HARRISBURG (June 7, 2007)  -  Erie County lawyer Thomas A. Tupitza received an Everyday Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) on June 7 during a meeting of the Erie County Bar Association at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.  Tupitza is president of Knox McLaughlin Gornall and Sennett, P.C., Erie.

"Tom invests significant energies into bettering his community and his profession," said PBA President Kenneth J. Horoho Jr., who presented the award to Tupitza.  "His exemplary devotion to voluntary service has made and continues to make a positive difference in northwestern Pennsylvania and well beyond."  A life-long Erie resident, Tupitza participates in numerous civic, charitable and religious organizations.

Tupitza currently serves in leadership roles for two organizations dedicated to providing free legal representation to low-income people.  He is treasurer of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, and he serves on the board of directors for Northwestern Legal Services.

Tupitza is a member of the advisory board for The Nonprofit Partnership, a community building project of The Erie Community Foundation.  He was instrumental in the creation of the organization's The Nonprofit Pro Bono Project:  Professionals Helping Nonprofits, which matches eligible organizations with local lawyers and certified public accountants who are providing free consultation and education to the nonprofit community.

In support of his profession, he has served on several PBA committees, including the Delivery of Legal Services to the Needy Committee from 1998 to 2001.  He is a fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation.  From 2003 to 2005, Tupitza served on the board of the Erie County Bar Association.  He is a member and past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers, National Association of Bond Lawyers and American Health Lawyers Association.

"The Everyday Leader Award is given to individuals who go above and beyond, sharing their time and talent to help and support others," said Horoho.  "They work hard each and every day performing good works, not for personal gain or recognition, but for the right reasons - to improve the places they call home and to better Pennsylvania's legal system.  Tom Tupitza is one of these 'everyday leaders' and is deserving of this award which is presented in gratitude of his contributions to native Erie and throughout Pennsylvania."

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association exists to promote justice, professional excellence and respect of the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 29,000 lawyers who are members of the association.