HARRISBURG (May 14, 2013) - William J. Higgins Jr., Bedford County's district attorney, began a three-year term on the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Board of Governors at the conclusion of the association's annual meeting on May 10 in Pittsburgh.

One of 12 zone governors who serve on the PBA board, Higgins will represent Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Mifflin and Somerset county lawyers who are members of the association.

Higgins was the 2007-08 chair of the PBA Young Lawyers Division. From 2001 to 2005, Higgins was the PBA Young Lawyers Division Zone 8 chairperson.

In 2010, Higgins received the PBA Young Lawyers Division's Michael K. Smith Excellence in Service Award for his work with the PBA Statewide High School Mock Trial Program. From 2005 to 2008, Higgins was the statewide coordinator of the program. He has served in many role in support of mock trial, including acting as a coach for Martinsburg's Central High School mock trial team.

Higgins is the current president of the Bedford County Bar Association and is a member of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.

Active in his community, Higgins was the 2010-12 district governor for Lions Clubs in Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties, the 2007-08 president of the Bedford Rotary Club and the 2006-07 president of the Bedford Lions Club. Higgins also has served on the boards of Bedford County Regional Education Foundation, Downtown Bedford Inc., Junior Achievement, Personal Solutions Inc. and United Way.

Higgins earned his bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

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.