Bar association honors local lawyers
The Washington County Bar Association presented awards to several members recently at its annual banquet.
William D. “Denny” Phillips received the Bar Association’s 2015 Distinguished Service Award in recognition of “his contributions to the legal profession, his high ethical standards and his many years of dedicated service to the Washington County Bar Association.”
Phillips was born and raised in Washington. He received his bachelor’s degree from Washington & Jefferson College in 1959 and his law degree from Duquesne University in 1962.
After law school, he served two years in the U.S. Army then returned to Washington, where he worked as an assistant district attorney from 1965 to 1967.
He co-founded Phillips and Faldowski, P.C., with his brother-in-law Damon Faldowski in 1978.
From 1978 through 1997, he defended physicians and insurers in medical malpractice and personal injury matters, and since 1997, he has represented plaintiffs in all types of personal injury, medical malpractice and product liability actions.
He also has worked as a private and court-appointed mediator for over a decade. Phillips is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, which is invitation-only and includes fewer than 1 percent of the nation’s most experienced trial attorneys. He has served two terms as a hearing committee member for the state Supreme Court Disciplinary Board.
He is a past president and past trustee of the Washington County Bar Foundation.
Samuel S. Pangburn received a special Humanitarian Award from the Bar Association in recognition of “his service to the legal profession, most notably for his nearly three decades of care and concern for the health and welfare of the members of the legal community who seek assistance through the Washington County Bar Association’s Special Professional Awareness Committee and the statewide Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers.”
Pangburn was raised in Elrama. He received his bachelor’s degree from W&J in 1967, graduating from the Army ROTC program. He graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 1970, then served a six-month active duty tour. He served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve Corps.
From 1971 until 1976, he worked for the late Kenneth J. Yablonski
He has been a sole proprietor with emphasis on criminal defense as well as DUI and traffic law defense. In 1987, he co-founded the WCBA Special Professional Awareness Committee.
He also is a member of the Pennsylvania Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers, with responsibilities in Washington, Allegheny and Greene counties and, in 1986, co-founded the Sunlight Club. He has been active in coaching young athletes in baseball and football.
Also at the banquet, outgoing president L. Dawn Haber presented incoming President Edward C. Morascyzk with the gavel of office.
Other officers are Stephanie M. Sewak, president-elect; Susan M. Key, vice president; Frank C. Roney Jr., secretary; and Blane A. Black, treasurer.