HARRISBURG (Nov. 8, 2013) – Pennsylvania Bar Association President Forest N. Myers has announced the winners of the 2013 William A. Schnader Print Media Awards, which were presented today during the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association’s “Newspaper of the Year” ceremony at The Sands, Bethlehem.

Funded by the national law firm of Schnader Attorneys at Law, the awards competition was founded 34 years ago in memory of former state attorney general and PBA president William A. Schnader. The awards recognize excellence in print journalism, particularly articles and commentaries fostering greater public understanding of the legal system and the roles of society and the law, the courts, law enforcement agencies and the legal profession.

The competition is overseen by the PBA Bar/Press Committee. Entries are judged by lawyers, newspaper and magazine editors and college professors.

Here is a list of the 2013 Schnader Award winners:

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers 49,000+ Circ.
1st Place: Craig R. McCoy and Allison Steele, Philadelphia Inquirer, “Policy Shift by D.A. Stirs Controversy”
2nd Place: Mark Scolforo, Associated Press, Penn State and Sandusky Aftermath

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers Under 49,000 Circ.
1st Place: Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Zack Needles, The Legal Intelligencer, Three Beat Coverage Articles  

Beat Coverage: Weekly Newspapers
1st Place: Jason Przybycien, The Wellsboro Gazette, “Drug Trafficking”
2nd Place: Kelly Stemcosky, The Wellsboro Gazette, “County Rushing to Get Its Guns”

Special Report/Series
1st Place: Michael Alan Goldberg, The Reporter, Domestic Violence Series
2nd Place: Zack Needles, The Legal Intelligencer, “The Big Play”

Editorial/Commentary
1st Place: Hank Grezlak, The Legal Intelligencer, “Voter ID Decision” and “Old Judges Don’t Fade Away”
2nd Place: Mike Argento, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “New PFA Rules Might Help” and “Grove Fought for All of Us”

The first-place winner in each category of competition receives $400 and a plaque and the second-place winner in each category receives $100 and a certificate. When multiple journalists are writers of a winning entry, the cash prize is split evenly among the journalists.

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.