United Way of York County executive director Robert Woods is the 2013 Liberty Bell Award winner.
The award, presented by the local bar association and foundation, honors a non-attorney volunteer in the York community who has encouraged others to respect the laws and legal system, to learn more about and take an active role in the American justice system, and to take pride in our nation’s system of freedom for all under the law.
Woods was nominated by Sr. Judge John C. Uhler for stepping out of his job description and volunteering for the county’s truancy initiative and for chairing the bar’s legal services task force.
Accepting the award at the bar’s Law Day luncheon, Woods said, “We really in this country do not have justice for all. We need to make that happen.”
Liberty Bell Award winner Robert Woods, Sr. Judge John C. Uhler and Judge Maria Musti Cook
After the luncheon, Woods explained the task force is investigating ways to provide “available, affordable representation for individuals in civil cases.”
Legal representation is not mandatory in civil court, Woods said, and and funding has been cut to MidPenn Legal Services, a non-profit law firm that provides legal representation to low income residents.
Woods said MidPenn is forced to turn a way 40 percent of people who contact the firm seeking legal help.
“A great pro bono system could be better,” he said.
Woods said the task force will make a presentation to the bar at the end of the month.
York Catholic and Spring Grove future barristers also were recognized at the 2013 Law Day luncheon for their respective first- and second-place finishes in the district mock trial competition.
The teams are:
York Catholic High School
Katherine Andrews, Lindsey China, Katarina DeFelice, Emily Schoettler, Anna Spoden, Annie Stover, Cody Stubbs and Erika Zarfoss. Faculty coach – Deborah Hess. Attorney coach – Jeffrey Boyles.
Spring Grove Area High School
Imran Chaudhry, Kaitlyn Colen, Anika Coolbaugh, Nicholas Ensminger, Sarah Erlemeier, Abie Hinson, Jackie Maurer, Lexi Seaman, Shelby Spencer and Becky Wiest. Teacher coach – Jason Baker. Attorney coach – Joshua Neiderhiser.
The essay contest winner is Kristen Webster. Here is her essay.
