LBA Divisions & Committees

Divisions and Committees handle vital governance and program operations on behalf of the LBA Board of Directors & membership.  To learn about Division or Committee participation, please contact the chairpersons directly, or contact LBA Executive Director Lisa Driendl-Miller.

Divisions:

Law Students: The Law Students division supports aspiring lawyers by providing resources, networking opportunities, and mentorship to help them navigate their legal education and career beginnings.

Paralegal: The Paralegal division caters to paralegals and legal assistants, offering professional development, education, and a platform for networking within the legal community.

2024 Chair: Kristy Ober, Vice Chair: TBD

Solo/Small Firm: The Solo/Small Firm division focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by attorneys practicing independently or in small firms, offering support, resources, and advocacy tailored to their needs.

2024 Chair: Gabriella Farhat, Vice Chair: Lindsay Casadei

Women in the Profession: The Women in the Profession division promotes gender equality and empowerment within the legal field through networking, education, and advocacy, fostering leadership and professional growth among women attorneys.

2024 Chair: Ashley Weber, Vice Chair: Caitlin Donahue

Young Lawyer: The Young Lawyer division supports attorneys in the early stages of their careers, offering guidance, mentorship, and networking opportunities to facilitate their professional development and success.

2024 Chair: Abigail Parnell, Vice Chair: Victoria Carroll Williams

Committees:

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Advances and supports the use of ADR (mediation and arbitration) as a viable alternative to litigation.  There are cost- and time-saving benefits to the use of ADR which enhance its utilization in dispute resolution. 

Diversity: The purpose of the Diversity Committee is to strengthen and expand the LBA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Lancaster legal community, to take a leadership role in increasing diversity of the legal profession in Lancaster, and to serve as a liaison with other organizations with similar objectives.

Fee Arbitration: The Fee Arbitration Committee provides attorneys and their clients with the opportunity to resolve fee disputes through binding arbitration.  If both sides agree to binding arbitration a panel of arbitrators consisting of three attorneys of the Lancaster Bar Association is assembled and the case is heard by the panel.  A decision by the panel is binding on the parties.  If both parties do not agree to arbitration, the case cannot proceed in arbitration, and must proceed in a different forum. 

Law Review: This Committee oversees the weekly publication of the Lancaster Law Review - the County's legal periodical of record.  The Committee works closely with LBA staff to manage Law Review content, including legal notices, advertisements, judicial opinions, and other information of interest to the broader legal community. 

Lawyer Referral Service: Provides attorney referrals in response to public requests for legal services.  LBA staff, who manage LRS, direct legal services seekers LBA Members who are signed up with LRS.  LRS is not a pro bono service.

The LRS program works as follows:

1) potential clients pay a nominal fee to the LRS

2) the responding attorney provides a 30-minute consult to that potential client at no additional charge

3) after the initial 30 minutes, the responding attorney charges the client at that attorney’s rate, and;

4) the responding attorney remits a set percentage of fees back to the LRS for the given client matter referred to that attorney. 

Long Range Planning: This Committee is responsible for strategic planning on all matters impacting the Association's ability to carry out its mission, and LBA Members' well-being. 

Nominating: The Nominating Committee recruits LBA Members for governance positions, develops annual nominee slates for elected positions, and advances those slates at the Annual Meeting (or as otherwise needed). 

Public Service: Develops and implements service projects for LBA Members. Projects may take shape as traditional pro bono work or more general community service engagements. The Committee closely communicates with the Lancaster Law Foundation.