Court holds special session for 150th Anniversary of Clinton County Bar Association

Members of the Clinton County Bar Association pose for a photo in the large courtroom. Front row, from left, are Robert Lugg, John Lugg, Allan Lugg, Sr., Larry Coploff, Brent Petrosky, Justin Houser, Frederick Lingle, Randy Brungard, C. Rocco Rosamilia, III, Edward Ferguson, Margaret Corcoran. Second row, Paul Ryan, Gregory Strouse, Erin Karmen, David Lindsay, Patrick Johnson, Stuart Hall, Charles R. Rosamilia, Jr., R. Thom Rosamilia, Ted McKnight, Timothy Reitz, Paul Welch, John Bee. Third row, Retired Judge J. Michael Williamson, President Judge Craig P. Miller, Judge Michael F. Salisbury, and Retired Judge Richard N. Saxton, Jr.

LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Craig P. Miller and Judge Michael F. Salisbury held a Special Session of Court on Thursday, Oct. 3 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Clinton County Bar Association.

Joining President Judge Miller and Judge Salisbury on the bench for this special session were retired Judges Richard N. Saxton and J. Michael Williamson.

The Clinton County Bar Association is made up of 34 attorneys from Clinton and surrounding counties. The current president is District Attorney David A. Strouse. Patrick A. Johnson holds the vice-presidency and Attorney Margaret Corcoran and county Law Clerk Erin Karmen are treasurer and secretary respectively.

Judge Miller spoke of the history of the Bar and recounted tales of several of the charter members.

One such story concerned one Wilson C. Kress, Esquire who was the Bar Association’s first president as well as a Clinton County Commissioner. Attorney Kress was honored in 1897 to be chosen as the first president of the Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association (CCAP).

Clinton County has had only one other rise to the CCAP presidency — sitting Commissioner Jeff Snyder.

Other local notables to speak to the association were Retired Judge J. Michael Williamson as well as Vice President Patrick A. Johnson. Attorney Johnson submitted a formal resolution recognizing the anniversary.

The Bar then joined with other local dignitaries and courthouse personnel for an informal luncheon to celebrate the day.

History of the Clinton County Bar Association

The Clinton County Bar Association was formed with the objectives of "having a well selected Law Library, convenient and accessible to all the members of the association kind, and social relations, professional courtesy and urbanity; and in acquiring legal knowledge and correct practice."