Pro Bono Awards - 2000
At its 2001 Annual Banquet, the Lycoming Law Association, in cooperation with North Penn Legal Services, recognized those of its membership who have volunteered to provide legal services to the poor.
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LYCOMING LAW ASSOCIATION’S EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE AWARD 2000 The Law Firm of Mitchell, Mitchell, Gray and GallagherWhen it came to picking this year’s recipient of this award the names of three attorneys in this firm were at the forefront of possible candidates. Upon further discussion it seemed appropriate to honor the entire firm as their service to this program has been outstanding. Since the inception of the program in 1985 this firm has consistently participated at 100%. We have laughed over the years about the last minute frantic call in December to be sure all members have had their referrals but in all honesty that call is greatly appreciated and demonstrates a commitment to fulfilling a professional responsibility. For the past 13 years this firm has participated in both the Protection from Abuse Referral Panel and the regular referral program. Gary Weber has the distinction of having handled the largest number of abuses since the inception of the panel, Bret Southard and Daryl Wishard and Ed Mitchell have consistently taken all cases referred to them, and have graciously helped us out when it wasn’t their turn but we were desperate. The firm also has a very helpful contact person so that Susquehanna Legal Service’s dream of just being able to make a phone call, announce that we have a referral and send it on is realized when ever Susquehanna Legal Service’s calls Mitchell, Mitchell. Bob Gallagher and Rick Gray chose to take miscellaneous civil referrals and over the years these cases have repeatedly turned into major litigation cases. This Year Bob Gallagher recorded in excess of 60 hours in a case that resulted in a client saving her home and in turn being saved from major financial liability. Rick represented a client in a contentious suit involving several legal issues which resulted in litigation and appeal. Everyone in the 90's and into the 2000's is busy. Members of this firm are as busy as anyone in their profession, but we think it is remarkable that when called upon to help we can’t remember one time when any member of this firm said they were too busy to take a referral. There may have been date conflicts and trials going on but the response has usually been "I’ll see if I can get a continuance, rearrange, get an extension or see if someone else here could take the case." For their commitment to the concept of equal access to Justice for all citizens, the members of the law firm Mitchell, Mitchell, Gray and Gallagher have been selected as the recipients of this years Lycoming Law Association’s Equal Access to Justice Award. |
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LYCOMING LAW ASSOCIATION'S OUTSTANDING LAW FIRM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2000 |
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LYCOMING LAW ASSOCIATION’S FAIR SHARE AWARD 2000 In recognition of commitment to Equal Justice for the Poor by fair share participation in the Lycoming County Pro Bono Referral Program. In the year 2000, 96 members of the Lycoming Law association handled 148 referrals from Susquehanna Legal Services. Those cases can further be broken down as 97 cases from the abuse panel and 51 other matters including, bankruptcy, unemployment, mortgage foreclosures and other civil emergencies. In addition to direct representation, 24 custody clinics were conducted by Susquehanna Legal Services paralegals as well as volunteer paralegals and 111 people attended those clinics. Also, 3 divorce clinics for victims of abuse were conducted by Susquehanna Legal Services paralegals and volunteer paralegals and 11 people attended those clinics. That program is being expanded in 2001 to included several more paralegals and three members of the Law Association who have volunteered to supervise the clinics. The bankruptcy referral program, instituted by Judge Thomas continues. The committee plans to meet on a more frequent basis in 2001 and to explore different programs and options that may be developed to include the attorneys whose practices do not easily lend themselves to areas of law in which Susquehanna Legal Services clients need representation. |
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William H. Askey, Esquire |
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Joseph R. Musto, Esquire Andrea J. Myers, Esquire Layne Oden, Esquire Annmarie Ottman, Esquire R. Matthew Patch, Esquire Julie M. Pentico, Esquire John P. Pietrovito, Esquire David C. Raker, Esquire Thomas C. Raup, Esquire Robin Read, Esquire Christopher Reeser, Esquire Joy Reynolds-McCoy, Esquire Joseph Rider, Esquire Clifford A. Rieders, Esquire Paul A. Roman, Esquire Sean P. Roman, Esquire Kyle W. Rude, Esquire Mary Schemery, Esquire Richard F. Schluter, Esquire Katherine R. Shimer, Esquire David C. Shipman, Esquire Pamela L. Shipman, Esquire Stephen C. Sholder, Esquire Brett J. Southard, Esquire John A. Smay, Esquire Karen T. Stapp, Esquire Charles Szybist, Esquire Nels Taber, Esquire Mark L. Taylor, Esquire Ronald Travis, Esquire Richard Vanderlin, Esquire Thomas Waffenschmidt, Esquire Kristine L. Waltz, Esquire C. Scott Waters, Esquire Robert Wayne, Esquire Gary L. Weber, Esquire Elliot B. Weiss, Esquire Randi Wenger-Dincher, Esquire J. Michael Wiley, Esquire Scott A. Williams, Esquire David F. Wilk, Esquire Darryl R. Wishard, Esquire Jeffrey W. Yates, Esquire E. Eugene Yaw, Esquire Kenneth B. Young, Esquire John Youngman, Jr., Esquire Michael Zicolello, Esquire |
