HARRISBURG (June 9, 2007) - The Pennsylvania Bar Association Administrative Law Section presented its inaugural James S. Bowman Award to Harrisburg lawyer Amy L. Putnam during the state association's Annual Meeting on June 5 in Hershey, Pa.

The James S. Bowman Award, which will be presented annually, honors a lawyer who is making a significant impact on the practice of administrative law and who is demonstrating leadership in mentoring administrative law practitioners.

"Amy has always been the unsung hero," said John L. Gedid, vice dean at Widener University School of Law and former chair of the Administrative Law Section.

"Whenever the need arose for someone to take responsibility in connection with administrative law problems at the bar, she fulfilled the role. She offered answers to public problems and innovative solutions for continuing education for lawyers. She has been an outstanding leader at the administrative law bar. She also frequently worked behind the scenes and rarely received credit or recognition for her efforts. Whenever an individual or group needed her help, she never refused." said Gedid.

In 1994, Putnam was one of the founders of the James S. Bowman American Inn of Court, which mentors young and seasoned lawyers working in private practice, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. It is the only Inn in the country to focus on the practice of state administrative law. Putnam served as the Inn's first president and subsequently served as its counselor and as chair of its nominating and membership committees.

Putnam has served as a zone delegate for the Pennsylvania Bar Association and in numerous leadership and membership roles for the association's Administration Law Section, Civil Litigation Section, Commission on Women in the Profession, Environmental, Mineral and National Resources Law Section, Judicial Administration Committee and the Public Utility Law Section. She is a fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation.

She has served as a curriculum planner and lecturer for many courses to educate lawyers.

Putnam is the number pooling director for Neustar Inc.

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.