HARRISBURG (June 4, 2007) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Commission on Women in the Profession will present the Lynette Norton Award to Carolyn P. Short, partner at the Philadelphia-based office of the Reed Smith law firm, during its 14th annual conference June 21 at Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel. The award will be presented at a noon luncheon, which will feature keynote speaker Zainab Salbi, founder and CEO of Women for Women International and author of Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam and The Other Side of War: Women's Stories of Survival and Hope.

The award was created in memory of Lynette Norton, a founding member of the PBA Commission on Women in the Profession who died in 2002. Lynette Norton was an advocate for young women in the legal profession and worked to promote literacy and women's rights. This award is designed to recognize and encourage female attorneys who excel in litigation skills and who are devoted to mentoring female lawyers.

"Carolyn is without question one of the top litigators in the state and has been the lawyer of choice for many, many significant clients and dignitaries," wrote Bernadine J. Munley in her nomination of Short. "Notwithstanding all of Carolyn's commitments, she still makes time to mentor younger and older lawyers in their legal and professional careers. Whether it be giving advice on trial skills or on how to balance a demanding career and family, Carolyn has a reputation for making time for others and always being available to teach, advise or coach."

Short joined Reed Smith after serving in a Philadelphia assistant district attorney for six years. In 2001, she was named one of the 50 most influential women lawyers in Pennsylvania by American Lawyer Media. That same year, Forbes magazine reported that Short was "one of the most sought-after lawyers in Philadelphia."

In January 2005, Short accepted a one-year assignment from Sen. Arlen Specter to serve as general counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. During her tenure, she worked with Specter during the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito and hearings on the Bush Administration's electronic-surveillance program. She also worked with Specter on class action litigation reform, bankruptcy reform, reauthorization of the Patriot Act and data privacy and protection legislation.

Short was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2003 and as a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2004.

She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Notre Dame Law School.

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.