HARRISBURG (March 18, 2014) - The Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL) of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) recently honored Immediate Past Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association Kathleen D. Wilkinson with its 2014 Gilbert Nurick Award. Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor William Fedullo presented the award to Wilkinson during the 48th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders in State College.

The Gilbert Nurick Award, which is named for the late Harrisburg lawyer who served as PBA president, is presented to a member of the PBA who exhibits dedication and service to the leadership and promotion of the organized bar and its activities.

"In advancing a wide spectrum of leadership opportunities for bar members during her tenure as Chancellor, Kathleen has evoked the true spirit and meaning behind the Gilbert Nurick Award," said Philadelphia Bar Executive Director Mark Tarasiewicz in his nomination of Wilkinson.

As chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2013, Wilkinson conceived of and launched the highly successful "Chancellor's Leadership Institute." In all, 10 Institute programs were held free-of-charge for bar association members during the course of the year to assist and develop leadership skills and tools for women attorneys, attorneys of diverse backgrounds and young lawyers to help them succeed in their careers. The Institute harnessed the wisdom and experience of some of the region's top legal minds and business leaders.

Prior to beginning her year as chancellor, Wilkinson issued a challenge to law firms and legal organizations to place renewed emphasis, value and recognition on certain important aspects of being a successful lawyer: leadership, civility, mentoring, community service and pro bono work. "By creating new and unique opportunities for leadership and professional development of our lawyers through the Chancellor's Leadership Institute, the bar association is working hard to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving profession," said Tarasiewicz. "The Institute's work strikes at the very heart of the bar association's mission to serve the profession and the public by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law."

The CCBL, whose membership includes leaders from county bar associations throughout the state and from the PBA, 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 PBA 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 27,000 lawyers who are members of the association.