Chester County Bar Association, PA Contact: Audrey Featherman Chester County Bar Assn. 15 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 Activity Summary: The Chester County Bar Association participated in the national Law Day celebration by offering two public education programs that provided the citizens of Chester County with information about the role of law in their lives. The first consisted of three law-related academic contests that culminated in a ceremony on May 1, at the Chester County Courthouse, honoring 35 students from 7 schools for their outstanding achievements. For the second program, the CCBA Public Relations Committee ran a four-part television series on the judiciary that provided back ground information on the court system in anticipation of the May primary election. Activity Narrative: In support of the American Bar Association's 1997 Law Day Celebration, the Chester County Bar Association (CCBA) offered a two-part program that sought to educate the public about the role of the law in the lives. The CCBA efforts culminated in a ceremony on May 1, 1997, at the Chester County Courthouse, honoring 35 students from 7 schools for their outstanding achievements through participation in law related academic contests. In conjunction with this event we ran a four part television series on the judiciary. In January, letters were sent out to all Chester High Schools, inviting students to participate in the Thirteenth Annual Law Day Essay Contest. This competition used the ABA's theme "Celebrate Your Freedom", garnering specific essay topic suggestions from the 1997 Planning Guide. Additionally, supplies were purchased from the ABA, saving staff time & energy in the search for appropriate mementos for the students. Meanwhile our Young Lawyers Division was getting the Twelfth Annual Chester County Mock Trial Team competition underway, and the Sixth Annual Chester County Bar Foundation Scholarship program had begun. Over 120 students, with the support of their educators, from 14 school participated in the programs. Thirty members of the CCBA, including two judges from the Court of Common Pleas and president of the CCBA, volunteered their time to help with the three programs. The Law Day ceremony was designed to further emphasize the significance of law in the lives of U.S Citizens. The program was held in courtroom 1, one of the Chester County's historical treasures. The students were seated in the two jury boxes on either side of the courtroom. The winners' families watched the proceedings from the audience section, with the government officials and members of the 800 strong CCBA. The program began with the formal opening of court. The Honorable Thomas G. Gavin, President Judge of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas, led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the closing remarks. The Honorable Robert S. Gawthrop, II of the United States District Court, Eastern District, gave the keynotes address. The ceremony was followed by a reception in the Bar Association building. This event was successful because of the collaborative efforts of the Bar Association, educators and judiciary. Two of the contests have been held annually for over a decade; teachers incorporated them into their curriculum. These educators provide the CCBA with feedback on what works well and needs improvement. This year the judges not only volunteered their time but also provided the event site. President Judge Gavin has already offered the Law Day Planning Committee the use of courtroom 1 on May 1 of 1998. Additionally, judges, members of the CCBA and local government officials including a State Senator and State Representative, who did not have direct involvement in the programs, attended both the ceremony and the reception. Their presence, along with that of the students' families and educators, combined with the formal proceedings, reiterated to the students how significant the community viewed their academic achievement in the particular area. Multiply that accomplishment by 35 honored students', spread out the ramifications over the course of those student's lifetimes, and you can see that both law and the celebration of the law have law have far reaching positive results through events of this nature. In conjunction with the academic activities and with a specific goal of teaching the public more about their judicial system before the May primary elections, the CCBA produced and aired a three-part television series titled "Your Courts: Past, Present & Present & Future"on a local access cable company that reaches over 60,000 homes. The basis of this series is the exploration of the past, consideration of the present, and expectation for the future will allow a greater understanding of the issues and challenges that face our system of justice. The judicial Series was followed by an episode that the CCBA produces to acquaint citizens of Chester County with their Appellate Court Systems. The episode was titled "Your Appellate Courts: an Interview with the Honorable James R. Cavanaugh." The four programs ran from March 12 through to May 30, 1997. In addition to a press release, flyers were sent out to all Chester County schools announcing the Judicial Series. In conclusion, the efforts of the CCBA illustrate the positive impact that a local organization can have by working with the community, for the community. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization