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YMCA Summer Campers Visit Courthouse
On Monday, June 21st approximately 43 Chambersburg Area YMCA summer campers visited the Franklin County Courthouse. Judge Meyers invited them to visit and learn about our justice system.
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Jeb Keller is being questioned by Prosecutor Nikki Sipe
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During their visit, the campers became the "jury" in a mock trial hosted be the FCBA YLD. The Honorable Shawn D. Meyers presided.
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Nikki Sipe addresses the "jury"
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Nikki Sipe, managing attorney at MidPenn, represented the Commonwealth. Alana Burke, Judge Meyers' Law Clerk, was the prosecution's witness. Chad Fixelle, Judge Zook's Law Clerk, defended Jeb Keller, President Judge Van Horn's Law Clerk.
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Judge Meyers asked the "jury" to weigh the evidence
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The "jury" overwhelmingly found the defendant not guilty.
After the mock trial the YLD presented a modified version of Stepping Out. Stepping Out is a presentation for High School student explaining common legal concerns for those turning 18 years old. The YMCA summer campers were mostly middle school aged. Their presentation focused on juvenile concerns and the dangers of social media.
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Gerard Mangieri, Brandon Copeland and Tracy Ross
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The Law Offices of Women In Need seek Attorney
Job Title: Staff Attorney
Organization Information:
Law Offices of Women In Need
501 Lincoln Way East, Suite 5
Chambersburg, PA 17201
Position description: The Law Offices of WIN is seeking an attorney to represent victims of domestic violence primarily in family law matters, including custody, protection from abuse, divorce and child/spousal support. Position is for 40 hours per week and includes vacation and sick leave.
Requirements: Admission to PA Bar. Legal experience is preferred, but not required. Spanish proficiency a plus.
How to apply: Send resume, cover letter, unofficial transcript if practicing less than five years, and writing sample to Meghann O. Karasic, Esq., 501 Lincoln Way East, Suite 5, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
Note: WIN is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
Salary: DOE
Submission Deadline:Until filled.
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2016 Mason Dixon Heart & Stroke Walk
Join the FCBA YLD team on Sunday, September 25th to raise money and awareness for the care and prevention of heart disease.
The FCBA YLD's Heart Walk team is being led by Tony Cosentino. Since 2008, we have raised over $12,000 to support the American Heart Association.
Imagine the impact if we reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent by 2020! Our team is participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk to promote physical activity to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Please join our team. Help us reach this lifesaving goal by donating today. Together, we can make healthier, longer lives possible for everyone. Why? ... Life, life is why.
Join our team by CLICKING HERE.
Donate to our team by CLICKING HERE.
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Courthouse Planters
The Courthouse planters are bursting with color thanks to Marty Walker and Barbara Townsend, who planted the summer flowers in May.
Summer Flowers - Poem by Christian Lacdael
Flowers so colourful and bright,
In their glory in the sun's light,
At home amid the summer's heat,
Giving out a perfume so sweet,
The summer flowers seem perfect,
In near enough every aspect,
So effortlessly they distract,
As one's attention they attract,
Countless different kinds carve their mark,
Throughout every meadow and park,
There for us to enjoy and pick,
While we waste our days and frolic,
As gifts more poetic than speech,
When lovers and their loves meet,
One of nature's finer artworks,
Saving scenes from seeming bleak.
We will be asking for volunteers for the fall planting - more information will come out soon.
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Press Releases, Memos and Important Notices
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FCBA Offers Local &
Convenient CLE Credits
Did You Know?
Each month your Franklin County Bar Association hosts 8 to 10 CLE classes. This is a great opportunity to gain CLE credits close to home. Our CLE credits are just a short distance away and cost efficient. In addition to offering the CLE credits; we serve a delicious array of breakfast and/or lunch items for your convenience and enjoyment. In 2015 between PBI and Lunch & Learns there were a total of 550 CLE credits completed here at the Franklin County Bar Association. Furthermore, last year there were a total of 153 CLE participants. So far in 2016 there are 359 CLE credits completed with 80 CLE participants.
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Upcoming PBI CLEs at FCBA
Monday, July 11: Cyber Insurance, Live via Simulcast, 2 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, July 12: The Best Retirement and Estate Plans for Attorneys, Live via Simulcast, 5 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, July 13: Land Use Institute 2016, Live via Simulcast, 7 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, July 14: Advanced Title Insurance Issues, Video Replay, 3 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Monday, July 18: The Fear Factor: How Good Lawyers Get into Bad Ethical Trouble, Live via Simulcast, 3 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Monday, July 18: Tech Tock, Tech Tock: Social Media and the Countdown to Your Ethical Demise, Live via Simulcast, 3 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, July 20: Misclassification of Workers: Independent Contractor or Contingent Worker, Live via Simulcast, 2 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, July 21: Snapshots of Special Education Law, Live via Simulcast, 6 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Monday, July 25: Easements & Right of Ways: From Acquisitions to Zoning, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, July 26: Common Estate Planning Blunders - How to Correct and Avoid Them, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Monday, August 15: 2nd Annual Health Research Law and Compliance Forum, Live via Simulcast, 6 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, August 16: The Intersection of Life & Estate Planning, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, August 18: Estate Planning for the Middle Market Client, Video Replay, 4 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, August 18: 13th Annual Animal Law Conference, Live via Simulcast, 5 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Friday, August 19: Selected Issues in Art Law, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub & 1 ethics credits click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, August 23: Effectively Conducting Workplace Investigations, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Wednesday, August 24: 5th Annual U.S. Supreme Court Round-Up, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, August 25: New Orphans Court Rules, Live via Simulcast, 3 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Thursday, August 25: Power of Attorney Statute and Act 95: Practical Update in Light of Significant Changes, Video Replay, 1 sub credit click here for more information and to register
Friday, August 26: Adv. Storytelling and Persuasion Skills for Lawyers (PEG), Live via Simulcast, 6 sub credits click here for more information and to register
Tuesday, August 30: Business Insurance, Live via Simulcast, 4 sub credits click here for more information and to register
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Member News
* Kristin Nicklas and her husband John celebrated the birth of their 4th child, Beau Diller Nicklas on June 10th. He was 7 lbs. 4 oz. and a delightful addition to their family. Congratulations!
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Bishop (age 4), Ellie (age 10), Beau and Barron (age 2)
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* The FCBA Member directory is updated and available by clicking HERE.
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Newsletter items deadline
The deadline to submit items for The Causeway is the 20th of each month.
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Just for Fun
We have added a CROSSWORD PUZZLE to this edition of the Causeway. Please CLICK HERE to complete the puzzle "Famous Supreme Court Cases".
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"Since our last chat..."
"Since our last chat..." is a periodic column in The Causeway by Bar member Barb Townsend.
I'm now frequently flying to Florida, California or Arizona to spend time with family. Sometimes the airplane part of the trip is unremarkable, but, on a recent flight to West Palm Beach, the three of us jammed into our seats on one side of the 737 talked about books we'd read.
 I've been reading Louise Penny's series of mystery novels, the Inspector Armand Gamache novels about police investigations in Quebec. If you enjoy light reading about different places, well drawn characters, and continuity, consider starting this series this summer. One warning, though: the books are capable of capturing your interest to the point that you will want to start the next book in the series almost before you finish the last one.
I no sooner admitted my addiction to this series when the businessman at the window mentioned he'd just finished Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant by Roz Chast. Since many of us are facing the changing role of becoming the parent to our older parents. Facing placing them in nursing homes or losing them, this comic memoir focused on the perils of dealing with aging parents may be just the right choice.
 The retired special education teacher in the middle seat added that she was enjoying Colin Cotterill's series about Dr. Siri Paiboun, an older doctor who finds himself drafted as coroner for communist Laos. The first book is called The Coroner's Lunch. Again this is a series of novels that will keep you engaged while you learn about a different place and time.
Other reads recommended included Nick Horney's Focused, Fast and Flexible, a book suggesting strategies to keep a business agile; a good read for children, PAX by Sara Pennypacker, a novel about a boy and his fox; and Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a fathers discussion with his teenager about the history of race relations in America and his suggestions to free us all from the burden of racism.
 When I had a meeting with Judge Meyers the other week, he wondered why I'd missed asking what he'd been reading. It really was simple, because, when I'd had time to surf for responses at the courthouse, he was on the bench...so he quickly responded that he enjoyed Robert Lipsyte's An Accidental Sportswriter: A Memoir. Mr. Lipsyte was the lead sports columnist for the New York Times. He provides background on events he covered. Judge Meyers also mentioned Casebook by Mona Simpson, although, if you avoid family law as a plague, this may not be a book for you, in spite of Oprah's recommendation.
I had a pretrial conference with Timothy Wilmot, Esq., Master in Divorce. After dealing with the case at hand, I asked Tim about his work in the District Attorney's office. His answer intrigued me so I arranged to interview him later.
 Although Tim has been the Standing Master in divorce since May, 1996, he began working part time in the District Attorney's office in 1999. He'd been hired under a Stop Grant, funding to deal with violence against women.
In 2012, Tim's part time role was changed to be the primary prosecuting attorney for juvenile delinquency. Although juveniles in general have the same rights as adults, they are adjudicated to be 'involved' or committing a delinquent act or 'not involved', the equivalent of not guilty. After a juvenile has been found to have committed a delinquent act, the prosecutor must then generally show that the juvenile is in need of treatment, supervision or rehabilitation. This extra step is required unless the crime is a felony. See Commonwealth v. M.W., 614 Pa. 623, 39 A.3d 958 (2012). Tim points out that the basic philosophy is to help the juvenile understand that he or she has taken the wrong direction and that, to correct the course, the juvenile needs a certain program. Last year, he noted, there were 480 allegations of delinquency docketed in Franklin County.
Tim graduated from Jordan Elbridge High School in upstate New York in 1979. He then headed to Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., where he majored in business, picking up courses in economics and accounting. He concentrated in industrial labor relations. In August, 1983, after completing his undergraduate st
udies, Tim was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the aviation branch of the Marine Corp. He pursued his military career, flying a CH53D helicopter, until entering Dickinson School of Law in August, 1992. Captain Wilmot graduated in the spring of 1995 after serving as Judge Quigley's law clerk during school. Tim then came to Chambersburg as Judge William Kaye's clerk in the fall of 1995.
Tim met his wife, Jean, while he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. They married in February, 1985. Tim and Jean are the parents of three adult children, Joey, a teacher and lacrosse coach; Steven, head of electronics at Menno Haven and assistant lacrosse coach at Chambersburg Area Senior High School; and Abby, a criminal justice major at Nyack College and lacrosse player.
Tim's currently coaching lacrosse at CASHS. His children were instrumental in getting the sport started at the high school. He's also on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army as well as serving on a number of committees for his church. As time permits, he still assists with wrestling at CASHS.
In the course of our conversations, Tim mentioned that Kristen Gaddis Hamilton, Esq., was the primary defense attorney for the juveniles facing delinquency allegations. He believes that she is assigned to nearly two thirds of the docketed cases. Tim feels that both attorneys want the kids to get on track, although, he admits, they may disagree on how that's to happen.
Kristen is another transplanted New Yorker, albeit from Long Island. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Garden City, N.Y., in 1995. She headed west to Gettysburg College where she completed a double major in political science and sociology. A minor in criminal justice was also part of her program.
To help pay the way through college and education to come, Kristen began a job as a bartender in Gettysburg in 1998. Due to changes in ownership, she gave several names for the establishment, but acknowledged that it was currently known as 'Sharpshooters' [note double entendre]. She continued this employment until 2007.
After graduating from Gettysburg College in 1999, Kristen started work at Abraxas. She entered Widener University Commonwealth Law School in the fall of 2002, picking up part time work as a receptionist for Courtney Graham, Esq. She graduated in 2005.
Kristen met her husband, Tyler, while she was in college. Both worked together for a time at Abraxas, although Tyler remained there when Kristen headed to law school. The couple married in October, 2006. Exactly four years later, Kristen, who tends to be very precise, gave birth to their daughter, Emma. Emma will start Kindergarten this coming fall, while her half-sister, Taylor, heads to college. The love, support and patience of Tyler, Taylor and Emma make it possible for Kristen to achieve her goals and strive to accomplish more.
Kristen is serving as guardian ad litem for juveniles alleged to be dependent and appointed attorney, 'public defender' for juveniles facing delinquency adjudication. She noted that, although many hearings and status updates are informal, all felony allegations are heard before the judges. If a juvenile is found 'not involved' in a delinquent act, double jeopardy attaches.
Kristen regularly finds herself seeking the safety net for dependent children. [She notes that our colleagues, Bret Beynon, Esq., Mike Connor, Esq., Ann Rotz, Esq., Abby Salawage, Esq., and Liz Clark, Esq. frequently are appointed parent's counsel in dependency matters.] Kristen began her journey as an attorney specifically to help children. Her husband continues as Program Manager for Abraxas. Kristen tries to keep miscreant juveniles out of the system. Tyler tries to fix them once they are in the system.
Kristen also believes in advancing our profession. She has served on the Franklin County Bar Association Board of Directors. She is currently a delegate to the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She serves on the Statewide Children's Roundtable, particularly dealing with subcommittees on children's rights, practice in dependency, and caseworker retention. She's helped prepare a video of parent's rights in the juvenile system and provides, upon request, a CLE on civility to colleagues. Kristen is also on the Board of Directors for the Franklin County Bar Foundation.
As evidence of her commitment to supporting our profession and public appreciation of our mission, Kristen recently made a financial commitment and became a Life Fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Her donations will support grants for students in law school, Layers Helping Lawyers, better representation for the economically challenged, and increasing public understand of the law and lawyers.
Both Tim and Kristen admire the work that the other is doing. They may be across the aisle, but each values the other's commitment to children.
CORRECTION: Last month's edition incorrectly stated that Ed Steckel enjoyed historical novels such as the The
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Even though this romance series begins at the end of WWII it is not on Mr. Steckel reading list.
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Calendar of Events
CLOSED, Independence Day
Mon., July 4
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., July 7
Board of Directors Meeting
Fri., July 15
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., August 4
YLD Happy Hour
Thurs., September 1
YLD Meeting
Fri., September 2
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Visit the Franklin County Bar Association's website.
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The Bar is on Facebook! "Like" the Franklin County Bar Association page for event reminders and news of interest to the bar and see photos of member activities.
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Follow the Franklin County Bar Association on Twitter.
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Contact the Bar
Amelia Ambrose
Executive Director
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