About the 2006 Excellence Award Winners

A long time supporter of civil legal aid, Representative Manderino has spearheaded many legislative efforts which have benefited low income Pennsylvanians. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Task Force on Legal Services to the Needy and an early champion of the Access to Justice Act. She now sits on the PBA’s Task Force on Student Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Assistance. Representative Manderino was selected for her invaluable and consistent support of the mission of legal services, as well as her empathy for those who have nowhere else to turn.

A life-long supporter of clients’ rights, Sylvia Basich was the founder of the Beaver County Client Council over 30 years ago and served as its President for 15 years. It is one of the most enduring legal services client councils in the country. She has been recognized by many community and social services organizations for her generosity of spirit and commitment to the causes of low income people. In addition to her tireless efforts on behalf of clients, Ms. Basich is a dedicated member of the Board of Directors of Neighborhood Legal Services Association.

A staff attorney in the Gettysburg office of MidPenn Legal Services, Don Marritz has been described as enthusiastic, generous, successful, scholarly, public spirited and finally - gutsy. His career with Legal Services Inc. began in 1974 and over the years, Don has practiced in a broad range of substantive areas. He is a staunch supporter of clients’ rights, particularly their right to be protected from unreasonable intrusion of the government, expressed by a letter to the Governor’s General Counsel. Don has enjoyed success in numerous important cases and the joy that he continues to express for his work is truly inspiring.

Throughout a public service career that spans more than 30 years, Secretary Richman has been a long-time supporter of clients and the legal aid community. Serving the Rendell administration as Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare, she has guided the Department through some extremely difficult times. Not afraid to tackle seemingly insurmountable problems, Secretary Richman is consistently praised for improving customer service and the efficiency of her department, using the opinions and insights of consumers as the basis for policy decisions.

As the managing attorney in the Bethlehem office of North Penn Legal Services, Ms. Molloy inspires those around her with her patience, her ability to resolve problems, the respect she enjoys with the private bar and community service agencies, as well as her sense of humor. Her respect for clients and understanding of their needs enables her to provide excellent representation, and to serve as an extraordinary example for others who are fighting for individuals in need of help.

Mr. Shuster is Of Counsel to the firm Chimicles & Tikellis, LLP. He has been successful in obtaining multi-million dollar recoveries in consumer class actions against banks and insurance companies, while actively supporting public interest law and the legal services community. Mr. Shuster recognized the overwhelming problem young lawyers face in trying to pay large law school debt while working in public service law. He set up a fellowship fund, managed by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, to assist eligible young attorneys saddled by huge debt. His actions are a model for other attorneys seeking to support public interest law.

Mr. Racunas began his affiliation with Neighborhood Legal Services Association in 1969 as a volunteer law student. He has been a staff attorney, a managing attorney and since 1980, has served as executive director of Neighborhood Legal Services Association. His presidency of the Allegheny County Bar Association reflects the high regard in which he is held by his fellow attorneys. His insight and commitment to serving low income people has led to his remarkable success in building bridges between the legal services world and the private bar through his leadership in both spheres.

Before joining Northwestern Legal Services in 1974, Paul Troskosky was making an impression as a VISTA attorney in New York. He has provided civil legal representation for thousands of low income clients throughout the years and has represented NWLS in collaborative efforts with the private bars in McKean and Potter counties. He overcame local bar skepticism and ultimately became president of the McKean County Bar. He has, at times, worked without a pay check, dealt with a devastating fire in his office, and created one of the first legal aid web sites. As managing attorney, he has been an example for new attorneys and support staff as well.