Young Lawyers Division Tag Archives

Law Practice Today: Zoom Court Appearances: Rising to the Occasion While Seated

April 19, 2021 | Kandis Kovalsky

Back of person's head looking at video call on laptop

In the April 2021 Young Lawyers Issue of Law Practice Today, Kandis Kovalsky wrote “Zoom Court Appearances: Rising to the Occasion While Seated”

On March 13, 2020, a national emergency was declared in the United States as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instantly, courts across the country were shuttered. Many courts, particularly the federal courts, quickly rallied and embraced Zoom as a means to continue to hold hearings and move the many criminal and civil cases on their dockets. Some lawyers reveled in the courts’ embracement of Zoom, as the legal profession is often criticized as being somewhat of a dinosaur. Others were initially less excited about having to use a webcam and embrace modern technology, and while appearing in court, no less. Indeed, some lawyers even exclaimed that using Zoom (e.g., the technology) is more stressful than participating in the hearing itself. Continue reading ›

Associates Tianna Kalogerakis and Kandis Kovalsky Participate in Law Week 2018

June 21, 2018 | Kandis Kovalsky

Law Day, as officially recognized by the President of the United States on the first of May each year, is a day to reflect on the importance of law in our society and its role in our country’s foundation. In particular, it is a celebration of the rights and benefits afforded to United States citizens under the Constitution.

This year, the American Bar Association Law Day Theme was “Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom.” The ABA described this year’s theme as follows:

The U.S. Constitution sets out a system of government with distinct and independent branches—Congress, the Presidency, and a Supreme Court. It also defines legislative, executive, and judicial powers and outlines how they interact. These three separate branches share power, and each branch serves as a check on the power of the others. “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition,” James Madison explained in Federalist 51. Why? Madison believed that the Constitution’s principles of separation of powers and checks and balances preserve political liberty. They provide a framework for freedom. Yet, this framework is not self-executing. We the people must continually act to ensure that our constitutional democracy endures, preserving our liberties and advancing our rights. The Law Day 2018 theme enables us to reflect on the separation of powers as fundamental to our constitutional purpose and to consider how our governmental system is working for ourselves and our posterity.

The Philadelphia Bar Association extends the celebration of Law Day to encompass an entire week. The Young Lawyers Division coordinates programs throughout the city with various schools and communities. These programs include Lawyer for a Day, Fairy-tale Mock Trials, Legal Advice Live, and Lawyers in the Classroom. Continue reading ›

Kovalsky Appointed to Federal Court Committee and State Civil Litigation Section Liaison Roles

January 18, 2018 | Kang Haggerty LLC

Kang Haggerty Associate Kandis Kovalsky was recently appointed to two Young Lawyer Division (YLD) leadership positions within the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) and the Philadelphia Bar Association. She will serve as the liaison between the Federal Courts Committee and the YLD of the Philadelphia Bar, and as liaison between the YLD and State Civil Litigation sections of the PBA.
In her capacity as liaison to these committees, Kovalsky will attend governing counsels, participate in events, and interact with leadership of these committees within the statewide and city bar associations. She is expected to serve in an important two-way communications role in keeping young lawyers informed of important work in the Federal Courts and statewide civil litigation issues, and providing the committee with insight as to concerns of young attorneys in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

Cropped-Building-300x200