The Montgomery Bar Association (MBA) held its annual business meeting at Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell

Over 200 members, legal professionals and community leaders attended the event.

Its agenda included:

• The election of the MBA’s officers for 2023
• An awards presentation to honor outstanding contributions to MBA and the community
• The installation of its new president, Justin A. Bayer

Justin Bayer, MBA President

Bayer is a partner in the firm Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer, LLP, Norristown.

His practice focuses on defending clients from claims involving professional liability, commercial transportation, municipal defense, bad faith and commercial disputes.

Bayer frequently defends high-exposure claims, as well as complex insurance and professional liability matters throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also regularly consults with clients on claim avoidance and pre-suit claims.

Bayer frequently teaches legal education programs for risk managers, claims professionals, other lawyers, and law students. He regularly presents on topics that include case evaluation, legal ethics, professional liability, commercial transportation, risk, and legal procedure.

Bayer is an active member of the Montgomery Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is a past president of the Montgomery Bar Association’s Trial Lawyer’s Section, past Chair of the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Board of Governors from 2015–2018. He is also an active member of several risk, claims, and civil defense organizations.

Bayer graduated from Lehigh University and Villanova University School of Law.

He is admitted to practice in:

• The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• The United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania
• The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• The Superior Court of New Jersey
• The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

Bayer resides in Wayne with his wife and two sons.

Bayer’s Remarks

During his inauguration speech, Bayer praised the accomplishments of outgoing President Sarinia M. Feinman, as well as past-presidents, firm partners, and mentors who have helped him throughout his career and on his path to becoming president. He also acknowledged and thanked his family for unending support and encouragement. 

Bayer then drew attention to the myriad ways in which MBA members engage and empower the organization through Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations and credits, event attendance, and contributions to the Montgomery Bar Foundation and its mission of ensuring access to justice.

He then spoke of the importance of supporting the local, incredible bench and assuring its members that the MBA will do everything in its power to speak out against threats to the judiciary and the rule of law.

Bayer concluded with an insightful quote from William Penn: 

“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

The Remaining Agenda

The remainder of the meeting addressed those attorneys serving with Bayer for the 2023 bar year:

• Lisa A. Shearman, Esq., Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, PC in Lansdale: President-Elect
• Seth D. Wilson, Esq. of Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. in Conshohocken will serve as Vice President
• Colin J. O’Boyle, Esq. of Elliott Greenleaf P.C. in Blue Bell will serve as Treasurer
• Hon. Joseph P. Walsh of Walsh Pancio, LLC in Lansdale will serve as Secretary
• Mark R. Fischer, Jr., Esq., of High Swartz LLP in Norristown will also serve as President of the MBA’s Trial Lawyers Section
• Jason Edwards, Esq. of Walsh Pancio, LLC in Lansdale was named Chair of the MBA’s Young Lawyers Section
• Kelley Menzano Fazzini, Esq., of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Plymouth Meeting was named Chair of the MBA’s Family Law Section
• Rebecca Sallen, Esq., of Sallen Law, LLC in Merion Station, will continue as Chair of the MBA’s Probate and Tax Section

In addition to the new leadership appointments, industry awards were distributed:

• MBA Lifetime Achievement Award: Hon. Stanley R. Ott
• Hon. Horace A. Davenport Diversity Award: Michelle Dempsky, Esq
• Committee of the Year Award: ADR Committee
• President’s Award: Denise S. Vicario, Esq., Nancy O. Walsh