Available Online CLE Courses

PRESENTATION INCLUDES

• Review of the 1919 and 1961 inheritance tax acts as they relate to potential clients in the year 2018.• Review of the 1982 inheritance tax act and potential problems for you and your client.• Explanation of definitions found under section 9102 of the current inheritance tax.• Discussion of transfers under section 9107 and 9108 of the current inheritance tax.• Discussion of historic and current Pennsylvania inheritance tax rates.• Discussion of assets that are exempt from Pennsylvania inheritance tax• Discussion of Notices issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Office of Chief Counsel as they relate to Pennsylvania inheritance tax.• Questions.

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Our knowledgeable speaker, Attorney Nicole D. Sloane, is an experienced trial attorney who focuses on criminal defense work. She has represented clients in numerous jury trials since 2006, including capital homicide cases, is a published author of articles on topics including correcting illegal sentences, and in 2017 was the recipient of The Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania's Gideon Award for indigent defense work.

Attorneys practicing in the criminal law area won't want to miss this much-anticipated annual update. Those attending will benefit from a comprehensive review of the latest case law developments as well as valuable materials.

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The program will address the new divorce and other family law rules. Changes to practice and procedure will also be discussed.

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Our knowledgeable speaker, Attorney Nicole D. Sloane, is an experienced trial attorney who focuses on criminal defense work, is an Army Veteran and has an Industrial engineering background. She has represented clients in numerous jury trials since 2006, including capital homicide cases. Attorney Sloane has been the lead attorney for almost 4,000 cases in 13 years for an average of over 300 cases each year. She is a published author of articles on topics including correcting illegal sentences and in 2017 was the recipient of The Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania's Gideon Award for indigent defense work.

Attorneys practicing in the criminal law area won't want to miss this much-anticipated annual update. Those attending will benefit from a comprehensive review of the latest case law developments as well as valuable materials.

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Step-by-step, our panel will walk you through the claim litigation process from injury report to decision and appeal. The discussion will resemble a flowchart, detailing what options and timeframes you have at any point during a case. Our knowledgeable and experienced speakers will also field questions from the audience.

Moderator: John Draskovic, Esq., Workers' Compensation Section Chair, MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP

Featured Speakers:
Richard E. Bordonaro, Esq., Marnen, Mioduszewski, Bordonaro, Wagner & Sinnott, LLC
Donald F. Fessler, Jr., Esq., Marnen, Mioduszewski, Bordonaro, Wagner & Sinnott, LLC
Edwin W. Smith, Esq., Shapira, Hutzelman & Smith

Participating Bureau of Workers' Compensation Judges:
Judge Carmen F. Lugo and Judge Jean S. Wright

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The new Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Plan Form will be presented and explained in detail. This seminar is beneficial to consumer bankruptcy practitioners as well as those attorneys who represent creditors.

A confirmed Plan is binding on all parties. Attend this program to learn how to make sure your client's interests are adequately protected and how to appropriately classify each creditor in your client's case.

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If you practice in the areas of personal injury, employment law, wrongful death, or Workers' Compensation, attend this seminar and learn about the impact of disabilities on your clients' earning capacities. 

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The Speakers
Scott R. Eberle, Esquire Burns White, Pittsburgh, PA
James R. Schadel, Esquire Burns White, Pittsburgh, PA

The Program
• Fee Agreements - requirements, use, effectiveness and malpractice avoidance tool
• Office of Disciplinary Counsel matters - procedures and what to do if you receive a DB-7
• Disciplinary Board - what to do if you end up there and strategy for response
• Q & A

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The Speakers
Hon. Stephanie Domitrovich - Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, IOLTA Board Member
Stephanie Libhart - IOLTA Executive Director, Harrisburg, PA

The Program
• What to do with unclaimed funds in your IOLTA account (new Rule 1.15(v))
• Opening your IOLTA Account correctly with an approved bank
• Reporting your IOLTA Account correctly on your attorney registration form
• Selecting a Platinum Leader Bank
• Applying for an exemption

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As an esteemed and enthusiastic educator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Attorney Brian S. Quinn will discuss the various types of impairment resulting from substance use - both alcohol and drugs - as well as mental health issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety.

Very importantly, this seminar will concentrate on what members of the legal profession can and should be doing about impairment among fellow attorneys, rather than a continuation of the enabling behavior that is often the norm.

Intervention techniques will be discussed and Attorney Quinn will provide examples of what some typical calls to the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Helpline "look" like. He hopes to alleviate some of the fear and misunderstanding that surrounds picking up the phone to ask LCL for advice or help.

Ethical considerations and issues that may result from failure to seek help for oneself or a fellow attorney will be discussed also.

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Attend this informal yet informative discussion presented by three Pennsylvania Superior Court judges. Judges Mary Jane Bowes, Jacqueline Shogan, and Victor Stabile have graciously offered their time and expertise to present a one-hour seminar to help answer your questions about how best to present your case in the appellate courts. Written advocacy in your brief, as well as oral advocacy at argument, are important avenues of redress for your client—and they also help the Court to reach a just and timely resolution. Learn best practices as well as the "dos and don'ts" from three accomplished jurists whose experience spans thousands of cases and countless hours of argument.

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The Deed is one of the oldest and most respected forms of legal documents, used as the means of conveying and taking title to real property. Although the contents and provisions of the standard Deed have changed throughout the years, the basic form remains largely the same. In this one hour program, our speakers will discuss the different manners in which title may be held, the different types of estates in land, the requisite parts of a deed, and the requirements for effective and accurate drafting, delivery and recording of a Deed. They will also discuss fraudulent transfers and the process for setting aside a Deed.

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Emotional Support & Service Animals and Reasonable Accommodations in Light of Act 118 of 2018: Landlords and community associations now have an ally in attempting to limit the abuse of emotional support animals in housing. Act 118 of 2018 allows the housing provider to inquire into the need for a support animal. But can Pennsylvania Law supersede the federal Fair Housing Act? Are support iguanas permissible? Real-life cases of turning residents away give rise to thorny questions. We will explore this new law and what it has done to Fair Housing, with practical tips and lots of remaining questions.

Speaker
Marshal Granor, Esquire

Attorney Granor has many job titles and licenses, all surrounding his love of real estate and community associations. With his father, Bernard, Marshal practices law at Granor & Granor, PC, concentrating in community association document drafting and problem-solving, as well as real estate transactions (commercial and residential sales and leasing). He was a principal author of Pennsylvania's Uniform Planned Community Act and is a member of the Montgomery, Pennsylvania, and American Bar Associations.

Mr. Granor is Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, and was the Executive Editor of the RPPT Section Newsletter. Marshal is a member of Community Associations Institute's Pennsylvania Legal Action Committee and is a fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers. He serves as an expert witness in community association cases and has testified before committees of the Pennsylvania state legislature.

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This is a free, information only seminar. There are no CLE credits offered.

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At a time where municipal and authority resources are stretched thin to provide high levels of service to constituents, public entities are well served in preserving and strategically pursuing their municipal claims against those persons and parties who fail to pay their obligations.This presentation will focus on the laws and processes associated with municipal claim collection in Pennsylvania, the intersection with the Bankruptcy Code and role of municipal claims for blight remediation and redevelopment purposes.

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Attorneys and Judges hopefully recognize that like many other professionals, their lives are filled to the brim with stress. It's important to be proactive in dealing with it. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic - not only for them but for their family, staff, and friends.

And then there's trauma. The ramifications of trauma aren't discussed as frequently as those of stress, and thus, for many attorneys, trauma is a topic in need of attention.

Trauma can be secondary or vicarious. For example, it can be the cumulative effect of listening to a client or witness relay graphic stories and experiences, viewing gruesome photos in a criminal or family law matter, hearing traumatic testimony at trial. Trauma also results from a personal loss such as the death of a family member or a close friend. It's important to recognize the signs of trauma in yourself as well as in your office staff, family, and clients.

Hear from our experienced speaker as he shares his personal story of trauma related to the untimely death of his mentor, and learn how you can recognize the unhealthy and potentially life-threatening shadow it can cast.

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This one-hour session will be offered in a presentation format meant to educate viewers on the requirements of the Ignition Interlock program for Pennsylvania, as well as review the changes that occurred when Act 33 went into effect on August 25, 2017 and discuss changes that occurred in October 2018.

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Whether you are a newer attorney with little litigation experience yet OR you are a seasoned attorney with years of trial experience 'under the belt,' attending this seminar will provide you with the insights of our authoritative speaker! Don't miss this opportunity.

Our speaker, Judge Sean J. McLaughlin (Ret.) will provide a unique perspective, based on his experience as a Federal Court Judge, private practitioner, and General Counsel for The Erie Insurance Group, as to how a client's interests can be most effectively advanced throughout the litigation process.

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Speakers:
Amy E. Jones, Esq., Senior Solicitor Erie County Office of Children and Youth
Anthony G. Vendetti, Esq., Assistant Solicitor Erie County Office of Children and Youth

This seminar will provide an overview to the recent changes to the Child Protective Services Law, including the changes in the definition of abuse, as well as who now qualifies as a perpetrator of abuse. We will discuss who qualifies as a mandated reporter and when and how they need to report suspected abuse.

Finally, with more abuse reports being indicated by the Agency, we will discuss the procedure for a child abuse expunction hearing.

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SPEAKER
Thomas J. Minarcik, Esquire, Elderkin Law Firm

Speaker will review eight recent Superior Court cases on the topic of financial Powers of Attorney. All of these cases were decided in the last 5 years. The case review will also include practice tips to help practitioners avoid the issues that were litigated.

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An attorney who is ignorant of elder investment fraud and financial exploitation (EIFFE) may unwittingly fail to protect their client from harm or participate in the client's victimization, resulting in possible disciplinary charges or liability for malpractice. EIFFE costs victims, families, businesses, and the government more than $36.48 Billion annually. Every attorney should understand, recognize and learn how to respond to possible fraud and abuse they may suspect or encounter.This program will help you spot potential financial fraud victims before they become victims, learn what to do when a family member – or you as their attorney – feels like "something is wrong." What resources are available to you and your clients?

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Speaker:
Sharon M. Dietrich, Esquire
Litigation Director, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

The Program:
Pennsylvania's innovative new Clean Slate law is the first in the nation to seal criminal cases by automation, starting June 28th. The law also expands the range of misdemeanors that can be sealed by petition. Learn:
• What cases qualify for automated sealing, and how that sealing will be done;
• When a petition still will be needed;
• Rules for limited access to sealed cases;
• How people with sealed and expunged cases can respond to questions about their records on applications;
• And more.

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Attendees will learn an overview of the statutory law and case law related to sex offender registration. This area of criminal law is in constant flux, and over seventeen thousand individuals are affected by changes to the law regarding sexual offender registration.

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Subjects Related to Special Needs Trusts:
• Objectives in using them
• Relationship to public benefits; eligibility
• Types of Special Needs Trusts
• Special Needs Trusts vs. Other Trusts
• Administration

Speaker
Jeffrey D. Scibetta, Esq.
Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett

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Presented by Jeffrey E. Hanson, Ph.D. of Jeffrey Hanson Education Services, Financial Literacy and Borrower Education

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On January 1, 2019, amended Pennsylvania Support Rules became effective.

Watch this seminar and learn from our knowledgeable presenters who include a local family law practitioner and the Director of the Erie County Domestic Relations Office.

Accompanying the Director will be several of his Domestic Relations Office staff members who address support matters under these new Rules on a daily basis.

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Join our authoritative panel of presenters as they offer an overview of issues that frequently arise in family law cases, with an emphasis on the recent changes to the tax laws.

The Speakers:
Joseph P. Martone, Esquire • Moderator / Course Planner • Martone & Peasley • Erie, PA
Brian C. Vertz, Esquire • Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz, LLC • Pittsburgh, PA
James H. Richardson, Esquire • Elderkin Law Firm • Erie, PA
Heather J. Baranowski, CPA/ABV/CFF, MST, CVA • BDO Consulting • Pittsburgh, PA

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Attorney Brendan Lupetin is a partner with Meyers Evans Lupetin & Unatin, LLC and has been conducting focus groups for ten years. He has run hundreds of focus groups for his own cases as well as for other lawyers and law firms. Attorney Lupetin has seen first-hand the invaluable benefits focus groups have on how we litigate, settle and try our personal injury cases. He wants to help other lawyers see how easy and cost effective it is to set up and benefit from focus groups.

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Legal Aspects of the Hiring Process
Presented by Mark T. Wassell, Esquire - Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C.

The legal do's and don'ts of the hiring process will be examined. The focus will be on the use of employment applications, interviews, and background checks to determine the best candidate for the job. Permissible questions to ask the applicant and the proper means to learn of his/her work history will be reviewed.

Employee Accountability:  Disciplining and Discharging Employees
Presented by Daniel M. Miller, Esquire - MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton LLP

Gain a better understanding of the at-will employment doctrine, its status and the many exceptions to it.  Additional discussion will include corrective action with fairness, consistency and compliance with federal, state and local laws.

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Recent studies have shown a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction, and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

The Speaker: Brian S. Quinn, Esq.
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) of Pennsylvania, Inc.

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This seminar will cover several matters of interest to attorneys including:
• The PLCB Application Process
• PLCB licensing for individuals and business
• The PLCB Investigation Process• Recent legislative changes to the Pennsylvania liquor code
• Q & A session

The Speaker, Michael A. Crochunis, is a licensing analyst supervisor for the western regional offices of the PA Liquor Control Board's Bureau of Licensing Investigations. Mr. Crochunis received his B.S. in Business Administration from Westminster College in 2003 and his M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College in 2005. Mr. Crochunis worked for a short time in the mortgage industry before accepting a position as a licensing analyst with the Board. Mr. Crochunis has been employed with the Board for 14 years amassing extensive experience with the licensing process along the way.

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Featured Speaker: Tamara S. Philabaum, BSIE, MBA

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Bill McKendree is a respected and popular speaker on the subject of Medicare for the ECBA. He is the Director of the APPRISE program in Allegheny County. APPRISE is Pennsylvania's State Health Insurance Assistance Program, helping consumers with Medicare, Medicaid, long term care and health insurance concerns.

Mr. McKendree also teaches courses on Medicare, Health Insurance Law and Health Care Policy at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Law and the School of Pharmacy.

Prior to his position with APPRISE, Mr. McKendree was Director of the Western Pennsylvania Center for Aging Services and was a member of the Pittsburgh law firm of Gabriel and Associates. Mr. McKendree has a J.D. degree from Duquesne University's School of Law and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

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Our speaker, John Johnston, is a respected resource in Erie's Social Security Office. At this program, he will discuss the differences between SS and SSI benefits including how to apply for each, best practices, what resources are available to you when representing clients or for your own personal information… and more.

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Subjects Related to Wrongful Death Claims:
• Brief review of the applicable statutes
• Rules and civil jury instructions
• Obtaining prior approval from the Department of Revenue on an allocation between wrongful death and survival recoveries
• The contents of a Petition for Court Approval of a Settlement
• Process for obtaining court approval

Speaker
S.E. "Tim" Riley, Jr., Esq.
Conner Riley Friedman & Weichler

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