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D E L AWA R E C O U N T Y B A R A S S O C I AT I O N
Cheers... The Delaware County Bar Association exists to serve its members and the community at large by fostering respect for the law, by advancing the competent, collegial, and ethical practice of the legal profession, and by creating opportunities for attorneys, judges, and the public to work collaboratively for justice.
6 | Winter 2016
I
Annual President’s Dinner, January, 2016 Scott C. Gottel, Esq., DCBA President, 2016
am truly honored this evening to stand here as the new President of the Delaware County Bar Association. I remember as a student at Penncrest High School being involved in our debate team and participating in the Young Lawyers Mock Trial tournament. Pat Holsten – at that time she was Pat Kreb – was our debate team mentor and her passion for the law and her job inspired me to become a lawyer. I always knew that I wanted to end up practicing in Media, and I was thrilled after working in Philadelphia for over four years to find a job at Holsten and Associates where I have been now for twelve years. I cannot thank my firm enough for the opportunities, the knowledge, the confidence and the friendship over the years. I am really privileged to work with a great group of people and I am thankful to work with so many great attorneys and judges in our Bar Association. I would like to thank Lyn Schoenfeld who about 5 years ago called me when my two year term on the Board of Directors was finishing and encouraged me to put my name in for the Executive Board. I am excited to take on the role as President and have plans to expand the Bar Association’s Affinity Program, continue the fight against any threat to our Legal Journal income, and seek alternative sources of income to keep our Association viable. Our organization is valuable – it provides fantastic networking opportunities; great bench bar relations; numerous free and low cost CLEs; discounts through affinity partners; lawyer referrals; a pipeline to lobbying and assuring that the legislature understands our needs in the practice of law. But mainly, in my opinion, the Bar Association is a vehicle to build a community where we can forge relationships with fellow lawyers and their families outside of the office and outside of the courtroom. And so this year it is my hope that we can really just have fun. Our practices are stressful enough and it is my hope that the Bar Association can help us remember the importance of our Delaware County community. But tonight, the real reason we are here is to celebrate and honor our outgoing President . . . Kristen Rushing. Kristen and I have come up in the ranks of the Bar Association together, and I can’t think of a better person to precede me in the Presidency. I am thankful to consider her a friend, and I love that we can share a laugh at any occasion. Kristen . . . you were a fantastic President, and I know you have lots more to offer the profession and our Association. I am privileged to take this stage with you and to congratulate you on your accomplishments and on a fantastic year serving as President. And so, I ask us all to raise a glass as I propose a toast to Kristen Rushing. I am honored to call you a colleague and FRIEND – here’s to a job well done!