Sep 25, 2006 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

Lawyers must do more to improve their image, according to the president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. During a recent visit to Uniontown, Kenneth J. Horoho Jr. spoke about several crucial issues involving the legal system, saying it’s time for lawyers to step up to the plate.

In the midst of a statewide tour, Horoho has been traveling from city to city, meeting with local lawyers to discuss a variety of issues. The goal of the tour, according to Horoho, is to strengthen communications between local bar associations and the state bar association.

During an interview with the Herald-Standard editorial staff, Horoho said the state bar association’s main priority is “attacking the issue of lawyer advertising” and is asking lawyers to be careful of the image their ads project, especially when it comes to television commercials.

Citing a recent poll, Horoho said eight out of 10 people think the majority of lawyers are out to get a “quick law suit and quick money.”

Horoho, a partner in a Pittsburgh-based law firm, said he understands the nature of the business and realizes that all lawyers need to market their firm. However, he said they need to be careful about the image they project in the ads.

“Local bars are concerned that they are looked at in a negative way by the public, but lawyers need to realize there are small steps they can take to better their image,” he said.

In addition to discussing public image concerns, Horoho said he would like to see more lawyers take a proactive role in their hometowns by becoming community leaders.

Horoho said lawyers also need to take a more active role in local and state government.

“I think lawyers need to remember they are leaders of their communities,” he said. “Being a lawyer is not a 9 to 5 job, in my opinion.”

Horoho said that local school and municipal boards used to be filled with lawyers. And, he said the number of lawyers who chose to get involved in state government has also been declining over the last 20 years.

“We are problem solvers, but sometimes we don’t see ourselves as such,” he said. “It’s important that we stay involved. Lawyers need to know they can’t just sit on the sidelines. They need to take a more active role.”

As for other matters, Horoho said finding lawyers who are willing to become judges is also a problem for the state bar association, according to Horoho.

“We have to find good lawyers willing to work for a judge’s compensation, and that’s not easy,” he said, noting that pay is a serious issue.

Horoho said the only way to attract and retain knowledgeable and competent judges is to pay them well.

“It’s critical that the people who come into the courtroom know they’re going to get a fair shake,” he said.