2010 Govt. Lawyer of the Year

HARRISBURG (Nov. 18, 2010) - Gary F. Ankabrandt of North Middleton Township, Cumberland County, has been named the 2010 Government Lawyer of the Year by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Government Lawyers Committee.

The award, presented to Ankabrandt during a recent ceremony at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, honors a government lawyer who has made a significant singular contribution or has dedicated his or her career to outstanding service to the profession for the benefit of the public or a government entity.

As an attorney with the Governor's Office of General Counsel, Ankabrandt serves as deputy chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS). Ankabrandt has worked for six governors and eight Department of General Services' secretaries during his more than 30-year career. His professional accomplishments include the following:

  • serving as primary drafter of the Commonwealth Procurement Code that, when signed into law in 1998, was the first major piece of procurement legislation in more than 70 years;
  • drafting and updating the DGS's Field Procurement Handbook; providing legal guidance for the recent "Strategic Sourcing" initiative and reviewing contracts that resulted in millions of dollars in cost savings;
  • developing an ethics program for DGS senior staff and bureau directors; and
  • planning and presenting numerous law-related professional development programs.

Ankabrandt has served as co-chair of the Office of General Counsel's Transactions Practice Group since its creation in 1999. He has been a member of the PBA Government Lawyers Committee since its creation in 1997.

In addition to his professional activities, Ankabrandt has raised thousands of dollars to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. Earlier this year, Ankabrandt ran the Boston Marathon as part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Program, raising more than $6,300 in donations. In 2001, he ran his first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. as part of the Central Pennsylvania Leukemia & Lymphoma Society team, raising more than $6,400 in donations.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of 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.