Raymond G. Lahoud, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Chair of its Immigration Law Practice, was recently interviewed by WFMZ-TV 69 News, for their piece “Lehigh Valley attorney says improvements need to be made to nation’s immigration system.”
About WFMZ-TV 69 News
WFMZ-TV’s coverage area is an unusual geographic market: the Lehigh Valley and Berks County. It’s the third largest business district in Pennsylvania. This includes Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania, and Warren County in New Jersey within the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, PA/NJ MSA. It also includes portions of Monroe, Schuylkill, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and, Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania and Hunterdon, Mercer, Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties in New Jersey.
WFMZ-TV programs 93 live half-hours of original local news each week. This equals over 2,416 hours of local news, weather, traffic and sports each year. Their Berks Edition newscast is dedicated to Reading and Berks County. To serve the Hispanic community, WFMZ-TV employs a full Hispanic news department, which produces a Spanish-language newscast each weeknight at 11pm airing on 69.1. WFMZ-TV has a seasoned team of award winning news journalists that viewers in the area depend on for local and regional election coverage, school closings, and live reports when news happens.
About Raymond G. Lahoud
Raymond G. Lahoud has established himself as a preeminent immigration lawyer with a global practice focused on corporate and employment immigration issues as well as immigration litigation.
As Chair of Norris McLaughlin’s Immigration Law Practice Group, Ray represents individuals and families, domestic and multinational businesses and corporations, employers, international employees, investors, students, professors, researchers, skilled professionals, athletes, and entertainers. He skillfully assembles a team to strategically work together, including the firm’s immigration attorneys, employer immigration auditors, and other immigration professionals to help domestic and foreign clients navigate every type of immigration or deportation defense matter. Ray has distinguished himself as an attorney who provides tailored solutions and valuable guidance to his clients, based upon his in-depth knowledge of immigration law. Ray’s extraordinary creativity, distinguished advocacy skills, and true passion for his immigration practice have helped countless individuals, families, and organizations of all types and sizes to resolve the most complex of immigration concerns.
Throughout his legal career, Ray has been recognized for both his knowledge of immigration law and the level of service he provides to his clients. These honors include the following:
New York State Bar Association’s Empire State Counsel Award (2012 – present), recognizing members who performed 50 hours or more of pro bono legal services.
Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award (2021)
New York Super Lawyer “Rising Stars” in Immigration Law (2013, 2016, 2020-2021)
EB5 Investors Magazine “Top 5 Rising Stars in the EB-5 Industry” (2017)
Lehigh Valley Business 2021 “Power 30 in Law”
Lehigh Valley Business “Forty Under 40” Class of 2017
Ray is often called on to lecture and write about, discuss, and provide insight into the complex area of immigration law by universities, researchers, and media outlets from all corners of the globe, including an NBC News special on his practice – Living in Limbo: Lawyer Navigates Trump Stance on Immigration.
Federal and New Jersey laws in relation to medical ethics
A case manager and social worker’s role in patient advocacy
Mechanisms for autonomy
When: Thursday, August 19, 2021
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
This program is worth 2 CEU Credits for Case Managers and Social Workers.
About Shana Siegel
Shana concentrates her practice in the area of elder law, focusing on representing seniors, individuals with special needs, and their families in connection with life care planning, public benefits, trust and estate planning, and long-term care advocacy. As one of the few Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in northern New Jersey to be certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Shana has extensive experience in probate and estate administration, asset preservation, supplemental and special needs trusts, planning for disability, guardianship and estate litigation, resident rights, health care decision-making, Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance appeals.
Shana has been involved in health and long-term care issues for over 25 years. She is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), where she regularly met with legislators and government officials on behalf of the elder law bar and their clients. In 2015, Shana was invited to join NAELA’s prestigious Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). Additionally, Shana is a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, the New Jersey State Bar Elder & Disability Law Section, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association. She is active with the Long Term Living Association, several local chambers of commerce, and Jewish philanthropies.
About Lori Kayne
Lori has been working as a Geriatric Social Worker in the healthcare field for over 20 years. At Norris McLaughlin, she works in collaboration with an Elder Care Attorney to develop a detailed Life Care Plan that addresses the health, safety, and care concerns of her clients as they impact their legal and financial planning. She and the attorney work with clients and their families for an extended period helping them navigate the healthcare maze and plan proactively.
Prior to joining the firm, Lori was a Geriatric Social Worker at WanderPolo & Siegel law firm. She also worked as a Geriatric Care Manager for Generations Counseling and Care Management and Senior Bridge where she conducted geriatric assessments, developed plans of care, and provided supportive counseling to assist clients with adjustments to illness and changes in lifestyle. Prior to that, she worked as a Discharge Planner in a variety of hospital and nursing home settings.
“Challenging unfavorable audit findings and overpayments can be daunting but are largely preventable. Recognizing and identifying opportunities to stem audits before they occur is essential for any health care practitioner,” said Vozza, who spoke about what to expect in the audit process, preventing audits and overpayments, and real-world case examples.
About the Onondaga County Medical Society Ask the Carriers Conference
The all-day event gives physicians and their staff an opportunity to ask questions of local insurance carrier representatives and to learn about new policies or programs. MLMIC Insurance Company presented “Practicing in a Pandemic: Addressing Liability Issues and Maintaining a Safe Environment of Care.” Many local vendors and organizations of interest to physicians and their staff members also attended.
Norris McLaughlin is proud to sponsor the event as General Counsel to the Onondaga County Medical Society, whose members include physicians and medical students in Onondaga County. To learn more about the conference and the Onondaga County Medical Society, visit www.oncms.org.
About David Vozza
Vozza devotes his practice to the areas of health care and litigation. He defends health care professionals in connection with disciplinary and regulatory actions before federal and state agencies, and in private and government payor audits, civil and criminal fraud investigations, hospital and privileges disputes, and general health care litigation in both federal and state courts.
Vozza also defends health care professionals before the Office of Professional Medical Conduct and the Office of Professional Discipline. He frequently lectures at hospitals throughout New York State regarding medical fraud, regulatory agencies, professional licensure, and medical documentation.
Vozza earned his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 2001 and his B.A. from the State University of New York, Stony Brook, in 1998.
Federal and New Jersey laws in relation to medical ethics
A case manager and social worker’s role in patient advocacy
Mechanisms for autonomy
When: Thursday, July 15, 2021
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
This program is worth 2 CEU Credits for Case Managers and Social Workers. If you cannot attend on July 15, the program will also be held on August 19, 2021.
About Shana Siegel
Shana concentrates her practice in the area of elder law, focusing on representing seniors, individuals with special needs, and their families in connection with life care planning, public benefits, trust and estate planning, and long-term care advocacy. As one of the few Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in northern New Jersey to be certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Shana has extensive experience in probate and estate administration, asset preservation, supplemental and special needs trusts, planning for disability, guardianship and estate litigation, resident rights, health care decision-making, Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance appeals.
Shana has been involved in health and long-term care issues for over 25 years. She is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), where she regularly met with legislators and government officials on behalf of the elder law bar and their clients. In 2015, Shana was invited to join NAELA’s prestigious Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). Additionally, Shana is a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, the New Jersey State Bar Elder & Disability Law Section, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association. She is active with the Long Term Living Association, several local chambers of commerce, and Jewish philanthropies.
About Lori Kayne
Lori has been working as a Geriatric Social Worker in the healthcare field for over 20 years. At Norris McLaughlin, she works in collaboration with an Elder Care Attorney to develop a detailed Life Care Plan that addresses the health, safety, and care concerns of her clients as they impact their legal and financial planning. She and the attorney work with clients and their families for an extended period helping them navigate the healthcare maze and plan proactively.
Prior to joining the firm, Lori was a Geriatric Social Worker at WanderPolo & Siegel law firm. She also worked as a Geriatric Care Manager for Generations Counseling and Care Management and Senior Bridge where she conducted geriatric assessments, developed plans of care, and provided supportive counseling to assist clients with adjustments to illness and changes in lifestyle. Prior to that, she worked as a Discharge Planner in a variety of hospital and nursing home settings.
“As a long-time, devoted member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, I am thrilled to take this next step in my participation by recruiting and mentoring new members,” said Lahoud.
About the American Immigration Lawyers Association
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) liaisons and committee members play an integral part in helping to achieve the association’s mission to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.
The Member Engagement Committee supports membership growth by actively recruiting and identifying ways to retain members. Members of the committee identify and recruit potential new member leads and contact lapsed members for renewal. The committee also provides input and feedback regarding membership needs, programs, and policies. The responsibility of serving on a national committee carries with it a commitment to hard work, selflessness, and excellence.
About Ray Lahoud
Lahoud focuses his practice exclusively on immigration law and deportation defense for individuals, families, small to large domestic and multinational businesses and corporations, employers, international employees, investors, students, professors, researchers, skilled professionals, athletes, and entertainers, in every type of immigration or deportation defense matter—whether domestic or foreign. His immigration practice is broad, ranging from areas of corporate and employment immigration and related compliance to immigration litigation before agencies and courts across the United States, for corporations and individuals alike.
Lahoud has received numerous accolades. He has been awarded the Empire State Pro Bono Counsel Award each year since 2012, has been selected as Lead Counsel, has received the Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award, and has been named a Super Lawyers® Rising Star, ranked as a Top Rated Immigration Attorney in the New York Metro Area, in which a description of the selection methodology can be found here. EB5 Investors, the leading online portal, conference series, and magazine for investors, developers, and EB-5 professionals, has named Lahoud one of the “Top 5 Rising Stars” nationally. He was also included in the Lehigh Valley Business 2021 “Power 30 in Law” listing and named one of the 40 young professionals from the Greater Lehigh Valley as the Lehigh Valley Business 2017 “Forty Under 40” for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and the community.
Lahoud earned his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Lehigh University, where he earned Dean’s List; was named a President’s Scholar; was inducted into Phi Beta Delta; received the Williams Award, Treen Scholarship, and Littner Scholarship; and was Editor of The Lehigh Review. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he earned Dean’s List, received CALI awards in many courses, and worked on the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal.
“My colleagues and I are honored to be recognized by Lehigh Valley Business and are grateful for the community in which we live, work, and play. It is always our pleasure to serve the Lehigh Valley and beyond in any way we can,” said Zeller, Administrative Partner of the Pennsylvania office.
David C. Roberts, Chair of the firm, added, “With deep roots in the Lehigh Valley, Norris McLaughlin takes pride in being a part of the community, not only by providing the necessary legal work but through our attorneys’ dedication to community service and leadership roles.”
About the Power 30 in Law
Although the “Power 30 in Law” listing is not a ranking, it recognizes those who shape the community and impact the way residents in the Lehigh Valley live. The attorneys included help make regulations, settle disputes, and ensure fairness in the Lehigh Valley. Each attorney was asked to introduce themselves and share something personal. For more information and to get to know those recognized, visit lvb.com.
About the Lehigh Valley Attorneys
Judith A. Harris
Harris, Co-Chair of the firm’s Estate, Trust, and Tax Law Practice Group, has over 30 years of experience in the areas of taxation, wills and trusts, estate administration, business matters, and tax-exempt entities. She works with clients to structure the optimal transfer of their wealth and business interests to younger generations with minimal tax consequences.
Harris is President of the Board of Trustees for the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, a board member since 1993 and former officer of the Allentown Symphony Association, and a board member of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society. She is a board member and past president of the Fund to Benefit Children & Youth, Inc., and a former board member and Executive Committee member of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Harris is also past president of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley and served for ten years on the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority board of governors. From 1993 to 2000, she was an adjunct instructor of “Wills, Trusts, and Estates” at Penn State University’s Lehigh Valley Campus.
Harris was recognized as a “Circle of Excellence” recipient for the Lehigh Valley Business 2021 Women of Influence Awards. She earned her LL.M in Taxation from Villanova University School of Law in 1991; her J.D. from American University in 1986, where she was a published Law Review author; her A.B., cum laude, from Bryn Mawr College in 1983; and a Diploma from the Pushkin Institute, Moscow, USSR, in 1982.
Ray Lahoud
Lahoud, Chair of the firm’s Immigration Practice Group, focuses his practice exclusively on immigration law and deportation defense for individuals, families, small to large domestic and multinational businesses and corporations, employers, international employees, investors, students, professors, researchers, skilled professionals, athletes, and entertainers, in every type of immigration or deportation defense matter—whether domestic or foreign. His immigration practice is broad, ranging from corporate and employment immigration and related compliance to immigration litigation before agencies and courts across the United States, for corporations and individuals alike.
Lahoud has received numerous accolades. He has been awarded the Empire State Pro Bono Counsel Award each year since 2012, has been selected as lead counsel, has received the Martindale-Hubbell Platinum Client Champion Award, and has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star, ranked as a Top Rated Immigration Attorney in the New York Metro Area. EB5 Investors, the leading online portal, conference series, and magazine for investors, developers, and EB-5 professionals, has named Lahoud one of the “Top 5 Rising Stars” nationally. He was also named one of the 40 young professionals from the Greater Lehigh Valley as the Lehigh Valley Business 2017 Forty Under 40 for his commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and the community.
Lahoud earned his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Lehigh University, where he earned Dean’s List; was named a President’s Scholar; was inducted into Phi Beta Delta; received the Williams Award, Treen Scholarship, and Littner Scholarship; and was Editor of The Lehigh Review. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he earned Dean’s List, received CALI awards in many courses, and worked on the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal.
Ted Zeller
Zeller, Chair of the firm’s Liquor Law, Licensing, Manufacturing, and Distribution Industry Group, has extensive experience in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation. He began his legal career as a litigator and has tried multiple cases in county and federal court, including jury trials, and hundreds of cases before arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges. Zeller was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and now serves as counsel to D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., among others.
Zeller’s lobbying efforts helped to modernize parts of the Pennsylvania liquor code. He has authored numerous provisions that have been enacted into law. The bills helped small brewers by allowing more efficient and cost-effective brand registration and altered the package laws for brewery licenses. Zeller also appeared before the House Liquor Committee with the Brewers of Pennsylvania in the Privatization Hearings. Most importantly, his efforts helped change brewery regulations to allow for taprooms. Zeller also authored the Malt Beverage Tax Excise Credit legislation and has written extensively about Acts 39 and 166. As counsel to the Brewers of Pennsylvania, he worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to enact a new tax law, which imposes a fair sales and use tax on consumer sales by breweries, prior to the effective date of a new Tax Bulletin, which imposed a tax rate that was four times what was subsequently enacted and signed into law.
Zeller was named to The Legal Intelligencer’s 2019 list of “Pennsylvania Trailblazers” because of his contributions that “helped make Pennsylvania the top U.S. producer of domestically-crafted beers and a leader of direct sales to consumers.” He earned his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1989 and his J.D. from The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University in 1992. As a volunteer, Zeller is Chairman of the Allentown Parking Authority and a youth soccer coach.
Steven A. Karg, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and one of the firm’s Meritas® Member Contacts, has been appointed to the Meritas U.S. Leadership Committee. “Being dedicated to building the relationship with other Meritas firms, it is my pleasure and honor to serve as the firm’s representative for the United States Leadership Committee,” said Karg.
Melissa A. Peña, a Member of the law firm and one of the firm’s Meritas Member Contacts, has been appointed to the Executive Committee of Meritas as Chair of its Finance Committee, and as Chair of the Meritas Women’s Leadership Congress Leadership Council. Peña commented, “It is my honor to lead this incredibly talented group of women with the common goal to increase and support female leadership within Meritas and, in so doing, show women how to leverage those leadership skills into more visible roles within their firms, as well as identify resources and programs that can help to inform policies and guidelines to improve diversity and gender equality within the legal industry.”
About Meritas®
Meritas® is an established global alliance of more than 180 independent, full-service law firms, with a comprehensive means of monitoring and enhancing the quality of its member firms—a process that saves clients time in validating law firm credentials and experience. Firms become members by invitation only and maintain membership by meeting the standards of a uniquely comprehensive Quality Assurance Program. Firms are regularly assessed and recertified for the breadth of their practice expertise and client satisfaction. Firm quality feedback is reflected in a Satisfaction Index score, which is available online. As the only Meritas firm in New Jersey, Norris McLaughlin enjoys an international reputation for excellence through its membership.
About the Attorneys
Steven Karg
Karg focuses his practice on commercial litigation with an emphasis on products liability and consumer claims defense. He served a term on the Meritas Board of Directors and its Quality Assurance Committee. Karg is a past President of the Somerset County Bar Association, a member of the New Jersey Defense Association, a Former Chairperson of its Products Liability Committee, and a member of the Defense Research Institute as well as its Products Liability and Drug & Medical Device Committees.
Karg has spoken about products liability issues to many organizations, and he is a co-author of the annual edition of “New Jersey Products Liability and Toxic Torts Law,” published by Gann Law Books. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall University and his B.S., magna cum laude, from Trenton State College in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Melissa Peña
Peña, Chair of the firm’s Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, a member of the Management Committee, and Chair of its Diversity & Inclusion Committee, concentrates her practice in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial litigation, and mortgage foreclosures. Whether inside or outside the courtroom, Peña aims to find practical business solutions for her clients. She utilizes litigation as a tool to further her client’s business objectives in a cost-effective manner.
Peña serves on the Board of Directors for Meritas, as Chair of the Meritas Finance Committee as an Executive Committee Member, and as Co-Chair of its Financial Services/CRABS Section. She is also a member of the Bankruptcy Inn of Court, New York County Lawyers’ Association, and National Association of Women Lawyers. Peña earned her J.D., cum laude, from The American University Washington College of Law in 2003 and her B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science, from George Washington University in 2000.
“Statistics demonstrate that Bias incidents in New Jersey, including crimes motivated by a victim’s race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion, increased dramatically in 2020. Unfortunately, many of these incidents took place at schools, including universities and colleges. New Jersey has been proactive in its law enforcement and other efforts to address bias among young people and anti-bias education and training for public educators remains an important part of these efforts” said Pellitta.
Social Justice and Hate Crimes in New Jersey
The presentation was a discussion of the law governing bias-related incidents and hate crimes in New Jersey. Pellitta covered what the crimes are and the New Jersey law that governs these crimes. He talked about the increase in bias-related incidents throughout the state and country, including the increased racial divide and stereotypes; how hate crimes are prosecuted, including the proofs required to convict and the rights of victims; as well as the issue of bias-related incidents in schools and student conduct, i.e., bullying and student discipline.
About Nick Pellitta
Pellitta has substantial experience in a variety of legal areas in both federal and state courts. It is his goal to maximize efficiency for his clients by promptly analyzing their objectives, identifying necessary strategies, and implementing an appropriate course of action.
In the area of higher education, Pellitta has represented colleges and universities for more than 30 years in areas such as tort claims defense, campus security, alcohol policies, police litigation, civil rights, and student discipline. He has represented the Rutgers Police Department and has provided in-house training and advice on police-related matters. Representative clients include Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Seton Hall University, and Monmouth University.
On the individual level, Pellitta assists clients in matters involving the defense of criminal charges, juvenile delinquency, and similar offenses, in both municipal and superior courts.
Pellitta has served as Second Vice President in the C. Willard Heckel Inn of Court, an organization designed for the continuing education of newly-admitted attorneys. He has also lectured at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and on behalf of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office in trial practice.
In addition to his practice, Pellitta has served as Chairperson of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce and is currently Legal Counsel to the Chamber. He also served on the Board of Trustees and is a former chairperson for Prevention Resources, an organization dedicated to promoting health and wellness and addressing substance abuse and violence in the community. Pellitta earned his J.D. from New York Law School and his B.A. from Rutgers University.
<a href=”https://norrismclaughlin.com/attorney_profiles/barbara-l-hollenbach/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Barbara L. Hollenbach</a>, a Member of law firm <a href=”https://norrismclaughlin.com/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Norris McLaughlin, P.A.</a>, served as moderator for the “Legal Updates” panel of the <em>Pennsylvania 20th Annual Workers Compensation Conference</em> hosted by the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation on May 17.
“With extensive experience advising and representing insured and self-insured employers in the Lehigh Valley and throughout eastern Pennsylvania, I was honored to serve as moderator for the state’s annual conference,” said Hollenbach.
<h2><strong>About the Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Conference</strong></h2>
An annual favorite, the “Legal Updates” panel addressed recent cases and current, potentially problematic issues facing practitioners. Hollenbach and the panelists discussed appellate court decisions regarding fee review, course of employment, impairment rating evaluations, Earning Power Assessments, undocumented workers, incarceration, timing, subrogation, attorney fees, and the average weekly wage.
The conference, held virtually May 17-18, offered additional topics such as an update from the Healthcare Service Review, how technology could build a healthier workforce and safer workplace, COVID-19, challenges and topics for employers, claim forms, security, basic applicable law, the legislative process, tips and tricks, avoiding litigation, and much more. The <a href=”https://www.pbi.org/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Pennsylvania Bar Institute</a> provided continuing legal education credits for a price in addition to the cost of the conference, which was $100 to attend.
<h2><strong>About Barbara Hollenbach</strong></h2>
A resident of Bethlehem, Hollenbach focuses her practice on workers’ compensation, professional liability, products liability, and general litigation. Her civil litigation experience includes representing manufacturers of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and other products; as well as representing professionals including psychiatrists and veterinarians. She also represents clients in Orphans’ Court matters, including will contests and actions involving claims of undue influence and lack of mental capacity.
Hollenbach is certified as a specialist in workers’ compensation law by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Section on Workers’ Compensation Law as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. She was the first woman elected president of the Northampton County Bar Association and is a past chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Law Section. From 2011 – 2016, Hollenbach served on the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee. A Fellow of The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, she has co-authored and co-presented the PBI Workers’ Compensation Practice & Procedures manual and course since 2000. Hollenbach has been named one of Pennsylvania’s <em>Best Lawyers</em> and <em>Super Lawyers</em> for several years, most recently in 2020.
An active community volunteer, Hollenbach is a past chair and current member of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites’ Board of Trustees. She is also active in Cops ‘n’ Kids of the Lehigh Valley. In addition, Hollenbach has served on the boards and has been president of numerous charitable organizations, including the YWCA of Bethlehem. She earned her J.D., <em>cum laude</em>, in 1978 from Dickinson School of Law and her B.A., with highest distinction, in 1975 from Pennsylvania State University.
“As the judicial fight against discrimination and harassment continues, I felt it crucial to my practice to be able to offer these additional services and hope to help those who have fallen victim to these needless crimes,” said Judge Giordano.
About the Association of Title IX Administrators Certifications
Title IX protects individuals in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from sex and gender discrimination. By earning these certifications, Judge Giordano now serves as a Title IX Coordinator for Lafayette College through their Title IX: Reporting, Resources, & Information initiative. Lafayette College is committed to providing a learning and working environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community and, therefore, offers comprehensive resources that stop, prevent, and remedy sexual misconduct and sexual and gender-based harassment.
About Judge Giordano
Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative judge of the Orphans’ Court County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county; and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans’ Court. He was also the first judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.
For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.
As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation. He is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators; is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation; has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as a Diplomate Member for mediation; and has been selected to serve as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.
Judge Giordano serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Guardianship Certification. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame CYO and the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society. Judge Giordano is a recognized member of the Justinian Society of Philadelphia and is the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, he was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victims’ Rights. On January 1, 2020, Judge Giordano was designated Vice-Chair of the statewide Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Judge Giordano earned his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1985 and his B.A. from Moravian College in 1982. A proud Moravian College alumnus, he serves as an Adjunct Professor for undergraduate classes.
