Erie County Bar Association

05/13/2026

Local students are welcomed by ECBA to the 2026 Law Day student presentation! ⚖️

05/13/2026

⚖️ The wait is finally over!

We are beyond thrilled to kick off our Law Day celebrations with today’s student session. There is something truly special about seeing a room full of young leaders eager to lean in and listen.

We are so lucky to have Shamil Idriss and Jeff Coleman with us today. Watching them engage with these students on how to find common ground in an increasingly conflicted world is exactly the inspiration we all need right now. 🤝✨

🎟️ Missed the student session? You can still join us!

If you want to experience this powerful conversation for yourself, it’s not too late. We still have tickets available for tonight’s Main Event and Cocktail Reception at the historic Warner Theatre.

• When: Tonight!
• Where: Warner Theatre
• Start Time: 4:30 PM
• Tickets: Available now at our website https://www.eriebar.com/events/member-registration/1929
or at the door!

Don't miss out on an evening of perspective-shifting dialogue and community. We’ll see you there! 🏛️🎙️

05/08/2026

Erie County Bar Association to Celebrate Law Day 2026 Featuring a Moderated Discussion with Shamil Idriss and Jeff Coleman

ERIE, PA — The Erie County Bar Association (ECBA) is pleased to announce the details for its annual Law Day celebration, to be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Warner Theatre. This year’s event centers on the theme “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” exploring how a stable legal system serves as the essential foundation for opportunity and justice.

The 2026 program features a moderated discussion with Shamil Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest peacebuilding organization. The conversation will be led by Jeff Coleman, principal of Churchill Strategies, former Pennsylvania State Representative, and host of Morning Light Live.

In addition to the evening program, the ECBA is proud to host a special student session at 11:00 AM. This morning event will welcome 150 high school and middle school students from across the region to the Warner Theatre for an exclusive dialogue with Idriss and Coleman. This session is designed to engage the next generation in a meaningful conversation about peacebuilding, civic responsibility, and the role of the law in their future.

“Law Day is a vital opportunity for our community to reflect on the legal principles that protect our freedoms,” said an ECBA representative. “The interactive dialogue between Shamil Idriss and Jeff Coleman will provide a unique perspective on how we can bridge differences. We are particularly excited to extend this conversation to our local students, offering them a chance to hear from a global peacebuilder and a seasoned civic leader.”

Event Schedule:

Student Session: 11:00 AM, Warner Theatre.

Program & Awards: 4:30 PM, Warner Theatre Main Stage.

Cocktail Reception to follow in the Warner Rehearsal Hall.

2026 Honors and Awards:
The ECBA will recognize local leaders for their contributions to the community and the legal field:

Chancellor of the Bar: Attorney Phil Friedman

Liberty Bell Award: Jennie Hagerty, Mercy Center for Women

Community Catalyst Award: Marcus Atkinson, MLK Center

Pro-Bono Award: Attorney Denise Pekelnicky

Ticket Information:
Admission for the 4:30 PM presentation and the following reception is $65. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eriebar.com/events/ecba-events/1929-2026-law-day-celebration

About the Erie County Bar Association:
The ECBA is a professional membership organization dedicated to serving the attorneys and citizens of Erie County, Pennsylvania, by promoting justice, professional excellence, and community service.

04/21/2026

Bridging divides and building community! ⚖️🤝

We were honored to attend yesterday’s Spirit of Civility Awards luncheon at the Jefferson Educational Society. It was an inspiring afternoon celebrating Erie neighbors who lead with respect and teamwork.

The event was a fantastic preview of what’s to come, and we are more excited than ever to welcome our Law Day guest speakers to Erie on May 13! 🗓️We are thrilled to be joined by:

🎤 Jeff Coleman – Host of Morning Light and yesterday's awards host, who continues to champion civil discourse here in Pennsylvania.

🎤 Shamil Idriss – CEO of Search for Common Ground, the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization, joining us to share his global perspective on transforming conflict into cooperation.

The insights shared yesterday on "The Spirit of Civility" are the perfect fit for our Law Day theme. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Erie County Bar Association!

Tickets for the event will be on sale soon at the Warner Theatre box office or at ECBA for ECBA members!

Twelve Local leaders were recognized for their impact on the Erie community at the 2026 Spirit of Civility Award Luncheon at the Jefferson Educational Society This luncheon was hosted by Jeff Colem…

04/14/2026

Calling all Erie County Law Students! ⚖️

The application window for the Chief Justice Samuel J. Roberts Scholarship is officially OPEN!

Named in honor of one of Erie’s most distinguished legal minds, this scholarship supports Erie County residents currently navigating the challenges of law school. Whether you are a 1L, 2L, or 3L, we want to help you reach the finish line.

📅 Deadline: May 31
📍 Eligibility: Erie County residents enrolled in an accredited law school.

Don’t miss this opportunity for financial support toward your legal education.

Apply here: https://www.eriebar.com/foundation/roberts-scholarship

Roberts Scholarship Fund is to provide financial assistance to law school students from Erie County, Pennsylvania, enrolled in accredited Law Schools.

01/21/2026

Strong organizations are built on reliable partnerships. Today, we are proud to spotlight our Annual Sponsors, whose ongoing support is vital to our success throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful for their year-round commitment and partnership! 🌟

A special thank you to our legal partners:
⚖️ Knox Law
⚖️ Leech Tishman (Erie Office- Attorneys Art Martinucci and Michael Kruszewski)

And to our dedicated business partners:
💼 NFP Structured Settlements
💼 Maloney, Reed, Scarpetti & Co.

Their steady support allows us to continue serving the Erie legal community with excellence. Please join us in thanking these local leaders!

If your law firm or business is interested in becoming an ECBA Partner this year, please reach out to Katie at [email protected] for more details!

01/15/2026

Welcome 2026 ECBA President! ⚖️

We are thrilled to officially welcome Jamie Schumacher as the 2026 President of the Erie County Bar Association!

As a Partner at MacDonald Illig and a dedicated leader within our legal community, Jamie brings a wealth of experience—from her extensive work in commercial litigation to her longtime service as a former chair of both our Young Lawyers and Women’s Divisions. We look forward to a year of growth and advocacy under her leadership as we continue to serve the Erie legal community and beyond.

Check out the full feature in the Erie Times-News to learn more about Jamie’s vision for the year ahead:

https://www.goerie.com/story/business/2026/01/14/erie-county-bar-association-jamie-schumacher-is-new-president/88149857007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z118552p119450c119450d00----v118552&gca-ft=28&gca-ds=sophi

Please join us in congratulating Jamie! 🎉

Jamie Schumacher, a member of an Erie law firm who serves on several nonprofit boards and teaches dance, replaces Elizabeth Hirz as president.

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 A huge shout-out to everyone involved in the ECBA Wills for Heroes event today, Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and generosity of all the volunteers who made this event a success:

* A massive thank you to our attorney volunteers who donated their valuable time and expertise to provide essential legal services to our veterans and first responders. Your commitment to pro bono service is truly inspiring.

* Thank you to the tireless notaries and ECBA staff for keeping the process running smoothly and efficiently.

*Thank you to our IT service provider, Techworx, for providing onsite tech support to keep everything running smoothly!

Most importantly, to all the veterans who participated today: Thank you for your service and sacrifice. We are honored to provide this small token of appreciation for everything you have given to our nation. Happy Veterans Day!


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