McKenna to be honored with state Bar Foundation Award

WEST CHESTER » The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation will present the 2018 Louis J. Goffman Award to John F. McKenna of MacElree Harvey Ltd. in West Chester on May 10 during the Pennsylvania Bar Association annual meeting awards luncheon in Hershey.

The Goffman Award is named for a late PBA president and recognizes individuals and organizations committed to outstanding pro bono service.

McKenna is being honored for his individual service to the poor and disadvantaged residents of Wester Chester, as well as his ability to bring others together to help make a difference in the lives of those in need of legal representation. His dedication to pro bono work began while working as a psychiatric social worker for the Defender Association of Philadelphia from 1973 to 1985. After graduating law school and moving to Chester County, McKenna became involved in the Chester County Bar Association and Legal Aid, joining the board of directors of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (LASP) three years into its existence.

At a time when LASP needed to strengthen its relationships and increase bar member participation, McKenna stepped forward to champion the organization and advocate for Chester County’s vulnerable and low-income residents. His impact on the local system of justice there is still evident today.

As a Chester County Bar Association leader and LASP board member, McKenna used his position, influence and own example to expand local legal access. Among his many accomplishments, he promoted pro bono volunteerism within the bar on behalf of LASP clients and is credited with increasing financial contributions to LASP. In 2004, he created the Access to Justice Program, a then groundbreaking initiative to provide free legal assistance to those in need in the areas of family law, landlord tenant and estate planning, among others. With the help of the LASP In take Unit, Chester County Bar Association and pro bono attorneys, the program has assisted hundreds of Chester County residents who didn’t qualify for LASP assistance.

In 2006, McKenna spearheaded a collaborative effort that brought together the county bench, court administration, private bar and LASP to pass an administrative regulation allowing for “limited scope entry of appearance and withdrawal.” The regulation permits those agreeing to provide pro bono representation to low income parties in family court to limit their services to those low-income clients for a limited purpose and over a limited timeframe. As a result, the number of attorneys willing to volunteer in custody cases has grown.

McKenna heads the Trust and Estate Litigation Group at MacElree Harvey, representing clients in estate and trust matters, complex guardianships, will contests, trust termination and modifications, corporate and real estate disputes and consumer protection.

John F. McKenna