HARRISBURG (March 4, 2013) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL) recently honored Greensburg attorney Robert I. Johnston with its Chief Justice John P. Flaherty Award. The award was presented during the 47th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders, Feb. 21 - 23, in State College.

The Flaherty Award honors the work of an association member for supporting and promoting the projects and purposes of the CCBL and for efforts to improve the legal profession, the justice system and the community.

Johnston was a founder and the first president of Westmoreland County's Ned J. Nakles American Inn of Court and serves on its executive committee.

Johnston is a past president of the Westmoreland Bar Association and served as chair of the association's Alternative Dispute Resolution, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers committees.

Johnston served on the PBA Board of Governors and serves on the Pennsylvania Bar Insurance Fund and Trust Board.

He is a former chair of the PBA Professional Liability Committee and has traveled statewide to present malpractice avoidance programs.

The CCBL, whose membership includes leaders from county bar associations throughout the state and from the PBA, 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 PBA 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.