June 22, 2018
President’s Message By Hal Coffey
With June 30 and the end of my tenure as president of the ACBA approaching, I have been asked numerous ways whether I am counting down the days to the end. And to each person who has inquired, my response has consistently been “no.” I have been neither pining for the finish line nor overly saddened by its approach. Upon reflecting on my term, I am proud of what all of us have accomplished since July 1, 2017, and truly looking forward to what Bryan S. Neft will be leading in the coming year.
Over these past 12 months, we have added and resurrected substantive committees (the new Medical Marijuana and Hemp Committee, repurposing the Civil Rights Litigation Committee and bringing back to strength the Immigration Law Committee) and expanding initiatives for diversity and inclusion (added LGBTQ and students with disabilities to our summer clerkship program and required section/committee/board leadership to submit diversity questionnaires demonstrating their involvement in the various diversity and inclusion programs within the ACBA).
We have advocated for filling the numerous vacancies on the federal bench for the Western District of Pennsylvania both in a letter to the president and Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey and through direct advocacy to our federal legislators in Washington, D.C. In addition, we voiced our strong support for judicial independence to the media and advocated for funding of legal services for those less fortunate in our communities.
Along with supporting our judiciary, we also have implored the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board to institute emeritus status for attorney registration and amend the Rules of Professional Conduct to include as a violation thereof intentional harassment or discrimination based on race, sex, national origin ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or socioeconomic status in conduct related to the practice of law.
We also have supported measures from our Asian Attorneys Committee as to work opportunities for spouses (H-4) of HB-1 visa recipients and celebrated our diverse affinity organizations with numerous fun and festive events.
And of course, what would a recap of my year be without reflections from my namesake program: Coffee with Coffey. Apart from the occasional near-apocalyptic winter storm (Warrendale) or downpour (Sewickley), the adventure has been a blast. We visited some really cool spots, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be The Coffee Buddha in Ross Township. They made me an incredible hot chai tea, and the owner is the son of long-time ACBA member Mike Witherel (same name as his son). Another great perk was seeing some fantastic small-business districts such as Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon and Aspinwall’s side streets off Freeport Road. But the real winner of this effort was the ACBA as staff and leadership was able to connect with our members outside of the central business district to hear their issues and find out what the ACBA can do to better its missions for all members.
I greatly appreciate all of those who came out to the Coffee with Coffey program, including several people who attending more than one, including Amy Coco, Jessica Lynch and Julie Colton. And a special thanks to Brian Knavish, ACBA director of marketing and media relations for helping to start the concept and adapt as the year went on.
I hear the band playing, so I think my time has nearly run out in this column space. Before I get the hook, I want to especially thank Bryan Neft and Melaine Shannon Rothey for their incredible support as the bookends to my presidential position; to Mark Vuono for the mentoring and friendship he has provided in years past but especially during this particular year; to Diane McMillen for her incredible work as the CFO and COO of this wonderful organization; to Blumling & Gusky, LLP, for the tireless support of my taking on this endeavor in the midst of the practice of law; to David Blaner for his unwavering support of my goals and ideas while guiding me through the maze of the presidential year; to my wife, Erica, for her continued emotional and physical support not only through this adventure but at all times over our nearly 15 years of marriage; and to all of you who have been and continue to be active and vocal members of the best darn bar association in the country. L’Chaim to us all!
June 22, 2018
President’s Message
Looking back on an eventful, busy bar year
By Hal Coffey
With June 30 and the end of my tenure as president of the ACBA approaching, I have been asked numerous ways whether I am counting down the days to the end. And to each person who has inquired, my response has consistently been “no.” I have been neither pining for the finish line nor overly saddened by its approach. Upon reflecting on my term, I am proud of what all of us have accomplished since July 1, 2017, and truly looking forward to what Bryan S. Neft will be leading in the coming year.
Over these past 12 months, we have added and resurrected substantive committees (the new Medical Marijuana and Hemp Committee, repurposing the Civil Rights Litigation Committee and bringing back to strength the Immigration Law Committee) and expanding initiatives for diversity and inclusion (added LGBTQ and students with disabilities to our summer clerkship program and required section/committee/board leadership to submit diversity questionnaires demonstrating their involvement in the various diversity and inclusion programs within the ACBA).
We have advocated for filling the numerous vacancies on the federal bench for the Western District of Pennsylvania both in a letter to the president and Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey and through direct advocacy to our federal legislators in Washington, D.C. In addition, we voiced our strong support for judicial independence to the media and advocated for funding of legal services for those less fortunate in our communities.
Along with supporting our judiciary, we also have implored the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board to institute emeritus status for attorney registration and amend the Rules of Professional Conduct to include as a violation thereof intentional harassment or discrimination based on race, sex, national origin ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or socioeconomic status in conduct related to the practice of law.
We also have supported measures from our Asian Attorneys Committee as to work opportunities for spouses (H-4) of HB-1 visa recipients and celebrated our diverse affinity organizations with numerous fun and festive events.
And of course, what would a recap of my year be without reflections from my namesake program: Coffee with Coffey. Apart from the occasional near-apocalyptic winter storm (Warrendale) or downpour (Sewickley), the adventure has been a blast. We visited some really cool spots, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be The Coffee Buddha in Ross Township. They made me an incredible hot chai tea, and the owner is the son of long-time ACBA member Mike Witherel (same name as his son). Another great perk was seeing some fantastic small-business districts such as Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon and Aspinwall’s side streets off Freeport Road. But the real winner of this effort was the ACBA as staff and leadership was able to connect with our members outside of the central business district to hear their issues and find out what the ACBA can do to better its missions for all members.
I greatly appreciate all of those who came out to the Coffee with Coffey program, including several people who attending more than one, including Amy Coco, Jessica Lynch and Julie Colton. And a special thanks to Brian Knavish, ACBA director of marketing and media relations for helping to start the concept and adapt as the year went on.
I hear the band playing, so I think my time has nearly run out in this column space. Before I get the hook, I want to especially thank Bryan Neft and Melaine Shannon Rothey for their incredible support as the bookends to my presidential position; to Mark Vuono for the mentoring and friendship he has provided in years past but especially during this particular year; to Diane McMillen for her incredible work as the CFO and COO of this wonderful organization; to Blumling & Gusky, LLP, for the tireless support of my taking on this endeavor in the midst of the practice of law; to David Blaner for his unwavering support of my goals and ideas while guiding me through the maze of the presidential year; to my wife, Erica, for her continued emotional and physical support not only through this adventure but at all times over our nearly 15 years of marriage; and to all of you who have been and continue to be active and vocal members of the best darn bar association in the country. L’Chaim to us all!