CONSULTING AND VOLUNTEER LEGAL ACTIVITIES, 2005 - present
PENNSYLVANIA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, Harrisburg, PA 1988 - 2005
General Counsel
Corporate counsel and supervised legal services program for teachers and support personnel for Association of over 170,000 members and over 900 locals. Supervised over twenty-five employees and over twenty in-house and retained attorneys throughout the state. Actively engaged in and managed a $4 million legal services program which included major arbitrations and litigation in labor, education and administrative agency matters. Provided legal advice to the PSEA Board of Directors, officers and staff. Senior Program Manager and member of PSEA Management Team.
Built high quality, effective in-house staff attorney capability. Since 1988, increased complement in house from 1 to 15 and created highly competent, high performing in-house law firm.
Established efficient on-going consultation, communication and team approach to operation of the Legal Division, using weekly firm conference calls and information technology.
Implemented state-of-the-art electronic document management system with over 30,000 document library for use of the Legal Division and in charge of expanding system organization wide.
Formulated significant legislation, including legislation to reform and modernize professional educator discipline in Pennsylvania.
WIDOFF, REAGER, SELKOWITZ & ADLER, P.C., Harrisburg, Pa 1979 - 1988
Principal
Engaged in practice of law, with strong emphasis on governmental law (including state and local government and school district matters, public utility regulation, employment law and litigation). Represented four statewide associations in the education and labor law field and other major clients in this area. Represented hospital and ambulatory care centers in health care law related areas. Actively litigated employment discrimination, civil rights cases, labor arbitration, and labor relations matters. Actively litigated utility rate cases for Philadelphia Gas Commission, City of Harrisburg and industrial and municipal interveners. Served as Special Counsel to three legislative committees, including Special House Committee investigating Limerick Power Plant and served as consultant in utility matters to these committees and public and private clients.
Successfully litigated precedent setting cases in education law field.
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Harrisburg, PA 1976 - 1979
Consumer Advocate
Nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to be Pennsylvania’s first Consumer Advocate. The Office was created by the Legislature to advocate on behalf of Pennsylvania’s consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, federal regulatory agencies and the courts, with special emphasis on rate matters. The Office had a budget of over $1 million per year and employed 25-30 people. In addition to administration and general supervision of the entire operation, personally litigated several major rate cases, including proceedings involving Bell of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Electric Company. Had responsibility in both cases for developing rate of return and accounting testimony with expert witnesses and for cross-examining the company’s witnesses in these areas.
Participated in proceedings both at the administrative level and the appellate level. In addition, traveled statewide, met with numerous groups and individuals, spoke at conferences, meetings and seminars and was interviewed regarding the Office’s activities by radio, television and newspapers and wrote articles for newspapers and magazines.
Built staff and organization from scratch into highly effective and widely recognized successful advocacy operation.
Hired and supervised original staff, many of which have been recognized as important leaders in their field -- including Bill Lloyd (now Small Business Advocate), Dick Spiegelman (General Counsel to Governor Casey and Auditor General Casey) and David Barasch (former U.S. Attorney).
Built legacy of success and competence that has continued for almost 30 years.
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Harrisburg, PA 1974- 1976
Executive Assistant for Public Affairs
Served as Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Education in a number of areas, with special responsibility for legislation at both state and federal levels. Worked closely with state and federal legislators and their staff.
Led project to revise the Pennsylvania School Code -- a project that brought many important changes in state law.
HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION, Harrisburg, PA 1972 - 1974
Deputy Attorney General, Chief
Provided legal advice, Attorney General’s Opinions, responded to citizen complaints in areas of health, education, welfare, housing, civil rights, labor relations and other labor-related matters, personnel, disaster-related matters.
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