Celebrating the Passing of the Gavel

Golf Club. The Delaware County Bar Association thanked Karen E. Friel, Esquire, our 86th President, in 2021, for her service to the Association and we welcomed our 87th President, Carrie A. Woody, Esquire.

and service! F. Kirk Adams; William A. Bonner; Joseph W. Bullen III; Howard Farber; Edward N. Flail, Jr.; Arthur G. Girton; Stephen H. Gold; William G. Halligan.

The Paul R. Sand Award was first presented in 1976 and was been awarded annually at the Delaware County Bar Association’s Annual Dinner to a member of the Bar who has furthered the concepts of this Association, or to a layman outside the Bar Association who has fostered interest and respect for the law.

recipient of The Samuel W. Milkes Award … An occasional award of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee that is to be given to such individuals and groups as the Committee from time to time, determines have provided unique services that has resulted in significant improvement in the access to justice of the neediest among us.

The Milkes Award celebrates the access to justice work of Cumberland County’s Samuel W. Milkes, Esquire, the longtime legal aid advocate and public service attorney who served as Executive Director of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN, Inc.).

The Eckell Sparks Illumination Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 is awarded annually by the Delaware County Bar Association to a young lawyer recommended by the Board of Directors of the Bar Association in order to provide financial assistance to attend the Annual Delaware County Bench Bar Conference and Annual Bar Association President’s Dinner.

During the previous year, this lawyer will have demonstrated devotion and enthusiasm for the practice of law and has been an inspiration to others by demonstrating superior legal skills and other such accomplishments, including charitable endeavors, community service and, most importantly, service to the members of the Delaware County Bar Association.

With selfless guidance through the years by its cornerstones Murray Eckell and Don Sparks, the Eckell Sparks Law Firm has been blessed throughout its history with the privilege of mentoring numerous attorneys on their path to success. These attorneys have demonstrated varied legal skills, objectives, accomplishments, charitable endeavors, and public service, and have emulated Murray and Don who devoted over a half century of exemplary service to the Delaware County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, as well as the Delaware County community.

J. Davey, Esquire, our 2023 recipient of the Paul R. Sand Award, presented annually to a member of the Bar who has furthered the concepts of this Association, or to a layman outside the Bar Association who has fostered interest and respect for the law.

Neary, Esq., Chair and Robert F. Kelly, Jr., Esq., Co-Chair, 150th Anniversary Committee; recipients of the President’s Special Recognition Award ... For Dedicated and Outstanding Service to the Delaware County Bar Association.

Samuel W. Milkes Award … An award of the PBA Legal Services to the Public Committee to such individuals that have provided unique services resulting in significant improvement in the access to justice of the neediest among us.

… To a young lawyer who in 2022, demonstrated devotion and enthusiasm for the practice of law and has been an inspiration to others by demonstrating superior legal skills and other such accomplishments, including charitable endeavors, community service and, most importantly, service to the members of the Delaware County Bar Association.