Civil Law

For one week in October law schools, law firms, bar associations and other legal groups across the Nation recognized work done on behalf of the poor and underserved with the second national pro bono celebration. The Lebanon County Bar Association, in cooperation with MidPenn Legal Services, sponsored this year’s pro bono recognition from October 25th through the 29th.

Pro bono refers to legal work that lawyers do without a fee for the benefit of their communities. This work can include representing individuals near the poverty line in civil cases such as landlord-tenant disputes, family law issues or foreclosures.

“The Lebanon Bar Association calls on its members to make a difference in their communities through pro bono work. We take pride in the fact that nearly 70% of the bar membership actively participates in accepting pro bono referrals from MidPenn Legal Services, providing free legal work for people of limited means,” LCBA Executive Director, Dena Woelfling, said. She pointed out that the LCBA schedules every non-government attorney 2 days of pro bono service each year. The attorneys might see up to 12 clients a year.

According to the records held at the MidPenn office, Lebanon attorneys provided 1441 hours of free legal work to the low income citizens of the county.

As part of the National Pro Bono Celebration Week, Lebanon County hosted a special recognition ceremony at the Lebanon County Courthouse to recognize and honor the attorneys whom have given freely of their time and talent.

Attorney John H. Whitmoyer, Esquire of Henry & Beaver Law Office, was nominated by Laurie Yurejefcic Midpenn Pro Bono Coordinator, as Lebanon County Pro Bono Attorney of the year.

According to Yurejefcic, “John always agrees to take bankruptcy cases when the local legal aid office contacts him. The clients who have been referred to John are always extremely complimentary of his professionalism and his caring nature.”

Attorney Whitmoyer was presented a plaque by David K. Trevaskis, Esquire, and Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Coordinator. “As the economy struggles, the service of attorneys with John’s expertise has been a great gift to the neediest among us”, said Trevaskis.

Charles V. Henry, III, an early champion of legal aid, was the keynote speaker. He reflected on his fifty years service as an attorney in Lebanon County. Henry has been responsible for scheduling the pro bono attorneys for many years.

A reception for Pro Bono attorneys, sponsored by Henry and Beaver followed in the Law Library.

Pennsylvania has been a national leader in the celebration with events held at many sites across the commonwealth. Seventeen pro bono awards were presented by PBA leaders from Oct. 26 through Nov. 4 as part of an extended Pro Bono Week series of events.

The Lebanon County Bar Association, founded in 1813, proudly represents more than 130 member attorneys, dedicated to advancing the practice of law and promoting the legal profession through community service and education.