Winners of Pennsylvania Bar Association Media Awards Announced

HARRISBURG (Nov. 3, 2017) — Pennsylvania Bar Association President Sharon R. López has announced the winners of the 2017 PBA Media Awards, formerly known as the William A. Schnader Print Media Awards.

López presented the awards on Nov. 3 during the PNA’s Newspaper of the Year ceremony at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

Founded 38 years ago, 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.

Here is a list of the 2017 winners:

Beat Coverage for Multiday Newspapers: 49,000+ Circulation

  • First Place: Riley Yates, The Morning Call, “Locked Up and Left Waiting,” “Before a Murder, Four Police Calls” and “Got a Warrant?”
  • Second Place: Dylan Segelbaum, York Daily Record, Courthouse Beat

Beat Coverage for Multiday Newspapers Under 49,000 Circulation

  • First Place: Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times, “What Price Justice?”
  • Second Place: P.J. D'Annunzio, The Legal Intelligencer, Watchdog Reporting

Beat Coverage for Weekly Newspapers

  • First Place: Bernie O'Hare, The Bethlehem Press, County Beat Reporting
  • Second Place: Jon Marks, Jewish Exponent, “Shapiro Sworn in as Attorney General; Vows to Restore Integrity to Office”

Special Report/Series in Newspapers

  • First Place: Nicole C. Brambila and Stephanie Weaver, Reading Eagle, “Second Chances”
  • Second Place: Ed Mahon, York Daily Record/Sunday News, “Protection from Abuse: Examining the Law”

Editorial/Commentary in Newspapers

  • First Place: Stephanie Weaver, Reading Eagle, “Conviction a First in Berks for Sure,” “Influential Friends Failed to Sway Jury” and “When Doubt and Reason Converge”
  • Second Place: Scott Fisher, York Daily Record, “Susan Hoke Might Be Alive if PFA Gun Law Was Enforced”

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. 

The 2017 competition is funded by the law firm of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti LLP and is coordinated by the PBA Bar/Press Committee. Entries are judged by lawyers, journalists and college professors.

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.