HARRISBURG (Nov. 13, 2009) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President Clifford E. Haines has announced the winners of the 2009 William A. Schnader Print Media Awards, which were presented today during the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's "Newspaper of the Year" ceremony in Hershey.

Funded by the national law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP, the awards competition was founded 30 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 writings 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.

The winners are as follows:

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers 49,000+ Circ.
1st Place: Reading Eagle, Holly Herman, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: York Daily Record/Sunday News, Rick Lee, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers Under 49,000 Circ.
1st Place: The Legal Intelligencer, Gina Passarella, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Pocono Record, David Pierce, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Weekly Newspapers
1st Place: Pennsylvania Law Weekly, Peter Hall, Three Pennsylvania Judiciary Articles
2nd Place: Montgomery Newspapers, Linda Finarelli, Cell Phone Ban Legislation Articles

Special Report/Series
1st Place: Associated Press, Mark Scolforo, "Rogue Constables"
2nd Place: Reading Eagle, John Fidler, "A Judicial Roundtable Debates a Film Classic"

Editorial/Commentary
1st Place: York Daily Record/Sunday News, Mike Argento, "Stay in Jail" and "Right Ruling on Bus Cuss"
2nd Place: The Legal Intelligencer, Hank Grezlak, "Pa. Supreme Court Needs to Address Luzerne Co. Court Scandal" and "We All Failed the Kids in Luzerne"

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 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.