The ACBA is exploring the idea of forming a “Legacy Lawyers Committee” and will hold a townhall meeting on the topic on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 12-1 p.m. on Zoom. The Legacy Lawyers Committee would be a committee for veteran, experienced lawyers who bring significant value to the ACBA, the profession and the community. The townhall meeting will cover, the importance of preserving institutional knowledge; how experienced lawyers offer mentorship and guidance; professional engagement opportunities post-retirement; pro bono and community service opportunities; and more.

The ACBA Knowledge Center is the premier resource library for legal professionals. Explore this library of content and resources from the ACBA, as well as experts and providers across the legal industry. These resources include timely, actionable research from the ACBA as well as third-party resources that are designed to be helpful to your organization. Please note that the ACBA does not endorse third-party content.

Multifactor authentication is more than just a cybersecurity feature. Learn why it’s a strategic pillar in smart cyber risk management in the below article. For more on the ACBA Insurance Program, visit www.ACBA.org/Insurance.

The ACBA Probate and Trust Law Section is presenting non-CLE skills training session – “Will Drafting and Execution Basics” – on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at noon in the Koppers Building. The program, open to all members, will cover the basics of drafting a last will and testament, as well as will execution procedures. Experienced practitioners will guide attendees through a step-by-step overview of the process of determining what the client needs, drafting the will, and having the document executed.

The deadline to renew your ACBA membership was Friday, Oct. 10. However, if you’ve not yet renewed, don’t fret. The ACBA is extending the grace period to renew to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.

Renewing ensures you won’t miss out on all that ACBA membership has to offer, including access to Committees, Divisions and Sections, discounts on CLE courses, countless networking opportunities, the opportunity to attend the Bench-Bar Conference and more.

For a snapshot of the benefits of becoming an ACBA member, click below. 

The ACBA is presenting a free one-ethics-credit CLE – “[Dis]honesty in the Practice of Law: Working with Truth, Suspicion and Hallucinations” on Thursday, Oct. 23 at noon on Zoom. The latest in the ACBA Sorg Forum Series, the seminar will cover the ethics of handling clients who lie, prevaricate, attempt to use you to commit fraud, and the technology that does the same.

With Election Day approaching, the ACBA Judicial Excellence Committee (PAC) is asking you to help keep qualified judges on the bench.

While many members of the community may not fully understand the importance of retention elections, attorneys typically do understand the vital importance of keeping qualified judges on the bench. That’s why ACBA members are being asked to “Get out the Vote” and encourage your contacts to VOTE YES in this election.

The ACBA has launched a web page – www.ACBA.org/VoteYes – containing resources for members to use in spreading the word. On this page are templates for social media posts, emails, text messages, hand cards and more.
 

In addition to the hard copy edition that is sent to members through the mail, the Oct. 17 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. This is a Practice Area Profile special edition: “Focus on Taxation Law.”

Pumpking is in the air.

All members are invited to celebrate fall with your fellow members on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the bar association’s next Members-Only Happy Hour. Enjoy food, beverages and networking on the North Shore at Southern Tier Brewery from 5-7 p.m.

This event is not restricted to only the members of a particular committee, division, or section, making it truly one of the only chances to network with members from across the ACBA. Admission is just $10 and includes appetizers and your first drink, courtesy of Fragasso Financial Advisors. No CLE. No Seminar. Just Happy Hour.

ACBA Members:

Election Day is approaching, and many mail-in ballots are already on their way to Allegheny County residents.

The ACBA Judicial Excellence Committee (PAC) – which runs the campaign for Allegheny County Judges seeking retention – needs your help!

Let’s be honest: Retention elections are confusing, and – understandably – many people in the community are not familiar with how retention elections work. But you – the attorneys of Allegheny County – not only understand retention elections, but also understand the vital importance of keeping qualified judges on the bench.

The Judicial Excellence Committee – on behalf of the six Court of Common Pleas Judges who ACBA members recommended for retention and opted into the campaign – is asking you to not only vote YES yourself, but please encourage your families, friends, neighbors and colleagues to vote YES for the following judges: 

• The Hon. Alan D. Hertzberg
   
• The Hon. Beth A. Lazzara
   
• The Hon. Jennifer Staley McCrady
   
• The Hon. Hugh F. McGough
   
• The Hon. Dan Regan
   
• The Hon. Dwayne D. Woodruff 

Below are resources you can use to help get the word out. Obviously put this information into your own words and use whichever method you are most comfortable using to communicate.

HAND CARD

Click here for a printable hand card you can distribute to relatives, friends and neighbors to use when voting.

TEXT MESSAGE

Send this text message to encourage others to vote:

Hello! When voting in the upcoming election, you will see a series of “yes-no” retention election items on the ballot, asking if various judges should be retained for another 10-year term. As an attorney, I can tell you that my fellow lawyers at the Allegheny County Bar Association enthusiastically recommend these judges for retention. Please vote YES. Check out JudicialVote2025.org for more.

SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Post this on Facebook, LinkedIn or any social media platform you use:

Election Day is coming up, and here in Pennsylvania, you will see a “yes-no” retention election referendum on the ballot, asking if various judges should be retained for another 10-year term. As most of you know, I am an attorney, and I can tell you that my fellow lawyers and I at the Allegheny County Bar Association enthusiastically recommend the judges up for retention here in Allegheny County to be retained. Please vote YES. Check out JudicialVote2025.org for more information!

EMAIL OR LETTER

Click here for the template for a longer letter or email that you can use to send to your contacts.

TALKING POINTS

For in-person or phone conversations, use these helpful talking points here to make sure you’re hitting the key points.

These resources and more are available for ACBA members at ACBA.org/VoteYes.