LASP Staff Awards

Staff nominate colleagues for recognition for three awards, including the Maryjane B. Kelley Award, the Patricia L. Brooks Award, and the Rising Star Award.

Maryjane B. Kelley Award

The award is named for Maryjane Kelley, who was a longtime LASP attorney who passed away in 2018.

Maryjane worked in LASP’s Doylestown Office from 2002-2018, serving as Managing Attorney. Respected by the bar, the judiciary, and by the staff she supervised and mentored, Maryjane compiled a distinguished record of community and public interest service during her 16 years at LASP, and long before her LASP tenure, as a Commander in the Navy JAG Corps.

The Maryjane B. Kelley Award is presented to a longtime LASP staff member who:

• Demonstrates empathy and compassion for clients;

• Embodies the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in his or her work;

• Has distinguished him or herself through effective advocacy on behalf of clients;

• Has served as a role model and mentor in the professional development of staff; and

• Has consistently embraced, supported, and furthered the mission of LASP.

Recipients

2019 – Edward R. Danelski, Staff Attorney, based in Norristown

2019 – Randi Riefner, Paralegal, , based in Bristol

2019 – Susan Rizzardi, Norristown Office Manager

2020 – Deborah Steeves, Staff Attorney, based in West Chester

2023 – Rachel Houseman, Chester County Managing Attorney, based in West Chester

2024 – Nanci Hoover, Helpline Supervising Attorney, based in Norristown

2024 – Jean Gauger, Pottstown Office Manager

2025 – Venezla Moses, Helpline Paralegal, based in Norristown

Patricia L. Brooks Award

Pat Brooks, administrative assistant in the Chester City office for over 40 years, passed away in January 2018. Pat worked for LASP from 1975-2018. Many who worked with Pat in Delaware County describe her as very organized and efficient with a generous spirit and extremely dedicated to her work.

The Patricia "Pat" L. Brooks Award recognizes a LASP support staff member who:

• Exemplifies hard work, selflessness, teamwork and proficiency at his or her job;

• Embodies the highest standards of professionalism and a “client-centered” approach;

• Actively goes “above and beyond” that normally required of a LASP staff member; and;

• Has consistently embraced, supported, and furthered the mission of LASP.

Recipients

2020 – Patricia MacCorkle, Bristol Office Manager

2023 – Christopher Rogers, Technology Technician based in Norristown

2023 – Carol Wilbur, Doylestown Office Manager

2024 – Durene McCarty, Bristol Office Manager

2025 – Anna (Chris) Walter, Chester City Administrative Assistant

Rising Star Award

The LASP Rising Star Award is presented to a staff member with less than five years of tenure who:

• Has engaged in energetic, effective advocacy for clients;

• Has accepted challenging assignments and has actively gone “above and beyond” that normally required of a LASP staff member;

• Has been a good team player;

• Has demonstrated strong leadership and leadership potential; and

• Has been an enthusiastic ambassador promoting the importance of LASP’s work in the community and with other young professionals.

Recipients

2019 – Erica N. Briant, Staff Attorney

2020 – Michelle R. Dempsky, Staff Attorney

2023 – Kathryn M. Palladino, Staff Attorney & Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator

2023 – Katrina “Kaytee” Ihrer, Doylestown Staff Attorney

2024 – Richard A.J. Prebil, Veterans Advocacy Project Supervising Attorney

2025 – Kelly Young, Staff Attorney, based in West Chester

LASP 20+ Fête for Justice Honorees

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA celebrated 20+ years of service at the Fête for Justice on May 19, 2022 at Normandy Farm, Blue Bell. The skies cleared, and the celebration was truly memorable. Keynote Speaker Reuben Jonathan Miller, sociologist, University of Chicago assistant professor and author of Halfway Home: Race, Punishment and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration, presented keynote remarks. Trapeta B. Mayson, 2020-21 Philadelphia Poet Laureate, shared healing words of verse. Entertainment was provided by V. Shayne Frederick and the Charles Baldwin Experience.

LASP honored 46 people and 1 law firm at the celeibration. All played instrumental roles in the development of LASP as a regional program.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Co-Chairs, Congressional Access to Legal Aid Caucus

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon

* deceased

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) Excellence Awards

LASP staff, volunteers, board members and friends of LASP have been honored with PLAN Excellence Awards.

PLAN’s videos celebrating the work of each honoree are linked, when available.

2003 Striving Towards Excellence Awards – Nanci Hoover, Helpline Managing Attorney

2007 PLAN Excellence Award – Catherine H. Herman, LASP Fiscal Manager & former Delaware County Legal Assistance Association (DCLAA) Bookkeeper & Administrative team member

2008 PLAN Excellence Award – John F. McKenna, LASP Board Member

2009 PLAN Excellence Award – Elizabeth C. Price, Delaware County Bar Association Executive Director

2011 Excellence Award – Karen Tyler, Paralegal based in Chester City

2013 PLAN Excellence Award – Cary L. Flitter

2014 PLAN Excellence Award – Harvey F. Strauss, former LASP Co-Executive Director & Montgomery County Legal Aid Service Executive Director

2015 PLAN Excellence Award – Merck Pro Bono Program

2017 PLAN Excellence Award – Centralized Telephone Helpline Staff:

Nanci Hoover, Esq., Managing Attorney; Robin Babillis, Paralegal; Delores Wilson Bailey, Paralegal; Kristan Burgess, Esq., Helpline Attorney; Eleonor Glasco, Paralegal; Carolyn Hettell, Paralegal; Randall Hove, Esq., Helpline Attorney; Pamela Manning, Support Staff; Venezla Moses, Paralegal; and Pandora Murphy, Paralegal

2018 PLAN Excellence Award – Randi Riefner, LASP Legal Assistant, based in Bristol

2019 PLAN Excellence Award – Michelle R. Terry, LASP Delaware County Managing Attorney

2019 PLAN Excellence Award – Nancy R. Paul and Nancy O. Walsh, Montgomery Bar Association

2021 PLAN Excellence Award – Mardi Busanus, Volunteer of 20+ years in LASP’s Doylestown Office

2022 PLAN Excellence Award for Lay Advocacy – Randy & Debbie Blough, Chester County Community Volunteers

• LASP News

2024 PLAN Outstanding Attorney Advocate Award – Erica N. Briant, LASP Director of Community Engagement & Training

2025 Emerging Excellence in Advocacy Award – Richard A.J. Prebil, LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Supervising Attorney