HARRISBURG (Feb. 27, 2015) � The Pennsylvania Bar Association presented County Bar Recognition Awards during the 49th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders, Feb. 26 � 28, at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, Lancaster. Twenty-six county 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.

"The voluntary efforts of lawyers, who so willingly invest their time and their expertise to improve their communities and the legal profession, are worthy of recognition," said Francis X. O'Connor, president of the PBA. "We applaud them for their efforts and hope even more legal professionals are inspired to participate in their good works."

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

Allegheny County Bar Association: "Practice for Success" Seminar
Beaver County Bar Association: Ohio River Trail Council's Gear & Cheer Music Festival, Basic Trial Advocacy Program, and Center Civic Women's Club Cancer Fund
Berks County Bar Association: End-of-Life Decision Making
Bucks County Bar Association: Judicial Portrait Project
Butler County Bar Association: Veterans Court Program
Centre County Bar Association: Introduction to PACFile, Low-Fee Attorney Referral Program and Centre County Community Super Fair
Chester County Bar Association: Past Presidents' Council and Preservation Campaign
Cumberland County Bar Association: Adopt-a-Family and Law Day Programs
Dauphin County Bar Association: Veterans Disability Appeals Lawyer Referral Program
Delaware County Bar Association: Expungement Seminar for the Public and Lunch and Learn Series with the President Judge
Erie County Bar Association: Business Partners Program and Launch of Women's Division
Franklin County Bar Association: Law Day Program and Wilson College Professional Development Conference
Lackawanna Bar Association: 2014 Hon. T. Linus Hoban Memorial Forum
Lancaster Bar Association: Young Lawyers Section's Program for Boys and Girls Club
Lawrence County Bar Association: Educational Programming
Lebanon County Bar Association: Bar Headquarters Relocation
Lycoming Law Association: "Hon. Malcolm Muir � A Pioneer in the Efficient Administration of Justice" Documentary, Law Day and Mock Trial Competition and Young Lawyers Division Angel Tree Toy Drive
Monroe County Bar Association: Legal Services Donation and Strategic Plan
Montgomery Bar Association: Young Lawyers Month of Service and Ongoing Outreach Efforts, MBA Connect Campaign and MBA Leadership Academy
Northampton County Bar Association: Law Day Program and Charity Quoits Tournament
Pike County Bar Association: Law Day "Senator for a Day," Community Funds Programs and Adult Literacy Program
Schuylkill County Bar Association: Committee Days, Community Outreach and Picture Perfect
Washington County Bar Association: "Run Your Briefs Off" WCBA Running Club and Youth Law School
Westmoreland Bar Association: Diversity Seminar, Pro Bono Help Center and Wellness Program
Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association: "The Ashley Special" Seminar, Legal-Medical Seminar and Young Lawyers Division Holiday Basket Charitable Fundraiser
York County Bar Association: Impact Grants, Legal Aid and Scholarship and "Wills for Heroes" Program

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 27,000 lawyers who are members of the association.