Beaver County Bar Association
Signed the Constitution Program
The BCBA, in partnership with the PBA, participated in the statewide �I Signed the Constitution� program. Eight Beaver County schools took part in the celebration and had approximately 1,060 students sign their names next to the signatures of the Founding Fathers on a mock U.S. Constitution. The signing programs were held in 2001 from October to December. Each school was assigned a judge and/or attorney who spoke to students about the Constitution, its history and relevance.

Berks County Bar Association
Berks County Bar Retreat
For the third consecutive year, the BCBA held an offshore bar retreat for its members, which was attended by over 120 lawyers and guests.

Bench-Bar Conference
The BCBA staged its annual Bench Bar Conference titled �It�s All About You.� The all-day event was designed to enable lawyers to look at themselves and the unique problems confronting them in a non-traditional manner.

Lawyers� Assistance Committee
The Lawyers� Assistance Committee renders immediate and local confidential assistance to BCBA members for emotional, behavioral, financial, ethical, firm relationships, drugs, alcohol and gambling problems.

Bucks County Bar Association
Law Day
On May 1 and 2, 2001, the BCBA members hosted elementary school students at tours of the Bucks County Courthouse as part of Law Day.

September 11 Volunteer Program
Following the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy, the BCBA Board of Directors instituted an ongoing volunteer program to provide free legal services to Bucks County families impacted by Sept. 11 or to military families with members called up as a result of Sept. 11. Public notices advertising the program were sent to local newspapers, the Red Cross, the United Way and other agencies that would be interacting with families. Calls were received at the BCBA, and referrals were made based on the legal issues of the callers.

Centre County Bar Association
Penn State Moot Court Evaluation Program
The CCBA, in conjunction with the Centre County Court Administrator�s Office, reactivated and updated the Reduced Fee Legal Service referral list. Attorneys who subscribe to this list agree to make their services available to the public at a reduced fee in appropriate cases. The client and attorney agree upon the propriety of the relationship and the fee amount. This program makes legal services available to individuals who do not qualify for publicly paid legal assistance, but cannot afford normal legal fees.

Put Your Future in Order: Public Information Campaign
Working in partnership with the PBA, the CCBA took part in the �Put Your Future in Order� public information campaign. The CCBA held two seminars in 2001 to educate citizens about elder law issues. The CCBA also made a list of speakers on elder law available to interested local agencies. In addition, working with the Centre County Court Administrator, the CCBA established an attorney referral list.

Reduced Fee Legal Service List
Over 15 local attorneys assisted the Penn State Mock Trial Association by preparing college students for mock trials through coaching, training, evaluating and judging. The program, administered by the law school resource coordinator of the Pennsylvania State University College of Liberal Arts, provides students with career exploration and assistance with developing skills as future members of the legal profession.

Clearfield County Bar Association
Legal Eagles
Legal Eagles, developed by the CCBA YLD, Clearfield County Crimestoppers, Curwensville Elementary School fifth grade class, school officials and teachers, is designed to give students a first-hand opportunity to meet and learn from law enforcement officers, lawyers, and community religious and civic leaders. These individuals discuss their jobs and how they have changed since Sept. 11. In addition, students, dubbed �legal eagles,� are graded on such characteristics as honesty, respect for others, obeying school and home rules and working to be the best people they can be. As part of Legal Eagles, representatives from Quehanna Boot Camp, local police agencies, Clearfield County Jail, State Police and federal law enforcement agencies have visited with students.

Cumberland County Bar Association
Partners For Students
Through the Partners for Students program lawyers raise awareness among high school students about the legal ramifications of marriage. Sixty lawyers and eight schools participated in this year�s program.

YLD Casino Night
One of the major community-oriented projects sponsored by the CCBA YLD, �Casino Night,� raised money for the A-T Children�s Project, which is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support and coordinate biomedical research projects, scientific conferences and a clinical center aimed at finding a cure for ataxia-telanglectasia, a lethal genetic disease that attacks children. A portion of the proceeds also was donated to the Cumberland County Bar Foundation for community outreach and educational projects.

Dauphin County Bar Association
Bench-Bar Conference
The DCBA held its 2001 Bench/Bar Conference in April in Baltimore. The conference featured CLE programs, including one by Dr. Kathleen Dougherty, �How to Deal With the Mentally Ill Client,� a judicial panel presentation titled �Not in My Courtroom You Don�t� and remarks by Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert M. Bell.

Intercounty Bar Networking Initiative
Conceived by DCBA President Samuel Cooper III, the Inter-County Bar Networking Initiative brought together the county bar presidents, president-elects and executive directors of nine local counties. The initiative was designed to address issues of common concern in these counties and to provide a forum for the regular exchange of information and ideas.

Puesto para Preguntas a los Abogados
For the first time, the DCBA�s annual Law Week �Ask-A-Lawyer� Information Booth in Strawberry Square included Spanish-speaking attorneys to answer questions from the public. A number of Spanish-language legal pamphlets were distributed and separate Spanish-language signs displayed. Bilingual �Ask-A-Lawyer� counseling also was held at the Mt. Pleasant Hispanic Center in Harrisburg.

Delaware County Bar Association
Reading is Fundamental
The �Reading is Fundamental� program celebrates books, encourages literacy and distributes books to students who might otherwise lack access to such materials. Through the program, lawyers read books to local elementary school students and help them select books to take home.

Town Hall Line
Through the Town Hall Line, which takes place during Law Day Week, lawyers provide free legal advice to the public at the town�s government hall.

Erie County Bar Association
Elder Law Handbook
The ECBA undertook the development of an elder law handbook to provide senior citizens with a comprehensive legal guide on elder law issues and a list of available community resources. The handbook will be provided free-of-charge to local groups, organizations and residences that serve senior citizens.

Franklin County Bar Association
2001 Bench-Bar Conference
The seventh annual Bench-Bar Conference was sponsored by the FCBA for more than 80 attorneys in the 39th judicial district, which encompasses Franklin and Fulton counties.

New members Committee Project KidCare
In conjunction with the PBA, the FCBA New Member Committee sponsored Project KidCare at the annual Chambersburg Fall Festival in October, which provided identification information to 582 youngsters.

Lackawanna Bar Association
Lawyers in the Classroom
The LBA YLD sponsored its fourth annual Lawyers in the Classroom program in October and placed volunteer lawyers in fifth-grade Lackawanna County classrooms to talk with children about the law. The program reached over 2,100 students.

People�s Law School 2001
The LBA People�s Law School 2001 provided over 200 members of the local community with an opportunity to learn about the law. LBA volunteers presented sessions on criminal law, employment law and the Internet.

Veterans� Recognition Project
The LBA spearheaded the Veterans� Recognition Project in 2001 to honor all members of the Lackawanna County bench and bar who served in the U.S. military during the 20th century. In November 2001, the LBA held a formal dedication and unveiling of a recognition plaque containing the names of 250 veterans. The plaque is permanently displayed at the Lackawanna County Courthouse.

Lancaster Bar Association
Spanish Language People�s Law School
In an effort to reach out to the Spanish-speaking population of Lancaster County, the LBA developed a collaborative project with the Spanish American Civic Association (SACA) to present four seminars on areas of the law of primary interest to the Hispanic community. Bilingual attorneys were recruited to present the seminars, which were held at SACA.

Bar Association of Lehigh County
Law Day 2001
To highlight Law Day activities and classroom visits to Lehigh County schools, the BALC�s Law Day Committee hosted its annual Law Day luncheon on May 7, 2001. Magistrate Judge Arnold C. Rapoport was recognized with the BALC�s 2001 Liberty Bell Award for his years of service to the legal profession, bar association and community.

Monroe County Bar AssociationChild Support Awareness
In an effort to provide the public with a better understanding of domestic relations and child support issues, the MCBA and the Pocono Mountain Chamber of Commerce held a three-segment radio talk program in August. The topics discussed included how to file a petition for support, what happens at the conference, appeals, masters hearing, and executions and enforcement. Monroe County Judge Linda Wallach Miller, several local attorneys and the domestic relations office contributed to the program. The effort will continue in 2002 with a panel discussion at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon and a two-part television program.

Meet Your Judges Forum
The MCBA and the League of Women Voters presented a �Meet the Judges� forum in October. A panel of five judges, along with two district judges, held an open discussion with members of the public to provide an overview of the courts and their operations. The forum was broadcast live on a local television station

Women Attorney Luncheons
To address relevant issues and encourage camaraderie, the MCBA holds a luncheon twice a year at the bar center for its women members. Guest speakers, which have included a county commissioner and financial advisor, are invited to present information on various topics important to women attorneys.

Montgomery Bar Association
Members Services Building
The MBA expanded its physical plant and refurbished existing space to convert the President�s Building into the Members Services Building.

September 11 Drive
The MBA raised $33,000 for the United Way�s Sept. 11 Fund. Half of the donations came from a dollar-for-dollar match from the Montgomery Bar Foundation.

Youth in the Law Committee Project PEACE
The Youth in the Law Committee introduced Project PEACE to Jarrettown Elementary School in an effort to promote peer mediation and other conflict resolution methods and skills that will benefit them during all stages of life.

Northampton County Bar Association
Bachmann Publick House
The NCBA donated $55,000 toward the restoration of the 1753 Bachmann Publick House in Easton, PA. The courtroom portion of the building is believed to be where the first judicial proceedings were conducted in Northampton County. The courtroom was restored to its original appearance and will be open to the public, serving as an educational facility.

Mock Trial Program 2001
Now in its 10th year, the NCBA sponsored the 2001 Mock Trial Program for six area schools. In two nights of competition, 50 area law professionals served as jurors, and local Judges Grifo, Simpson, Baratta and District Justice Litzenberger sat on the bench.

Mural - Juvenile Justice Center
The NCBA commissioned a 12 by 15 foot wall mural by a New York artist for the newly constructed Northampton County Juvenile Detention Center. The artist worked with six children from the center to create a wall of bright colors and hundreds of handprints.

Schuylkill County Bar Association
Bench-Bar Conference
The SCBA�s 2001 Bench Bar Conference featured the participation of all five judges, along with the senior judge, district judges, court administrators and county row officers. Almost 115 members of the legal community attended the event.

Women�s Law Caucus Christmas Project
The SCBA Women�s Law Caucus helped to bring Christmas to 111 children who are patients of the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center�s DePaul Pediatric Dental Clinic. This clinic treats children whose working parents cannot afford dental care. The members of the caucus worked to solicit monetary donations from the legal community, plan the Christmas party, and shop for and wrap the gifts on the children�s wish lists. Over 100 attorneys, law firms and individuals in the legal community contributed towards the project.

Susquehanna County Bar Association
Christmas Donation Program
In light of Sept. 11, 2001, the SCBA donated a substantial portion of its treasury to two local charities to provide food and clothing for a large number of citizens.

Elder Law Program
A number of Susquehanna County lawyers devised a program to educate the elderly of Susquehanna County about their rights and the benefits available to them.

Stepping Out Program
Presented to schools in Susquehanna County, the SCBA�s Stepping Out Program was designed to help graduating seniors make the often intimidating first step into adulthood by providing them with valuable information on such legal matters as renting an apartment, buying a car, driving under the influence, marriage and divorce.

Washington County Bar Association
Classic Law Film Festival
In an effort to educate the public about the law, the WCBA presented several films that offer dramatic portrayals of lawyers and the legal profession. These films included �To Kill A Mockingbird,� �Judgment at Nuremberg,� �A Man For All Seasons,� �Inherit the Wind� and �Anatomy of a Murder.� Local attorneys introduced each film and highlighted their own personal experiences and relevant points of law in the films. The series, which was co-sponsored by Washington and Jefferson College, was free and open to the public. The intended audience was the general public, prelaw students, bar members and their families and high school students participating in the WCBA�s Law Explorers Program.

Westmoreland Bar Association
Founding Fellows
The Westmoreland Bar Foundation began the Founding Fellows program in late 2000 to raise $60,000 from 30 contributors, each donating $2,000. The fund was designed to make the Mock Trial Scholarship Fund self-sustaining. The program was successful and generated more than $64,000, which was invested in the WBF�s Community Foundation. Interest from the fund will be used to award two $1,000 college scholarships each year to participants in the Mock Trial Program. The surplus will be used to increase the foundation�s community outreach programs.

Juvenile Justice Town Meeting
Members of the WBA partnered with the PA Futures Commission for Justice in the 21st Century, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and the League of Women Voters to hold a town meeting titled �The Future of Juvenile Justice in Westmoreland County.� The town meeting was designed to engage citizens and stakeholders in proposing community-based programs that, in partnership with the courts, would help all children become responsible, productive members of the community. Since the meeting, the committee has narrowed its focus to truancy and monitoring and is in the process of developing pilot programs in those areas. A second town meeting is planned on family law issues.

RTA Unauthorized Practice of Law Case
Westmoreland County filed an action in equity complaint against RTA Group Inc. for its unauthorized law practices.

Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association
Judicore
The Judicore Project involved having local attorneys travel to New York City to help survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks and the families of victims. The lawyers helped families obtain death certificates, identify a loved one�s remains, file a claim, or complete other legal paperwork required by the city, state, federal government or other private agency.

Military Affairs Committee - 9-11 Service Relief Project
The W-BLLA�s Military Service Relief Project is a voluntary program developed by the association�s Military Affairs Committee. The project works to provide pro bono assistance and relief to American armed forces personnel called to active duty as a result of Sept. 11. Help is given to conclude legal cases of fellow attorneys called to active duty. Pro bono legal services also are provided directly to families of American servicemen and women called to action. This may include assistance with wills, advice on apartment leases or other questions about daily matters impacted by their physical absence from home.

September 11 Fund Donation
In response to the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy, the W-BLLA set-up a fund drive to help the families of the victims killed by the attacks. As a result, over 40 lawyers and judges made individual contributions that were matched, along with a donation, by the association. Over $16,000 was donated to the United Way�s 9-11 Fund.

York County Bar Association
Bar Leadership Training
Twenty members registered to participate in the four, two-hour leadership development classes held by the YCBA and Leadership York. The newly-trained leaders now are better prepared to assume leadership positions on nonprofit boards and to serve as volunteer leaders in the YCBA. Leadership York will assist the new graduates in selecting areas for service and place them on local community boards.