August 2004 Alumni News

In Memoriam

Alumni:
E. Jerome Brose '50
Victor Delle Donne ‘74
Frank W. Thompson, '51
Kenneth E. Hankins Jr ‘61
R. Stephen Shibla ‘74
Milton Bernstein ’75
Lt. Col. Donald M. Taylor '75

Friends of DSL:
John E. C. Brierley

1956
Sandor Yelen was elected to his twenty-fifth consecutive term as president of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alumni Chapter of the Law School.

1963
James J. Heffernen was a featured speaker addressing the American College of Dentists while on the Imperial Russian Waterways Cruise in July. Topics addressed included earning power and wealth, real estate, various trusts agreements, 1031 tax exchange, economies of scale, and last to die insurance.

1965
In June, Carmen P. Belefonte, a trial lawyer specializing in both criminal and civil litigation, received the Guy G. deFuria Award for Professionalism and Trial Advocacy from the American Inns of Court Foundation – Charter No. 28. The award is given annually in recognition of “a person whose professional life and abilities as a trial lawyer are in the very best tradition of the legal profession.”

F. Lee Shipman has been named “of counsel” at Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner, based in Lemoyne, PA. Lee, a former adjunct professor of advocacy at the Law School, will serve as a senior adviser to the firm.

1966
In May, the Triscari Group Inc. of Hampden Township, PA, named Herbert “Corky” Goldstein senior vice president and general counsel.

1971
F. Warren Jacoby, Chair of the Cozen O’Connor’s Business Litigation Department and its Construction Litigation and Corporate & Partnership Litigation Practice Groups, was recently named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer. This honor is the result of an independent balloting survey sent to lawyers across the state. Overall, only five percent of lawyers are named to the list.

1972
Niles S. Benn of Benn Law Firm in York, PA, recently lectured at the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Winter Management Seminar held in St. Kitts, West Indies. Niles provided a case study and an overview of media law in Pennsylvania.

In May, Niles also served as a lecturer for the National Business Institute for Paralegal Education at a seminar entitled “The Paralegal’s Role in the Real Estate Transaction in Pennsylvania.” The seminar was held in New Cumberland, PA.

1974
The Board of Directors of The National Bank of North East has appointed David B. Hartman as president and chief executive officer.

1975
In June, Gregory J. Blasi was elected chair of the New York State Bar Association’s 4,300-member Business Law Section. Gregory is a partner in the Manhattan, NY, office of Nixon Peabody, LLP where his practice concentrates in the areas of general corporate and securities matters.

On May 13, The Honorable Kim Gibson, U.S. federal judge, was honored at the Salvation Army’s Civic Dinner in Somerset, PA. Judge Gibson was given the Civic Award in recognition of “the quality of his service to the individuals of Western Pennsylvania and in appreciation of his outstanding service to the community.”

Gregory L. Kiersz recently earned the designation of Certified Elder Law Attorney from The National Elder Law Foundation. Approximately 320 lawyers in 39 states have achieved such designation. Gregory has been practicing elder law for more than ten years at Patterson & Kiersz, P.C. in Waynesboro, PA. He currently focuses on asset preservation, trusts, estate planning and estate administration, guardianships and real estate.

1976
James C. Walker will serve as an advisor to the newly formed Community Advisory Group of Quakertown National Bank. James works for the Lansdale, PA, firm of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin where his practice areas include estate planning and administration, corporate law, commercial law and real estate law.

1979
After twenty-five years of work as an attorney in Stewartstown, PA, Ed Golla retired from his practice in May. Prior to attending law school, Ed served on the presidential campaign for Robert F. Kennedy. His law practice embodied the goals of Kennedy, “to help the helpless,” handling cases ranging from divorce to boundary line disputes.

Robert Lapowsky was appointed chairman of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference. Robert has focused his practice of law in bankruptcy and creditors’ rights for more than twenty-five years, and he is a frequent speaker on the issue of bankruptcy programs.

For the past 20 years, several members of the class of 1979 have been getting together for an annual reunion. This year, the group which included Richard Stanko, Kevin McKeon, Hubert Gilroy, Michael McDonald, Gary Taroli, Landy, Mollie McCurdy, Phil Cosentino and Daniel Bausher gathered at the home of R. Joseph Landy in Athens, PA.

1980
Representative James Gerlach (R), 6th District of Pennsylvania, defeated challenger Lois Murphy (D) in the April primary.

1981
The Harrisburg, PA, office of Cipriani & Werner has named Dennis J. Bonetti as a shareholder. Dennis is a board certified civil trial advocate with more than twenty years of experience in litigating complex civil matters in state and federal court.

Kimberly Kingston has retired after twenty-one years as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). While she enjoyed her years working for the FBI and serving as an instructor of law at the FBI Academy, Kimberly says she is now happy to be home with her two children and host of pets.

Pamela J. Mayer has left the Johnstown, PA, Tribune-Democrat newspaper after twenty-two years. Pamela, who was the paper’s publisher since May 1987, plans to open a law office in Johnstown, where she will focus on adoptions and wills. She also plans to re-establish a legal clinic at Women’s Help Center Inc. in Johnstown and Somerset, PA.

In March, Hawke McKeon Sniscak & Kennard LLP in Harrisburg, PA, announced that Steven D. Snyder has become a partner of the firm.

1982
On March 29, Samuel Ciapanna Jr. married his domestic partner of thirteen years, Dean Edward Williamson, in Portland, OR.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has named Merri Jo Gillette as the enforcement lawyer to head its Chicago, IL, regional office, which handles some of the highest-profile enforcement cases outside the SEC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.

Christopher Houston served as the guest speaker at a breakfast hosted by the Perry County (PA) Friends of Scouting. A cancer survivor and active supporter of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, Chris spoke about his participation in the 2003 “Tour of Hope” bicycle ride across the United States to raise awareness for the need for innovative cancer research. Chris works for the Cumberland County (PA) Redevelopment Authority

1983
Senate Democratic Leader Robert J. Mellow recently appointed William P. Conaboy to the Pennsylvania State Gaming Control Board. William is general counsel and corporate compliance officer for Allied Services, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s provider of health and human service care to elderly and disabled people.

In February, Victoria A. Reider was appointed as chief legal adviser to the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. She is responsible for all legal, regulatory and litigation matters overseen by the agency to ensure consumer protection and compliance with the Pennsylvania’s banking statutes and regulations.

In June, James M. Sheehan became general counsel of the Milton Hershey School (MHS) in Hershey, PA. Before joining the MHS, James was a partner at the Harrisburg, PA, firm of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen.

1986
Zella Smith Anderson is the founder and director of the Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance (CPAA), a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. CPAA is a coalition of individuals and more than twenty-seven shelters and rescue groups in the Central Pennsylvania area committed to creating a "no-kill" community for companion animals. For more information about CPAA, its mission and its events, go to www.cpaa.info or contact Zella at zscooter01855@aol.com.

Kathleen J. Haynes was elected to serve a second term on the school board of the Caesar Rodney School District in Dover, DE. Kathleen is an attorney working part-time as a hearing examiner for the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System and has three children in the Caesar Rodney School District.

The St. Thomas More Society of Central Pennsylvania honored U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) on June 30 as the recipient of the Fidelis Award at the First Annual Award Gala sponsored by the society. The award was given to the senator “in recognition of his uncompromising commitment to the Catholic faith, his unyielding interest in justice, and his steadfast dedication to the ideals of St. Thomas More.”

1987
Adjunct Professor of Law Jefferson J. Shipman has joined Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner in Lemoyne, PA, as a shareholder.

1988
Paula G. Sanders recently joined Philadelphia-based Post & Schell, P.C. as a partner in the firm’s national health law practice. She will work out of the company’s Harrisburg, PA, office. Paula is considered a leading authority on highly complex legal issues involving health care facilities, particularly nursing homes and elder-care facilities, and has been practicing health law for the past sixteen years. She also currently serves as counsel to the Pennsylvania Association of County Affiliated Homes.

1989
Since March, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick “Lee” Cummings has been on active duty serving as the senior defense counsel for the Balkan Region (Bosnia and Kosovo) as part of Operation Joint Guardian. His area of responsibility/jurisdiction covers approximately 4,000 soldiers.

Larry D. Gasteiger has been named legal advisor to The Honorable Joseph T. Kelliher, a commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. Larry advises Commissioner Kelliher on electric, natural gas and hydropower policy matters.

F. Clifford Gibbons recently became “of counsel” to the law firm of Maselli Warren, P.C. in Princeton, NJ. Clifford will focus his practice in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning law, local government law, personal law and municipal court matters.

Andy Saylor, a partner in the Lancaster, PA, law firm of Gibbel, Kraybill & Hess, has opened an office of the firm to serve clients in the Mt. Joy/Elizabethtown area. Andy has been with the firm for more than fourteen years and focuses his practice in the areas of wills and trusts, estate administration, real estate settlements, business creations and planning, elder law and advising employers.

On May 29, Lisa Waldman married Woody Siciliano. Step-children Rachel (17), Eric (14) and Gina (12) joined Stephen (11) and Tori (8) to create a new larger family.

Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), based in Harrisburg, PA, promoted Brad A. Wolf to dean of academic affairs in May. Brad joined HACC in 2001 as associate dean.

1990
Jay Waldman was presented with the 2004 Eastern College Athletic Conference Sports Information Directors Association (ECAC-SIDA) Bob Kenworthy Award at the ESPN Awards Dinner held in June in Valley Forge, PA. Jay began serving as the organization's legal counsel in 1994. A shareholder in the firm of Ellsworth, Carlton, Mixell & Waldman, P.C., Jay concentrates his practice on banking law, business law, commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, estate planning, estate administration, corporate finance, tax law, real estate and non-profit and charitable organizations.

1991
In May, Barbara M. Boben was named regional compliance officer in the legal department of Fulton Financial Corporation.

1992
On May 18, Brian Dolan announced his candidacy for the 36th District seat in the Delaware General Assembly. He is the only District-endorsed Democratic candidate for the 36th House seat. Brian currently works as an attorney in Georgetown, DE.

Michele D. Rothstein Dolbin and her husband, Don, announced the birth of their second child, Kyle Jordan, on February 15. Michele and Don also have a 4-year-old daughter, Margaret Charlene. Michele is assistant counsel with the State Civil Service Commission.

Beverly J. Doneker was appointed as a workers' compensation judge in Lehigh and Northampton Counties (PA). Beverly can be reached through the PA Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Workers' Compensation.

James Frederick left private practice in June and joined the U.S. Attorney's Office (District of Maryland) as an assistant U.S. attorney.

In May, Alan K. Sable joined the firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP as a partner in its Pittsburgh, PA, office. Alan focuses his practice in real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing, development, leasing, zoning and land use law.

1993
Susan M. Day Schilp and her husband, Joe, welcomed their second daughter, Mary Grace Schilp, on January 1, 2003. Mary joined her sister, Katie, age 4. In March, Susan opened her new law practice in Piscataway, NJ. She will continue to focus on insurance defense litigation, as well as real estate transactions.

1995
Jeffrey Bukowski recently won a $40.8 million settlement for his client, Mike Wolf, owner of Maryland-based MTH Electric Trains. The case involving toy train manufacturing giant, Lionel LLC, alleged that MTH designs had been stolen by an employee of a South Korean subcontractor and sold to Lionel LLC in the late 1990s.

On April 23, Steven F. Fairlie and Marc Robert Steinberg, partners at the Lansdale, PA, law firm of Rubin, Glickman and Steinberg, presented “Everything You Need to Know about the New DUI Law” at the Montgomery Bar Association building in Norristown, PA.

Littler Mendelson, P.C. announced the election of Barbara R. Rigo as a shareholder of the firm in May. Barbara focuses her practice on representing management on a wide range of labor and employment matters in the Philadelphia, PA, office of the firm.

1996
In May, John R. Ninosky joined the firm of Johnson, Duffie, Stewart & Weidner, based in Lemoyne, PA, as a shareholder.

1997
Richard S. Caputo, an associate in Stevens & Lee’s Tax & Employee Benefits Group, presented “Charitable Trust Tax Issues” at the Certified Trust Financial Advisor Continuing Education Seminar held May 26-28 in Harrisburg, PA. Richard concentrates his practice in tax-exempt organizations, tax planning and litigation of fiduciary matters including the defense of surcharge claims brought against corporate fiduciaries.

The American Board of Certification announced in May that John P. Neblett has successfully completed the requirements for national certification in bankruptcy law. John currently has a law practice in Harrisburg, PA

Pamela (Arndt) Rice and her husband, Roger, welcomed their second child, Anna, on April 16. Pamela and Roger also have a son, Jake, age 3½ .

Rebecca Spangler married Terry Burns on May 17, 2003, in Portland, ME. In attendance were DSL roommates Anne Lindman Zerbe ‘96, who served as matron of honor, and Paula Radick ‘96. Rebecca is currently working as a mediator for the State of Maine Worker's Compensation Board in Portland.

1998
Frank N. Ciprero has joined the Philadelphia, PA, office of Cipriani & Werner as an associate. He will focus on workers’ compensation and insurance liability litigation.

On June 26, Heather Conlon married Mark A. Keller in Mount Joy, PA.

In April, the law firm of Cozen O’Connor in Philadelphia, PA, announced the election to membership of associate Sara Anderson Frey. Sara works in the firm’s insurance department and was one of only eighteen associates in the firm to receive this promotion.

Fulton Financial Corporation in Lancaster, PA, announced the promotion of H. Scott Poole to vice president and associate legal counsel. He joined the company in 2001.

Jennifer Ciocca Slaughter gave birth to daughter Elizabeth "Libby" Odry on June 26, 2003. Libby joined 3-year-old sister Jane Kavar. The Slaughter family lives in Charlottesville, VA.

1999
Rich Bobbe and his wife, Ann, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Aidan Michael, on July 16, 2003.

In March, Alan W. Flenner served as a speaker at “The Legal Toolbox for Watershed Groups” workshop hosted at Villanova University. In April, Alan was elected to serve as assistant secretary/counsel of the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association (SMSA), an organization that awards academic scholarships to the children and grandchildren of active, reserve and retired members of the Naval Construction Force. Alan is a commander in the Naval Reserve Civil Engineer Corps and is currently assigned as the operations officer of the Seventh Naval Construction Regiments in Newport, RI. He is a full-time associate with High, Swartz, Roberts & Seidel LLP of Norristown, PA.

Rachel Yantos married George W. Huss Jr. on May 1. The couple is residing in New Florence, PA. Rachel is serving as judicial clerk to Westmoreland County (PA) Court of Common Pleas Judges Daniel J. Ackerman and Gary P. Caruso while maintaining a part-time law practice of her own.

2000
In May, Amy Phillips became the outreach chairperson for the York (PA) Young Professionals organization and is responsible for overseeing the organization’s volunteer and community service projects. Amy is an associate with Hoffmeyer & Semmelman, where she has practiced family law for nearly three years.

2001
James Hine joined the law firm of Mulvey, Oliver, Gould & Crotta of New Haven, CT, as an associate.

On June 22, Inseok Kang was admitted to the New York Bar and licensed to practice law as an attorney and counselor of law in all courts of New York State. He would like to thank Dickinson staff, faculty and friends for their support.

Christine J. Sabas is expanding her law practice in Lewisberry, PA, to include business immigration law. Christine’s practice already includes immigration law, including deportation defense and family based immigration petitions, criminal defense and family law.

Nathan C. Wolf has opened an office in Carlisle, PA, where he will maintain a general civil and criminal law practice.

2002
After completing a clerkship for The Honorable John J. Trucilla in the spring of 2004, Dane Rauschenberg began working for the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C.

2003
Samuel J. Bezek is working as a staff attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement, in Washington, D.C.

Barbara J. Brunner was named an associate of Barley Snyder of Lancaster, PA in April. She is focusing her law practice on employment, immigration and education law.

In April, Jarrett J. Ferentino was appointed to serve as a full-time assistant district attorney for Luzerne County (PA).

In September 2003, Sam Hirzel started at Morris Nichols Arsht and Tunnell as an associate in the Corporate Litigation Department. After a partner in the Intellectual Property Department at Sam’s firm was appointed to the Delaware Court of Chancery, Sam was offered the opportunity to clerk for the new vice chancellor. Sam plans to return to Morris Nichols in September.

Kristi Z. Lane has been appointed special assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Hanft & Knight of Harrisburg, PA, named James I. Nelson and Sean M. Shultz as associates of the firm in May. James will focus his practice on land use and zoning, real estate, municipal and environmental law and civil litigation. Sean’s practice will include adoption, family law, estate planning and administration, bankruptcy and real estate and title insurance.

2004
Kimberly A. Selemba accepted a position as a civil litigator with the law firm of McNees, Wallace and Nurick in Harrisburg, PA.

Multiple Years
In May, Eugene E. Duffy ’53 and Arthur D. Dalessandro ’54 were honored at the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association (Luzerne County, PA) Law Day dinner. They were both recognized for their fifty years of membership with the association. Eugene has served in many posts in Luzerne County, including county prothonotary, assistant district attorney and deputy attorney general. Arthur served as a Luzerne County judge for seventeen years and was selected “Outstanding Trial Judge in America” by the American Trial Lawyers Association.

Four Dickinson alumni have been named to Philadelphia Magazine’s list of “Superlawyers in 2004.” Bernerd A. Buzgon ’62, Frederick S. Wolfson ’67, Howard M. Goldsmith ’68 and Sandra L. Meilton ’80 appeared on the list, which was published in the June edition of the magazine. The “Super Lawyers” were selected through an extensive process, starting with more than 34,000 ballots going to attorneys across the state of Pennsylvania for nominations. Lawyers representing different areas of practice were then selected by a blue-ribbon panel for the final list.

Bernerd was selected in the category of plaintiff’s personal-injury work. He is a partner at Buzgon Davis Law Offices in Lebanon, PA, where he concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury, family law, insurance defense and business law.

Frederick was selected for his work in the field of general business law. He practices at the Lebanon, PA, firm of Reilly, Wolfson, Sheffey, Schrum and Lundberg.

Howard was recognized in the section highlighting the best family law attorneys in the state. He is the principle shareholder of the law firm of Howard M. Goldsmith, P.C., located in Philadelphia, PA.

Sandra was also selected for her work in family law in the Harrisburg, PA, office of Tucker Arensberg, a Pittsburgh-based firm. She focuses her practice on cases regarding adoption, custody, divorce, equitable distribution and support matters. In addition, Sandra’s name also appeared on a list of outstanding lawyers in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Magazine.

Paula J. McDermott ’78 and Barbara A. Zemlock ’90 recently joined the Harrisburg office of Post and Schell. They will be part of a new regulatory and administrative agency practice group as well as spearheading a new land use and zoning law practice group.

In addition, Paula’s practice includes complex commercial, construction, environmental and employment litigation, corporate/transactional law, and health law.

Barbara’s practice includes commercial litigation (including franchise disputes, RICO and business disputes), and white-collar criminal defense.

John A. Rule ’78 is a partner with the law firm of Miller, Turetsky, Rule & McLennan, P.C., with an office in Collegeville, PA. His practice is concentrated in areas of business law, estate planning and administration, elder law and nonprofit and charitable organizations. His wife, Jill Anderson ’79, also works with Miller, Turestsky, Rule & McLennan. The couple has three children.

Judge Michael T. Toole ’85 and Judge Joseph F. Kameen ’80 were honored at a dinner held by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the General Alumni Association of The Dickinson School of Law on May 10.

Claudia Moreno ‘03 and Steven Williams ‘91 were married in November 2003. On July 13, they welcomed their first child, daughter Marena Ann.

Andrew Slear ’94 and Wendy (Weaver) Slear ‘95 had a son, Travis Edward, born May 6, 2003. He joins big brother, Ethan Jacob.

Daniel M. Fellin '95 and Shannon (Waite) Fellin '96 welcomed Adam Thomas, born October 29, 2003.