HARRISBURG (Nov. 9, 2012) – Pennsylvania Bar Association President Thomas G. Wilkinson Jr. has announced the winners of the 2012 William A. Schnader Print Media Awards, which were presented today during the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s “Newspaper of the Year” ceremony at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center.

Funded by the national law firm of Schnader Attorneys at Law, the awards competition was founded 33 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 2012 Schnader Award winners:
Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers 49,000+ Circ.
1st Place: Rick Lee, York Daily Record/Sunday News, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Mark Scolforo, Associated Press, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers Under 49,000 Circ.
1st Place: Saranac Hale Spencer, The Legal Intelligencer, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Laurie Mason Schroeder, Bucks County Courier Times, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Weekly Newspapers
1st Place: Ben Present, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Daniel E. Cummins, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, “Call Me from the Road”

Special Report/Series
1st Place: Rick Lee and Emily Opilo, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Infamous Crime”
2nd Place: Mark Scolforo, Associated Press, “Cabin Deaths Mystery”

Editorial/Commentary
1st Place: Mike Argento, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Tweet but Don’t ‘Tweet’” and “Clear Danger Was Missed”
2nd Place: Jeff Hawkes, Intelligencer Journal, “To Jail or Not to Jail”

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.