The Pennsylvania Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition – presented by the ACBA and the Pa. Bar Association – kicked off in Allegheny County on Tuesday, Jan. 20. ACBA members are asked to support these hard-working high school students by volunteering to be a scoring juror or a presiding judge for the competition. There are 36 local high school teams participating, and at least 24 volunteers are needed on each night of the competition. Volunteers do not need to be a litigation attorney to support this program, and prior experience as a scoring juror is not needed.

While volunteers are asked to commit to an entire evening, the enthusiasm and natural skill demonstrated by the high school students is extremely rewarding. Volunteers need to arrive at the City-County Building by 4:45 p.m. and should be prepared to judge two back-to-back trials, completed by approximately 9:00 p.m. The remaining nights of the first round of the competition are as follows:

• Thursday, Jan. 29
• Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Thursday, Feb. 12

Additional dates will be scheduled for playoffs, semifinals and finals. Volunteers can sign-up at this link. For additional information, contact Julie Brennan at jbrennan@pionlaw.com. For more on upcoming mock trials, click below.

Experiencing a Financial Hardship? Did you know there is a fund that could help? The Allegheny County Bar Foundation Lawyers’ Fund can provide confidential, need-based financial assistance to area lawyers and their families. Funds may be available to help those struggling to make ends meet, manage student loan debt, cover funeral expenses of a loved one, pay for substance abuse counseling and more. Contact ACBA Executive Director David Blaner at 412-402-6620 or click the button below.

ACBA Night with the Dukes is Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the UPMC Cooper Field House. ACBA members are invited to take advantage of discounted tickets as the Duquesne men’s basketball team takes on Atlantic 10 Conference rival LaSalle beginning at 7 p.m. The discount – available exclusive for ACBA members and their guests – is valid for tickets in the new arena’s baseline sections, along with section 111.

Your resume is one of the most important marketing tools you'll employ during your job search. Unsure if your resume can stand up to the competition and catch the eye of an employer? Check out the below article. For more on ACBA Legal Employment Services, contact Jennifer Pulice at jpulice@acba.org.

Interested in having a web chat feature for your website? A limited number of ACBA members can get a free “chat bot” from the ACBA partners at the Fount team at JustAnswer LLC, who have spent more than 12 years building “Pearl,” an intelligent chat system that handles millions of legal conversations every year. For a limited time, ACBA members can receive Pearl completely free as part of Fount’s early-access program. It’s an effortless way to capture more leads, improve client experience, and show that your firm is embracing innovation in the legal space. For more, visit www.ACBA.org/pearl.

All members are invited to join the ACBA Asian Attorneys Committee in celebrating the Lunar New Year, one of the most significant holiday festivals in China and throughout much of East Asia, on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chinatown Inn in downtown Pittsburgh. The Lunar New Year celebrates the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar; 2026 is the “Year of the Fire Horse.”

The event will feature a 10-course meal, traditional Chinese dancers, and more. Thank you to Achieva Family Trust for sponsoring this event. Space is limited and the event typically sells out quickly, so those interested are encourage to register ASAP.

Interested in getting involved in ACBA leadership? The ACBA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates to run for President-Elect and Treasurer, as well as members interested in running for spots on the Board of Governors and the Judiciary Committee. Terms begin July 1, 2026 and the deadline to submit a candidate application is Friday, Feb. 27. For more information on the process, requirements and more, click below.

Wellness is crucial, especially for those battling the stresses and challenges that come with the legal profession. To recognize the importance of mental health and well-being in the legal profession, the ACBA has created “Wellness Circles” for members, a vision of ACBA President and cancer survivor Amy Coco. ACBA members can self-select and opt into wellness circles, providing a confidential, supportive space to connect with colleagues, share experiences and focus on well-being.

Currently there are three Wellness Circles – Cancer Survivors, Family Support – Mental Health/Addiction, and Sandwich Generation. Members are welcome to suggest ideas for additional Wellness Circles. For more details , FAQs and other information, click below.

The Pittsburgh Legal Journal – the official legal journal of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas containing trial lists, legal notices, sheriff sales and more – is published five days per week and is available only to subscribers. It is delivered via email as an easy-to-print, 8.5x11-inch pdf. For an informational video on the PLJ, click here.

As many people from Allegheny County continue to battle hunger, the ACBF Attorneys Against Hunger program continues to help. Volunteer attorneys are needed to help at the Allies for Health and Wellbeing Food Pantry in East Liberty on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more info or to register, email Mya Thomasmeyer at the button below.