HARRISBURG (Feb. 24, 2012) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association presented County Bar Recognition Awards during the 46th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders, Feb. 23 - 25, at the Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square, Lancaster. Twenty-five local bar associations in Pennsylvania were honored this year for sponsoring projects that improve the legal profession, justice system and community. The awards, which are non-competitive in nature, are presented annually by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

"The willingness of lawyers to step forward and voluntarily lead and participate in projects and programs that improve our communities and our legal system should be recognized," said PBA President Matthew J. Creme Jr. "Through these awards, we shine a little light on their good efforts."

The following local bar associations received awards for notable projects and programs:

Allegheny County Bar Association: The Legal Guide for Families in Medical Crisis
Beaver County Bar Association: Breakfast with Santa, Manna and The Yellow Ribbon Girls
Berks County Bar Association: Legislative Roundtables and Modest Means
Bucks County Bar Association: PFA Task Force and Elder Law Handbook
Butler County Bar Association: Creation of Pro Bono Coordinator Position
Centre County Bar Association: Centre County Grange Fair Booth, Naturalization Program and Contribution to Centre County Law Enforcement Camp
Chester County Bar Association: Lawyers' Quality of Life Program and Legal Lemonade Day
Cumberland County Bar Association: Second Annual Adopt-a-Family Program and 2011 Law Day Project
Dauphin County Bar Association: Older and Wiser Presentations, Pro Bono Flood Victims Assistance and Pro Bono Mediation
Delaware County Bar Association: Youth Court Training and Young Lawyers Section 5K Run
Erie County Bar Association: Website/Pictorial Directory Development, Annual Admission Ceremony Lunch and Mentoring Program
Franklin County Bar Association: Juror Appreciation Day, Assisted Pro Se Divorce Clinic and Bench Bar Conference
Lackawanna Bar Association: Wills for Heroes Program
Lancaster Bar Association: Lancaster Bar Association Foundation Endowment
Lawrence County Bar Association: Limited Appearance Custody Conciliation Program
Lycoming Law Association: Development of Family Law Committee, Commonwealth Court Event and Flood Relief Matching Fund Drive
Monroe County Bar Association: Young Lawyers Division 17th Annual Blood Drive
Montgomery Bar Association: Blue Ribbon Panel on Diversity, Law School Student Membership and What You Need to Know Program
Northampton County Bar Association: Holiday Hope Chest Project and Anti-bullying Program
Pike County Bar Association: Live Continuing Legal Education Program and Community Support Projects
Schuylkill County Bar Association: Judge's Retirement Dinner, Canned Food Drive and Young Lawyers Division Meet and Greet
Washington County Bar Association: Washington & Jefferson Mock Trial Invitational
Westmoreland Bar Association: Pictorial Directory and 125th Anniversary Gala
Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association: Judicorps - Local Flood Relief Effort, Wills for Heroes Program and Law Suits
York County Bar Association: Wills for Heroes Program

The Conference of County Bar Leaders, whose membership includes leaders from county bar associations throughout the state and from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, organizes a yearly educational conference focusing on the exchange of innovative bar association projects and ideas and on the development of mutually-beneficial relationships among bar leaders that improve the legal profession.

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.