HARRISBURG (Oct. 25, 2006) � Berks County attorney Jill M. Scheidt has received an Everyday Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA).

�Jill is donating her time, knowledge and effort to protect the public from individuals who are practicing law without licenses,� said PBA President Kenneth J. Horoho Jr.

�On the Berks County Bar Association�s behalf, she recently filed suit against a notary who had been practicing law in the Hispanic community. Jill made several court appearances in the case and pursued a contempt petition against this individual. Media coverage about Jill�s work helped the public better understand the harm that can be caused when unauthorized, untrained individuals provide legal advice,� Horoho said.

As a result of Scheidt�s work, the court ordered the individual to pay a $5,000 fine, which will be used to provide public legal education through free literature and community seminars.

Scheidt chairs the Berks County Bar Association�s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and is a member of the PBA�s Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee.

She is a partner in the law firm of Rabenold Koestel Scheidt in Wyomissing.

�The Everyday Leader Award is given to individuals who go above and beyond, sharing their time and talent to help and support others,� said Horoho. �These unsung heroes work hard each and every day performing good works, not for personal gain or recognition, but for the right reasons�to improve the places they call home and to better Pennsylvania�s legal system. Jill is one of these �everyday leaders� and is deserving of this award in gratitude for her contributions to Berks County.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of 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.