The 31-year-old trial attorney with Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller has recently gotten to know - and been blown away by - Sister Mary Lydon, IHM, the director of parish services at St. Cyprian Roman Catholic Church at 525 S. Cobbs Creek Parkway.

Sister Mary, who's worked at St. Cyprian's for a decade, founded a free food pantry and used-clothing room out of the church's basement. Open two days a week and manned each month by 18 volunteers, it's not just a mission of love for Sister Mary but an absolute necessity for the working poor whose paychecks cover shelter and utilities but not much else.

Through a former client of his, Adam learned about Sister Mary's mission and felt compelled to meet the pint-sized dynamo (who won't tell me her age, except to say it's "old"). He's now her biggest fan.

"She's one of those energetic selfless people who you just want to help the minute you get to know her," says Adam. "What she does is so important, and she does it with grace and love."

Feh, says Sister Mary.

"I don't do anything. I'm just a conduit," she says modestly, scratching her head that a young go-getter like Adam would be impressed with the likes of her. "Good people donate to the parish, and we turn around and give it away to other good people."

Yeah, y'know, no big deal - except to the people whose lives it saves.

That's why Adam has made it his own mission to raise money to help Sister Mary's labor of love, which is not financed by St. Cyprian's general fund. He's been spreading the word about the pantry and clothing room, collecting financial donations, and plans to present her with a check when he has raised $5,000, or on Christmas Day, whichever date comes sooner.

Right now, he's at about $2,000. Even if he can't scare up another nickel, that's still a healthy donation to Sister Mary's cause, which has never received more than $500 in individual support.

But wouldn't it be great if Adam hit that $5,000, thanks to the readers of this blog?

Adam has created a Facebook page to spread the word about Sister Mary, which she appreciates, but she's asked me to correct a point the page makes - that she sometimes finances her project out of her pocket.

"No. Never. I'm a nun," she chuckles. "I have no money."

Anyway, here's Adam's pitch:

"After having a wonderful Thanksgiving, I realized how much I have to be thankful for and want to give Sister Mary a donation. She has never received a donation larger than $500. My goal is to raise $5,000.

I have tackled a project like this in my life, but I am excited to be involved. I plan on keeping those who are interested informed via this Facebook fan page.

Sister Mary has ensured me that upon request, she give proper documentation for those who donate and would like to receive a tax credit to use when calculating their income tax at the end of the year.

Should you feel as compelled as myself to donate, please send a check made payable to Sister Mary and mail to my work address:

Adam S. Getson, Esquire
Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller
115 S. 21st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

I plan on presenting Sister Mary with the checks received by me when I reach $5,000 or December 25, 2009, whichever date is sooner.

I hope that this finds everyone well and in good health. Should you want to discuss this in detail, please do not hesitate to call me on my cell phone at 267.240.2171.

Lastly, please share this fan page with anyone that may be interested.

He and Sister Mary make a funny pair, says Adam, who's so impressed by Sister Mary's energy and selflessness, he's planning to team up with her for future projects.

"I'm a young Jewish guy and she's an older Catholic nun. Everything says we should have nothing in common. But working with her just feels like something that's meant to be."

Attorney Getson to Lecture at John L. Kinsey School on January 27, 2010

Adam Getson, an Associated Attorney with the law firm of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller, was recently asked to lecture at the John L. Kinsey School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010. Mr. Getson has been asked to specifically speak to children interested in becoming an attorney about the educational aspects required in becoming an attorney as well as answer any questions they may have so that the students may start taking the beginning steps to becoming an attorney.

Mr. Getson has been a Trial Attorney with Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller since April 2004.

$93,000 Trip and Fall Award for Attorney Getson

Attorney Adam Getson of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller was able to obtain a verdict in the amount of $93,000 in a Maple Shade, New Jersey trip and fall matter.

As a result of a trip and fall at a residential premises, the plaintiff sustained severe injuries including but not limited to a large laceration of his left leg, which required surgical repair. Liability was vigorously argued by the defendants in this matter.

Attorney Getson was successful in arguing that had the defendants taken the proper corrective steps or properly warned the plaintiff, the injury would not have occurred. Mr. Getson's client was extremely happy with the outcome of his two-year battle, during which no offers were made prior to the hearing.

Judge Rosen Awards $95,000 Trip and Fall Award for Attorney Getson

Attorney Adam S. Getson of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller was able to obtain a verdict in the amount of $95,000 in a Cherry Hill, New Jersey trip and fall matter.

The plaintiff was caused to trip and fall due to an unsecured and unmarked electrical cord on the defendant's premises. As a result of the fall, the plaintiff sustained severe injuries, the most severe a medial meniscus tear of the left knee, which required multiple injections and surgical repair.

Attorney Getson successfully argued that the corporate defendant was negligent in maintaining their store by breaching their duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition for its contemplated use and the purpose for which the invitation was extended to the plaintiff and therefore should be responsible for the injuries sustained by the plaintiff.

Attorney Getson joined Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer, Brecher & Miller as an Associate Attorney in April 2004 and focuses his practice in Plaintiffs' Civil Trial Litigation. Mr. Getson is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

$150,000 Trip and Fall Award for Attorney Getson

Attorney Adam Getson of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher was able to obtain a verdict in the amount of $150,000 in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania trip and fall matter.

The plaintiff began descending concrete steps when he was caused to trip and fall due to a broken step. He violently tumbled down the remaining steps crashing into the concrete platform below. As a result of his fall, plaintiff sustained severe, injuries including but not limited to a laceration of the inner aspect of the right lower lid to the right eye, which required surgical repair in the Emergency Room. Attorney Getson successfully argued that the defendant had a duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition for its contemplated use and the purpose for which the invitation was extended to the plaintiff and therefore should be responsible for the injuries sustained by the plaintiff.

Attorney Getson joined Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher as an Associate in April 2004 and focuses his practice in Plaintiffs' Civil Trial Litigation.

Attorney Getson Featured in Pennsylvania Jury Verdict Review & Analysis

In the March 2008 issue of Pennsylvania Jury Verdict Review & Analysis, Attorney Adam Getson was featured for his successful representation of an injured passenger, which resulted in an award of $31,500. During the two-day trial, Attorney Getson was able to prove to the jury that his client suffered injuries due to the negligence of the uninsured driver she was riding with. The jury found the defendant 100% negligent and awarded Attorney Getson's client compensation. Pennsylvania Jury Verdict Review & Analysis included a summary and analysis of Attorney Getson's successful trial recently.

Attorney Getson joined Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher as an Associate in April 2004 and focuses his practice in Plaintiff's Civil Trial Litigation. A Philadelphia native, he is a graduate of Widener Law School.

Attorney Getson to Lecture at Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School

Adam Getson, an Associate Attorney with the Philadelphia law firm of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher, has been asked by City Year of Greater Philadelphia to discuss with students at Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School what it takes to become a lawyer. The talk, scheduled for April 30, 2008, will feature Attorney Getson's thoughts about the process of becoming a lawyer, including passing the Pennsylvania Bar, and the ethical responsibilities of being a lawyer.

$184,000 Trip and Fall Verdict for Attorney Getson

Attorney Adam Getson of Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher was able to obtain a verdict in the amount of $184,000 in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania trip and fall matter.

The plaintiff, 60 years old at the time of her fall, sustained left knee medial and lateral meniscus tears and a medial femoral condyle fracture requiring multiple injections and surgical repair and a left shoulder full thickness rotator cuff tear requiring multiple injections as a result of the trip and fall within the defendant's premises. Attorney Getson successfully argued that the defendant had a duty to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition for its contemplated use and the purpose for which the invitation was extended to the plaintiff and therefore should be responsible for the damages sustained by the plaintiff.

Attorney Getson joined Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher as an Associate in April 2004 and focuses his practice in Plaintiffs' Civil Trial Litigation.

$31,500 Jury Verdict for Attorney Getson

January 2008

In January 2008, Adam Getson, an associate at Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer & Brecher, was able to obtain a jury verdict on behalf of a client who was injured by a negligent driver in November 2004. The trial lasted two days, and Attorney Getson was able to persuade a twelve-person, Philadelphia County jury that the plaintiff sustained injuries to her neck and back while in an uninsured vehicle operated by an uninsured negligent driver. This matter was presided over by The Honorable Judge Matthew D. Carrafiello. Attorney Getson's client was awarded $31,500 for her injuries.

Mr. Getson joined the firm as an Associate in April 2004 and focuses his practice in Plaintiffs' CIvil Trial Litigation. In September 2006, he joined with Wapner Newman attorney Robert S. Miller in securing a $1.45 million settlement for a 55-year-old former carpenter in Burlington County, New Jersey injured in a car accident.

$1.45 Million Settlement in Motor Vehicle Accident Case

September 2006

In a confidential settlement involving a case of motor vehicle negligence, Wapner Newman attorneys Robert S. Miller and Adam S. Getson secured damages for a 55-year old former carpenter in Burlington County, New Jersey. The victim sustained multiple injuries, including, but not limited to, a fractured pelvis; collapsed lung; five fractured ribs; lacerated liver; fractured sacrum; lacerated lips; fractured tooth; right humerus fracture; right radius fracture; right ulna fracture; right arm skin graph; severed right flexor polluces longus tendon; severed right media nerve; small intraventricular hemorrhage; deep vein thrombosis of left lower extremity; sacral fracture; pubic fracture; nerve damage to right arm and fingers; as well as other injuries to his head, neck, back, spine, torso and extremities, their bones, cells, tissues, discs, muscles, cartilage, nerves and functions; together with shock and injury to his nerves and nervous system. During a day long Pre-Trial Conference, the attorneys secured $1,450,000.00 in damages for the plaintiff.