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Elected and Appointed

Charny, Karpousis, Altieri & Donoian announced partner Rebecca A. Berger was named secretary on the board of trustees for the Center for Family Services.

Berger began serving as a board member two years ago.

Berger represents clients in divorce, child custody, spousal and child support, property settlement agreements, prenuptial agreements, domestic violence and municipal court matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Berger worked as an assistant Burlington County, New Jersey, prosecutor for seven years, handling criminal cases on behalf of the state of New Jersey.

During her four years in the domestic violence unit of the Prosecutor's Office, Berger trained law enforcement officers in the investigation and prevention of domestic violence.

She is a member of the state and local bar associations and is co-chair of the Burlington County Bar Association family part section.

Berger is an associate member of the Thomas S. Forkin Family Law Inns of Court and is a volunteer with the Domestic Violence Project and State of New Jersey mediator and community dispute resolution committee.

Speakers

Author Julie Salamon is slated to present a discussion of her book "An Innocent Bystander: The Killing of Leon Klinghoffer" from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

The book recounts a 1985 incident in which four members of the Palestinian Liberation Front hijacked the Achille Lauro cruise ship and ultimately killed American passenger Leon Klinghoffer. This act of international terrorism became a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a new symbol of Americans' vulnerability and fear.

Salamon discusses the incident and its drama, the hijackers' capture and prosecution, and the aftermath for the families, including that of a Palestinian-American killed in retaliation.

A reception will follow. Salamon's book will be available for purchase

Salamon is a former journalist and critic at The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. She is the author of fiction and nonfiction books as well as articles for magazines.

Sean Carter of Cozen O'Connor is also set to speak at the event. He concentrates his practice in commercial and mass tort litigation, with a focus on cases involving claims under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and Anti-Terrorism Act.

The talk is set to be moderated by professor Claire O. Finkelstein, Algernon Biddle professor of law and professor of philosophy and Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law faculty director at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

This program is approved for 1.5 ethics CLE credits for Pennsylvania lawyers. CLE credit may be available in other jurisdictions as well.

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Grace M. Deon served as a community leader speaker at the Quakertown Community Center's second annual Leadership Forum.

Deon discussed the youth, family and community benefits derived from after-school programs similar to the one offered by QCC known as "The Drop."

Some of the benefits include a reduction in youth drug use and criminal behavior; improved school performance, behavior and attendance; and added support for those suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health issues.

Deon is a board member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness–Bucks County chapter and sits on a forum assembled by District Attorney Matt Weintraub to address issues facing residents who have custody of their grandchildren due to the opioid epidemic.

Deon is a shareholder and member of Eastburn and Gray's management committee.

Her practice focuses on employment, commercial and special education litigation. She previously served as the president of the Bucks County Bar Association.

She actively participates as a board member and fundraiser for numerous nonprofit agencies throughout Bucks County.

Quakertown Community Center provides youth and young adults with a safe and welcoming environment.

The center is the home of "The Drop," an after-school program for at-risk youth that is staffed by volunteers between 3 and 6 p.m.

The Drop provides a safe haven and welcoming, supportive environment for area youth to experience positive peer interaction and age-appropriate recreational activities.