Defense Digest

On The Pulse… OTHER NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Bob Coleman was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Republic First Bancorp., Inc. (NASDAQ: FRBK), a two-bank holding company based in Center City, Philadelphia. Recently, in commenting on his election, Bob stated, "I'm proud to be elected to the Board of Republic First and to be associated with such a fine organization. I look forward to contributing to the success of Republic First by enhancing shareholder value and growing the bank." Bob is a former Board member of Royal Bank of Pennsylvania, United Valley Bank and JeffBanks, Inc.

Tom Brophy (Philadelphia, PA) has been appointed to a three-year term as a Hearing Committee Member serving the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Joe Cagnoli (Philadelphia, PA) has also been appointed to a three-year term as a Hearing Committee Member serving the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Kate McGrath (Norristown, PA) recently participated in a seminar for Mealey's regarding The Current State of Medical Malpractice in PA & NJ and addressed Trial Preparation Strategies: Opening a File and Building a Defense.

Steve Day (Newtown Square, PA) was a featured speaker at the recent Crittenden National Medical Insurance Conference in Las Vegas, NV. Steve presented a seminar entitled Severity of Verdicts: Where is it Going, and How Do We Stop It ? The annual conference was attended by more than 350 medical insurance professionals, including risk managers, claims personnel, brokers, and underwriters.

Chuck Craven (Philadelphia, PA) was a member of the faculty at the Defense Research Institute's Fourth Annual Appellate Practice Seminar held in Chicago on May 1-2, 2003. Chuck's presentation addressed Successfully Seeking and Opposing Review in Courts of Discretionary Review.

The Pennsylvania Bar Association has created an Appellate Advocacy Committee and has appointed Chuck Craven and Superior Court Judge Robert A. Graci as the first co-chairs of the new committee. At its inception, the committee has 48 members. All PBA members who are interested in post-trial and appellate practice are invited to join the Appellate Advocacy Committee.

Jim Pocius (Scranton, PA) recently participated as a speaker at the Pennsylvania Self-Insurers' Association's 16th Annual Workers' Compensation Law Seminar in Harrisburg, Allentown and Philadelphia. Jim's presentations addressed Case Law Developments and Emerging Trends in the Law, Top 20 Cases of the Year, and Medicare's Interest in Workers' Compensation Settlements.

Jim was also recently a presenter at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry seminar Complying with Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Compensation Regulations. Jim's Workers' Compensation Update included court decisions and other recent workers' compensation changes that have a direct impact on businesses.

Timothy Nies (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) was recently selected as a nominee in the "Best of the Bar" in South Florida.

Gary Alderson (Wilmington, DE) recently spoke at the annual Delaware State Bar Association seminar on Workers' Compensation. Gary, along with two other attorneys, spoke on Evidentiary Matters: Making Objections and Preserving Grounds for Appeal. Gary is a former workers' compensation hearing officer.

Tom O'Malley (Philadelphia, PA) recently spoke to the 8th grade class at St. William Roman Catholic grade school in Northeast Philadelphia for the PBA Law Day.

Gary Shendell (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) was recently a presenter at the South Florida Chapter of Federation/Israel Bonds Lawyers and Accountant's Annual Conference. Gary spoke on issues of risk management and malpractice which included a detailed analysis of Opinion of the Florida Bar and AICPA on the subject. Gary was re-nominated as a committee member for next year.

Joe Manning (Roseland, NJ) was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for the School for Children located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The School for Children is a private educational facility which provides educational services to handicapped children.