Annual Banquet Brings Together Members for Awards and Recognition

The 2026 Lycoming Law Association annual banquet brought together bar members and family to Jeune Chef Restaurant to socialize and recognize fellow members for their accomplishments. We also welcomed honored guests from Thrive International, the local organization that was awarded the Community Service Award and from the Pennsylvania Bar association, including Executive Director Matt Holliday, President Kristen Hamilton, Assistant Executive Director William Christman.

Jeana Longo, newly elected LLA present, started the evening by recognizing the service of past president Judge Ryan Gardner. He accepted a plaque that acknowledged his tenure as 2025 bar president.

The pro bono awards followed. These were presented by Committee Chari John Pietrovito and Jen Heverly from North Central Legal Services. The following individuals were recognized for their commitment to equal justice for the poor, by receiving the Fair Share Award* for their participation in the Lycoming County Pro Bono Referral Program: Lauren

Appolonia, Matt Diemer, Jeffrey C. Dohrmann, Sean Gingerich, Lisa Glick, Matthew Golden, Trisha Hoover, Angela Lovecchio, Peter Lovecchio, Joy Reynolds McCoy, Sharon Mclaughlin, Corey Mowrey, John Person, Melody Protasio, Clifford A. Rieders, Kyle Rude, F. Patrick Santucci, Patricia Shipman, and Gary Weber. The law firms of Protasio & Jasper, P.C. and Rieders, Travis, Dohrmann, Mowrey, Humphrey, & Waters wer egiven Outstanding Law Firm Achievement Awards for the participation of 100 percent of their attorneys in the
Lycoming County Pro Bono Referral Program.

Lauren Appolonia Roux was awarded the Honorable Thomas Wood Equal Access to Justice Award and Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award. Read more.

Every year, the Association recognizes a non-lawyer whose public service has had a significant impact in the legal community. The Lycoming Law Association Public Service Award for 2026 was presented to Thrive International. Thrive provides affordable immigration legal services to low-income and vulnerable community members in Williamsport and other areas of Pennsylvania. Executive Directive Jody Lantz accepted the award.

The William Nichols Public Service Award was presented to Trish Shipman by Jen Ayers. Read More.

Corey Mowrey then summarized the career of Cliff Rieders, in recognizing his 50-year membership in the Lycoming County Bar. Read more.

Judge Nancy Butts was honored for her 30 years of judicial service. She received a standing ovation from the membership. Read More.

With that, the banquet concluded. See more in the photos, below.