Community Service

WPTLA is actively involved in community service-based projects in western PA.

Steelwheelers

The Steelwheelers organization began in the mid 1970’s when four men decided to turn a dream into a reality. The interest of forming a wheelchair basketball team in the Pittsburgh area was an idea shared concurrently amongst several individuals.

In 1977 the group was officially registered as the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, Inc., whereby it became a non-profit organization that provided wheelchair sports in the Pittsburgh and Western PA areas. The teams are comprised of male and female athletes in age from 8 to 71. The organization maintains of a variety of sports programs, including basketball, track/road racing, and rugby. The newest sport is hand cycling. The goal has always been to help members develop a sense of well-being that comes from being physically active and involved in the community. Watch a short video about the Steelwheelers. We thank Post Script Productions for the video.

President’s Challenge 5K Run/Walk/Wheel

The 24th running of WPTLA's President's Challenge 5K was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in North Park.  Overall, 179 people participated including 23 WPTLA members.  Most importantly, the event raised $31,700.00 for the Steelwheelers bringing WPTLA's 24-year total contribution to $673,935.00.  In response to hearing about this year's proceeds from the event, 5K Committee Member and Steelwheeler Lee Tempest wrote, "Wow!  That's awesome!   Thank you for all the hard work for so many years.  This fundraiser has really transformed our organization and has allowed us to grow and get so many people with disabilities involved in sports and living a healthier lifestyle mentally and physically.  Thank you so much."

Many thanks to Committee Chair Chad McMillen, President Katie Killion, Executive Director Laurie Lacher, and all those WPTLA members who helped to make this year's event a success by volunteering, participating, or contributing financially.  Mark your calendars now for next year's WPTLA's 5K President's Challenge: Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the North Park Boathouse.

Comeback Award

This program works with a client of a member attorney that has been through a disaster and has demonstrated the ‘spirit of getting past and coming back’. At the award dinner, a charity of the clients choosing is presented with a $2,500 donation. 

Daniel M. Berger Community Service Award

The Daniel M. Berger Community Service Award recognizes individuals or entities who have performed exemplary community service in supporting an ongoing cause and thereby raising public awareness of the cause.  The award is presented at the WPTLA Annual Judiciary Dinner, and a monetary donation is made to that cause on behalf of the awardee.

Champion of Justice Award

The Champion of Justice Award recognizes a WPTLA member attorney who over the course of his/her career champions the cause of those who have no other voice; fights for people who can't fight for themselves; and seeks justice and equality for the most vulnerable in our society.  The award is presented at the WPTLA Annual Judiciary Dinner.

Scholarship Essay Contest Award

Every year, WPTLA invites all public and private high schools within the Western District of Pennsylvania to participate in our Scholarship Essay Contest. Timely topics are chosen annually by a committee and shared with schools choosing to take part. Submissions are reviewed blindly by the committee, and the three top essayists are awarded $2,000.00 scholarships each, along with an invitation to our Annual Judiciary Dinner for presentation and recognition.

The 2024 topic focused on an actual case involving the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on whether the First Amendment is violated by trademark protection for marks that use the names of political or famous people without their consent. The three winning essayists were:

Lindsay Bush, of Kiski Area High School, Leechburg, PA
Kevin Hutchinson, of Baldwin High School, Pittsburgh, PA
Lea Kasmer, of Greensburg Salem High School, Greensburg, PA

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

                                                                                Western PA Trial Lawyers Helping Their Community 

WPTLA donated $2,500.00 to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Foodbank which partners with other distribution programs including: the Greater Washington County Food Bank in Brownsville, the Fayette County Community Action Food Bank in Uniontown, the Indiana County Community Action Program in Indiana, the Armstrong County Community Action Agency in Kittanning, Food for Families in Johnstown, and Corner Cupboard Food Bank in Waynesburg, April 2020.