Guide to Finding Harrisburg Lawyer

What is a Harrisburg Lawyer?

A Harrisburg lawyer is qualified to practice law and provide legal advice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A lawyer who practices within the commonwealth will often attend one of Pennsylvania’s seven accredited law schools under the American Bar Association and specialize in any aspect of law. Other lawsuits are more common than others around the Harrisburg area, so you may be directed toward more immediate resources if your case occurs more likely around the area.

Where is Harrisburg?

The city of Harrisburg is the state’s capital. The city is located in south-central Pennsylvania in Dauphin County and lies several hours west by northwest of Philadelphia. Several large interstates pass through or nearby Harrisburg like I-83 and I-76, and several large state highways pass through the city like Route 322 and Route 15. Harrisburg is home to a large state judicial district, and many of the state hearings occur in the city.

The Susquehanna River passes almost directly through Harrisburg as well, and the river has been the host of numerous environmental lawsuits within recent years. The river often ranks within the top 5 most endangered rivers in the United States, and because the river flows into the Chesapeake Bay, it is often seen as an example of environmental concern. Additionally, because of river shed concerns and the amount of “fracking” occurring in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg sees a huge amount of cases about property liability and clean water.

What qualifications should I look for in my Harrisburg Lawyer?

There are a number of characteristics you should look for in your prospective Harrisburg lawyer. First and most importantly, you should look for a Harrisburg lawyer who has good standing within the community and receives reviews for their amount of personal concern for your rights and well-being. It’s always a good idea to ask around between your friends and community members in order to receive a referral to a Harrisburg attorney who will best serve your case.

Secondly, you should make sure your Harrisburg lawyer is updated with their Continuing Legal Education (CLE). The Pennsylvania Bar Association has very precise and strict mandates for CLE and their accredited Harrisburg lawyer. In order for a Harrisburg lawyer to continue his or her practice within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the must fulfill the following requirements within CLE:

• A total of 12 credits/year

• One credit in either ethics, professionalism, or substance abuse

• 4 credits may be earned through live and on-demand audio and or video programs

Thirdly, you should take a close look at your Harrisburg lawyer education. There are numerous law schools throughout the state of Pennsylvania, and some schools are often seen as prestigious.

Harrisburg Lawyer : Law Schools in Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania contains seven law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association. Additionally, the state also has a provisional law school that is not registered under the American Bar Association, and that school is the Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law. The other accredited law schools are listed below:

1) Duquesne University School of Law- the law school is one of the only law schools in western Pennsylvania and is well known on a national scale. It is a Catholic law school and a member of the AALS

2) Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law- the law program is the oldest program in the state of Pennsylvania, and it is nationally recognized for its wide access to a huge amount of research material and commitment to multidisciplinary atmosphere.

3) University of Pennsylvania Law School- the program is the most prestigious program within the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The law school is generally ranked 7th in the entire United States, and many graduates of the program find employment. The school is ranked 1st in the nation for career prospects.

4) University of Pittsburgh School of Law- the program is situated in the heart of Pittsburgh and is both nationally and internationally recognized for its students and faculty.

5) Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law- graduates of the school often find job placement right in the city of Philadelphia, but they are often hired throughout the entire state as well. The program is well known for its practical education outside of the classroom as well.

6) Villanova University School of Law- the law school wasn’t founded as part of Villanova University until the mid-1950s, but the program has already achieved a reputation for excellence because of its rigorous scholarly standards and rich variety of scholars.

7) Widener University School of Law- the Pennsylvania campus is located right in the city of Harrisburg while the other campus is located in Wilmington, Delaware. The law school in Harrisburg specializes in government and corporate law, and the program is also greatly recognized for its environmental focus.

It is important to note that while it’s not always essential to review your Harrisburg lawyer educational institution based on prestigious value, it’s important to review what program his or her law institution specializes in.

What are some of the more common lawsuits around Harrisburg and Pennsylvania?

Recently, Pennsylvania has been the main focus of sexual abuse lawsuits because of the Jerry Sandusky case. A large number of lawsuits are pending against the Pennsylvania State University and its athletic program. Apart from popularized lawsuits, many common cases come about around the Harrisburg area because of work-related injuries, bankruptcies, malpractice, and car and truck accidents.

Again, there are a growing number of environmental lawsuits because of polluted water both indirectly and directly involved with the fracking process now common in the Marcellus Shale. There are many other types of lawsuits that are common to the area, but these are only some specific examples.

How can I find a Harrisburg lawyer?

There are a number of lawyer associations around the Harrisburg area and within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Some lawyer associations that might be worth looking into include:

• Dauphin County Bar Association

• Pennsylvania Bar Association

• Pennsylvania Association for Justice