Tarasiewicz Will Direct Philadelphia Bar Association

The Board of Governors of the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association, the oldest association of lawyers in the United States, today announced the selection of Mark A. Tarasiewicz as the Association’s new executive director. He will assume the duties of executive director on January 1, 2014.

Tarasiewicz, 45, succeeds Kenneth Shear who will retire on December 31, 2013, after a 37-year tenure as executive director of the 211-year-old Philadelphia Bar Association.

“The Philadelphia Bar Association has a national reputation for service to the public and the profession, so it was important to select a new executive director to carry on that proud tradition,” said Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Kathleen D. Wilkinson. “Our Board of Governors approved the recommendation of Mark by the Association’s Executive Director Search Committee with an eye on the future to help us continue to meet the needs of Philadelphia lawyers and the clients they serve.”

Tarasiewicz most recently has served as associate executive director of the Philadelphia Bar Association. In this role, he has directed the Association’s internal and external communications. He joined the Philadelphia Bar Association in March 1995 as Senior Public Relations Associate.

Tarasiewicz previously served as Managing Editor of the Pennsylvania Law Journal. He also served as Senior Communications Manager for global law firm Dechert LLP.

Tarasiewicz is a past President and Chairman of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame in 2012. He is a three-time recipient of the National Association of Bar Executives Luminary Award, as well as the Philadelphia Public Relations Association Fast Track Award. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University, and is an adjunct professor in the Temple University graduate program in Strategic Communication. He has lectured for the National Association of Bar Executives, American Society of Association Executives, Public Relations Society of America, Penn State University, Villanova University and the University of the Arts.

“I am looking forward to working with our leadership, our members and our talented staff to continue the Philadelphia Bar Association’s great work and to prepare the Association for both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Tarasiewicz.

The Philadelphia Bar Association, founded in 1802, is the oldest association of lawyers in the United States. The mission of the Association is to serve the profession and the public by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law. In so doing, the Association strives to foster understanding of, involvement in and access to the justice system.