HARRISBURG (Feb. 22, 2013) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association presented County Bar Recognition Awards during the 46th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders, Feb. 21 - 23, at The Nittany Lion Inn, State College. Twenty-one local bar associations in Pennsylvania were honored this year for sponsoring projects that improve the legal profession, justice system and community. The awards, which are non-competitive in nature, are presented annually by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

"We proudly recognize lawyers who voluntarily lead and actively participate in efforts to improve their communities and better the legal profession and the justice system," said Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr, president, Pennsylvania Bar Association. "The intent of the County Bar Recognition Awards is to encourage even more legal professionals to be part of the organized bar's ongoing efforts to advance projects and programs that benefit many Pennsylvania citizens."

The following local bar associations received awards for notable projects and programs:

Beaver County Bar Association: Charity Golf Outing, The Center for Hope Service Project and Wine Dinner Fundraiser
Berks County Bar Association: Voter Photo ID Task Force and Legends from the Bar, Generations of Mentors Program
Centre County Bar Association: Centre County Courthouse Documentary, Meet the Judges Night and Hike Event, and Protection of Children-themed Bench Bar Day
Chester County Bar Association: Federal vs. State Annual Softball Game and Logo Redesign Contest
Cumberland County Bar Association: Adopt-a-Family 2012 Program and 2012 Law Day
Dauphin County Bar Association: Mediation Program and New Pro Se Custody Conciliation Clinics
Delaware County Bar Association: New Member Orientation Program and Pro Bono Program
Erie County Bar Association: Commonwealth Court Visit, Online CLE and Red Mass
Lackawanna Bar Association: Law Day Ceremony and 2012 T. Linus Hoban Memorial Forum
Lancaster Bar Association: U.S. Supreme Court Admission Trip
Lawrence County Bar Association: Lunch CLE Programming
Lycoming Law Association: Law Day 2012, Young Lawyers Division Pajama Drive and Angel Tree Toy Drive, and Institution of the William E. Nichols Community Service Award
Monroe County Bar Association: 2012 Fairy Tale Trials
Montgomery Bar Association: Comprehensive Electronic Communications Strategy, 2012 Civil Practice Manual and MBA Diversity Committee "Day in Court Program"
Northampton County Bar Association: 2012 Bench Bar Conference and Paralegal Award
Pike County Bar Association: Bar None Children Rule Donations, Food Bank Replenishment and Spring Relief for Heroes Program
Schuylkill County Bar Association: Holidays Donations, Schuylkill County Cancer Awareness Event and Past Presidents' Dinner
Washington County Bar Association: Membership Campaign, "Justice Day" Leadership Washington Program and "Ask a Lawyer" Event
Westmoreland Bar Association: Antietam Trip and Civics Education Program
Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association: Dinner with a Judge Program, Library Reorganization and Rejuvenation Project, and Conflict Resolution Day at the County Courthouse Program
York County Bar Association: Impact Grants Program, Pajama Program and Wills for Heroes Event

The Conference of County Bar Leaders, whose membership includes leaders from county bar associations throughout the state and from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, organizes a yearly educational conference focusing on the exchange of innovative bar association projects and ideas and on the development of mutually-beneficial relationships among bar leaders that improve the legal profession.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 28,000 lawyers who are members of the association.