MEETING MINUTES

Monday, December 4, 2006

Attendance

Present were: Judge Kenneth Brown, Judge William Kieser, Judge Richard Gray, Court Administrator Kevin Way, Joseph Campagna, Roan Confer, Jr., Robert Elion, Craig Harris, Ed Mitchell, Joseph Rider, Mike Wiley and Darryl Wishard.

There was a discussion concerning the funding of the reward for payment to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of the murder of Bradford County attorney David Keefe and his wife Carol. A motion was passed to urge the Executive Committee to make a pledge to the Bradford County Bar Association for payment in the event an individual or individuals qualify for the reward.

There was a discussion about the Law Library. The largest portions of the Law Library have been transferred to the James V. Brown Library. Other portions of the library have been transferred to the Madigan Library of the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

A Library Committee chaired by Jonathan Butterfield and composed of members with different areas of practice concentration, makes recommendations for future library purchases.

The Committee stressed to Craig Harris, LLA President, the importance of the Law Library Committee's function in urging the libraries which house the law library collections to keep the collections current and to update and add new services as necessary to maintain an up to date library covering all necessary areas of practice. It was also requested that a list of what services are available at each location be distributed among the members of the Association.

Judge Brown reported that all civil trial terms in 2007 in both his courtroom and Judge Butts' courtroom will be three weeks.

Court Administrator Kevin Way reported that jury selections for civil cases will be reduced from two days to one day with two judges presiding. This will reduce the expense to the County for juror attendance for jury selection.

Judge Kieser reported that the criminal law processing techniques are being reviewed. There will be a change in the requirement for all attorneys and all parties to be present at the first arrangement to accommodate for situations such as pending ADR applications. Criminal monitoring dates will be scheduled at the request of either the DA or the defense attorney.

Judge Kieser also mentioned the fact that the Court is considering purchasing and installing a video projector with screen in at least one courtroom. Judge Gray reported that the division of family law responsibilities among Judge Gray, Judge Anderson and Judge Butts is working well.

Judge Gray is the administrative judge for all family law matters. Judge Anderson and Judge Butts participate in custody and equitable distribution matters. Pretrial conferences in matters to be handled by masters are conducted by Judge Anderson and Judge Gray. This change has resulted in more settlements and reducing the time to disposition.

The same division of responsibilities will occur in 2007.

Bob Elion requested that the Court consider lengthening the deadline for production of expert reports to the completion of discovery. The judges suggested that these issues be discussed among counsel during the pre-case monitoring conference discussions and brought to the Court's attention at the case management conferences.

Bob Elion also reported that the use of email for communications concerning Law Association matters has been helpful.

Judge Brown inquired about whether the Committee believed Association members would be willing to provide a pro bono mediation service similar to the service presently in place in federal court. Judge Brown requested that he be provided with a list of the members of our Association who are certified federal court mediators.

Joe Rider reported that there are valuable seminars being conducted on the changes in the state fiduciary code and in issues involving elder law.

Joe Campagna urged that private counsel in domestic relations matters handle all issues including PFA's rather than informing their clients to seek pro bono services for PFA's. He stressed that continuity of representation is preferable to having a client's issues handled by more than one attorney.

Joe Rider reported that the Law Association Foundation has budgeted $3000 for use in reimbursing costs in pro bono cases.

The Judges and the Court Administrator requested that they be notified of the resolution of any matter which has been scheduled for argument or other disposition before the Court. In the absence of notification to the Judge before whom the matter has been scheduled or the Court Administrator, the matter remains scheduled and wastes Court time.

The next meeting will be April 2, 2007.

Respectfully submitted,

C. Edward S. Mitchell, Chairman