Christianson Award

HARRISBURG (June 6, 2017) — The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Public Utility Law Section presented its Christianson Award to William R. Lloyd Jr. of Somerset on June 1 during the PBA Public Utility Law Conference at the Harrisburg Hilton. Lloyd is a former small business advocate with a focus on protecting the interests of small business utility customers.

The Christianson Award is named in honor of Robert A. Christianson, a former chief administrative law judge for the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development, improvement and advancement of the profession of public utility law.

Lloyd has devoted nearly 40 years of his career to progressing the profession of public utility law. Prior to transitioning to private practice, he worked to protect the interests of small business utility customers as a small business advocate from 2003-2011.

Additionally, Lloyd was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for 17 years, representing the 69th Legislative District in Somerset County. During his tenure, he co-sponsored the Small Business Advocate Act of 1988, which gave small business utility customers a voice and representation before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Lloyd also held several leadership positions in the House, including minority chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee.

Lloyd started out his legal career as an active duty legislative attorney at the U.S. Navy Office of Legislative Affairs and later worked as a part-time Administrative Law Judge for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

He held adjunct positions teaching state and local government, public policy and public administration at Pennsylvania colleges and universities, including Point Park University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Saint Vincent College and Messiah College.

Currently, Lloyd writes a Sunday column for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat on federal, state and local public policy issues.

Lloyd received a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College in 1969 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1972.

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 26,000 lawyers who are members of the association.