HARRISBURG (Nov. 11, 2011) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President Matthew J. Creme Jr. has announced the winners of the 2011 William A. Schnader Print Media Awards, which were presented today during the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's "Newspaper of the Year" ceremony at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford.

Funded by the national law firm of Schnader Attorneys at Law, the awards competition was founded 32 years ago in memory of former state attorney general and PBA president William A. Schnader. The awards recognize excellence in print journalism, particularly articles and commentaries fostering greater public understanding of the legal system and the roles of society and the law, the courts, law enforcement agencies and the legal profession.

The competition is overseen by the PBA Bar/Press Committee. Entries are judged by lawyers, newspaper and magazine editors and college professors.

The winners are as follows:

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers 49,000+ Circ.
1st Place: Peter Hall, The Morning Call, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: Maryclaire Dale, The Associated Press, Pennsylvania, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Daily Newspapers Under 49,000 Circ.
1st Place: Ben Finley, Bucks County Courier Times, Three Beat Coverage Articles
2nd Place: David C. Pierce, Pocono Record, Three Beat Coverage Articles

Beat Coverage: Weekly Newspapers
1st Place: Daniel E. Cummins, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, "To Friend or Not to Friend"
2nd Place: Daniel E. Cummins, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, "Defense-Oriented Decisions Dominated"

Special Report/Series
1st Place: Laurie Mason Schroeder, Bucks County Courier Times, "Unlocking the Children and Youth Agency"
2nd Place: Donald Gilliland, Patriot-News, "Hard Time for Taxpayers"

Editorial/Commentary
1st Place: Scott Fisher, York Daily Record/Sunday News, "When Cops Break the Law" and "Right Decision in Snyder Case"
2nd Place: Hank Grezlak, The Legal Intelligencer, "Justices Refused to Grant Lokuta Retrial" and "Court Gets Serious about Recusal"

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 28,000 lawyers who are members of the association.