HARRISBURG (Nov. 13, 2015) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President William H. Pugh V has announced the winners of the 2015 William A. Schnader Print Media Awards.

Funded by the national law firm of Schnader Attorneys at Law, the awards competition was founded 36 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, journalists and college professors.

The 2015 awards were presented today by Matthew J. Creme Jr., past president, PBA, and Carl Solano, partner, Schnader Attorneys at Law, during the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association's "Newspaper of the Year" ceremony at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey.

Here is a list of the 2015 Schnader Award winners:

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers 49,000+ Circ.
1st Place: Charles Thompson, Patriot-News, Jerry Sandusky Coverage
2nd Place: Stephanie Weaver, Reading Eagle, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers Under 49,000 Circ.
1st Place: Lisa Thompson, Erie Times-News Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Gina Passarella, The Legal Intelligencer, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Weekly Newspapers
1st Place: Charles Huth, The Sun, "PC OKs 'TIF' Study"
2nd Place: Daniel E. Cummins, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, "Automobile 'Black Box' Information Ruled Admissible in Criminal Case"

Special Report/Series
1st Place: Andrew Conte, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "Cyber Rattling"
2nd Place: Susan Baldrige and Gil Smart, LNP Media Group (Lancaster), "Who Says Crime Doesn't Pay?"

Editorial/Commentary
1st Place: Dan Robrish, The Elizabethtown Advocate, "Court Chaos" and "Bail Reform"
2nd Place: Tom Waseleski, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Kane Must Go"

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.

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 27,000 lawyers who are members of the association.