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William H. Clark Jr. of Philadelphia Receives Inaugural W. Edward Sell Business Lawyer Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association Business Law Section

HARRISBURG (Nov. 19, 2012) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Business Law Section has presented William H. Clark Jr. of Philadelphia with its inaugural W. Edward Sell Business Lawyer Award.

The award recognizes Clark for his "extraordinary contribution to the practice of business law" in Pennsylvania. Clark received the award on Nov. 14 during the Business Law Institute held in Philadelphia.

Sell was a driving force behind the enactment of business corporation law in Pennsylvania. He served as chair of the Title 15 Task Force of the PBA Corporation, Banking and Business Law Section. From 1966 to 1977, Sell was dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He was then appointed Distinguished Service Professor of Law, a position he held until assuming emeritus status in 1994.

In 1988, in only his fifth year as a lawyer, Clark was the principal author along with the late Sell and the late William Zeiter from Philadelphia of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, which is credited with bringing the state's corporate law into the modern era. Clark also drafted the Pennsylvania Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the Pennsylvania Limited Liability Law.

The PBA Business Law Section was a sponsor of the recently enacted Benefit Corporation Act, of which Clark was a principal draftsman. Clark also is actively involved in numerous ongoing legislative projects, including revisions to the Nonprofit Corporation Law and to Title 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Clark is a former chair of the PBA Business Law Section and is the current chair and a long-time member of the section's Title 15 Task Force.

Clark has authored, coordinated and taught numerous continuing legal education classes at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He is the author and editor of several books, including the comprehensive treatise on Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law and the definitive source of forms for Pennsylvania Limited Liability Companies.

Clark is a partner at Drinker Biddle in Philadelphia. He is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the American Law Institute.

The Business Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association consists of approximately 1,300 licensed Pennsylvania lawyers supporting the advancement of business practice through practical legal education, legislative drafting, and communication and networking within the bar.

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.