The Lycoming Law Association welcomed eight new attorneys to its ranks during a special session at the Lycoming County Courthouse Thursday evening.

“I can probably speak for my colleagues to say that this is probably our most favorite special session of court, where we get to meet some new attorneys and get to hear a little bit of their backgrounds and experiences before they’re moved into the various courts of Lycoming County,” President Judge Nancy Butts said, as she was joined on the bench by fellow judges Ryan Tira, Eric Linhardt and Ryan Gardner, who also serves as the current Law Association Chairman.

The new law practitioners and their sponsor attorneys included: Maureen Milagros Archibold Carrion and Taylor Paulhamus; Skylar Autumn Cunningham and Landon Hodges; Joshua Michael Dinges and parents, Christina and Michael Dinges; Richard Nathaniel Dixon III and First Assistant Public Defender Jeana Longo; Chase Sherwood Dudek and Bret Southard; Laci E. Freas and David Wilk; Nicholas D. Grimes and J. Michael Wiley; and Jessica Marian Lehman and Blake Marks.

Following the administration of the oath by Prothonotary Holly Thomas, each of the judges offered their unique guidance to the fledgling lawyers.

“If you are not anxious, you are not normal,” Gardner said, echoing the words of former law partner and mentor, Anthony Greico.

“Anxiety and fear will be experienced by those newly admitted today. As a litigator, if you ever lose fear and anxiety, you lose your edge. It motivates you, it focuses you, and it helps you prepare. So don’t run from it. It’s a normal reaction, and it’s going to help you moving forward,” he said.

Gardner also stressed the importance of making sure that their clients know, without a doubt, that they really care.

“In short, listen to your client. You went to law school. You’re equipped with the tools to help navigate them down whatever road they’re there to see you for. But if they don’t think that you understand, and you give a darn about why they’re sitting in front of you, then your relationship isn’t going to start out on the right foot,” he said.

“I always say ‘our bar,’ because what I think you’ll experience is there’s so much value in becoming involved with it, and you will find them to be very engaging,” Tira said.

“When you have questions and when you are nervous, they will be your allies. They may not be your co workers, they may work in a different office, but this bar has proven, year over year, to be an unbelievable treasure to its colleagues,” the judge said, urging the new lawyers to get involved.

“Not only will it help your practice grow, it’ll make your practice enjoyable. You need something to do beyond just showing up to work nine to five to make it through these days,” he said, noting the fun, supportive signs designed by the Public Defender’s Office for the event.

“I am so impressed and feel so good about the quality of young lawyers that we have here in Lycoming County that I have no worries about the future of our bar,” Lingardt said.

“You are joining a really wonderful group of lawyers and a wonderful place to practice law. You will find that your career here in this county is going to be really fulfilling,” he continued.

“Take advantage of all of the opportunities you have with the local bar. It’s a wonderful place to live, a wonderful place to raise your families and a wonderful place to practice law,” Linhardt concluded.

“This community is a wonderful place,” Butts said, urging the new attorneys to get involved beyond just their legal work.

“One of the things I was fortunate enough to discover growing up outside Philadelphia was that down there when you’re a lawyer, you’re kind of stuck in a rut. You did lawyer things,” she continued.

“When I moved here, I could get involved with the theater, I could get involved with the fire company. I could get involved where people got to know me not as the judge, but they got to know me as Nancy,” Butts said.

“I have been blessed to be a part of this community for 39 years, first as a public defender, in private practice, for a brief period of time in the district attorney’s office and now as judge, and I couldn’t have asked for a better life,” the judge said.

Next up, retired Lycoming County Judge and immediate past Law Association Chairman Joy McCoy delivered the inaugural Lycoming Law Association Louise Larzelere Chatham Award, celebrating the 100th of the first female lawyer’s admission to the association.

the admission of Lycoming County’s first female attorney to the bar,

The award aims to “honor Miss Chapman’s groundbreaking achievements, steadfast commitment to justice, advocacy for women’s rights, and dedication to the community,” she said.

“It also serves to celebrate significant progress women have made in the past century,” she added.

“The recipient embodies a combination of the following attributes, reflecting Chapman’s legacy, significant accomplishments in the legal field, a history of community service, mentorship of other attorneys, and contributions to advancement of women’s rights,”McCoy explained.

This year’s recipient was Julieanne Steinbacher, founding shareholder of Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak, an elder care and special needs planning law firm.

“Throughout her career, Julie has made significant contributions to promoting women in the legal profession. She’s been actively involved in mentoring and supporting female attorneys through various initiatives,” McCoy said, noting her work as president of the million dollar solution.

“My success is very much attributed to this community and this bar, because as a young attorney, every time I had a problem, I reached out to a member of our bar, and they always got on the phone and helped me in any way that I needed,” Steinbacher said, taking the time to also give credit to her eight spent working at her father’s firm.

“I learned very quickly that your reputation was everything. Always be over prepared, never lie ever and write three things down on a yellow pad of paper and no matter what, get those three things done that day,” she said.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Old Corner.