Throughout the year, Bar members commit thousands of hours of community service, and promote public understanding of and respect for the law.   

High School Law Mentoring Program  

The Law Mentoring Program is a popular attorney-led program created by Attorney Walter Tilley with the York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL) to introduce high-school students from around the county to the practice of law. The 2021-2022 program, organized by Chris Harris of Stock and Leader, Attorneys at Law, began in October 2021 and covered topics such as:

• The time of lawyers
• A tour of the judicial center
• Writing a will
• Forming a business
• Negotiating a real estate deal
• Going to trial
• Completing a Mock Trial

Law Day and Liberty Bell Award

The first Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight Eisenhower to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day, which is subsequently codified (U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 113.) Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to celebrate the nation's commitment to the rule of law.

To help promote public understanding and respect for the law, the York County Bar Foundation holds an annual Law Day luncheon. As part of Law Day, an essay and bookmark contest is held for area middle and high school students encouraging young people to think about current social and legal issues. At the luncheon, the winners of the essay and bookmark contest are recognized and a member of the community is honored with the Liberty Bell Award.

For more information on Law Day CLICK HERE.

Legal Lines Television Programs

Since 1999, thanks to the vision of the Bar Foundation's Public Service Committee, 103 Legal Lines television shows have aired on our local Comcast cable channel 18 - now White Rose Community Television - bringing important legal information into the homes of more than 100,000 viewers with each broadcast.

Legal Lines are 30-minute educational programs featuring guests that are subject matter experts covering a wide variety of law-related topics that are of interest to viewers in the York, Pennsylvania area. 

CLICK HERE to view all Legal Lines shows posted on YouTube.

Pardon Project of York County

Established in 2022, the Pardon Project of York County (PPYC) was created to provide greater access to and information for York County residents about pardons to help individuals with a criminal record in our community move forward with their lives. The PPYC seeks to assist individuals with a criminal record, who have completely served their sentence and are seeking a pardon forgiveness of their crime. A pardon is a powerful tool for people who deserve a second chance. In York County, the pardon process is free and more accessible than ever before. 

The Program, "It’s about Change!" has taken a lead role in the initiative by developing a centralized website and hiring a Pardon Fellow to manage the process. 

The YCBA, YCBF, The Program "It's About Change", the Pardon Project of York County, and MidPenn Legal Services collaborated to provide two free Pardons and Expungement Clinics in 2023 assisting 76 clients in accessing qualification for pardons or expungements. 

Wills for Heroes

After the events of 9/11, the "Wills for Heroes" program was established by the Wills For Heroes Foundation to provide emergency responders, and now veterans, with fully executed, witnessed and notarized wills, living wills, and health care and financial powers of attorney, free of charge.

In 2010, the YCBA's Young Lawyers Section launched the Wills for Heroes program in partnership with the Wills for Heroes Foundation, the PA Bar Association, and Leave a Legacy^® York County. The 14th annual Wills for Heroes event will take place on September 7, 2024. The total number of wills completed through this event is 635.