HARRISBURG (Feb. 29, 2008) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) presented County Bar Recognition Awards during the 42nd Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders, Feb. 29, in State College, Pa. Twenty-eight local bar associations in Pennsylvania were honored this year for sponsoring projects that work to improve the legal profession, justice system and community. The awards, which are non-competitive in nature, are sponsored annually by the PBA.

"The Pennsylvania Bar Association is very proud to recognize Pennsylvania lawyers who lead and actively participate in programs that improve their communities and better the legal profession and our justice system," said PBA President Andrew F. Susko. "It is our hope that the County Bar Recognition Awards will encourage even more legal professionals to become engaged and to be part of the organized bar's collective spirit of activism."

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

Allegheny County Bar Association: Employment of a Gender Equality Coordinator
Bar Association of Lehigh County: Organization of the Holiday Assistance Program
Beaver County Bar Association: Coordination of the Angel Tree Project and Support of the Children and Youth Services Independent Living Program
Berks County Bar Association: Production of Quarterly Issues of Berks Barrister
Bucks County Bar Associations: Ongoing Coordination of Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Butler County Bar Association: Coordination of Legal Referral Services and Opening of Bar Association Offices
Centre County Bar Association: Creation of Murder Mystery Continuing Legal Education Program
Chester County Bar Association: Production of Chester County Elder Law Handbook and Resource Guide and Implementation of Legal Aid Fundraising Campaign
Clearfield County Bar Association: Implementation of Legal Eagles Program
Cumberland County Bar Association: Creation of the Florian Project and Organization of Young Lawyers Division's Casino Night Fundraiser
Dauphin County Bar Association: Implementation of the Capital Area Managing Partners 1L Summer Intern Program, Pro Bono Guardianship Monitor Program and Courthouse Self-Help Center
Delaware County Bar Association: Implementation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee's Voluntary Settlement Program, Involvement of the Community Outreach Committee's in the City of Chester After-School Program, and Contributions to the Criminal Trial Practices Committee/Sub-Committee's Indigent Defense Program
Erie County Bar Association: Formation of the Coalition of Attorneys and Physicians in Erie (CAPE)
Franklin County Bar Association: Coordination of the Young Lawyers Division's Workday for Habitat for Humanity and Organization of the 2007 Bench Bar Conference
Lackawanna Bar Association: Production of the Lackawanna Legal Television Program, Creation of a Continuing Legal Education Program on Appellate Practice with the Superior and Commonwealth Courts and Coordination of the Young Lawyers Division's Lawyers in the Classroom, High School Edition
Lancaster Bar Association: Provision of Legal Assistance for Victims of Mortgage Broker Scam
Lawrence County Bar Association: Implementation of a Limited Appearance Custody Conciliation Program and Awarding of Scholarships for the Law Day Essay Contest
Lebanon County Bar Association: Employment of First Bar Executive, Creation of the Association's First Web Site and Implementation of the Law Exploring Post Career Education Program
Lycoming Law Association: Organization of the Lawctoberfest Fundraiser, Development of Grants through the Association's Foundation and Coordination of the Law Day Essay and Art Contest
Monroe County Bar Association: Coordination of "Broadway Bound with the MCBA," the Monthly Section Luncheons and the Monroe County Bar Foundation Art Show
Montgomery Bar Association: Production of Television Program and DVD to Protect Children from Sexual Predators, Launch of a Political Action Committee and Ongoing Efforts to Promote Diversity within the Association's Membership
Northampton County Bar Association: Implementation of a Law Day Program, Internet Safety Programs for Children and Adults and the People's Law School
Schuylkill County Bar Association: Coordination of a Judicial Retention Campaign, Coordination of a Christmas Project Benefiting Schuylkill Community Action and the Purchase of a Courthouse Christmas Tree Honoring Members of the U.S. Armed Forces
Somerset County Bar Association: Coordination of Courthouse Tours and Essay Contest and Development of Articles about Elder Law for the Area Agency on Aging Newsletter
Washington County Bar Association: Creation of the Member Assistance Fund
Westmoreland Bar Association: Support for the Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, Support for the Centennial Celebration for Westmoreland County Courthouse and Coordination of the Law Day Luncheon for Mock Trial Participants and Coaches
Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association: Production of Full-color Issue of Luzerne Legal Register, Donation of Bicycles to Needy Children and Creation of the Friday Breakfast Continuing Legal Education Series
York County Bar Association: Production of Educational Materials: Guardians of Freedom and The York County Judicial Center DVDs

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 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.