Hillary Moonay, as Chair of the PBA Family Law Section, accepted the 2024 Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on behalf of the Diversity Task Force of the Family Law Section of the PBA. This prestigious award is presented to PBA Entities for outstanding efforts, contributions, or service in furtherance of the PBA Strategic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, promotion of diversity and inclusion in PBA membership, and a demonstrated commitment to and leadership in promoting full and equal participation in the profession.
Bob Repko received the President’s Award, awarded by outgoing PBA President Michael McDonald. The award was presented to Bob for outstanding service to the PBA in his role as Chair of the Membership Development Committee. Bob received the award for spearheading a resolution to allow Paralegals to join the PBA as Affiliate Members, as well as for an initiative he launched last year that successfully saw the PBA further engage students in Pennsylvania law schools as they prepare to become new lawyers. This initiative both increased the visibility of the PBA and generated interest in joining the PBA among incoming members of the Bar.
In addition to receiving the awards, both Hillary and Bob presented Resolutions to the House of Delegates.
Hillary presented two Resolutions on behalf of the Family Law Section:
- A Recommendation regarding House Bill 2018 asked the House of Delegates to support the Bill, which would change the number of factors a Court must consider when ruling on custody matters. Section 5328 of the Domestic Relations Code currently requires the court to consider 16 different factors before ruling on custody. House Bill 2018 would decrease that number to 12, and, in the process, create a simplified and streamlined list of factors by considering some of the factors that overlap and are redundant. This Resolution was unanimously approved by both the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates.
- A Recommendation regarding House Bill 350 asked the House of Delegates to support the Bill, which is the Uniform Parentage Act. Pennsylvania currently has no legislation that legally defines parentage. This Bill will provide the courts and attorneys with guidance and clarity on how to establish legal parentage, and the legal relationships between parent and child, which is the source of legal rights and responsibility, including custody and child support. Hillary’s impassioned presentation to the House of Delegates on this important issue resulted in a unanimous vote to support the resolution presented by the Family Law Section.
Bob, on behalf of the Membership Development Committee, presented the afore-mentioned Resolution to the House of Delegates requesting that the by-laws be amended to add paralegals as affiliate members of PBA. This was also passed unanimously by the House of Delegates. This amendment will result in an increase in membership and revenue to the PBA, as well as improve the education and effectiveness of paralegals in Pennsylvania law firms. It will also present an opportunity for lawyers and paralegals to continue the collaborative nature of that relationship.
Carol A. Shelly to Serve on Pennsylvania Bar Association Board of Governors
Carol A. Shelly, owner, of Shelly Law Offices LLC, Doylestown, will begin a three-year term on the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Board of Governors at the conclusion of the association’s Annual Meeting on May 10 in Hershey.
Shelly will serve as the PBA Zone 9 governor, representing lawyers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
A PBA member for more than 30 years, Shelly is completing her term as a Zone 9 delegate to the PBA House of Delegates. She is a member of the Civility in the Profession, Judicial Administration and Professional Liability committees; Civil Litigation, and Solo and Small Firm sections; and Commission on Women in the Profession. In addition, Shelly has been a frequent presenter for Pennsylvania Bar Institute courses.