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Peacock Keller, a full-service law firm in Washington, Pa., sponsored its 4th Annual “Off the Shelf... A Celebration of Books” event in September 2011. Through the Off the Shelf benefit, Peacock Keller helped to raise more than $30,000 for 20 libraries in southwestern Pennsylvania’s Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe, Canonsburg, Pa., the unique evening of entertainment featured music by The Dan Baker Group and a keynote address and stunning visual presentation titled, “Far Beyond the Blue Sky,” by former astronaut and award-winning photographer and author Dr. Jay Apt. Guests also enjoyed a question-and-answer session with Dr. Apt.

Adding to the space exploration theme, leading up to the event attendees chose a book about space around which they decorated their tables that evening, vying for special awards based upon creativity of their displays as determined by a panel of judges. One table also received “the People's Choice Award,” determined by participant voting. A silent auction and numerous raffle items rounded out the night’s entertainment. More than 320 people attended the 40-table event, helping to boost the total amount raised for area libraries during the past four years to more than $100,000.

“Peacock Keller is committed to helping our local libraries remain centers of education, learning and the arts in our communities,” said Peacock Keller Managing Partner Jonathan G. Higie. “Proceeds from Off the Shelf will help to fund the creation of a Regional ‘One-Card’ Network, with the vision of ensuring that every resident may go to any library in our three-county region using only one library card. This system will increase convenience and accessibility for library customers as well as add cost savings and efficiencies for the libraries.”

To support literacy in Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties or to learn more about the Off the Shelf event, contact a local library, call 724-222-4520 or email carol.andrews@peacockkeller.com

Barbara A. Graham, a partner with Washington, Pa. law firm Peacock Keller, is slated to instruct new school teachers in school law matters for Intermediate Unit 1 – a public educational service agency. An experienced school district solicitor, Graham will teach a multi-session course focusing on legal issues impacting Pennsylvania teachers, as well as the legal environment within which public school teachers operate.

“The legal parameters within which public school teachers must work have become increasingly complex,” stated Graham. “I am looking forward to helping new teachers begin their careers armed with the information they need regarding Pennsylvania school law.”

Graham, who has been an attorney with Peacock Keller since 1985, focuses her practice on school law, employment law and business law. As a school solicitor, Graham counsels and represents public school districts in all educational matters, including student discipline, labor and employment, special education and insurance defense claims. She is a past president of the Pennsylvania School Solicitors Association and a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association as well as local government officials, school boards and public school teachers.

A 1983 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Graham is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County and Washington County bar associations. She resides in McMurray, Pa., with her husband and children.

Susan Mondik Key, an elder law attorney with Peacock Keller of Washington, Pa., recently demonstrated her passion for community advocacy and support through several efforts in the Washington County area.

Key, along with Lisa J. Buday, Esq., co-presented a two-part seminar on wills, powers of attorney and advanced directives. The legal program took place at The Center in Woods in California, Pa., a multi-purpose community center for older adults. The attorneys answered seminar participant questions regarding when these documents should be updated and other important information on keeping personal matters and affairs current. The lawyers also worked with those attendees who were interested in preparing and revising such documents.

A Washington County native and school law solicitor, Key also participated in the presentation of scholarship awards to Chartiers-Houston and Washington School District students. Peacock Keller serves as the solicitor to both districts and annually presents a scholarship to a graduating senior.

A partner at Peacock Keller since 2003, Key focuses her practice on estate planning and administration and estate litigation. She has also had extensive litigation experience in representing the firm's numerous school districts in tax assessment litigation.

Key is an active member of the Washington County Bar Association and Pennsylvania Bar Association for which she has held many leadership positions. In September 2005, Key was appointed, and continues to serve as, a Hearing Officer for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. She also participates in numerous community activities, serving on the boards of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, the Washington Hospital Foundation and several nonprofit organizations. Key is a member of the Church of the Covenant, Washington, Pa., where she served on its Board of Trustees. She graduated from Washington & Jefferson College with a B.A. in English and Economics, and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Key also completed the Economic Policy Seminar at American University, Washington, D.C.

Attorney Rachel K. Lozosky of Peacock Keller in Washington, Pa., has focused her recent community service efforts on educating local high school students. In February 2011, Lozosky served on the Zonta Club of Washington County’s Amelia Earhart Dinner Committee and helped to organize its annual event. A worldwide service organization focused on making a difference in the lives of women, the Club honors the community service accomplishments of 15 outstanding female high school juniors. During the dinner, Lozosky served as master of ceremonies and delivered a speech titled, “What is Zonta?,” to attendees in order to educate them about the women-focused service, education and advocacy organization, encouraging them to become future members and business leaders.

On May 3, 2011, Lozosky traveled to her alma mater, Bethlehem-Center High School in Fredericktown, Pa., to teach high school seniors about their rights and responsibilities as adults as part of the “Turning 18: Legal Issues in the Real World” program presented by the Washington County Bar Association. Through the “Turning 18: Legal Issues in the Real World” program, members of the bar educate young adults about the privileges and responsibilities associated with turning 18-years-old. Topics include earning and spending money; contracts and transactions; housing; marriage, children and divorce; crimes and the penal system; and voting and selective service registration.

"The significance of education and the importance of service to others were instilled in me by my family from an early age, so I find it very rewarding to share in Peacock Keller's commitment to those same values,” said Lozosky. “As my practice focuses primarily upon school law, I am grateful for opportunities to be of additional service to the education community beyond my daily work. I truly enjoy every minute spent reaching out to students, as they are the most important reason for the efforts of those of us who work in any facet of education."

Lozosky joined Peacock Keller in 2008. She concentrates her practice in school law, counseling and representing school districts throughout Western Pennsylvania on all legal matters relating to public education. Lozosky also counsels and represents Peacock Keller clients in a wide range of employment matters, including employment discrimination, non-compete agreements and wrongful discharge. Prior to joining Peacock Keller, Lozosky was an associate attorney with a Charleroi, Pa., law firm where she focused on general and business litigation.

The president of the Washington County Chapter of Zonta International, Lozosky also sits on the organization’s board of directors. She is the Service Chair of The Rotary Club of Washington, Pa., and she is certified by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh as a catechist (CCD instructor). Lozosky has served as a CCD instructor for kindergarten and first grade students and is a lector at her church. She is also a mentor to a Washington & Jefferson College undergraduate student through the college’s Office of Alumni Relations Alumni Mentor Program.

Lozosky is a cum laude graduate of Washington & Jefferson College. She earned her juris doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a Phi Alpha Delta international legal fraternity member and participated in moot court competitions. 

Peacock Keller Attorneys Jonathan Higie and Andrew Chumney Present at Energy & Mineral Law Foundation CLE Event

Washington PA - Mineral, oil and gas lawyers Jonathan G. Higie and Andrew S. Chumney of the Washington County law firm Peacock Keller presented at the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Continuing Legal Education (CLE) event, "Abstracting Titles in the Appalachian Basin." The seminar was held on March 10 and 11, 2011, in Canonsburg, Pa.

Peacock Keller managing partner, Higie co-presented "The Mechanics of Title Examination" with West Virginia attorney Timothy R. Rounds. Higie covered topics such as the scope of a title examination, indices and their functions, chaining title, adversing the chain of title, and liens, leases, rights of way and other encumbrances. 

Chumney, a partner with Peacock Keller, reviewed a sample title opinion to demonstrate how and where abstracting work appears in title opinions in his presentation, "Pulling it all Together and Reporting it in a Title Opinion." Included in his lecture were the scope of a title examination, identifying ownership of different estates, where and why encumbrances are listed, and oil and gas lease issues that may adversely affect drilling. Chumney also spoke about title defects that may adversely affect operations and reporting the status of property taxes.

Higie focuses his practice in real property, commercial and residential lending, mineral, oil and gas, and environmental law, as well as selected municipal and zoning matters. A past president of Group Home, Inc. of Washington, Pa., Higie is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, Washington County, and Allegheny County Bar Associations. He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates since 2002. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Washington Industrial Development Corporation, is a member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and is a previous board member of the Allegheny County Special Olympics.

Higie is a 1989 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law. As a law student, he participated on the 1988 Irving R. Kaufman National Securities Moot Court Team and was a law clerk for a U.S. Claims Court judge in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Peacock Keller in 1991, Higie practiced with a Pittsburgh law firm.

Chumney concentrates his practice in mineral law, oil and gas law, and real estate matters. In addition to maintaining his active legal practice, he participates in Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Washington County and has served as a coach for the Canonsburg Youth Baseball League, as well as the Canon-McMillan Youth Basketball League.

Chumney graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 2003, where he was executive articles editor for the Duquesne Law Review. As a law student, Chumney also completed a judicial internship with the Honorable Donald E. Ziegler of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and clerked with a Pittsburgh law firm. He joined Peacock Keller upon his graduation from Duquesne.

Ken Baker and Don Formoso prsent CLE. Peacock Keller Attorneys Kenneth Baker and Donald Formoso Present CLE Program to Probate and Trust Section of Washington County Bar Association. Washington County Estate Attorneys Address "The 2010 Tax Act: Implications and Opportunities."

Don and Susan  participated in a two-part seminar for the Washington Hospital Foundation.  Don addressed general estate planning and Susan spoke on medical powers of attorney and advance directives.

Andy Chumney took part in a panel discussion at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, sponsored by the Energy Mineral Law Foundation, addressing opportunities available to law students in the energy sector.

Rachel Lozosky was appointed to a four-year term on to the Alumni Executive Council (AEC) of Washington & Jefferson College.  Members of the AEC will fulfill consultative, event planning and alumni/public relations roles for the college. They are also invited to attend meetings of the Board of Trustees in a non-voting capacity. 

Rachel Lozosky presented “Attorney-Client Privilege and Its Application Under Pennsylvania Right-to- Know Law and Sunshine Act: Ethical Considerations for School District Solicitors” to the Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association at its summer 2011 symposium in State College Pennsylvania. 

Susan Key presented “Fundamentals of Estate Administration” to the PBI in Pittsburgh on September 21, 2011 and is scheduled to participate in the PBI seminar “Know How Non-Profit: A Day on Non-Profit Law and Best Practices.”

Rachel Lozosky taught senior social studies classes at Beth Center High School on May 3 as part of the Washington County Bar Association “Turning 18: Legal Issues in the Real World” program.

The Washington County Community Foundation presented Peacock Keller with The Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy. The Firm received this inaugural award for its philanthropic community efforts and the award will hereafter be named the Charles C. Keller Award Excellence Award for Corporate Philanthropy.

Susan M. Key was appointed solicitor to the Washington County Tax Collection Committee which will address the countywide collection of earned income taxes. Following a speaker/trainer position she had with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary Board Hearing Officers.

On February 17, 2011, Ken Baker and Don For presented  "The 2010 Tax Act: Implications and Opportunities," to the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Washington County Bar Association.

Jon Higie and Andrew Chumney spoke to EMLF attendees on "The Mechanics of Title Examination" and "Abstracting Titles in the Appalachian Basin - Putting it all Together and Reporting it in a Title Opinion", respectively. 

It was with profound sadness that we said a fond farewell to Davis G. Yohe, a founding partner of the firm, who died on Sunday, November 7, 2010.

As outgoing chairperson of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Susan Mondik Key was recognized for her service at the Chamber's annual banquet. The group's tradition is to give each outgoing "chair" a chair, which she received.  However, the Chamber members also honored her with an unprecedented award: The Chamber presented Susan with a handmade bobblehead.

Patrick O'Brien, President and CEO of First Federal Savings Bank, is the chairperson for 2011.