HARRISBURG (June 8, 2007) - William J. Higgins Jr., Bedford County's first full-time district attorney, will become chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD) at the conclusion of the association's annual meeting, June 22, in Philadelphia.

A member of the Bedford County, Pennsylvania and American Bar associations and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, Higgins is co-chair of the PBA YLD's Statewide High School Mock Trial program. He served as PBA YLD Zone 8 chairperson from 2001 to 2005 and on several panels and Continuing Legal Education programs sponsored by the PBA YLD.

In addition, Higgins has served as a reverse mentor, teaching other PBA members about the benefits of online legal research. Higgins has supported the Bedford County Bar Association by chairing its committees for pro-bono activities, community relations and CLE.

Active in his community, Higgins is president of the Bedford Rotary Club and is a past president of the Bedford Lions Club.

Higgins earned his bachelor's degree from Villanova University and a juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

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.

Editor's Note: A photo of William Higgins Jr. is available to download from the PBA Web site at: http://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/0708newofficersphotos.asp.