April 1, 2014 (Vol. XXVI, No. 2)

THE NEWSLETTER OF THEWESTMORELAND BAR ASSOCIATION

VOLUME XXVI, NUMBER 2APRIL 1, 2014

INTHISISSUE

thesidebar

13JuryTrialVerdicts4 Judicial

VacanciesAnnounced3 In Memoriam

HarveyWeatherwax2Presidents’

Message 7FoundationFocus 9To-Wit:

by S.Sponte

Back issues from 2000 to the present and acomprehensive, searchable index are availableonline at www.westbar.org/thesidebar.

Effective June 1, 2014, theProthonotary’s Office will nolonger accept paper filings of

any kind, so says the WestmorelandCounty Court of Common PleasBoard of Judges. As of that date, onlyelectronic filings will be accepted.

In a move that caught everyoneby surprise, the Board of Judges,who already had been on record asopposed to e-filing (“The work ofthe goddamned devil,” according toone jurist), dramatically reversed itsposition by majority vote at their lastmeeting. In announcing the decision,retiring President Judge Gary Carusoremarked that while the quick andcompletely unexpected transitionwould be difficult, and that while hepersonally didn’t like the idea, he hadno reservations about making thosehe left behind after his retirement asmiserable as possible. “In fact,” hesmirked at this reporter, “I kind oflike it.”

The recently retired Judge JohnBlahovec and Judge Alfred Bell, alsoretiring in the very near future, couldnot be reached for comment, but arebelieved to be in accord with theircolleague’s sentiments.

“There will be problems, of course,”Judge Caruso went on with a chuckle,“because we’re not set up for it yet,we don’t have a program in placefor e-filing, and there’s no way theProthonotary can possibly be ready intime, but those are just some of the

The Bar Association membershipapparently has been caught completelyoff guard by this decision. The firstofficial response came from the FamilyLaw Committee, whose Chairman,

Anthony Sampson Tostitos,issued a strongly worded

statement. “We takegreat umbrageat this blatantattempt todeprive us ofclients who couldpay us. This isworse than

Obamacare,this is the end

of civilization as weknow it, and an act of

pure tyranny. Just like our familylaw brother and sister practitioners inthe American Revolution before us, wewill stand together against oppressive-ness and in favor of charging fees.”

When asked what e-filing had to dowith charging clients fees, Mr. Tostitosreplied, “Everything does, it’s all thesame thing.”

One question appears to remainunanswered. If the Prothonotary’sOffice will no longer accept paperfilings starting June 1, 2014, and ifthe office is not ready to accept e-filingfor at least eighteen months, what arethe attorneys supposed to do withtheir pleadings?

“I have a suggestion,” offered JudgeCaruso with a smile.

challenges we, or rather everyoneelse, will have to overcome. I mean,gee, we’ve survived computerizedresearch, we’ve survived the influx ofall the new judges, I’m sure we cansurvive this, too.”

Another judge, whodeclined to give hisname, was not sosure. “Lookit,”he said, “I don’twant to go outon a limb here,but doesn’t thisinvolve the useof computers?”

Horton MinisculeBellweather II is thepresident of DrecksisFekachkt, the Philadelphiasoftware company engaged by thecounty to develop the e-filing software.“Yes,” he said, “we should have theProthonotary’s Office up and runningin about eighteen months. It will takeus about six months to write andinstall the software and then about amonth for the training of Courthouseemployees. After that, we figureanother eleven months or so to trainthe members of the bar.”

When reminded that his firmcreated and installed an e-filingsystem in a neighboring countyin less than six months, includingtraining, he responded, “Yes, butthis is the Westmoreland CountyBar we’re talking about.”

Board of Judges Reverses Decision

E-Filing Arrives

Editor’s note: At the U.S. government’shighly secret Word Application Lablocated in the desert some forty milessoutheast of Albuquerque, scientists areworking on the underlying meaning ofall things said or written by primates.

Going down a long corridor on thefirst floor, just past the large roomwhere ten thousand monkeys are busilypecking at their typewriters, we enteredthe office of Clement Venue, the super-visor of what is referred to as X-27, oneof the laboratory’s many projects. Dr.Venue, a pleasant balding man in his50s, welcomed us and explained someof the lab’s programs.

“I suppose you noticed the monkeys,”he said with a grin. “They are not oneof our major successes; our goal was tohave them reproduce ‘King Lear,’ but sofar, the results have been amateurishand crude. The committee supervisingthe subject is certain that in none ofShakespeare’s plays is there a scenedepicting pole dancing.

“I’m delighted, however, withthe progress my group has made indeveloping a supercomputer that willdecipher the underlying meaning of

what we say or write in our attempt tocommunicate. As lawyers, wouldn’tit be interesting to know whatpronouncement a judge is makingabout your worth when he says,‘overruled’? We started our work backin the 90s when we became intriguedby President Clinton’s query: ‘What doyou mean by “it”?’

“But, of course, we have had ourups and downs. For instance, we fedthe computer James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses,’ andthe only feedback was an intermittentbelching sound. However, we had areal breakthrough when we scanned inthe Magna Carta and found, as somescholars had suspected, that it was theking’s shopping list, intended for thegreengrocer.”

As we said goodbye to Dr. Venue,we asked if we e-mailed him backissues of “the sidebar,” would he andhis group scan them into the computerin the hope of fathoming the meaningof what, over the years, has appearedin the column “President’s Message”?He said he would be happy to do it,and we are now pleased to present toyou the unedited result.

2 • sidebar APRIL 1, 2014

Presidents’ Message

That’s What We Saidby Every Past and Present President of the Westmoreland Bar Association

Nuts! Nobody likes us andI don’t like you too muchmyself. To be candid, there

are a number of you who I reallycan’t stand, but I can’t say that inprint. If the public ever saw you at adeposition, they would know howmuch of a clown you really are.

So what are wegoing to do about it?My predecessors and Ihave encouraged youto do something forthe benefit of thecommunity, yet noword has gotten backto me that any of youhave rushed into aburning building tosave its occupants, or donated a kidneyto the community food bank.

We have encouraged you todenounce the crass legal advertisingthat now appears on television, butdespite our urging, it still goes on.Maybe that’s because it has provenquite profitable and we would all do itif we could afford it.

Civility has been urged, but it’s justtoo much fun to mock our ignoramuscolleagues and clients for their patheticshortcomings. Despite all this, let’slook at the positive difference we couldall make if we just got up early, showedup on time, and returned our phonecalls. It’s that simple, and the thoughtof your doing it makes me still regardyou as a jerk, just less of one.

In closing, let me add that in theentire universe there is no better placeto practice law than in WestmorelandCounty, with the possible exception ofthe isle of St. John.

�

The X-27 supercomputer analyzed every President’s Message ever in an effort todecipher what our fearless leaders really were trying to say.

In fact, it wasat his desk that hislong-time, adoringsecretary found himshuffled off. “It’s sosad,” she told thepolice, “but he musthave had a premoni-tion the end was nearbecause I just typedhis new will yesterday.That bastard lefteverything to Kim—can you believe it?You’d think he’d leave something to meafter all the things I did for him overthe years, if you catch my drift.”

She was unable to explain either theburn marks all over Harvey’s body orthe blunt-force wound on the back ofhis head that seemed to come from ametallic coffee mug with her name onit, found laying on the floor behind hisdesk chair.

Civil Court, always with overstuffedbriefcase in hand and not a client insight. I’ll say this for him, though: hewas always willing to take any kindof case no matter how high or petty.Whether I was doing a traffic ticketmatter before a District Justice or acertiorari petition before the stateSupreme Court, no matter the size orimportance of the case I had at hand,Harvey was frequently there, lookingfor work.

I can’t say for sure whether Harveyactually won a case, or even ever hadone, but that never slowed him down.Every morning, seven days a week, hewas at his desk at seven a.m., and hestayed there diligently until seven p.m.at night. He probably never had anyreason to leave it, but it was of nomoment to him. He was always there,ready to do battle if battle ever becamenecessary.

the sidebar is published bimonthly as a service for members ofthe Westmoreland Bar Association. Letters to the Editor shouldbe sent c/oWBA, 129 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Greensburg,

PA 15601-2311, fax 724-834-6855, or e-mail [email protected]. the sidebarwelcomes submissions from members or non-members. Please submit to the ArticlesEditor, c/o WBA.

Back issues from 2000 to the present and a comprehensive, searchable index areavailable online at www.westbar.org/thesidebar.

EDITORIAL BOARDDavid J. Millstein, Esq., Space CowboyBeth Orbison, Esq., Gangster of LoveThe Hon. Daniel J. Ackerman, MauriceCharles J. Dangelo, Esq., Pamela Ferguson, Esq.,and Susan C. Zellner, Joker, Smoker, andMidnight Toker

Diane Krivoniak, Gets Her Lovin’ on the Run

thesidebar

Remembering HarveyWeatherwaxAPRIL 1, 2014 sidebar • 3

Editor’s note: Harvey Weatherwaxshuffled off this mortal coil on April 1,2014, survived by his dog, two cats, astaggering cable bill, and his most recentsignificant other, Kim Nebulous. He wasapparently cremated later that same dayby person or persons unknown.

by Landis Spillbury, Esq.

Oh, let me think, I sort ofremember first meetingHarvey in the summer of ’73

when I appeared in court on behalfof a client to present an uncontestedmotion for a change of name.Harvey was sitting in the back ofthe courtroom scratching himself andwhen Judge Selfie asked if anyone wasthere to oppose the request, Harveystood up and voiced his opposition.He had no client, but as he explainedover the lunch I agreed to buy him ifhe withdrew his objection, it wasnothing personal, he was just hungry.

He had a good laugh about it andI was able to extract a promise fromhim to never do that to me again,ever, by giving him money for dinner.I must say, he was a man of his word:he never did that to me again forseveral months. That was Harvey.

For years after, I would seehim handing out his cards in theCourthouse cafeteria. We alwaysexchanged brief pleasantries, he wouldask after my children, I would tell himto have a highly personal encounterwith himself, and I would partcompany with the warm feelingthat only ever comes from hopingto never see him again.

I’m not sure if Harvey had a specialarea of practice or not. I’d see him inOrphans’ Court, Criminal Court,

�

Harvey Weatherwax

Looking for a special wayto remember someone?

Consider the gift of legal services performedby a member of theWBA Divorce Committee.

Youknow damnwell that you, someone in your family, or someone youcare about deeply and frequently, provided your spouse doesn’t findout about it before you’re ready, is going to get a divorce sooner or

later. You can help take some of the initial sting out of this tragedy, and infact, maybe make it downright enjoyable, by prepaying for the legal services.

Call our convenient hotline at 724-URFRIED (873-7433) to speak to oneof our representatives. Your confidentiality is assured, and for five bucks,we’ll even tell you if we’re already representing your spouse.

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Not affiliated with the WBA Family Law Committee

For the first time since that awfulquagmire in aught seven (1907for all you whippersnappers out

there), when the judicial vacancieswere settled by a tag-teammud-wrestling contest inwhich the HonorableHorace QuincyTrufflemire and theHonorable MatthiasMcHenry McNughts

muddied the bejesus outof the Not-So-HonorableShiver Meight Imbers and theEven-Less-Honorable RalphEnallice Cramdin to claim theopen seats, our county has atleast three judicial vacancies

looming on the horizon—sorry, the other two seats currently

occupied by judges you have long-hoped would drop dead are not yetvacant—and both the AOPC and the

and we know who they are. Needlessto say, journalistic ethics prevent usfrom disclosing the information, asdoes the potential for being implicatedin the break-in.

Of course, the vacancies will not befilled by election for up to two years,and that means our courts will bemissing three jurists until then. Therehas been some suggestion that theGovernor will fill those vacancies byappointment and that he will acceptrecommendations from local staterepresentatives. Given the antipathybetween the Governor and the ChiefJustice of the state Supreme Court, itnow appears unlikely that there willbe any interim judicial appointments.That leaves a number of would-beapplicants up in the air, and hassent at least three of them runningto their state representatives to gettheir money back.

WBA are currently acceptingapplicants for these positions.

The qualifications to be a judgeare set forth in the PennsylvaniaConstitution; if you know how tofind it, you’re qualified. The AOPChas correctly stated that neither alaw degree nor proficiency in the lawis actually a requisite for the job, aclarification which should give greatcomfort and hope to a number ofcolleagues considering a mad scamperfor the job.

The AOPC carefully guards thesecrecy of the applications and doesnot release the names until after thefiling deadline has passed. The reasonsfor this are pretty obvious. It wants tosafeguard the privacy of the applicantsand wants to insulate them frompolitical pressure for as long as possible.Nonetheless, we know that a numberof our local colleagues have applied


AOPC Formally AnnouncesJudicial Vacancies

Celebrating theCareer of Judge(Your Name Here)

With the recent influx of judicial retirements, the sidebaris having difficulty keeping up with who is on or offthe bench, as well as soliciting and publishing

praiseworthy salutes for those heading for the exit. Therefore,future judicial retirees are being asked to consider using thesidebar’s new online form, where, by filling in a few blanks andchecking some boxes, you can mold, in less than ten minutes,a suitable article favorably reflecting upon your career.The form provides a variety of topics to choose from, so as

to lessen the chance that you and the judge in line behind youwill produce the same piece. They include, for instance, wellwritten, easy-to-read paragraphs, such as: why being a judgeis not as much fun as it used to be; the advantage of gettingout before the legislature changes the pension benefits; a listof fictitious names of people you admire who helped you to bea better judge; and, your hopes that the judge replacing youwill be sufficiently inept, so as not to make you look bad.To get the form, go to www.westbar.org and click on the

following: Publications > the sidebar > So-long-good-old-what’s-his-name.

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APRIL 1, 2014 sidebar • 5

For decades, federal prosecutorshave been offering protectionto low-level operatives involved

in organized crime, creating newidentities and establishing undisclosedresidences in exchange for incriminatingtestimony. But what about the averageJoe or Jane called to court to testifyin both civil and criminal trials onrun-of-the-mill cases?

Until now, they were lucky to getbus fare and a thank you. But thatmay be about to change in our county.A panel of lawyers, judges, and thecourt administrator are developing aprogram which could result in bettertreatment of witnesses, insulatingthem from the negatives, which inthe past, took most of the pleasureout of offering testimony.

To begin with, the panel took alook back to a practice which existeduntil the late 1960s—that of keepinga few donated sport coats in eachcourtroom to spiff-up male witnesses,so they didn’t look so slovenly.Women, however, were on their own,but to be honest, were, with a fewexceptions, better dressed. The panelwill recommend a pre-trial fashionreview where counsel will present tothe court photographs of prospectivewitnesses appearing in the clothes theyintend to wear to court. The judge willeither approve the chosen attire ororder counsel to purchase $600 gift

instruct each witness that they areentitled to interrupt counsel at anytime and inquire as to the need,reasonableness, or motive relative tocounsel’s line of questioning. This, thepanel concluded, will prevent witnesses

cards from either Brooks Brothers orMacy’s, to be sold out of the courtadministrator’s office, so witnesses willnot feel self-conscious about theirappearance.

The panel’s soon-to-be-releasedreport will urge the trial judge to

“Sneeze Shield”CenterpieceofWestmoreland’sWitnessProtection Program

continued on page 6

LawSpeak“It is forbidden to kill;therefore all murderers arepunished unless they kill inlarge numbers and to thesound of trumpets.”

— Voltaire

from feeling pressured, and, at the same time, heighten thepursuit of what has become our collective national goal:transparency.

The panel’s minority report recommends, among otherthings, permitting witnesses to be armed, but that proposalwas rejected for the time being, until a pilot program in thedistrict magistrate courts is complete.

Because of the above, the county maintenancedepartment is now working on the construction of elevensix-by-three-foot Plexiglas shields to be interposed betweenthe counsel table and the witness stand (since it was arguedthat with the new give and take between counsel and thewitness, the good nature of the bar might be put to a test)to protect witnesses from physical attack. So as not to alarmjurors, the court will instruct counsel to refer to it, if needbe, simply as a “sneeze shield.”


“Sneeze Shield”Centerpiece ofWestmoreland’sWitness ProtectionProgram continued from page 5

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ASSOCIATE WANTED Westmoreland County firm seekingassociate to expand scope of existing practice. Firm currentlyhandles Personal Injury, Probate, Real Estate, CriminalDefense and Family Law. Candidates should have expertiseand experience in other areas of practice. Reply to DianeKrivoniak at [email protected] or by mail to WBA,129 N Pennsylvania Ave, Greensburg, PA 15601.

ASSOCIATE WANTED for Nils H. Ljungman & Associates,intellectual property law firm in Greensburg. Interest intechnology desirable. Some technical background helpful.Recent graduate welcome. Reply to Diane Krivoniak [email protected] or by mail to WBA, 129 N PennsylvaniaAve, Greensburg, PA 15601.

Lawyers’ Exchange(Free to all members of the WBA)

Increase in Court-Appointed FeesSparks Economy

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has confirmedthat the sharp rise in employment andconsumer confidence can be attributed to a

single source: higher fees for court-appointed counsel.“We missed the boat on this one,” said Nobel-

Prize-winning economist and nanny, Paul Kluggman.“Who would have thought that our dismal anddepressing economic recovery could be turnedaround by giving a few extra dollars to court-appointedattorneys in a single county?”

Other experts point out that the expanded feeswere symbolic, giving hope to a beleaguered workforce,which was now apparently convinced that if lawyersrepresenting indigent criminals could get a payincrease, anyone could. Fast-food workers, whosestandard of living has always been on par with thatof young lawyers, were equally encouraged, calling theevent a breakthrough. One young lawyer, who askednot to be named, said she was delighted, because shecould now afford to buy a cat.

Like the omnipresent logo onthe right side car mirror, it’s alot closer than it appears. On

September 14, 2012, Senator Ima Putz(D, Lackanuttin County) proposeda bill which would establish amandatory pro bono requirementfor every law student applyingfor admission to the Bar of theCommonwealth. Intended to becomeeffective June 1, 2014, Senator Putz’slaw would require every applicant foradmission to the bar to agree to havecompleted fifty hours of qualifyingpro bono service as a precondition ofadmission. Qualifying pre-admissionpro bono work must have beenperformed under the supervision of:a member of the law school faculty; anattorney admitted to practice in goodstanding in the jurisdiction where thework was performed; or a judge orattorney employed in the court system.

Putz’s brainchild is intended toprovide legal assistance to those whowould otherwise be forced to maneuverthrough the legal system unaided.It is also intended to help prospectiveattorneys learn how to lose.

resounding opposition. Calling it“Putz’s Revenge,” many lawyers arecomparing it to indentured servitude.Critics maintain that the inexperiencedlaw school graduates who take on theresponsibility of this work, frequentlyagainst experienced would-be lawyers,will get their asses handed to them.

“Not a big deal,” respond theadvocates. “These are poor people,down and out, the victims of society’scruelest hoaxes. They’re losing theirhomes, their jobs, their kids, theircredit, and their cars. Losing a lawsuitnow and again can’t possibly maketheir lives any crappier.”

In an effort to reach a compromise,Putz’s supporters have offered anamendment which would pass theresponsibility for pro bono work fromlaw school graduates to the established,well-to-do practitioner, those who“don’t need the money.”

The proposed amendment providesthat every lawyer who has beenadmitted more than ten years andwho is financially secure, of goodmoral and professional standing, shallannually provide proof of completingfifty hours of pro bono work.

Opposition to that proposal hasbeen somewhat less than the originalproposal, except for the reaction of the

Strangely however, seasonedmembers of the Bar are exempt fromthis obligation because, as Sen. Putzexplains, they have already developeda keen aversion to the poor andunderprivileged.

Although well intentioned, theproposed legislation has met with


foundation focusMandatory Pro BonoLooms OnThe Horizon

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(RET.)has joined

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continued on page 8

Family Law Committee who hasissued a broadside: “Youns are takingthe bread and butter right out of ourmouths,” it proclaims. That committeehas already held its third and fourthemergency meetings to make certainits members were completely united inopposition to pro bono and to assurethat they all know how to spell it.

It remains to be seen how this playsout in the Commonwealth. The needsof the poor for legal representationare indisputably well documented,but there remains stern oppositionfrom many lawyers who insist thatthey already do plenty of it on aninformal basis.

“All of us,” they universallymaintain, “do pro bono work whenwe refer our country club membersto our corporate lawyer partners anddon’t charge for the referral. We alsorepresent our caddies at half our $500-an-hour rate, provided we get free golflessons, of course, and we almost neversleep with our female clients. Whatmore do you want from us?”

but all we need for you to do is pose infront of a camera the same way you arecurrently posing at home in front ofyour mirror.

The Foundation has secured thevolunteer services of several localphotographers who are dying tosee a naked lawyer. When finished,the calendar will be available forsale to the public. The price willbe $100 for members of the general

public, $200 for forensicornithologists, $300for former clients,

and $500 forconvicted sexoffenders.

Our modelswill have a variety

of choicesregardingtheir pose:• BOUDOIR.Nude with

see-throughvest, open crotch

knee socks, largelollipop.• NATURAL.

Nude with allblemishes, ages spots,

scars, fat creases, and wartsair-brushed out. Optional: baldspots filled in. For male or female.

• STUFFY CONSERVATIVE. Nudewith vest, moustache, and kneesocks held up by suspenders.

• MAPLETHORPE KINK. Nude withpaper clips, stapler, corduroy andstained antimacassars.

• THE FULL MONTY. Completelynude, slathered in widespreadEnglish breakfast.Although only twelve colleagues

can be included in the final versionof the Pin-Up Calendar (unless you’reJewish, then thirteen), all photographswill be posted on the Bar Associationwebsite and on the Courthousebulletin board.

For an additional $1000, a modelcan rest eternally and assured thatthe photograph will not be displayedat the applicable Bar Associationmemorial service.

Models Wanted

Calendar toReveal theNakedTruth

The Westmoreland BarFoundation is pleased toannounce its First Annual

Attorney Pin-Up Calendar, establishedto further its missionto providescholarships,law-relatededucation,communitypartneringprojects, legalservices, andfree healthinsurance toWBA members.

If you wish ordrool to volunteer,and if you areable-bodied looking,you can strikethe pose of yourchoice for one ofthe calendar months during the year2015. That means twelve for thoseof you who are calendarly challenged.Yes, we know this sounds perverse,


foundationfocuscontinued from page 7

by S. Sponte, Esq.

I’ve had enough of this crap.I quit. You think its fun everytwo months or so coming up

with this sh**? You think it’s easy tosit at the computer until blood seepsout of my forehead just so’s I canprovide you with a guffaw or two?

It isn’t. When I started this columnthirty-eight years ago, it was just on awhim. I was getting a massage at the“Y,” see, and the masseur had me onmy back and was spreading my legs intwo different directions and I thoughtto myself: one, “I hope he’s enjoyingthe view,” and two, “This is just whatthe judge did to me today.”

That’s when this whole “S. Sponte”thing occurred to me. It was just ajoke. Now, three hundred columnslater, I’m done, I haven’t got anythingmore to say.

And the pressure? Oh my God, doyou have any idea what its like to be a

So this is my last column. You’renot going to have S. Sponte, Esq., tokiss around anymore. But I’ll tell youwhat I do want. I want a dinner in myhonor. I want to be celebrated by allof you. It’s the least you can do forthe guy who has entertained you withunsurpassed wit and style for nigh onto forty years. And I don’t want tohave to pay for my own dinner likelast time.

So you know where to find me. Ilike my steak rare. Otherwise you canall go to hell.

© 2014, S. Sponte, Esq.Can’t get enough Sponte? Too bad.

I told you I’m not writing anymore.Didn’t you read the article? Putz.

revered icon? No, of course you don’t,look who I’m talking to.

I get these letters, “Oh please keep itup.” Yeah, like that’s going to happen.

“You are the only reason I read themagazine.” “I can’t wait for your nextarticle.” “Don’t ever stop.” “What areyou doing this Saturday night?”

I never wanted to be revered, thatwas your idea. All I ever wanted wasto be the best damned lawyer in thecounty. Well, I accomplished that mysecond year of practice.


To-Wit: GoTo Hell

All I ever wanted

was to be the best

damned lawyer

in the county.Well,

I accomplished

that my second

year of practice.

He’s a God-send,” saidDiane Krivoniak,Executive Director of

the Westmoreland Bar Association,speaking about new WBA memberBurt Ransom.“Before he openedhis office on AlwineAvenue, the LawyerReferral Service hadthe impossible taskof trying to findlawyers willing totake on boundaryline cases. Evenlawyers who hadexperience handlingcases for membersof some of theMexican drug cartels shied away,unwilling to expose themselves to thedanger and abuse which accompaniesrepresentation of adjoining propertyowners.”

“When I saw Burt wearing abulletproof vest and a sidearm at hisswearing in,” remarked Judge AnthonyMarsili, “I thought he may be theanswer to one of the court’s long-standing problems. Since going onthe bench, I have only seen nine ofthese cases, and three have resultedin lawyer or client fatalities, allbefore preliminary objections were

unique powers of persuasion, thatthere are worse things than losing afew feet of ground.”

Though new to our bar, Mr.Ransom will offer a CLE at theBench/Bar Conference, entitled“Fear Induced Mediation.”

On the personal side, the single-and-not-seeing-anyone Mr. Ransomlives in a small apartment above hisoffice. He relaxes by listening toclassical music and spending his offhours as a bomb squad volunteer withthe Pittsburgh Police Department.

decided. It is the type of litigationwhich brings out the worst in people.”

Mr. Ransom, at six-foot-four and260 pounds, cuts an imposing figure.His voice is soft, but penetrating,

as he focuses hissteel-blue eyes uponthe listener. Hebelieves that hisNavy experiencehas prepared himfor work that othermembers of thebar hope to avoid,and his unrelentinggoal is to convincethe adjoiningproperty ownerthat engaging in

litigation may well have life-changingconsequences that may not have beenimmediately recognized by the owner.

“Property rights are an emotionallycharged subject for many people,” hesays, with a shy smile. “I just try tomake them understand, through my


Ex-Navy-SEAL-Turned-Lawyer Focuses onBoundary Line Disputes

�

Burt Ransom

I just try to make

them understand,

through my

unique powers of

persuasion, that

there are worse

things than losing a

few feet of ground.

Notwithstanding the smallestattendance of any CLEin memory, University of

Pittsburgh law professor LaurenceGlib mesmerized the seven WBAmembers in attendance with hisprogram entitled, “Why Do it Now?”Professor Glib, widely known forhis progressive ideas in the fields ofprocedure and legal ethics, is anadvocate for delay and procrastinationas the basis for a successful law practice.

“Most lawyers,” he said, “dothemselves and their clients a disserviceby acting precipitously and trying toreach solutions to legal problems inan expeditious manner.” Delay andindifference to deadlines is a talent nottaught in law schools, but one whichhe believes should be cultivated by the

changed the law after the brief wassubmitted. Someone has to pay forthis waste of time and it is usually theclient. The professor anticipates that itwill not be long before we see clientsfiling malpractice actions alleging“gross diligence.” “Had these lawyersbeen late with their briefs,” he argues,“they would have avoided substantialembarrassment, and earned the client’sadmiration. And there is no downsideto doing this, for as we all know,judges never read briefs in a timelymanner, if at all.”

The advocacy group What’s TheRush estimates that in a countryof our size, the bar loses over8,700 hours a year by being ontime for court appearances. Yet, most

practitioner in search of higherprofessional standing,

Time and again, he pointed out,using colorful anecdotes, how lawyers

labored tirelessly over the preparationof a brief, only to read in the morningpaper that the Supreme Court had


Better Late than Never

CLE on Procrastination a BigHit, Despite Sparse Attendance

continued on page 12

Delay and indifference

to deadlines is a

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law schools, but

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by the practitioner

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lawyers continue to be prompt eventhough they know that the court hasscheduled a dozen or more hearings orarguments, all for 9:00 a.m.

Professor Glib points out what weall know to be true: “Somebody hasto arrive last, and it might as wellbe you.” He suggests that even if youare perpetually late for court and thejudge finds you in contempt, resultingin your spending the night in jail, inthe long run you are still ahead of thegame by embracing procrastination.

Rushing to be on time or to meetsome arbitrary deadline causes stress,which is a known cause of numerousillnesses. With that in mind, he alsoadvises lawyers to postpone as long ashumanly possible returning a client’sphone call, since whatever they haveto say will likely do little to increasethe lawyer’s opinion of them.

The fortunate few who were, bychance, at the WBA office and tookin the CLE (for some reason, noticeof the event was sent out a few days

later), learned that while theConstitution provides a right to aspeedy trial to those alleged to havecommitted a crime, many so chargedwould just as soon put off their day incourt in the hope that the passage oftime and unanticipated events mightimprove their prospects; and manylawyers feel the professional obligationto oblige them.

According to the professor,procrastination has been unfairlymaligned, pointing out the cautionaryaphorisms which speak in its behalf,such as: “All things come to he whowaits”; “Look before you leap”; andthe biblical, “The last shall be first.”Even Shakespeare, in listing the thingswe are expected to bear in life, hasHamlet mention “the law’s delay.”

He concluded his lecture bypraising the succinct conclusionof one of our best procrastinatingpractitioners, who said: “If you waittil the last minute, it only takes aminute.”


CLE on Procrastination aBig Hit, Despite SparseAttendance continued from page 11

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In our February “Where InThe World” article, we ran aphotograph of Jim Kelley withan imposing Rococo structurein the background. The building,however, is not the St. PeterStiftskeller Restaurant inSalzburg, as we reported, butrather, the west entrance tothe Arnold Municipal Building,apparently photographed onone of Jim’s earlier vacations.Nice try, Jim.

correctionAMPLIFICATIONS

ss^̂

Of thirty-one cases listed for arecent Civil Jury Trial Term,one was decided by a flip of

the coin, four were conducted as trialsby combat, three were laughed out ofcourt, twenty were continued due tolack of interest, and three jury trialswere held.

STEINWAY V.

BALDWINPlaintiff brought this medical

malpractice action against his physician for a surgical misadventurein which Defendant removedPlaintiff ’s brain instead of his tonsils.Returning a special verdict forDefendant, the jury determined thatthis was a case of damnum ab inuriaand that Plaintiff could still have acareer as a lawyer.

the Defendant, noting on its verdictslip that it might have found for thePlaintiff had Plaintiff ’s counsel been asgood looking in person as he appearedin his television ads.

JUM PING V.

JAY HOSAFATIn this collection case, Plaintiff,

the owner and chef at a local Chineserestaurant, brought suit againstDefendant to collect for an enormousbill Defendant incurred while diningat Plaintiff ’s luncheon buffet.Defendant argued that it was an “all-you-can-eat” buffet, but Plaintiffinsisted that after Defendant’s fifteenthtrip to the buffet table, he toldDefendant, “That’s all you can eat.”Verdict for Plaintiff, plus fifteen percent tip.

SCHVANTZ V.

KISHMERIn this action, Plaintiff sued

Defendant for rear-ending him at a stoplight. Plaintiff based his entireclaim on the assured clear distanceahead rule, even though this was not amotor vehicle accident. Jury found for


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A little over a year ago, thePennsylvania Lawyer Museumand Park opened its doors in

the attractive town of Bellefonte.Glenn Gosling, a recently retired lawclerk, who, during his thirty-eight-yearcareer, had the opportunity to observehis fellow lawyers objectively, is themuseum’s curator. In an interview, he explained the purpose and need for this unusual facility, said to be thefirst of its kind in the nation.

“There is,” Mr. Gosling pointedout, “a great deal of curiosity about thebar and where its members fit in thelarger picture. That is to say, what istheir place in the natural world? Howdo they fit into the planet’s ecosystem?What do they eat, and what makesthem laugh, are questions that webelieve fascinate the public. With agrant from the PBA, scientists fromthe Planet Green channel are rankingall life forms to determine their respective usefulness and contributionto the planet. While the numericalranking is still secret, sources close tothe project hint that lawyers are clearlyahead of crows, but still a few pointsbehind bandicoots. While lawyersoutscore the bandicoots on their workethic, the bandicoots leave the lawyersin their dust in the cuteness category.When the study is complete, we hope todevote a special exhibit to its findings.”

On entering themuseum, one sees a largemural depicting Mosesand his son-in-law,Jethro—history’s firstcourt administrator, whowears a pained expressionas if anticipating all thejudges and lawyers he willbe forced to deal with. Thevarious galleries are eachdevoted to different typesof practice. In the orphans’court gallery, there is a

denying ARD to the contrite andrepentant.

Going back into the rotunda, one sees a large banner announcing“Lawyers in the Food Chain.” Thisdisplay challenges the stereotype of thelawyer as a predator. In a colorful anddetailed diorama, which is not for thefaint of heart, it depicts the averagetrusting lawyer as prey, being gobbledup by predator judges, other lawyers(often of the opposite sex), packs ofjurors, office overhead, insurance companies, angry clients, and themedia-bird, which dines exclusively onwounded lawyers. This mesmerizingdisplay depicts with clarity life in thelegal jungle.

Before leaving, a visitor should stopin the family court gallery, at least tosee one exhibit demonstrating how,through evolution, family courtlawyers have developed a skin 60%thicker than other legal species, and250% thicker than the general public.

The park aspect of the facility is in the works. Mr. Gosling explainedthat plans for it were being developedby the board’s superlawyer subcommit-tee, whose members did not wish to share museum space with “thoseother lawyers.” The subcommittee has engaged an architect to design a structure that will be a replica of the Temple of Artemis and upon its

completion in 2015, willbe named the “Hall of the Immortals.”

The museum is openMonday through Friday,8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Admission is free formembers of the bar. All others pay a nonrefundable retainer of $45, plus $10 an hour (seniors and injuredpersons with unsettledclaims, $35/$8).

bust of Morton Fist, who went down with the Titanic in 1912, and is remembered as the last lawyer tohave included a decedent’s wristwatchas an asset in an estate inventory.

In the tort bar section of the civilgallery, there is a challenging interactivedisplay which allows visitors to try to calculate in their heads contingentfees as a computer flashes out variousoffers and demands in a simulated settlement conference. Here visitorscan see if they have what it takes to be a plaintiff ’s lawyer.

The criminal law gallery has, among other things, a historic exhibitdedicated to the stalwart prosecutorswho have guarded public safety by


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You know it’s true; a WBAmember could be deported to Bosnia to face war crimes

charges and no word of it would be reported on these pages. That is because we have always had a light-hearted approach to bar news.We chronicle awards, committeemeetings, lawyers who help old ladiescross the street, or veteran Courthouseemployees, whose hobby may bedownloading pictures of puppies fromthe web. But we never write anythingbad about anyone. Isn’t that nice? As aresult, we have disseminated an imageof the practice of law being sheer fun.

In contrasting this with reality,however, lawyers—many of themyoung—may question why they so frequently feel anxious and exhausted(“I’m sorry to tell you, counsel, that in this type of case the Statute ofLimitations is two years, not four.”Fun. “By your failure to answerrequests for admissions in a timely

manner, you have admitted all thefacts alleged by your opponent.” Morefun. “I just spoke with the districtattorney, and he asked me to inform

you that we will be seeking the deathpenalty for your client.” Really fun).

So, in an attempt to create a more accurate portrayal of our legalworld, with our next issue we will beswitching to a tabloid format where we will report on the somewhat darkerside of the practice. We will addressdisciplinary actions against lawyers


thesidebar to Re-Launch as Tabloid

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June 2014Vol. XXVI No. 3

SEE WHICH SIX

ATTORNEYS GOT

PWNED BY THE

D BOARD!

WHAT HAPPENS AT BENCH/BARWON’TSTAYATBENCH/BARFor years, the unspoken

agreement has been, “What

happens at Bench/Bar stays

at Bench/Bar,” but those

halcyon days are over. In an

effort to generatemore revenue

to offset costs of the Board

Retreat in Tahiti next year, the

entire Bench/Bar Conference

will be streamed live and pay-

per-view on westbar.org. This

shocking announcement was

not even the most shocking

continued on page 2

thesidebarBREAKING NEWS!!!

and opine on future candidates for thesame; judicial reversals will be pointedout for those who don’t read theadvance sheets; we will have exposés,similar to our article last June on judicial naps; S. Sponte, Esq., will beless restrained in his assessment of lifeat the bar; and in the WestmorelandRevisited space, we will deal with morecontemporary history starting with athree-part article entitled, Shysters andFrauds of Recent Memory. Also, ourphotographer, Nick Gotcha, has a tiny new camera with night visioncapabilities, and will be haunting the parking lots at WBA events.

So, although our articles and photoswill be somewhat different, we will still have fun. In fact, we think futureissues will be awaited with greateranticipation and we can only imaginethe pleasure many of our readers willexperience when they come to the endof each issue and can say with a sigh ofrelief, “They didn’t mention me.”

APRIL1 Bi/triannual April Fool’s issue of the sidebarmagically

appears3 Weekly Family Law Committee MeetingTopic – How To Make More Money

10 Weekly Family Law Committee MeetingTopic – How To Make More Money

14 Elder Law Committee MeetingTopic – How To Remember Clients’ Names

15 Elder Law Committee MeetingTopic – When The Hell Did We Last Meet?

MAY1 Employer Law Committee MeetingTopic –What’s The Matter With Kids Today? with GuestSpeaker Chattersworth Reaming III, author of “ThoseBabies,” an anecdotal history of the humorous and touchingside of child labor. Discussion of misguided statutory prohibitions and straw vote favoring repeal to follow.

9 Editorial Board Committee MeetingTopic – Damage Report

19 Real Estate CommitteeTopic – Dirty Deeds

21 [CLE] One-hour Lunch and Learn: How To Get Credit for CLEs You Didn’t Attend – 12 credits (10 sub, 2 ethics—done for the year, baby!)

29 Family Law Committee Whine and Hard Cheese Tasting

C A L E N DA R O F E V E N T S

129 North Pennsylvania AvenueGreensburg, PA 15601-2311

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• The two-step IRS lien-relief procedure will be presented by Professor I. M. Agoniff at the nextmeeting of Spenders Anonymous. ProfessorAgoniff, author of “Giving The IRS The Two Step,”holds the Koch Distinguished Faculty Chair at St. Pete’s School of Law and Catering, and herefuses to return it. 3 CLE credits are available.$35 at the door, but free for any attendee whose empty-pocket circumstances result from a recent binge.

• Idiots Anonymous will present a Bridge the Gapseminar for those colleagues who, despite atleast ten years in practice, are still dumb as astump. Learn the basics of practicing law for achange, huh, especially if you’ve got the hots tobe a judge. Topics include “Statute of Limitations:Bad,” “Commingling Funds: Very Bad,” and“Petitions and Motions: Learn The GoddamnDifference.” Admission free, sponsored by TheLeague of Legal Malpractice InsuranceCompanies.

2014-2015 Westmoreland Bar Association Committee ListADR

Chair - John M. NobleCo-Chair - Lee R. DemoskyRebecca A. BrammellThe Honorable Gary P. CarusoDara A. DeCourcyDavid S. DeRoseGary A. FalatovichChristopher M. FlemingCharles C. Mason Jr.Joyce Novotny-PrettimanJessica L. RaffertyHarry F. Smail Jr.Michael J. StewartEmily K. TrisolineCharles F. Wade

BANKRUPTCYChair - Robert H. SloneEric E. BononiBrian P. CavanaughDavid A. ColecchiaDennis J. GounleyRandall G. KlimchockMaureen S. KrollElsie R. LamplKevin P. LeonardMark G. MoynihanFrancis R. MurrmanGino F. PelusoCorey J. Sacca

BENCH/BARChair - Allison E. ThielCo-Chair - Adam GorzelskyScott E. AvolioDavid S. DeRoseKaren L. FerriJames E. Kelley Jr.Harry F. Smail Jr.Kristen C. Weidus

BUILDINGChair - David S. DeRoseCharles J. DangeloRichard F. FlickingerZachary J. KanslerChristopher P. SkatellJohn N. Ward

BY-LAWSChair - Timothy J. GearyJames R. AntonionoJack L. BergsteinRichard F. FlickingerMichael J. Stewart

CIVIL LITIGATIONChair - Larry D. LoperfitoCo-Chair - Kim R. HouserNelson D. Berardinelli

Mark D. BolkovacThe Honorable Gary P. CarusoB. Patrick CostelloEric H. DeeAmy M. DeMattThe Hon. Christopher A. FelicianiMichael D. FergusonChristopher M. FlemingShane M. GannonAdam GorzelskyJohn K. GreinerJohn M. Hauser IIIJames A. HorchakDaniel JosephErica L. LaughlinRonald S. LombardThe Honorable Anthony G. MarsiliScott O. Mears Jr.Jeffrey W. MillerJoyce Novotny-PrettimanJessica L. RaffertyJohn M. RankerDavid L. RobinsonDwayne E. RossJohn N. ScalesTimothy J. ScelsiKerri Ann Shimborske-AbelHarry F. Smail Jr.Donald J. Snyder Jr.Cindy StineSharon L. WigleDenis P. Zuzik

CRIMINAL LAWChair - Timothy C. AndrewsMark D. BolkovacCharles R. Conway IIIEric H. DeeMichael J. DragMichael D. FergusonJames M. FoxShane M. GannonJohn M. Hauser IIIDaniel JosephJeffrey W. MillerFrancis R. MurrmanBeth L.F. OrbisonJudith Potoka PetrushMatthew R. SchimizziHarry F. Smail Jr.L. Abraham SmithAllison E. ThielLeslie J. UncapherAnthony G. Urti

ELDER LAW/ORPHANS'Chair - L. Christian DeDianaCo-Chair - M. Samuel RosenzweigRebecca A. Brammell

Linda BrokerGeorge Allen ButlerThe Honorable Gary P. CarusoWilliam F. Caruthers IIPeter P. CherelliaBarbara J. ChristnerDavid A. ColecchiaJames J. ConteGeorge A. Conti Jr.B. Patrick CostelloSamuel R. CouryK. Casey CrytzerMatthew A. CurialeMichael G. DaileySandra E. DavisDavid S. DeRoseThe Hon. Christopher A. FelicianiRichard F. FlickingerJames M. FoxMarilyn M. GautDennis J. GounleyJohn K. GreinerNancy L. HarrisPeggy Henry HookerJames A. HorchakTyler J. JonesRandall G. KlimchockJames E. KopelmanRichard A. KovachMaureen S. KrollKevin P. LeonardRonald S. LombardThe Honorable Anthony G. MarsiliScott O. Mears Jr.Henry L. MooreMilton V. Munk Jr.Jeffry A. PavettiGino F. PelusoDavid L. RobinsonDwayne E. RossMark J. ShireJames R. SilvisJohn N. WardKristen C. Weidus

FAMILY LAWCo-Chair - Maureen S. KrollCo-Chair - Michael J. Stewart IITimothy C. AndrewsBrian D. AstonHope A. AstonNelson D. BerardinelliThe Hon. Meagan Bilik-DeFazioMarla R. BlumEric E. BononiThe Honorable Michele G. BononiBrian P. CavanaughPeter P. CherelliaMichael G. Dailey

Sandra E. DavisAbby De BlassioEric H. DeeAmy M. DeMattLee R. DemoskyDavid S. DeRoseP. Louis DeRoseMichael J. DragAmanda Nuzum FaherRebecca K. FenogliettoKaren L. FerriJohn M. Hauser IIIZachary J. KanslerJames E. Kelley Jr.Kathleen N. KempNicole M. LaPrestaKevin P. LeonardErin M. Leonard-SalasElizabeth J. McCallHenry L. MooreDiane E. MurphyFrancis R. MurrmanGino F. PelusoDavid S. PollockJessica L. RaffertyJohn M. RankerCorey J. SaccaTimothy J. ScelsiJames R. SilvisHarry F. Smail Jr.Michael J. StewartAllison E. ThielEmily K. TrisolineLeslie J. UncapherAnthony G. UrtiCharles F. WadeKristen C. WeidusLinda L. Whalen

FEE DISPUTEChair - Harvey A. ZalevskyMarla R. BlumPeter P. CherelliaDavid A. ColecchiaJames J. ConteCharles R. Conway IIIP. Louis DeRoseMichael J. DragKaren L. FerriTyler J. JonesJon M. LewisElizabeth J. McCallMary Ann PetrilloMark J. ShireRobert H. SloneCindy StineWilliam J. Wiker

page 1Printed 4/15/2014

2014-2015 Westmoreland Bar Association Committee ListGIFTS & MEMORIAL

Richard H. GallowayLisa Galloway MonzoDiane E. MurphyJames P. SilvisJames R. Silvis

HISTORICALChair - P. Louis DeRoseMaureen E. GraceThe Honorable William J. Ober

INVESTMENT ADVISORYJames R. AntonionoL. Christian DeDianaJames E. KopelmanRobert P. LightcapMilton V. Munk Jr.

LAW PRACTICE MNGMNTCo-Chair - L. Christian DeDianaCo-Chair - Maria E. SooheyRebecca A. BrammellGary A. FalatovichJohn M. RankerDavid L. Robinson

LAWYERS ASSISTANCEChair - Joyce Novotny-PrettimanJames R. AntonionoThe Honorable Irving L. BloomLinda BrokerTimothy J. Geary

LLS BOARDApril Milburn-KniznerMatthew R. SchimizziJames P. SilvisMark L. SoriceDouglas J. Welty

MEMBERSHIPChair - Margaret A. TrembaScott E. AvolioJoyce Novotny-PrettimanJudith Potoka PetrushPhilip N. Shelapinsky

MOCK TRIALChair - Leo J. CiaramitaroMaureen E. GraceJudith Potoka PetrushJohn N. Scales

MUNICIPAL LAWChair - Daniel J. HewittScott E. AvolioLee R. DemoskyGary A. FalatovichShane M. GannonTimothy J. GearyZachary J. KanslerJames E. Kelley Jr.James E. Kopelman

Erica L. LaughlinJayson J. LawsonScott O. Mears Jr.Jeffrey W. MillerJohn N. ScalesMark J. ShireHarry F. Smail Jr.Donald J. Snyder Jr.Gerald W. Yanity

NOMINATINGChair - Dara A. DeCourcySamuel R. CouryTerrance C. FergusonJohn K. GreinerHarry F. Smail Jr.Michael J. Stewart II

PARENT/GUARDIANCo-Chair - Richard A. BruniCo-Chair - Shirley A. MakutaTimothy C. AndrewsMarla R. BlumMichael G. DaileyAmanda Nuzum FaherRandall G. KlimchockAnnaliese P. MasserDiane E. MurphyEmily K. Trisoline

PBA HOUSE OF DELEGATESJames R. AntonionoDavid S. DeRoseTimothy J. GearyWilliam J. McCabeMilton V. Munk Jr.John M. Ranker

PLANNINGChair - William J. McCabeCo-Chair - Daniel JosephJames R. AntonionoScott E. AvolioThe Honorable Michele G. BononiRebecca A. BrammellPeter P. CherelliaBarbara J. ChristnerDara A. DeCourcyDavid S. DeRoseTimothy J. GearyJohn M. Hauser IIIJohn M. O'Connell Jr.Michael V. QuatriniJohn M. RankerKerri Ann Shimborske-AbelJohn N. Ward

PUBLICATIONSChair side bar - David J. MillsteinChair WLJ - Gerald W. YanityThe Hon. Daniel J. AckermanDavid A. Colecchia

Charles J. DangeloPamela H. FergusonMelissa A. GuiddyDaniel C. HudockBeth L.F. Orbison

REAL ESTATEChair - James J. ConteGeorge Allen ButlerWilliam F. Caruthers IIBarbara J. ChristnerGeorge A. Conti Jr.Richard F. FlickingerDennis J. GounleyJohn K. GreinerMelissa A. GuiddyNancy L. HarrisDaniel J. HewittJames A. HorchakJames E. KopelmanRichard A. KovachElsie R. LamplErin M. Leonard-SalasRonald S. LombardCharles C. Mason Jr.Henry L. MooreMilton V. Munk Jr.The Honorable William J. OberJohn M. RankerDavid L. RobinsonMatthew R. SchimizziPhilip N. ShelapinskyHarry F. Smail Jr.Donald J. Snyder Jr.John N. WardDenis P. Zuzik

UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICEChair - Aaron M. KressCo-Chair - Joseph W. LazzaroMilton V. Munk Jr.

WBF PRO BONOChair - Richard H. GallowayRebecca K. FenogliettoMelissa A. GuiddyKathleen N. KempTerence O'HalloranM. Samuel Rosenzweig

YOUNG LAWYERSChair - Allison E. ThielNelson D. BerardinelliStephen M. CrevakRyan P. CribbsK. Casey CrytzerTrent A. EchardShane M. GannonAdam GorzelskyTyler J. JonesZachary J. Kansler

Sacha A. KathuriaBradley Allen KingElsie R. LamplNicole M. LaPrestaErin Nicole LarimerErica L. LaughlinJayson J. LawsonErin M. Leonard-SalasStefani Ann LingafeltAdam J. LongZachary MesherTimothy R. MillerMark G. MoynihanMichael L. NesticoIan PetrulliMichael V. QuatriniJessica L. RaffertyCorey J. SaccaTimothy J. ScelsiMatthew A. SchandlerJustin P. SchantzMatthew R. SchimizziKerri Ann Shimborske-AbelHarry F. Smail Jr.Michael J. StewartMichael J. Stewart IIRobert H. Stone Jr.Charles K. Sunwabe Jr.Beth E. TeacherAnthony G. UrtiChristopher E. VincentKristen C. WeidusDouglas J. Welty

page 2Printed 4/15/2014

April 1, 2014 (Vol. XXVI, No. 2)

Documents

Transcript of April 1, 2014 (Vol. XXVI, No. 2)