George Read initiates Widener Law's first ever, "Professionalism Week".

From left to right:  Jim McDowell (speaker at "Financial GPS" Professionalism Week Event and current District XXXIII Justice), Jim Lewis (creator of Professionalism Week and Vice Justice), Dean Linda Ammons

One of the cornerstones of Phi Alpha Delta is “professionalism”. As law students, we are already members of the legal profession, and therefore, must act in accordance with the ethics and guidelines prescribed to our field. This belief of establishing professionalism in law students is especially import to Widener University School of Law. The administration requires students to attend “Professionalism Day” every year that they are enrolled in order to graduate. The idea behind this all important day is to enhance different “professional” ideals in order to create awareness of the requirements of young attorneys.

Jim Lewis, Vice Justice for the Read Chapter, and PAD Sister Shloka Joshi took initiative to combine Phi Alpha Delta's core belief and couple it with the school's zeal of instilling it in students, and took the school's “Professionalism Day” and turned it into “Professionalism Week". The school's main event was scheduled for Wednesday, October 27^th. Brother Lewis contacted the Presidents of other student organizations at Widener to see if there was an interest in providing programming for the week. After finding a number of people looking to get involved, he started the planning process.

Jim's vision for the main purpose of the week's events was to enforce the school's messages from Professionalism Day, and expand upon it with additional events focusing on various professional themes. After meeting with other student leaders on campus, the decision was made to focus on three main issues: personal finances, the importance of ethics, and service to the community.

Jim took charge of the event that would kick start the week by inviting Brother Dan McDowell, District Justice for District XXXIII, to come speak on the topic of managing finances as a young professional. Brother Lewis first heard this presentation at the 58th Biennial Convention in Tampa, FL and decided would be the perfect way to start the series of events.

After coordinating with other student groups holding events that week, as well as the Student Bar Association at Widener, the faculty in charge of Professionalism Day, and various members of the administration, Brother Lewis was able to approve the events and fly Brother McDowell from Pittsburgh to Delaware in order to give his presentation dubbed, “Financial GPS”.

Brother McDowell spoke in the Barristers’ Club at Widener to a crowd of students and administration from Widener, the majority of whom are members of the Read Chapter. He focused on turning your financial situation, even with the enormous student loan, credit card, and auto loan debt, into one where you're the one making the decisions – not life's events, banks, and creditors. He took a number of engaging questions at the conclusion of his presentation and everyone present was impressed with the information that he had to offer.

The Food & Drug Law Association, formed this year by George Read Sister Sara Aslaleh, took charge of the ethics event on Tuesday, October 27^th. She invited Widener Law Professor Roseann Termini, member of the PA Board of Ethics Committee, speak about the importance of ethics in the legal profession. She asked audience members to really delve into their own moral and ethical codes of conduct, and ask how they compare to the profession's. An excellent discussion followed about how the professional code of conduct merely sets the lowest bar of ethics, and it is up to individual lawyers to use their own code to do better.

Finally, the Public Interest Law Alliance took control of the community service event on Thursday. PILA sponsored a Donation Pledge and Toy Drive to help make this holiday season a great one for underprivileged foster children in Delaware. George Read Sister Kelly Allegretti and Justice Andrew Quietmeyer, both members of PILA, worked with Nicole Phillips, PILA President, to seek out $25 pledges, unused/unwrapped toys, and gently-used children's books throughout the day on Thursday, October 28^th.

The big event of the week, Professionalism Day itself on Wednesday, October 27^th, had major involvement from the Read Chapter. The chairwoman of the event, Professor Louise Hill, specifically requested the help of the Read Chapter, and Phi Alpha Delta delivered: Andrew Quietmeyer (Justice), Rachelle DeCinque, Nicole Stanzione (former Vice Justice), Jenna Kring, Alicea Milbourne (Marshall), Kimberly Renner (Clerk), Ashley Talley (Academic Chair), Edward Hughes, Darya Natesova (Etiquette Dinner Chair), Daniel Rapoport, Kaitlyn O'Neill, Robert Schweiger, Angie Kandil, Charles Glass, Clint Orem (Professional Development Chair), Ariel Viray, Natalie Missouri, Joseph Greco, Dominic Carrera, Melissa Caltabiano, and Prema Roddam all volunteered to work the event during its 14 hour duration.

There were three sessions throughout the day designed for 2L/3L, 1L, and Extended Division students. At each session, students attended panel discussions focused on the Bar, Public Interest Jobs, Large/Medium Firm Associates, Judicial clerkship, Ethics discussion, and much more. Dean Linda Ammons spoke at all sessions about the importance of developing a professional reputation now, regardless of where students are in their law school journey.

All in all, the Jim Lewis' first “Professionalism Week” at Widener University School of Law was a huge success, with accolades from the school's administration and the Student Bar Association. It would not have been possible without the efforts and support of the administration of the school, the aid of the Student Bar Association, the students who attended the events, the services of Brother Dan McDowell, all the members of the Read Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, and of course, Jim Lewis' hard work who dedicated his time to take a great event and make it even better.

Phi Alpha Delta, George Read Chapter Executive Board.  From left to right:  Jim Lewis (Vice Justice), Josh Inkell (former Justice and current Alumni Liaison), Danielle Strauch (Extended Division Liaison), Dan McDowell (District XXXIII Justice), Kimberly Renner (Clerk), Dean Linda Ammons, Andrew Quietmeyer (Justice).  Not pictured due to class schedule:  Alicea Milbourne (Marshall), Jason Greenspon (Treasurer)

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer, co-written by Jim Lewis

Phi Alpha Delta, George Read Chapter, cleans up in Fall 2010 Mock Trial Competition!

Every semester on Widener Law's campus, the American Association of Justice holds a mock trial competition for all students.  Even 1Ls can participate and get their feet wet in courtroom experience.

This year, the problem was a criminal prosecution.  The defendant was charged with the attempted murder of her husband.  Her defense was a Battered Woman Defense claim (as close to a formal statute as the make believe jurisdiction of the state of Camelot, where the trial is based, has on file for self-defense).  Each side consisted of two attorneys, and each side was required to get 2 witnesses.

This year, out of the possible 14 awards participants can win, the George Read Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta took home 10!!!  These members will now be offered a spot on the two teams George Read will be sending to the 2011 National Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition in the D.C./Northern VA area.  This event, drawing from over 300 Law School chapters, will be held on March 4th through the 5th.

And now that these members have tasted victory, they've turned their eyes on winning in March.  Congratulations and good luck!

Upper Class Awards
Best overall advocate: James Lewis
Best opening: Traci Cosby
Best closing: Michael McNeil
Best direct: James D. Doyle
Best cross: Brian Legum
Best overall team: James Lewis & Michael McNeil

1L Awards
Best overall advocate: Clint Orem
Best closing: Dominic Carrera
Best cross: Erie Coney, Jr.
Best overall team: Vijaysen Yellareddigari & Roberto Rosales

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer

Members of the George Read and Frelinghuysen Chapters give back to the Philadelphia Region for Philly Cares Day, October 16th, 2010

Members of the George Read and Frelinghuysen Chapters give back to the Philadelphia Region for Philly Cares Day, October 16th, 2010.

(From left to right) George Read Chapter: Pete Tsoflias, Ashley Talley, Akwa Etuk, Andrew Quietmeyer, Dan Ritterbeck.  Frelinghuysen Chapter:  Lexi Gee, Ellen Roberts, Kio Chapesh, Clint Atkins, Gillian Cooper, Jennifer Kim, Elizabeth Keith-Olsen.  (Not pictured - Kirsten Samantha Rønholt)

brought to you by the letter "C" - for Coffee, Caffeine, and Carbs

Law students are no strangers to sleep.  Or rather, the desire to sleep.  Believe me, when we get the opportunity to sleep - we take it.  But, as many of the world slumbered earlier on Saturday, October 16th, 2010, a few law students fought to open their eyes, and ventured out to Philadelphia.  Members of the George Read Chapter at Widener Law School and the Frelinghuysen Chapter of Rutgers Law at Camden rose up from their beds, piled in their cars, and met up at the J.F. Reynolds Elementary School to eagerly participate in the 17th Annual Philly Cares Day event.

Philly Cares Day is one of the largest community service-based events in the region put on by Greater Philadelphia Cares organization, with over 6000 participants every year.  Their mission is to, "support the creation of vibrant communities by motivating people to volunteer their time, talents, and resources. [They] provide a clear path to service for all, enhancing the impact of non-profit agencies throughout the Greater Philadelphia region."

J.F. Reynolds Elementary

George Read and Frelinghuysen took this opportunity to live up to two of Phi Alpha Delta's most important tenets - Fraternalism and Service.  This was perhaps the first time these two chapters have joined forces and used their collective elbow grease to give back to the community which supports us all.  Moreover, the two chapters, haling from two "rival" schools, decided to get together to show that no matter where your J.D. comes from, we're all in this together!

Arriving at the elementary school, we were met by the site's coordinator, Reynolds Elementary Principal, Cheryl Hackett.  Even though we were still a bit groggy from being up so early (for law students on a day off that is), she was full of energy and had a ton of improvements for us to do around her school.  We set off, each of us paired off to get the job done.

Ashley Talley and Andrew Quietmeyer were in charge of stenciling "DOWN" in the, well, the DOWN staircase.  Up and down 4 flights of steps the two trudged with ladder, paint, stencils, etc.  Finally, a student of J.F. Reynolds, Lianna, took pity on their plight and helped out with the painting.

Andrew Quietmeyer

Ashley Talley and new friend, Lianna

Akwa G. R. Etuk and Pete Tsoflias had the arduous task of writing, free-hand, block letters to form the sign "Bully-Free Zone" in the cafeteria.  Pete got so into his job that when we concluded at the end, he still had one letter left.  He was adamant at finishing his task, and I honestly think he would have sneaked back in to the school during the night just to finish.  Luckily, Ms. Hackett let him finish so no breaking and entering charges had to be filed.

Akwa Etuk

Pete Tsoflias

Dan Ritterbeck and Ellen Roberts were the jack of all trades for the day.  Ellen was shuffling stacks and stacks of books from floor to floor.  As for Dan, well, if you could find him he was always doing something different.  He was entrusted with a walkie-talkie for the day by Ms. Hackett, and he took his job seriously. What his job was exactly is unknown, but we never saw him stop doing it.

Dan Ritterbeck

Ellen Roberts

Gillian Cooper, Jennifer Kim, Elizabeth Keith-Olsen, Kirsten Samantha Rønholt, Lexi Gee, Clint Atkins, and Kio Chapesh were also on paint duty, but this time in the hallways of the school.  J.F. Reynolds elementary calls themselves a "college school".  Everywhere on the walls, there are reminders to the students that college is always a possibility for them.  Encouraging words such as "Role Models", "Respect", "Learning", etc. were tasked to this group to stencil up on the wall.  Lexi, in the spirit of the playoffs donned a NY Yankees jersey for the day in the hopes that it would be ruined with paint.  I don't know if she succeeded, but she and Kio did manage to get more paint on the wall for their stencils than themselves.  Jennifer and Clint, worried about misspelling words, nervously traced each letter, and must have re-read every word five or six times before painting to make sure they nailed the old grammar rule of "I before E".

Clint Atkins and Jennifer Kim

Lexi Gee and Kio Chapesh

Pete, Akwa, and Elizabeth Keith-Olsen

Kirsten Samantha Rønholt

Finally, after tons of paint, tape, and only a few "oops", we concluded for the day.  Ms. Hackett thanked us profusely for our work.  However, it was us that wound up thanking her.  Sometimes it takes being completely out of your element to understand another person's plight.  Here we were, students in Law School about to enter into what is called a highly profitable field, sitting in a school where an army of volunteers is still needed.

Everyone's elementary school looks like this, right?

Politics aside, is there a valid reason as to why any student in America should go to a school that has lead-based paint?  Peeling walls?  Ancient HVAC systems?  In a country such as ours, why should any child ever go to a school that isn't on par with the law schools we go to?  Doesn't a child need to have an excellent education background/experience just to have the opportunity to advance?  Why isn't their school, a fundamental building block of their futures, as "new" and "shiny" as ours?

This is indicative of the condition of thousands of schools across the country.

I leave you with these thoughts, and I hope that you, as a member of the legal profession, take the time to seriously think about why any child in the country should be forced to go to anything other than a modern, clean, and up-to-date school.  It has been on my mind since we drove away from J.F. Reynolds Elementary, and I never want it to leave my mind as I venture into the Bar.

 

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer

Sister Celisse Williams' work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the United Nations Millennium Development Campaign Office.

I was given the great opportunity of externing at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the United Nations Millennium Development Campaign Office. The office is located at the United Nations headquarters in New York, New York. The United Nations Millennium Campaign, entitled End Poverty 2015, began in the year 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit where 189 world leaders signed the Millennium Declaration and promised to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in order to end extreme world poverty. The Campaign is very historical because, among other reasons, we are the first generation with the knowledge, resources, technology, and skill to end extreme world poverty. The mission of the Campaign is to take a bottom-up approach in supporting and inspiring citizens from around the world to take action in monitoring and holding their governments accountable in achieving the MDGs.

UN Summit in 2000

There are eight MDGs that set clear targets for improving the lives of the world’s poorest people. The Goals are the following: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development. All of the Goals are very much intertwined with one another and thus, success in one Goal represents success in all the Goals.

Heads of state have set the deadline for achieving the eight MDGs by 2015. Although there have been unimaginable accomplishments around the globe in ending extreme world poverty, many of the world’s regions are not on track to achieve several of the MDGs by 2015. With only five years left before the deadline, it is imperative that heads of state, NGOs, and other organizations take bold action immediately. A High Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly was held in New York this past September, marking it as the largest gathering of heads of state in the past ten years. At this United Nations (U.N.) Summit, heads of state met to discuss, among other things, how to achieve the MDGs in the upcoming five years. This is where my externship came into play.

Millennium Development Goals

My main duty this summer was to create a report describing the current status of each MDG and make recommendations as to what needs to be done in order to achieve the MDGs. I performed internet-based policy research and analyzed key global policy issues related to the MDGs such as the outcome of the G8/G20 Summits, the U.N. Summit on the Economic and Financial Crisis and the U.N. Summits on Millennium Development Goals in 2005 and 2008. I prepared synthesis reports on the implementation status of country commitments that were made at the Summits including, inter alia, the achievements realized by each country and the existing gaps that prevent MDG achievement. I participated and represented the Campaign in various U.N. meetings and I co-coordinated several side events that took place during this past U.N. Summit.

Celisse Williams, pictured far right

The externship required a very broad perspective in addressing the rights and health needs of billions of people who come from every imaginable background. The MDGs, and the work and research that I performed during the externship touched upon many different global aspects including, but not limited to: international trading regarding trade tariffs and barriers; conflict prevention; global governance and treatises; international health; and economic development. I was fortunate to be able to return to the Campaign in New York during the U.N. Summit and see the fruits of my labor culminate in a successful ending. I am extremely grateful for my experiences and I hope that I have left a path for others to follow.

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer, written by Celisse Williams

Trick-or-Treat at A.I. Children's Hospital

Trick-or-Treat at A.I. Children's Hospital

On Tuesday, October 12th, members of the George Read Chapter went to A.I. Children's Hospital in Wilmington, DE.

(from left to right:  Natalie Missouri, AJ Viray, Pete Tsoflias, Caitlin Lutz, Rachael Kemmey, and Andrew Quietmeyer)

One of the important cornerstones of Phi Alpha Delta, and indeed of being a member of the legal profession, is giving back to the community. Many people will volunteer at homeless shelters, hold food drives, or work pro-bono for low income clients. We decided to reach out to one of the most vulnerable groups of people in our society – children suffering from illness.

A.I. Children's Hospital, one of the largest children's hospitals in the Greater-Philadelphia region, allowed a few members of the George Read chapter to come and visit with their patients during the evening-hours playtime. For something fun for us and the kids to do, Pete Tsoflias, the chapter's Community Service Chairperson, created several Trick-or-Treat themed packages for each of the kids. The hospital advised us that many of their patients are on restrictive diets, and therefore we should avoid bringing candy. Pete found awesome painting kits featuring Winnie the Pooh and Cinderella for the kids to play with, along with other Halloween goodies – glow sticks, scary stickers, crazy bands, etc.

(Pete passing out the goodies for the kids' Trick-or-Treat bags before we went to the hospital)

Moreover, due to the unique nature of their patients, the hospital also asked us to be mindful of a few other things. First, we could not take any pictures of the kids. Second, once the child enters the play room at the hospital, he or she gets to decide what they want to do. The hospital's reasoning behind this is to be able to give a child some control over his/her life, despite being surrounded by doctors, nurses, machines, etc.

Once we got to the hospital, and settle into the playroom, a few kids began to trickle in.

Immediately, as soon as they saw a Pirate, Zorro, and a Black Cat, their faces lit up with huge smiles.  Rachel met a little girl named Stephanie who had just gotten her tonsils out. The two of them painted pictures of Cinderella and other princesses. Another patient, Brianna, wheeled herself into the room, and immediately threw down a Wii Mario Kart challenge to everyone. Caitlin and Natalie took up the challenge and were soundly defeated. Finally, it took Pete to eek out a victory so the George Read chapter wouldn't go 0-3 (some debate exists as to whether or not Brianna took pity on us and let Pete win). As other patients began to arrive, the activities we go to do with them grew as well. In fact, Andrew got to play pool with two boys, Jason and Mike, but more importantly, the three of them got to talk about their favorite movie, Star Wars, to their heart's content.

But the real hero of the night was none other than Zorro himself. A little girl with a lopsided pony tail latched onto AJ almost immediately, and never left his side the entire night. The two of them must have played with every toy in the activity center. I think at one point, I saw the two of them playing a game of pool, foosball, and air hockey... all at the same time! We were told by the hospital that we should refrain from asking the kids why they are in the hospital. But, I think it is a safe assumption that no matter why she is there, the several hours she got to have playing with AJ allowed her to be a normal kid, and just have fun without the worries of another blood test, operation, or sleepless night.

(AJ, or should I say Senor Zorro?)

All in all, it was a very enjoyable evening for all of us. We wrapped up a little before 8pm in order to get the kids ready for bedtime. The hospital staff, as well as the parents who were there, thanked us profusely for helping. But, I don't know who had a more enjoyable time – the patients who got a chance to just be a kid again, or the law students who got the same chance to just be a kid again. Giving back to the community we serve as legal professionals is an important ideal to live up to, and one that the George Read Chapter takes very seriously. However, sometimes, there's no reason why you can't have fun while doing it!

(Or even, a little messy!)

Posted by:  Andrew Quietmeyer