HARRISBURG (May 2001) - Jane M. Carlonas, a partner in the Scranton law firm of Oliver, Price & Rhodes, was honored with the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Michael K. Smith Award during the association�s annual meeting held this month in Pittsburgh. The Michael K. Smith award, named in memory of a Philadelphia young lawyer who died of cancer, is presented annually to a lawyer who performs outstanding community service.

�Jane is not only proficient at the administrative organization of charity events, but she is personally involved in each and every event and organization to which she commits herself,� said Scranton lawyer Jennifer Walsh Clark. �She truly has an invaluable enthusiasm for public service, and her efforts have benefited countless organizations and individuals over the years.�

A past president of the Lackawanna Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Carlonas has taken a leadership role in many of the association�s public outreach projects, including chair of the Law Week Community Benefit, which raises money for local charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation, Hospice and the Children�s Advocacy Center. Carlonas also helped to implement the Lawyers in the Classroom Program, Project KidCare, Operation Dear Santa, the Youth Achievement Awards Program and a senior citizen legal education outreach program. In addition, she works with the Dress for Success program, which provides professional clothing to low-income women for interviews and jobs.

Carlonas also volunteers with a number of community-based programs. She serves on the board of directors of the Scranton Counseling Center, Family Service of Lackawanna County, the Lackawanna County Commission for Women and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation of Northeast Pennsylvania. Carlonas is a past president of the Greater Scranton JAYCEES and currently co-chairs the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Women�s Network. She also is a member of the advisory council for the Lupus Foundation of American, northeast Pennsylvania chapter. She was recognized by the Boys and Girls Club of Scranton as a Champion of Youth and received the Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts.