Bluth Wins Award

Remarks by Danna Rich-Collins on presentation of the award:

Many things that we do  have good and bad consequences—that is true as well for the giving of awards. We honor people for their contributions. Awards can bring prestige to the event for which we are honoring, they can produce “healthy” competition between individuals vying for the award and awards can serve as due recognition to those that have earned the award.

On the other hand it can be difficult to single out one winner. Not so difficult in a hundred yard dash-- but much more difficult in an arena such as we have here in the Lycoming Law Association where so many –do so much –so often.

When we agonize over picking the recipient of the Equal Access to Justice Award I am reminded of a bumper sticker that one local school has (in response to the “my child is an honor student phenomena) Every student at our school is an honored student.

Every attorney who participates in the Lycoming Law Assoc pro bono program is an honored attorney.

Having said that, however, each year there does seem to rise to the top one or more individuals who have gone above and beyond the expected and it is for that reason that we honor tonight’s recipient of the Equal Access to Justice Award.

This year’s recipient became a member of the Protection from Abuse Panel by virtue of becoming an associate in his firm. While we may call him a draftee as opposed to an enlisted man he has continued to serve and done so with distinction. Because of the system employed by his firm he automatically gets more that the usual three referrals a year. But it is not for the numbers that we honor him but for his advocacy with these cases. We can’t be sure if he just gets the cases that require more research and litigation or if it is his issue spotting that brings them to light. In addition to litigating issues arising out of his PFA’s this recipient goes beyond second hearing representation in virtually all cases. Clients and the shelter report that he calls to check on clients after the hearings. He tells his clients to let him know if they have other problems, they do and he helps them with those problems–stemming from their situation–but not technically part of the abuse referral. He does follow up, and then follow up of anything that arises after his follow up. He keeps abreast of any developments in the law, and shares those with the staff of Wise Options and legal services for distribution to other advocates. Wise options can’t say enough about how he advocates for their clients. When asked to describe his contribution they said” he tells his clients not to hesitate to call him if they have a problem,-- they do--- and then he does----------.

I present to you this year’s recipient of the Equal Access to Justice Award----Brian J. Bluth.