demonstrations by trial lawyers and judges from across the nation, as well as the opportunity to try an entire case before a live jury presided over by an experienced judge.

Applicants should have 3-10 years of legal experience. The full scholarship covers the registration fee, lodging for five nights, two receptions, most meals and daily beverage and snack service. The partial scholarship will cover up to half of the cost of the advocacy course. For more information or to apply, click the buttons below; ACBA members who fit the criteria are strongly encouraged to apply.

Members are invited to participate in the ACBA’s annual Military and Veterans Project – “Operation MVP.” The project is designed to help military personnel and veterans by providing them with care packages and other support; there are two ways to participate.

• Amazon Wish List: Members can purchase items for military personnel and veterans from an Amazon wish list, available here. Needed items include snacks, personal hygiene items, playing cards, games and puzzles.
• In-Person Event:  Help stuff care packages in the Koppers Building Conference Center on Thursday, May 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Participants can also enjoy happy hour, complete with appetizers, beer and wine. There’s no cost to attend for anyone donating items toward the cause.

The Allegheny County Bar Foundation is accepting Board of Trustee applications to fill three open seats. Interested applicants (including non-attorneys) are encouraged to apply. Trustees serve for a period of three years. This term will begin on July 1. The foundation board meets a minimum of six times per year on the first Wednesday of alternating months. Meetings begin at noon at ACBA Headquarters.

Trustees must be a Fellows GIVE member of the Bar Foundation or willing to become one upon appointment to the board and should have a proven track record of public service and/or participation with a nonprofit board  or other charitable activities.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, April 30.

In the below video message, ACBA President Amy Coco recaps the ACBA’s April 7 Board of Governors meeting. She covers the Board accepting the report of the Nominating Committee and the creation of an ad-hoc committee to examine how the ACBA Judiciary Committee is formed. Additionally, she discusses the approval of a Civil Litigation Rules Committee’s submission of public comments regarding a proposed rules change; the releasing of the WLD’s survey results and a change to the WLD by-laws; the approval of the Bench-Bar Conference schedule of events; the upcoming Members-Only Happy Hour and more.

Registration is now open for the 62nd Annual ACBA Bench-Bar Conference, which will be held June 18-20 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. The adults-only, members-only conference features three days of networking, fine dining, social activities, sporting events and more. Additional program details will be announced in the days ahead.

This year’s Bench-Bar also serves as a farewell celebration for ACBA Executive Director David Blaner, who retires on June 30. Note that Bench-Bar registration does not include lodging; those reservations can be made directly from the Bench-Bar website.

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The Allegheny County Bar Foundation is now accepting applications for loans and scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Eligible students can apply for scholarships through the following funds:

• Environment and Energy Law Section Scholarship Fund
• F.C. Grote Fund
• James I. Smith, III Notre Dame Law School Scholarship Fund
• Hon. Carol Los Mansmann Fund
• ACBA Young Lawyers Division Scholarship Fund
• Daniel B. Dixon Scholarship Fund
• Louis Little Attorneys’ Memorial Fund

To apply online and learn more about each scholarship, click the button below. For questions, please contact Stephanie Selya at 412-402-6674 or sselya@acba.org.

When is the last time you got a quote on your LPL insurance? The discount members can get on getting LPL through the ACBA Insurance Program – powered by USI – is often greater than the cost of ACBA membership. For more, visit www.ACBA.org/Insurance.