LLA Member Joins PBA Leadership Institute Class
Pennsylvania Bar Association President David E. Schwager has named 18 Pennsylvania lawyers to the 2020-21 class of the association’s Bar Leadership Institute (BLI). Lycoming Law Association member Ryan W. Sypniewski has been included in the class.
“Each BLI class member this year has a unique, diverse background and perspective along with new ideas and goals for the future to help shape the association,” said Schwager. “I look forward to working with them as they learn more about the PBA’s varied paths to leadership and connect with other PBA members and leaders. Given the changes necessitated by the recent pandemic, this year's BLI class will have more opportunities to connect to PBA programs and events remotely but will have added challenges as a result of the transition to virtual gatherings. Nevertheless, BLI is a marvelous opportunity for these up-and-coming young lawyers to create a tight-knit community of PBA leaders from throughout the commonwealth to effect positive change.”
This year’s BLI co-chairs are Stephanie F. Latimore, Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg and Michael J. McDonald, McDonald & MacGregor LLC, Scranton. Both Latimore and McDonald have served in a number of PBA leadership roles.
To apply for the BLI, candidates had to demonstrate leadership ability, commit to attendance and participation in the required events, be currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, be a PBA member, and be age 40 years or younger or have practiced five years or less.
The BLI was originally developed by Arthur L. Piccone of Kingston in 1995-96 during his year as PBA president to strengthen the PBA’s ongoing efforts to recruit and develop leaders of the association. The first chair of the institute, Gretchen A. Mundorff of Connellsville, re-launched the BLI when she became the 2010-11 president of the PBA. Its current purpose is to inform participants on the day-to-day operations, governance, resources and staffing of the association, as well as provide introductions to its various leadership opportunities.
