HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 3, 2023) — The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL) has honored Hillary Madden of Durney Worthington & Madden LLC, in Tannersville, Monroe County, with its Gilbert Nurick Award. The award was presented during the 57th Annual Seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders on March 3 in Hershey.
The Gilbert Nurick Award, which is named for the late Harrisburg lawyer who served as PBA president, is given to a member of the PBA who exhibits dedication and service to the leadership and promotion of the organized bar and its activities.
A criminal defense attorney at her firm, Madden litigates a variety of cases including attempted homicide and driving under the influence. For the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas, she serves as a guardian ad litem for children in dependency proceedings and as a custody conciliator. In those roles, she represents clients in dependency and orphans court matters. Previously, she also served as conflict counsel for the court.
A member of the PBA, Madden serves as a zone delegate in the association’s House of Delegates, and is a member of the Children’s Rights Committee, Criminal Justice Section and Legal Services for Exceptional Children Committee. In addition, she frequently volunteers to lead PBA lunch-and-learn events.
Within the Monroe County Bar Association, Madden is a past president of the Executive Board and the Young Lawyers Division. Madden is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Committed to serving her community, Madden is a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Children’s Roundtable of Monroe County and Monroe County Meals on Wheels. Additionally, she is spearheading Outfits for Opportunities, a program that partners with local homeless and family shelters, transitional housing organizations and teen/young adult programs to provide professional clothing for individuals going on job interviews.
Madden started her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the former President Judge Ronald E. Vican, Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. Following his retirement, Madden continued her clerkship with Judge David J. Williamson. In 2012, she accepted a temporary position as an assistant district attorney in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office before joining the firm of Royle & Durney in 2013.
She is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Madden received a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College.
The CCBL, whose membership includes leaders from county bar associations throughout Pennsylvania and from the PBA, organizes a yearly educational conference focusing on the exchange of innovative bar association projects and ideas, and on the development of mutually beneficial relationships among bar leaders that improve the legal profession.