Celebrate our past and support our future!

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Excellence Awards is an annual event that celebrates members within our legal aid community as well as private bar partners and community leaders who exemplify excellence in their efforts to expand access to legal services for marginalized and low-income communities in Pennsylvania.

Our event also serves as the kickoff party to our 50th Anniversary and includes special features and speakers that highlight the breadth of our work over the last five decades. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception and champagne toast, featured remarks, and a special tribute and award presentation for our award winners:

Best Attorney Advocate Award:
Robert W. Ballenger, Esq.
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

Best Non-Attorney Advocate Award:
Kimberly J. Tarbell
Laurel Legal Services

Best Community Advocacy Award:
The Pardon Project
Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity

Best Pro Bono Advocate Award:
Michael D. Simon, Esq.
Roe & Simon LLC

We are honored to have Will A. Gunn, General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs for the Legal Services Corporation, as our Keynote Speaker. In 2009, Colonel Gunn was appointed by President Barack Obama as the General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and served in that role for five years. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with military honors and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School where he served as President of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. Colonel Gunn has chaired the American Bar Assocation 2021 National Law Day commemoration, ABA Youth at Risk Commission, and ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Read more about his accomplishments and distinguished career on our website.

Tickets and sponsorship packages for Excellence Awards & Golden Gala Celebration can be purchased using the button on the right. A limited number of early bird tickets are on sale now, so be sure to get your tickets while supplies last!

Your Impact as a Sponsor

This year, your sponsorship is especially meaningful: All money raised by our Gold, Silver, and Bronze Sponsors will provide funding to expand our internship and fellowship programs to support non-attorney legal services support staff, including public interest accounting, paralegal, and social work.

Sponsors will gain exposure on our website with your organization featured as a supporter of our event. And to increase the impact of your sponsorship, we will also recognize your organization on our social media accounts. You will receive formal recognition at our event and in our event program and one free full-page ad placement. Each package also includes a number of free tickets to our event. 

Sponsorship Packages

Gold Package - $5000
Includes 10 Event Tickets

Silver Package - $1000
Includes 2 Event Tickets

Bronze Package - $500
Includes 1 Event Ticket

Platinum Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please contact Jayme Cassidy at jcassidy@palegalaid.net for details.

Use the Order Tickets button above to purchase a sponsorship.

Hotel

A limited number of overnight rooms are available at the Hilton Harrisburg at the group rate of $209 per night, plus taxes.

You can book your room online or at the following link: https://group.hilton.com/zfdip9.

To book by phone, please call the Hilton and use the code: PALAN.

PLEASE NOTE: You will need a credit card to cover payment for your room; booking will only secure your room at the group rate. All rooms are first come, first served. Rooms are available until February 26, 2023, or until all rooms are filled, whichever comes first.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. Should you need accommodations for the event or have questions about reservations, please contact Natalie Bogerman at nbogerman@palegalaid.net.

Transportation

Driving - Driving directions from Google Maps.

From Amtrak Station - Walking directions from Google Maps.

Parking

Valet parking is available at the entrance of the hotel. Guests who wish to self-park may use the Walnut Street Garage, which has direct access to the hotel.

The address for the Walnut Street Garage is:

215 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

On-street parking is also available and enforced by meter, Monday through Saturday from 8am-7pm.

PLEASE NOTE: On-street parking is FREE in downtown Harrisburg, where the Hilton Harrisburg is located, from 5-7pm. To avoid parking fines and violations, please check meters for rates, payment options, and time limits in each zone.