It is my profound honor and privilege to serve as the President of the AAML Pennsylvania Chapter. Though serving in Chapter leadership is an aspiration, indeed a duty, of us all, when I became a Fellow in 2009, filling the shoes of those greats who came before me was almost unimaginable.

Chief among my goals this year are recruitment and mentoring. Putting my money where my mouth is, I agreed to be a Mentor to a younger lawyer here in Pittsburgh as part of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section’s Leadership Development Program. A number of our Chapter Fellows are instrumental in this initiative, reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to, “Promoting professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.”  To this end, our Chapter is doubling down on our Recruitment and Mentorship Committee. I urge all of our Fellows to participate by seeking out the rising talent that keeps our bench deep.

I also intend to encourage our Fellows’ participation in the Chapter. We have myriad ways in which we all can employ our particular sets of skills. Our Amicus Committee submitted a brief to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which arguments are scheduled in August 2023. Our Legislative Committee recently reviewed pending legislation which affects our clients and our practice. Our Program Committee continues to assemble gifted and high-level speakers and out-of-the-box topics enriching us, the practice, and the community. I look forward to all of our Fellows’ engagement as planners, presenters and attendees at our upcoming programs.

Finally, and dear to my heart, I seek to promote Fellowship. A Fellow can be defined superficially as being a partner, colleague, or a member of a learned society. Indeed, our members fit those descriptions. Fellowship, however, connotes camaraderie and the value that our shared experiences can engender. In nearly 15 years, the Academy has provided me with opportunities to work with and learn from immensely gifted colleagues from across the Commonwealth. More, I am proud to call them my friends.

I close with deepest thanks to my Immediate Past President, Amy DeShong, for whose tirelessness and thoughtful leadership I will forever be grateful and to our Sponsors for their professional expertise, generosity, and commitment to the success of this Chapter.