Montgomery County to host virtual name change clinic
The Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) in partnership with the Montgomery County Prothonotary’s Office are organizing their second free virtual name change clinic on May 17, 2023. The clinic is open to all Montgomery County residents 18 and up.
Registered participants will receive an appointment slot between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. and an attorney will guide the participant through the name change process by answering questions, providing advice and helping to prep paperwork.
“Our first name change clinic was so inspiring,” Prothonotary Noah Marlier said in a press release. “Collaborating with the Bar Association and Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, we were able to lower the barriers that name-change applicants often face in our legal system.”
While the clinic itself is free, participants seeking name changes are responsible for costs that come with the petition process, such as court fees.
“The Montgomery Bar Association is thrilled to be conducting a second name change clinic,” MBA Executive Director Denise Vicario said in a press release. “The first was such a success that we are moving forward with the second clinic much sooner than anticipated. It is a privilege to serve the Montgomery County community, and we look forward to our second batch of smiling faces on the name change hearing day!”
Those interested in participating can register online until May 3.
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus hires new ED
Mandie Curtis Banks, former engagement manager and choreographer for the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC), will take on a new role as the organization’s executive director. Banks began her career in the performing arts as a musical theater performer, and later worked as an arts educator and administrator. She is the first woman executive director of PGMC.
“I am thrilled to serve as an ally and advocate for a nonprofit performing arts organization whose mission and values I believe in whole-heartedly,” Banks said in a press release. “Members of PGMC often describe the chorus as their chosen family and I feel privileged to be able to feel that same connection.”
Since 2014, PGMC has worked to cultivate youth engagement via partnerships with community organizations to perform in Philly schools, something that Banks hopes to continue as executive director. “This is such a valuable and important part of PGMC’s mission,” Banks said. “This program supports the Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community and empowers young people.”
Before joining PGMC, Banks worked as program director at the Wallingford Community Arts Center; youth, family and diversity coordinator at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College; as well as chair of the theater and dance department at the Episcopal Academy. Additionally, she has served on several DEI committees, such as the Swarthmore College Diversity Advisory Group, Chester’s Mentoring Initiative, and West Chester University’s Theatre Alumni BIPOC Scholarship Committee.
“I have worked closely with Mandie on the PGMC marketing committee since January 2023, and am thrilled to continue working with her,” PGMC Social Media Manager Luis Marrero said in a press release. “Mandie has also proven to have the ability to bring PGMC and other organizations together as seen recently with our March concert ‘Just Say Gay: Celebrating Queer Identities.’ She connected leaders from various LGBTQ+ organizations throughout Philadelphia and New Jersey for an amazing talk-back panel regarding LGBTQ+ mental-health advocacy.”
Philly lawyer honored as a trailblazing woman in the legal field
Deborah Willig, managing partner of the union-side labor law firm Willig, Williams & Davidson, was named a 2023 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award honoree by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. The award honors women who have demonstrated professional excellence and helped women lawyers advance in their careers, following the legacy of Margaret Brent, the first woman lawyer in the U.S.
“I am humbled and privileged to be included among those women who meet the high bar established in the criteria for receiving the Margaret Brent Awards,” Willig said in a press release. “Each of us has been committed to ensuring that future generations of women attorneys have the freedom to practice law, the opportunity to advance their careers, and the ability to diversify and improve the legal landscape for all.”
Willig’s legal achievements are vast. She was the first woman president of the Temple University Beasley School of Law Student Bar Association, the first woman chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and the first woman to manage one of the largest women-owned law firms in the U.S. She has paved the way for success for other women and gay lawyers and has worked hard to advocate for gender and LGBTQ+ equality while serving as a mentor for other gay women lawyers.
Roberta Liebenberg, senior partner at Fine, Kaplan and Black and previous Margaret Brent Award recipient, said in a press release, “Deb’s distinguished legal career in the very challenging and historically male-dominated field of union-side labor law, her many years of leadership at the state and local levels in the fight for equal opportunity for women attorneys and judges, her strong support and encouragement of women attorneys to serve as judges and in elected office, and her mentoring of countless women attorneys are just some of the reasons she received this prestigious award.”
The Commission will honor Willig and four other award recipients this summer at the yearly ABA meeting.