New and events of the Philadelphia Bar Asso.
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consuls general, i.e. paid diplomats in residence representing their countries, and a collection of honorary consuls from 35 countries. The "half" is the Chilean consul, where the consul retired but his staff remains. Other Philadelphia attorneys have served as honorary consuls; Albert Momjian, retired partner at Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, has served as Honorary Consul for the Philadelphia Region for the Republic of Haiti. An honorary consul may pursue a kaleidoscopic range of diplomatic duties. Scullin divides his duties between "ministerial" and "constituent." There are around 5,000 French people who live in Philadelphia. These individuals turn to him for constituent needs such as the reissuance of passports, stamping official documents and even the rare act of legal representation. Perhaps among the more unorthodox of his recent tasks was representing before U.S. Customs and Border Protection a French solo Atlantic sailor who had been rescued by a Philadelphia-bound freighter and deposited here. On a typical day Scullin divides his time between consular duties and his ongoing practice as a specialist in international trade and development, sometimes combining the two by representing entities with dealings in the United States and Europe. The job of consul also carries colorful ceremonial duties that tend to sustain Scullin's passion for his doubled- edged endeavors. For example, "French Alliance Day" annually presses Scullin into service. For the non-savants "French Alliance Day," Scullin describes, "celebrates the day in 1778 the troops at Valley Forge found out that King Louis XVI had resolved to support the American Revolution. French support for the American Revolution was the thing that clinched it. Benjamin Franklin had spent a lot of time at court getting the king to support the American Revolution. After Lafayette committed to the Revolution the French lent full-fledged support with General Rochambeau leading a contingent of French soldiers in support of the Revolution. There were more French troops than American troops at Yorktown. The American Navy there was all French. They blocked the British retreat. That was the key to the American victory." Bastille Day, of course, requires Scullin's attendance at six or more local events (and marks one of the few "gimmes" the job offers, like a case or two of wine imported to his doorstep to help mark the day). Some events require Scullin to associate with those individuals whose role in life is to dress up as historic figures. Recently, after a wreath-laying in Chester, Scullin returned to Philadelphia in the company of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. On Bastille Day, he may attend a reenactment of the storming of the Bastille in Media where a local restauranteur dresses up as the Marquis de Lafayette. He is also prominent in the promotion of the arts. For example, Scullin was present and active in June when the Philadelphia Museum of Art premiered its exhibition of Impressionist painting. And for those curiosity-seekers who really want to know, yes, Scullin is allotted a consular parking place in front of his downtown office, an institution inaugurated by the late Richardson Dilworth, who as mayor wanted to demonstrate the city's hospitality to the diplomatic corps. And at times he may wear a tricolor sash. Richard G. Freeman (rgfrim@gmail.com), a sole practitioner, is a member of the editorial board of The Philadelphia Lawyer. the philadelphia lawyer Fall 2015 33 Michael E. Scullin (far left) presented Legion of Honor medals to 11 American veterans who fought for the liberation of France in World War II, all residing at Foulkeways Retirement Community in Gwynedd, PA on Feb. 20, 2009.