Committees - ACBF
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Our committees are made up of ACBA members who generously donate time and resources to raise awareness of the programs and initiatives of the ACBF, supporting our efforts to promote justice for all in our community. 

Attorneys Against Hunger Committee

The AAH Committee sponsors the annual fundraising campaign to collect money that is distributed to food banks in Allegheny County. Members coordinate the direct mail solicitations and advertisements of the campaign and encourage participation through the Sections of the ACBA in addition to coordinating with AAH Grant recipients. 

Co-Chairs: 

Corinne M. McGinley Smith 
(412) 565-7634 

Abagale E. Steidl 
(412) 391-8000 

Liaison from Board: 

Edward J. Donnelly
(412) 441-3027

ACBF Liaisons: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
(412) 402-6640
Stephanie Selya
(412) 402-6674

Members: 

Gilda M. Arroyo 

Jaclyn M. Belczyk 

Ben Bratman 

Kelton Merrill Burgess 

Norma M. Caquatto 

Cindy K. Chung 

Maria Comas 

Alyssa Burrell Cowan 

Thomas E. Crowley 

Frederick N. Frank 

Kathryn A. Gioia 

Crystal R. McCormick Ware 

Mary C. McGinley

Mary Lou McLaughlin 

Bryan S. Neft 

William L. Stang

Bryan C. Vertz  

David M. Zvirman 

Fellows GIVE Committee

The Fellows GIVE Committee oversees the Fellows GIVE program, which builds the Foundation’s endowment and provides funding for the ACBF’s Legal Aid Grants. The Committee is responsible for approving nominations for new Fellows, establishing policy and procedures, coordinating the annual reception and dinner to induct new Fellows into the program, and generally acting as ambassadors for Fellows GIVE. 

Co-Chairs: 

Gilda M. Arroyo
(412) 281-5423
Jessica L. Crown
(412) 281-0587

Liaison from Board: 

Gilda M. Arroyo
(412) 281-5423

ACBA Liaison: 

David A. Blaner 
(412) 402-6601
Thomas C. Petropoulos
(412) 402-6682

ACBF Liaisons: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
(412) 402-6640 
Stephanie Selya
(412) 402-6674

Members

Carol A. Behers
Jaclyn M. Belczyk
Christopher R. Brennan
Beth Fischman 

Frederick N. Frank
Hon. Lisa Pupo Lenihan 
Jacqueline B. Martinez 
Elisabeth W. Molnar 
Bryan S. Neft 
Connor P. Sease
Regina C. Wilson 

Finance Committee

Co-Chair: 

Hon. Patricia L. Dodge
(412) 480-3693

ACBA Liaison: 

David A. Blaner 
(412) 402-6601 
Ron Slavonic
(412) 402-6604
Thomas C. Petropoulos
(412) 402-6682

ACBF Liaisons: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
(412) 402-6640 

Members

Robert S. Bernstein
Christopher R. Brennan

Hon. Patricia L. Dodge
Frederick N. Frank
Bryan S. Neft

Margaret W. Prescott

Golf Tournament Committee

The ACBF Golf Tournament Committee oversees the annual ACBA Golf Tournament, a fundraising event benefitting the Allegheny County Bar Foundation and Neighborhood Legal Services. Committee members are active in player recruitment, law firm participation, corporate sponsorships, and all details connected to the tournament, which takes place in July. 

Co-Chairs: 

Kim Aedan Bodnar 
(412) 804-4048
Brett A. Solomon 
(412) 480-2019

Liaison from Board:

Connor P. Sease

ACBA Liaison:

Thomas C. Petropoulos
(412) 402-6682

ACBF Liaisons:

Lorrie K. Albert 
(412) 402-6640 
Stephanie Selya
(412) 402-6674

Pro Bono Center Director:

Barbara Griffin
(412) 402-6622

Members:

A. Patricia Diulus-Myers 
Andrew G. Kimball 
Christine L. Kirby
Julia Marasco McGuire
Kevin F. McCarthy

Thomas R. Moore
Connor P. Sease

Brian C. Vertz
Jonathan C. Voelker
Mary Elizabeth Williams 

Grant Making Committee

The Grant Making Committee is responsible for developing procedures for making ACBF grants consistent with the ACBF’s goals, determines which grant proposals to fund and at what amount, and performs all other necessary functions incident to the making of the grants. The Committee oversees the planning of the annual Pitch Event each fall in conjunction with the Fellows GIVE Committee. 

Chair: 

Kathryn McKee  
(412) 434-5779 

Liaison from Board: 

Daniel J. Sinclair 
(412) 566-2913 

ACBA Liaison:

Thomas C. Petropoulos
(412) 402-6682

ACBF Liaisons: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
(412) 402-6640 
Stephanie Selya
(412) 402-6674

Members: 

Jill Lipman Beck 
Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark  
Susan DiGirolamo

Edward J. Donnelly 
Beth Fischman
Bruce H. Herschlag 
Joanne M. La Rose 
Carol S. Mills McCarthy 
Mary Lou McLaughlin 
Antoinette C. Oliver 
Adrian Nathaniel Roe 
Richard S. Wiedman 

Lawyers’ Fund Committee

The purpose of the Lawyers’ Fund Committee is to relieve want or distress among members of the Allegheny County Bar Association or their immediate families; to promote, advance, improve, and facilitate the administration of justice in Allegheny County; to give scholarships, fellowships, and grants-in-aid for research, writing, and other study of law and of the administration of justice; to make loans to deserving law students; and to acquire, preserve, and exhibit rare books and objects of art, and items of historical interest having legal significance or bearing on the administration of justice. The Lawyers’ Fund was transferred from the ACBA to the ACBF in July 2002. 

Chair: 

Jessica L. Crown 
(412) 281-2971 

Vice-Chair: 

Elizabeth L. Hughes

Secretary: 

Richard S. Wiedman
(412) 394-6981

ACBF Board Liason: 

Daniel J. Sinclair
(412) 566-2913
Keith E. Whitson 
(412) 577-5220 

ACBA Liaisons: 

David A. Blaner
(412) 402-6601
Thomas C. Petropoulos
(412) 402-6682
Ron Slavonic
(412) 402-6604

ACBF Liaison: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
(412) 402-6640 

One-Year: 

Daniel A. Seibel
Elizabeth L. Hughes

Two-Year: 

Jessica L. Crown
Richard S. Wiedman

Three-Year: 

Mary-Jo Rebello
Erin Lucas Hamilton

Ex Officio: 

Hon. Patricia L. Dodge
Bryan S. Neft
Margaret W. Prescott
Daniel J. Sinclair
Keith E. Whitson

Loans & Scholarships Committee

This Committee oversees the Foundation’s scholarship and loan programs for current and future law students. The Committee oversees the distribution of funds from the Lawyers’ Fund, the F.C. Grote Fund, the Louis Little Attorneys’ Memorial Fund, and the James I. Smith, III Notre Dame Law School Scholarship Fund. The Committee’s responsibilities include establishing policy and procedures, accepting and reviewing loan and scholarship applications, interviewing applicants, and making recommendations for scholarships and loans for individuals attending approved law schools. 

Chair: 

Margaret W. Prescott 
(412) 355-7405 

Liaison from Board:

Margaret W. Prescott 
(412) 355-7405 

ACBA Liaison:

Thomas C. Petropoulos
(412) 402-6682

ACBF Liaisons: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
412-402-6640 
Stephanie Selya
(412) 402-6674

Ex Officio: 

Ella A. Kwisnek
Allie Linsenmeyer

Members: 

Edward J. Abes 
Richard F. Andracki 
Jill Lipman Beck 
Jaclyn M. Belczyk 
Samuel Robert Grego 
Robert Mark Linn 
Carol S. Mills McCarthy 
Mary Lou McLaughlin 
Bryan S. Neft 
Rhoda Shear Neft 

Margaret W. Prescott
Neva Lee Stotler 

Mansmann Scholarship Committee

This Committee oversees the selection process for the Hon. Carol Los Mansmann Scholarship. The Committee’s responsibilities include establishing policy and procedures, accepting and reviewing loan and scholarship applications,  and making recommendations for scholarships and loans for individuals attending approved law schools. 

Chair:

Margaret W. Prescott 
412-355-7405 

ACBF Liaison: 

Lorrie K. Albert 
412-402-6640 
Stephanie Selya
(412) 402-6674

Members: 

Amy L. Allen
Richard Andracki 
Jill Lipman Beck
Carol A. Behers 
Maria Comas 
Gary P. Hunt 
Ella A. Kwisnek 
Rhonda Shear Neft 
Stanley M. Stein

Zittrain Forums Committee

This Committee oversees the annual Zittrain Forums on Law & Public Policy. The committee members are active in speaker and venue selections and all details in planning the forum. 

Liaison from Board: 

Keith E. Whitson 
412-577-5190 

ACBF Liaison:

Lorrie K. Albert 
412-402-6640 

Members: 

Joseph Froetschel
John P. Gismondi 

Bryan S. Neft
Daniel J. Sinclair
Stephan K. Todd