The Senate Democratic Policy Committee will hold a hearing on Rape Culture Epidemic in Phoenixville, PA on Friday, September 20th, 2019 at 11:00 am.   The Committee chair, Senator Lisa Boscola (D, Northampton) scheduled the hearing at the request of Senators Katie Muth (D, Montgomery) and Tim Kearney (D, Delaware). The hearing will feature testimony from a panel including survivors, stakeholders, lawmakers, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.   The agenda for the hearing is attached for your review.   Agenda Rape Culture Epidemic 9-20-19

State Sen.. David G. Argall heads a committee that is looking at ways to replace using property taxes to fund school districts. So far, the group has only agreed that something must be done. (KEVIN MINGORA / THE MORNING CALL) A group of state lawmakers seeking to eliminate or reduce school property taxes is “slowly moving toward consensus” and, with 8 hours of meetings behind it, will meet at least two more times, its leading member said Tuesday. State Sen. David Argall, a Schuylkill County Republican, said the goal was to then meet a third and final time with the

Attorney at Work announces the newly updated and expanded second edition of “Everyday Public Relations for Lawyers,” by Gina Rubel, attorney and award-winning legal communicator and CEO of Furia Rubel Communications, Inc. Written for lawyers and legal marketers, Rubel’s popular no-nonsense guide delivers hands-on advice on all critical aspects of public relations—from the dos and don’ts of media relations to controlling the message to harnessing the power of the internet and social media. The comprehensive book focuses on strategic PR for business development and has been expanded to include new chapters on crisis communications and legal marketing ethics. Joan Feldman,

  The Coalition to Shelter and Support the Homeless  is hosting  – Raise the Roof for Homelessness dinner and fundraiser on October 12th at the Doylestown Country Club. This event supports the a great local charity whose mission is to provide Code Blue shelter and outreach to unsheltered adults in Central Bucks. Enjoy dinner, open bar, music, live and silent auctions, and great raffle baskets. Your generosity will have a positive impact on those who need it most in our community.  Let’s see our legal community turn out for this ‘party with a purpose”!  Get your tickets now at  

Jennifer Courtney announces her approval as a Parenting Coordinator by the Bucks County Family Court after having completed all requisite training under Pennsylvania’s new rule which went into effect on March 1, 2019. Under the rule, a Judge can appoint a Parenting Coordinator, or the parties can agree upon one. As a Parenting Coordinator, Jennifer can address certain custody disputes quickly, effectively and economically. The custody issues are limited and are not major parenting decisions, however, they are issues upon which the parents cannot agree that do need resolution. Parenting Coordination offers an alternative to address issues such as attendance

Council Rock South is looking for an attorney-advisor for one of their mock trial teams for the up-coming year.  This is one of two teams at the school, and the team is very well established with a solid faculty advisor (Tina Jones) and strong student interest.  It’s a great group of hardworking kids, several of whom are returning from a team that advanced to the second round last year.  I had planned to help them again this year, but I am an Army reservist and I am being deployed overseas for 8 months so I can’t help with the team

HARRISBURG—Under Pennsylvania’s Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), 8,133 people were sentenced as sexual offenders between 2014 to 2018, and were charged with 36,764 offenses. Of those sexual offenders who were sentenced, 50% were between the ages of 19-35, and 39% were charged with child pornography.  

Hill Wallack LLP Partner Francis J. Sullivan was among a group of panelists for a seminar sponsored by NBI (National Business Institute) on August 21, 2019. The program was held at the Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia City Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. The seminar was entitled “The Mini MBA for Attorneys”. Mr. Sullivan presented on Ethical Considerations and discussed the ethical standards and civil liability; the role of the attorney as advisor in LLC formation; conflicts of interest; and confidentiality. About Francis J. Sullivan Francis J. Sullivan is a partner in the law firm of Hill Wallack LLP. He is partner-in-charge of

Amir Stark is an Associate in the firm’s family law practice group. Mr. Stark focuses his practice on high conflict domestic relations litigation including: divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, alimony, equitable distribution, annulment, dependency, termination of parental rights, adoption, name change, protection from abuse and other related matters. Mr. Stark has also been recognized for his outstanding generosity and dedication in the pro bono community for representing victims of domestic abuse in Bucks County PFA Court.

Representative Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) held a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda to unveil his plan for School Property Tax Elimination, House Bill 13. Representative Ryan began the press conference by emphasizing that school property tax is Pennsylvania’s biggest issue. He described his plan, House Bill 13, which replaces school property tax with expanded and new taxes in order to spread around the funding of Pennsylvania’s education system and reduce the burden on homeowners. The plan includes: 1.85% increase to the Personal Income Tax (PIT), paid directly to the school district. Overall, PIT would rise from 3.07% to 4.92%. 2.0%