HARRISBURG (June 11, 2013) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President Forest N. Myers has named eleven Pennsylvania lawyers to the 2013-14 class of the association's Bar Leadership Institute (BLI).

The BLI helps prepare young lawyers for future leadership opportunities within the state's largest bar association.

"Lawyer participants learn about the nuts and bolts of PBA operations such as how it's governed, resources available to members and the roles of the association staff," said Myers. "Participants are also introduced to the various leadership opportunities within the PBA, and each participant is paired with a member of the Board of Governors who serves as a mentor to the participant.

The following lawyers have been named as participants in the 2013-14 BLI class:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY
John M. Schaffranek, Frank, Gale, Bails, Murcko & Pocrass PC, Pittsburgh

CAMBRIA COUNTY
Christopher G. Gvozdich, Gvozdich Law Offices, Ebensburg

CUMBERLAND COUNTY
James L. Proctor, James Proctor Law Office LLC, Carlisle

DAUPHIN COUNTY
Paula Knudsen Burke, Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Harrisburg

FRANKLIN COUNTY
Tracy J. Ross, Keller, Keller & Beck LLC, Waynesboro

MONTOMGERY COUNTY
Lindette C. Hassan, Fox Rothschild LLP, Blue Bell
William Sylianteng, Bennett Bricklin & Saltzburg LLC, Blue Bell

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Jessica F. Moyer, King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul LLC, Bethlehem

PHILADELPHIA
Michael B. Lee, Law Office of Michael Lee, Philadelphia
James Nixon, Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Tamika N. Washington, Law Offices of Tamika Washington PC, Philadelphia

This year's BLI co-chairs are Kathy M. Manderino, Intercommunity Action Inc., Philadelphia, and Charles Eppolito III, White and Williams LLP, Philadelphia. Both Manderino and Eppolito have served in a number of PBA leadership roles, including terms as chair of the PBA House of Delegates.

The BLI class size was limited to 11 lawyers. To apply, candidates had to demonstrate leadership ability, commit to attendance and participation in the required events, be currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, be a PBA member, and be age 38 years or younger or have practiced five years or less.

The BLI was originally developed by Arthur L. Piccone of Kingston in 1995-96 during his year as PBA president to strengthen the ongoing efforts to recruit and develop leaders of the association. The first chair of the institute, Gretchen A. Mundorff of Connellsville, re-launched the BLI when she became the 2010-11 president of the PBA.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of 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.