In addition to the hard copy edition that is sent to members through the mail, the Nov. 14 edition of the Lawyers Journal — the ACBA’s flagship publication featuring substantive legal articles and stories of interest to the legal community — is available digitally on the ACBA website and at the button below.

In a groundbreaking move for trade associations, for the first time, the ACBA Insurance Program, powered by its endorsed broker USI Affinity and MassMutual, is offering members Group Whole Life Insurance benefit.

This program is not only exclusive to ACBA members, but it’s never been offered by other association groups and not currently offered outside of Pennsylvania, making it a truly rare and valuable opportunity.

This new benefit provides up to $250,000 of permanent Whole Life coverage per enrollment, every 6 months, up to an aggregate of $1,000,000 with guaranteed cash value accumulation, annual dividends, and you get it with simplified underwriting – no exams, just three questions asked. This benefit is designed to help legal professionals protect their families, build wealth, and enhance their retirement strategies.

To get started, contact Mark LeFever at mark.lefever@usi.com. Additional information is below.

All members are invited to help make the holidays special for underprivileged children through the annual ACBA Young Lawyers Division Children’s Gift Drive and Holiday Party, which provides holiday gifts to hundreds of underprivileged children in area shelters and programs. Here’s how you can help:

• Sponsor a Child – Children will enter their wish lists on DreamList, then members can help by sponsoring a child. DreamList gift lists will be available through this Friday. This online website allows us to create angel tree tags so attorneys can shop for the gifts without preselecting items and feel more involved in the process. The total cost of gifts per child will range between $60 and $100. To sponsor a child or children, click here or email acbayldtoydrive@gmail.com.
• Stocking Stuffers – You can help stuff stockings for the children on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Koppers Building Conference Center. Sign up here. 
• Monetary Donations – The Children’s Gift Drive also accepts monetary donations to cover expenses such as dry cleaning for the Santa suits, cookie trays, juice boxes and other stocking stuffer items. To contribute, email acbayldtoydrive@gmail.com for more information.

With hunger a pressing need in the region, volunteer attorneys are needed to help with food bag distribution at Hugh’s Kitchen – part of the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation – on Sunday, Nov. 23; shifts include 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Hugh’s Kitchen is located at 925 Brighton Road on Pittsburgh’s North Side. For more info or to register, email Mya Thomasmeyer at the button below.

The experienced professionals at Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP serve as trusted advisors, working with attorneys in a number of areas. GYF, an ACBA partner, provides a full complement of accounting, tax, valuation and consulting services, including:

• Acquisition/Divesture Consulting
• Audits, Reviews and Other Assurance Services
• Tax Planning and Compliance – Domestic and International
• Business Valuation and Litigation Support Services
• ESOP Consulting and Valuation Services
• ERP Software Solutions & Business Process Consulting
• Client Accounting Services
• Business Advisory and Other Special Projects

Click the link below for more information about GYF’s services, industry expertise and professional qualifications or call 412-338-9300.

Thanksgiving is next week, which means the holiday season is officially here. ACBA members are invited to celebrate with their fellow members, as numerous Committees, Divisions and Sections are hosting holiday parties throughout the season.

Dec. 2 – Federal Court Section – 4 p.m. – Joseph F. Weis, Jr. U.S. Courthouse  (Follows a CLE)

Dec. 2 – Environment and Energy Law Section – 4:30 p.m. – Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

Dec. 3 – Construction Law Section – 5 p.m. – Engineers’ Society of Western Pa. (Follows a CLE)

Dec. 4 – Sole and Small Firm Practitioners Section – 5 p.m. – Aspen

Dec. 5 – Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section – 5 p.m. – Westin (Follows Bankruptcy Symposium)

Dec. 9 – Family Law Section – 5 p.m. – Aspen

Dec. 9 – Young Lawyers Division – 5 p.m. – PA Market

Dec. 10 – Criminal Litigation Section – 4:30 p.m. – Mitchell’s Pub

Dec. 10 – Probate and Trust Law Section – 5 p.m. – Embassy Suites (Follows a CLE)

Dec. 10 – Workers’ Compensation Section – 5 p.m. – Rivers Club (Follows a CLE)

Dec. 11 – Taxation Section – 5 p.m. – Engineers’ Society of Western Pa. (Follows a CLE)

Dec. 11 – Women in the Law Division – 5 p.m. – Roost

Dec. 17 – Civil Litigation Section – 5 p.m. – Embassy Suites

Dec. 18 – Homer S. Brown Division – 6 p.m. – Emerald City

Jan. 15 – Real Property/Corporate, Banking and Business Law Sections – 5 p.m. – Tequila Cowboy

The ACBA Community Service Committee is organizing a “Lawyers and Ladles” event at the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and Thursday, Dec. 4 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day, and ACBA members are encouraged to volunteer. Volunteers will work together in the fully equipped industrial kitchen at WC&S to prepare dinner for the residents, as well as clean up. Space is limited with only eight spots available for each event.

Need temporary conference room facilities downtown for a mediation, deposition or client meeting? Practice in the suburbs but have an occasional need for office space when you have a court date downtown? Legal professionals can rent conference rooms in ACBA headquarters – located in the Koppers Building in downtown Pittsburgh – on a daily or short-term basis for as little as $50 for members. For more, contact Barb Brumbaugh at bbrumbaugh@acba.org.

Western Pennsylvania’s largest annual bankruptcy law event – the ACBA’s 38th Annual Western District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Symposium – is Friday, Dec. 5 at the Westin Pittsburgh. The event will feature a full day of bankruptcy programming and multiple networking opportunities. Earn up to six CLE credits, selecting from eight total programs.