2021 Pro Bono Awards

Pleet and Mathews, Berks County, Honored with PBA Pro Bono Awards, Oct. 28, 2021
Jesse L. Pleet, Pleet Law Office, Wyomissing, was honored for his work on the eviction project created by former Berks County Bar Association (BCBA) Executive Director Don Smith, co-chair of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee. Smith came up with the idea of spending his retirement doing pro bono eviction cases while Pleet was BCBA president. Pleet promised Smith he would assist in such an effort even though landlord/tenant law was not part of his practice. Pleet has kept that promise taking in some difficult matters over the past few years that the eviction project has been in operation. William Mathews II, ReLTEK, Birdsboro, was also recognized with a PBA Pro Bono Award for the same project but was not present for the presentation of the award.

Pictured below, from left: Berks County President Judge Thomas G. Parisi, Pleet and PBA Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis


Kate Lawrence of Cumberland County Receives PBA Pro Bono Award, Oct. 19, 2021
Cumberland County Pro Bono Committee Chair Kate Lawrence received a 2021 PBA Pro Bono Award during the Cumberland County Bar Association (CCBA) annual celebration of Pro Bono Month on Oct. 19, 2021. The award was presented by PBA President Kathleen D. Wilkinson. Wilkinson and PBA Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis joined CCBA Bar President George Byron Faller and Executive Director Shelly Sydnor to celebrate pro bono service by the local bar. Faller was honored with a local award for his pro bono service.


Inaugural Samuel W. Milkes Award Presented, Oct. 19, 2021
The PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee presented the inaugural Samuel W. Milkes Award on Oct. 19. 2021, to the award’s namesake, longtime legal aid advocate and public service attorney Samuel W. Milkes of Cumberland County. Milkes is the former executive director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. PBA Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis and PBA President Kathleen D. Wilkinson presented the award to Milkes.


Former Dauphin County Judge Serratelli Receives PBA Pro Bono Award, Sept. 22, 2021
Former Dauphin County Judge Lori K. Serratelli received a 2021 PBA Pro Bono Award at the Dauphin County Bar Association (DCBA) annual meeting on Sept. 22, 2021. Serratelli was honored for her work as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) board chair and for creating the local program. CASA is a nonprofit that re¬cruits and trains community volunteers to advocate for children who are in the court sys¬tem and in foster care because of abuse or neglect.

Pictured below, from left, Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas President Judge John F. Cherry, PBA Pro Bono Coordinator David Keller Trevaskis, Judge Serratelli, and DCBA President Paula J. McDermott


Clemente and Fernandes of Luzerne County Honored with PBA Pro Bono Awards, Jan. 21, 2021
Matthew Clemente and Stephanie Fernandes received PBA Pro Bono Awards from PBA President David Schwager at the Jan. 21, 2021, meeting of the Wilkes Barre Law & Library Association Meeting. Both of these young attorneys volunteered to co-chair the revitalized Wilkes Barre Law & Library Association Pro Bono Committee, which had become vacant. They contacted North Penn Legal Services (NPLS), worked on an expungement program, a landlord-tenant program and finally a low bono start to service the North Penn overload in PFA and custody cases, with a mentor program to help young attorneys taking those cases. John Hurtt, NPLS managing attorney, said, “North Penn Legal Services would like to thank both Matthew and Steph for their help in the commencement of the Pro Bono Committee and services in Luzerne County. Without such dedicated practitioners, those in need would be extremely disadvantaged, particularly during the pandemic. “


Jennifer A. Galloway of York Receives PBA Pro Bono Award, Jan. 12, 2021
Jennifer A. Galloway was honored with a PBA Pro Bono Award at the York County Bar Association (YCBA) Annual Dinner on Jan. 12, 2021. The award recognized her more than 50 hours of dedicated service as she took a pro bono custody case to trial. Galloway is a panelist on the York County Bar Foundation’s pro bono program, in partnership with MidPenn Legal Services.

In addition to her direct service for pro bono clients, Galloway benefits the YCBA in a variety of ways, contributing boundless energy and countless hours to the advantage of the bar association community. She treasurer of the YCBA Board of Directors, co-chair of the YCBA Membership Committee, serves on the YCBA Social Committee and the YCBA Women in the Law Committee. She also serves on the Law Day Committee and the YCBA’s Young Lawyers Section.

Galloway is a PBA Young Lawyers Division Delegate and a member of the PBA Civility in the Profession Committee.


Loren Brewster, Penn State York, Receives PBA Pro Bono Partner Award, Jan. 12, 2021