Association Receives Bar Recognition Awards at the CCBL

The Pennsylvania Bar Association recently presented three County Bar Recognition Awards to the Lycoming Law Association during the 51st annual seminar of the Conference of County Bar Leaders in late February at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College.

The Association was recognized for its Wills for Heroes, Law Day and Mock Trial Competition and Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive. The Lycoming Law Association, a news release said, is one of 23 local bar associations in Pennsylvania honored this year for sponsoring projects that improve the legal profession, justice system or community. The awards are presented annually by the PBA.

“Each year, thousands of lawyers from across the state selflessly volunteer their time to programs and projects offered through their local bar associations, making me proud of my profession and the bar,” said Sara A. Austin, PBA president, according to the news release. “It is our hope that these awards continue to inspire even more legal professionals to make positive impacts on the communities where they live and work.”

Lycoming Law Association held its second Wills for Heroes event, which provided free wills and other estate planning documents to first responders and military veterans. It plans to hold another event in 2017.

Association members volunteered to serve as jurors and scorekeepers in the local high school mock trial competitions, and hundreds of students submitted essays and art for the Association’s Law Day contest.

The Association’s Young Lawyers Division members helped with a toy and clothing drive, which assisted 450 area families.

The Conference of County Bar Leaders, whose membership includes leaders from county bar associations throughout the state 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.

Founded in 1895, the PBA 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 27,000 lawyers who are members of the association.