The Pennsylvania Defense Institute

PDI EAST DISTRICT ROUNDTABLE LAW STUDENT CONFERENCE - DREXEL LAW SCHOOL
2024-04-04 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
PDI and PADC will provide a panel of defense attorneys to meet with Law Students at Drexel University to discuss career opportunities in the defense of civil lawsuits. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

PDI EASTERN DISTRICT/PADC - PARTICIPATES IN ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND CHARITABLE EVENT
2024-04-10 10:00 - 14:00
PDI and PADC will again participate in the Alex’s Lemonade Stand charity event on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Drexel University between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Drexel University and Philadelphia City Hall. There is a need of volunteers for the following:
Drexel Table 1 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 volunteers)
Drexel Table 2 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 volunteers)
City Hall Table – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 volunteers)
Drexel Table 1 – 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (3 volunteers)
Drexel Table 2 – 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (3 volunteers)
City Hall Table – 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (3 volunteers)
PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT A GOOD CAUSE
PDI thanks Tiffany Turner, Esquire, Dickie McCamey, for organizing this worthwhile charitable event. If you would like to volunteer, please email Tiffany Turner at TTurner@dmclaw.com .
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Overview
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is changing the lives of children with cancer by funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer. Every day, over 1,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with childhood cancer. Yet, childhood cancer research is consistently underfunded as compared to other types of cancer research. It is up to all of us to fund research and find cures, so that someday these children are cured. ALSF started with one lemonade stand, hosted by our founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott in her front yard which raised $2,000. Alex was just 4 years old and battling neuroblastoma when she asked to donate the money so doctors can find cures for all children battling cancer. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is changing the lives of children with cancer by funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer. Every day, over 1,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with childhood cancer. Yet, childhood cancer research is consistently underfunded as compared to other types of cancer research. It is up to all of us to fund research and find cures, so that someday these children are cured. ALSF started with one lemonade stand, hosted by our founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott in her front yard which raised $2,000. Alex was just 4 years old and battling neuroblastoma when she asked to donate the money so doctors can find cures for all children battling cancer. Since that first stand, ALSF has funded more than 1,000 cutting-edge research projects at nearly 150 institutions in the U.S. and Canada and supported families through much-needed programs like Travel For Care that helps make cutting-edge treatments accessible to children. ALSF and its supporters are propelling the world towards a future without childhood cancer. From hosting stands and events to joining the One Cup at a Time Club, everyone can make a difference and help find cures for childhood cancer.
Watch for more information on this great charity and how you can help support this important cause. PLEASE VOLUNTEER!!

PDI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
2024-04-17 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-10-16 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-12-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-05 10:00 - 12:00

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024 @ 12:00 P.M. - 1 1/2 HOURS - "The Best Mediation Tips You've Never Heard"
2024-04-19 12:00 - 14:00
Honorable Emil Giordano (Retired), Honorable James S. Miller (Retired) and Richard B. Lord, Esquire, very experienced Neutrals/Mediators/Arbitrators, will provide a very interesting and informative presentation providing “The Best Mediation Tips You’ve Never Heard” Mark you calendars and plan on attending this Webinar and hear from very experienced mediators and obtain information on mediation that you may not have ever heard before. MARK YOUR CALENSARS AND WATCH FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

>> Download The PDF Registration

PDI LIVE LUNCH AND LEARN PROGRAM - TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024 @ 12:00 P.M. AT GRAN CAFFE L'AUILA - ARCCA WILL PRESENT "Accessing Injury Causation: The Role of the Biomechanical Engineer"
2024-05-07 12:00 - 13:00
The PDI East District Officers and Directors will provide a PDI Live Lunch and Learn Program on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 @ 12:00 p.m. at Gran Caffe L’Auila, 1716 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. Arrangements have been made for PDI Sponsor ARCCA present the CLE program entitled “Accessing Injury Causation: The Role of a Biomechanical Engineer”. This program will provide a biological analysis of injury causation involving the understanding the severity of the incident, individual response, and the presence or absence of the required injury mechanism in the context of human tolerance and an individual unique biomechanical attributes. This presentation will explore each of these areas and outline the foundational methods and tools often used by ARCCA experts. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the concept of an injury mechanism and its critical role in determining a cause and effect relationship.

PDI BOARD MEETING
2024-05-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-11-13 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-08 10:00 - 12:00

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2024 @ 12:00 P.M. VIA ZOOM - ARCCA presents "How to Manage Slip, Trip or Fall Cases"
2024-06-12 12:00 - 13:30
PDI Sponsor ARCCA will present “How to Manage Slip, Trip or Fall Cases”. This course will discuss a biomechanical engineer’s review of the causative factors of slips, trips and falls, including both the injured party’s behavior as well as the specific factors of the incident. Attendees will benefit from an understanding of human movement, human factors, and injury biomechanics. Also discussed will be the kinematic differences between a “slip” and a “trip”, as well as the injuries that result from slip, trip and fall events. In addition, factors related to the engineered (e.g. building codes, ADA and design standards} and natural environments (e.g. weather ad illumination) will be covered. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this very informative webinar. Watch for Registration Material that will be provided closer to the event.

>> Download The PDF Registration

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
2024-06-19 10:00 - 11:30

PDI BOARD MEETING AND ANNUAL CLE AND CONFERENCE
2024-07-10 18:00 - 20:30

PDI ANNUAL CLE AND CONFERENCE - OMNI BEDFORD SPRINGS RESORT
2024-07-11 08:00 - 23:00
>> Download The PDF Registration

PDI ANNUAL CLE AND CONFERENCE - OMNI BEDFORD SPRINGS RESORT
2024-07-12 08:00 - 12:00

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - PDI PLATINUM SPONSOR MINNESOTA LAWYERS MUTUAL INSURANCE TO PRESENT ETHICS WEBINAR - THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024 - "ETHICS-SUPERVISING LAWYERS AND STAFF IN THE AGE OF REMOTE WORKING AND CHATGPT"
2024-08-22 12:00 - 13:00
Effective supervision is crucial for ensuring the success of a legal practice. With the advent of innovative technologies, such as remote working tools and ChatGPT, legal professionals have a unique opportunity to enhance their remote supervisory skills and streamline their management approaches. This seminar is designed to equip legal professionals, including law firm partners, senior attorneys, and legal administrators, with the essential knowledge and practical strategies to effectively supervise and lead their teams who may be working remotely, and using problematic tools like ChatGPT and similar language models.
Todd C. Scott, VP Risk Management of MLM will explore the following key topics:

Adapting supervision techniques to the virtual workspace and understanding the unique challenges and advantages of remote supervision.
Developing strategies for effective communication and collaboration.
Establishing clear expectations and performance metrics in a virtual environment.
Promoting data privacy and security in remote setting and promoting data privacy and security in remote settings.
Implementing best practices for responsible AI usage.
Establishing guidelines for human oversight and intervention in AI-assisted workflows.
Training legal professionals on the responsible use of ChatGPT.

>> Download The PDF Registration

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 VIA ZOOM - FLEISHER FORENSICS presents "Practical Tips for Premises Cases"
2024-09-17 12:00 - 13:30
“Practical Tips for Premises Cases”
Enhance your understanding of premises cases from the perspective of professional engineers!
Join liability experts Jared E. Barket, P.E., Dave J. Littlewood, P.E., and founder of Fleisher Forensics, David H. Fleisher, P.E., on September 17, 2024 at 12:00 PM via Zoom as they share their useful and practical tips from over 50 years of combined experience. Mark your calendars and sign up— you won’t want to miss this unparalleled event covering design, construction, and maintenance with topics like stairways, sidewalks, flooding, walkway surfaces with ice and snow, floors, and decks. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION CLOSER TO THE DATE OF THE EVENT.

>> Download The PDF Registration

PRODUCTS LIABILITY UPDATE - FEATURING NEWLY REVISED PDI/PADC SUGGESTED STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS
2024-10-29 12:00 - 13:30
PDI Products Liability Committee will present a Products Liability Update, featuring a discussion of recent cases and the effect upon the defense of product liability cases and the Newly Revised Suggested Standard Jury Instructions for Products Liability cases. The speakers will include William J. Ricci, Esquire, Ricci, Tyrrell, Johnso & Grey, James M. Beck, Esquire, Reed Smith, and other panel members to be announced. Hear from those who were involved in the drafting and revision of the PDI/PADC Suggested Standard Jury Instructions that were developed to assist those attorneys defending a products liability case as a counter to the questionable PBI Products Suggested Standard Jury Instructions. For a history of the development of the PDI/PADC Suggested Standard Jury Instructions see COUNTERPOINT – September 2024 for an article written by the experienced attorneys who were instrumental in developing these counter jury instructions. Do not miss this very informative Webinar. Let the members of your firms who are involved in the defense of product liability cases of the date and time of this Webinar and request that they join to assure that they have the most update information to assist in the handling of Products Liability matters.
This is a live Zoom presentation and provides one (1) substantive PACLE credit. Do not miss this excellent webinar.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT METHODS:
Complete Form and mail with check payable to “PDI” to: Pennsylvania Defense Institute, P.O. Box 6099, Harrisburg, PA 17112 and e-mail Registration to cwasilefski@padefense.org
or lgamby@padefense.org.
Register online athttps://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5y5tvz8Rp-Bv67-3RgnhA and mail a check , if applicable, to PDI, P.O. Box 6099, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Go to PDI website: www.padefense.org and register using for provided on Events Page and pay via PayPal
Upon receipt of Registration and Fee, Registrant will receive information for joining Webinar and required submission following Webinar via e-mail.
Look forward to seeing you at this informative webinar.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI EAST DISTRICT HOSTS "Experts Potpourri - What Expertise is Available" - WEDNESDY, OCTOBER 30, 2024 FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M. @ WADE CLARK MULCAHY, BUILDING CONFERENCE ROOM, 1515 MARKET ST, PHILADELPHIA
2024-10-30 17:30 - 19:30
Join the Officers and Directors for the PDI East District for an evening of pizza, beer, and other beverages and information regarding the various expertise that is available for your cases. Robert Cosgrove, Esquire, Wade Clark Mulcahy, will host this event that will feature information regarding the various expertise that is available from PDI Sponsors. You will be exposed to the various areas of expertise that is available to PDI Members. This is an opportunity to discuss possible solutions to obtaining an expert for your cases. It will be a social evening with the ability to gain knowledge that could assist you with your cases. Please register for this event by contacting Chuck Wasilefski at cwasilefski@padefense.org or Linda Gamby at lgamby@padefense.org . REGISTER NOW!!
Look forward to seeing you at this event.

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - "Searching for AI: Case Management Tips For Existing Litigation's AI Issues"
2024-11-20 12:00 - 13:30
Gregory P. Graham, Esquire, Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, will share his expertise regarding Case Management in the use of AI during Litigation and the issues associated with that use. This will be an extension of the presentation that Mr. Graham made at the 2024 PDI Annual CLE & Conference in Bedford Springs. Do not miss that very informative presentation regarding litigation issues related to the use of AI during litigation. Look for Registration information that will be provided in the near future.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI/PTLA/PADC EAST DISTRICT HOLIDAY PARTY
2024-12-03 17:30 - 20:00
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - PDI PLATINUM SPONSOR MINNESOTA LAWYERS MUTUAL INSURANCE CO. PRESENTS ETHICS WEBINAR - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2024 @ 12:00 P.M. - "EMBRACING CHANGE: 7 TECH TRENDS & 29 TECH TIPS IN 2024"
2024-12-05 12:00 - 13:00
Todd C. Scott, Vice President Risk Management for MLM, will discuss the everchanging developments in technology as it relates to the practice of law. Much change has come in the technology available for lawyers in the post-pandemic era. So, where might we be going from here? And what does 2024 have in store for attorneys trying to stay windward of the tidal change happening with law office workflows? Humbly, we have identified 7 legal tech trends that will bring transformational change to lawyers and law firm processes everywhere.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI/PAJ MIDDLE DISTRICT HOLIDAY PARTY- HARRISBURG
2024-12-12 17:30 - 19:30

PDI WEST DISTRICT CLE AND HOLIDAY PARTY - PITTSBURGH
2024-12-18 17:00 - 19:00

PDI WEST DISTRICT LAW SCHOOL CONFERENCE - UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF LAW - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025 - 12:30 P.M. TO 1:30 P.M.
2025-02-04 12:30 - 13:30
On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the PDI West District will host a law school discussion by a panel of defense attorneys to discuss the option of a career on the civil defense side of the spectrum. The PDI panel will include: Kassie Segmiller, Esquire, Segmiller & Associates; Sarah Cobbs, Esquire, Thomas Thomas & Hafer; Joseph Hudock, Summers McDonnell; and Daniel Twilla, Esquire, Gordon Rees. The presentation will be made to Law Students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

PDI EAST DISTRICT LAW STUDENT CONFERENCE - VILLANOVA SCHOOL OF LAW - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025 - 12:00 P.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:00
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the PDI East District in conjunction with PADC and Villanova School of Law will host a law school discussion by a panel of defense attorneys to discuss the option of a career on the civil defense side of the spectrum. The presentation will be made to Law Students at the Villanova School of Law. Refreshments will be provided.

PDI EAST DISTRICT LAW STUDENT CONFERENCE - DREXEL SCHOOL OF LAW - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025 - 12:00 P.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
2025-02-13 12:00 - 13:00
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, the PDI East District in conjunction with PADC and Drexel School of Law will host a law school discussion by a panel of defense attorneys to discuss the option of a career on the civil defense side of the spectrum. The presentation will be made to Law Students at the Drexel School of Law. Refreshments will be provided.
