Awards & Recognition

Northwestern Legal Services and the Erie County Bar Association recognize the following attorneys for their time, commitment and generosity to the needs of the low-income client community by providing the representation they so desperately need. Congratulations to our many Pro bono Attorneys, Board Members, as well as Staff of Northwestern Legal Services who have been recognized for their dedication and service to the low-income community!

2018 Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year: Ronald E. Cook and Daniel P. Foster

February 28th, 2020, 11:38 AM
At the nomination of U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Thomas P. Agresti, the Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorneys Ronald E. Cook and Daniel P. Foster of Foster Law Firm as the 2018 Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year.
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Matthew J. Lager - 2017 Pro bono Attorney of the Year

February 28th, 2020, 11:38 AM
The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorney Matthew J. Lager as the 2017 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for his dedicated work on behalf of the civil legal needs of the low-income community in Erie.
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Gary V. Skiba, Esq.- 2016 Pro bono Attorney of the Year

February 28th, 2020, 11:38 AM
The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorney Gary Skiba as this year's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for his dedicated work on behalf of the civil legal needs of the low-income community in Erie.
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Adam Barnett - 2015 Pro bono Attorney of the year

February 28th, 2020, 11:38 AM
The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorney Adam Barnett as this year's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for his dedicated work on behalf of the civil legal needs of the low-income community in Erie.
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Robert A. Oakley, Esq., NWLS Executive Director, Receives Excellence Award

February 28th, 2020, 11:37 AM
NWLS executive director Robert A. Oakley, Esq., was named a 2012 Excellence Award honoree by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN), the agency that administers state funding for civil legal services.
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Attorney Thomas Tupitza Receives Excellence Award

February 28th, 2020, 11:36 AM
Attorney Thomas A Tupitza, attorney Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C, was awarded a 2011 Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network for his outstanding work on behalf of legal aid both locally and statewide.
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James Montero, Office Manager, Receives Liberty Bell Award

February 28th, 2020, 11:36 AM
Jim received the 2011 Liberty Bell Award presented by the Erie County Bar Association at the Law Day luncheon.
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James A. Montero, Legal Assistant & Office Manager

February 28th, 2020, 11:35 AM
Jim receives the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network 2010 Excellence Awards.
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Attorney Jay W. Alberstadt Recognized for Service

February 28th, 2020, 11:34 AM
Attorney Jay W. Alberstadt, Jr., attorney with MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP was awarded a 2008 Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network for his outstanding contributions to the mission of legal aid in northwestern Pennsylvania.
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Board Member Patricia Mickel Receives 2008 Liberty Bell Award

February 28th, 2020, 11:31 AM
The Erie County Bar Association awards Patricia Mickel the 2008 Liberty Bell Award at the Erie County Law Day Ceremony on May 2, 2008.
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Previous Pro Bono Award Recipients

2017 — Matthew L. Lager, Esquire
2016 — Gary V. Skiba, Esq.
2015 — Adam Barnett, Esq.
2014 — John B. Enders, Esq.
2013 — Laurie Tewinkle, Esq.
2012 — John W. McCandless, Esq.
2011 — James Marnen, Esq.
2010 — Rich Filippi, Esq.
2009 — Colleen Stumpf, Esq.
2008 — Jennifer Hirneisen, Esq.
2007 — J. Gregory Moore, Esq.
2006 — Tammy Lamary, Esq.
2005 — Michael Kruszewski, Esq.
2004 — James H. Richardson, Jr., Esq.

2003 — Roger H. Taft, Esq.
2002 — E. James Lucht, Esq.
2001 — Timothy D. McNair, Esq.
2000 — Gregory L. Heidt, Esq.
1999 — Robert C. Ward, Esq.
1998 — Keith H. Clelland, Esq.
1997 — David W. Remington, Esq.
1996 — W. Richard Cowell, Esq.
1995 — Colleen C. McCarthy, Esq.
1994 — Daniel J. Pastore, Esquire
1993 — Bradley K. Enterline, Esquire
1992 — Edward J. Neibauer, Esquire
1991 — Craig A. Markham, Esquire
1990 — William D. Taggart, Esquire
1989 — Michel S. Jan Janin

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