Regional resource for legal assistance and legal education recognizes MacElree Harvey attorney

Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) recently recognized MacElree Harvey attorney John F. McKenna by awarding him a Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) Excellence Award. LASP selected McKenna for this award based on his "tireless work on behalf of pro bono legal services in Chester County, his development of an Access to Justice program with the Chester County Bar Association, reaching low-income families with free legal services, and for his leadership in resource development on behalf of LASP."

John has served on the board of LASP for more than three years and was recently appointed to the post of Vice President and will serve a two-year term. In this new role, John will focus on finding a new home for the Chester County Legal Aid office and raising funds for expanded legal support of the working poor in the community.

Co-Executive Director of LASP, Elizabeth Wood Fritsch remarks on John's appointment to a leadership role, "John was an obvious candidate for the Leadership team since he has demonstrated a true commitment to the mission of LASP and a willingness to give generously of his time and legal talent." The mission of LASP is to provide quality legal representation to low-income people, to empower them to solve problems without legal representation through legal education and increased access to courts, and to change community practices and systems that cause or aggravate poverty.

John views his service to LASP as similar to that with the Chester County Art Association (for which he serves as President) - both organizations focus on bringing resources, opportunity and education to Chester County residents, many of whom might not otherwise have the exposure to either artistic outlets or legal assistance. John notes, "It is personally rewarding for me to dedicate time to organizations that can improve a community's quality of life."

In addition to his work with LASP, John serves as President of the Chester County Art Association, is a member of The First National Bank of Chester County's Wealth Advisory Board, Pro Bono Committee Chair of the Chester County Bar Association, Foundation Chair of the West Goshen Lions Club, Treasurer of the John E. Stiveley American Inn of Court, and member of the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.