Every year, the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA) selects a recipient to receive the Martha J. Hampton award. Not only does this year mark the 25th anniversary of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, but it also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Martha J. Hampton award itself, which honors former Galfand Berger partner Martha Hampton.
The honor of receiving the Martha J. Hampton award is reserved exclusively for attorneys or judges who best embody the qualities that Martha herself exemplified: dedication, professionalism, and good will. This year’s award recipient is Michael Snyder, Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a former Workers’ Compensation judge with 15 years on the bench. Judge Snyder served twice as Co-Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the PBA and also served as a member of the Section’s Pro Bono committee. Currently, Judge Snyder is a distinguished neutral mediator and arbitrator at The Dispute Resolution Institute, where he works to resolve conflict across many different areas of legal practice. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law.
Also of note is that Judge Snyder is the first former sitting judge to take on the role of Chancellor for the Bar Association. Founded in 1802, the Philadelphia Bar Association is the oldest association of lawyers in the United States. For 218 years, it has served its mission of being a keystone in the ongoing developments of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania legal systems.
Not only was Martha a former partner with our firm but she also was instrumental in getting the Workers’ Compensation committee recognized as a Section within the PBA. The Section addresses the special needs of attorneys who practice workers’ compensation law and also maintains several subgroups and committees that give lawyers the opportunity to learn, enhance their skills, and serve their communities at large.
Martha was committed to the practice of workers’ compensation law and her interests extended far beyond the individual cases she litigated. Martha never shied away from being a fierce advocate for her clients but she could also seamlessly discuss personal matters with opposing council over a friendly cup of coffee. Martha had a diverse and active life: she was a past president of the Section, wrote articles for the Legal Intelligencer, and even testified before various subcommittees in Harrisburg on proposed legislation. The goal of memorializing and honoring Martha’s passion and her respect for legal practitioners and the profession at-large led to the creation of the Martha J. Hampton award.
Every year, Galfand Berger, LLP makes a charitable donation to Kids Chance on behalf of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association and to honor the recipient of the award. Kids Chance is a not-for-profit organization that helps youngsters who lost a parent due to a work related injury to achieve a higher level of education. To learn more about the Martha J. Hampton award, you can submit an online inquiry.
With offices located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Galfand Berger serves clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. To schedule a consultation, call us at 800-222-8792 or complete our online contact form.