Unity lawyer is new Westmoreland Bar Association president

Unity lawyer Scott Avolio is the new president of the Westmoreland Bar Association.

More than 70 lawyers convened via a virtual gathering earlier this week as part of the association’s annual meeting to select its new leadership.

The bar association includes about 500 practicing lawyers in the county, many of whom are now working from home or off the job during the stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Wolf in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“After this is all over, we have an opportunity to be a resource for our members and our clients. We can help disseminate for the courts and the county information and provide assistance for potential economic stimulus packages,” Avolio said in explaining the association’s role in the community once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

Avolio, 44, grew up in Jeannette and lives with his wife and children in Unity. He has been a lawyer for two decades and currently operates a private practice that includes nine lawyers. Avolio also serves as the solicitor for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, Hempfield, Arona and the county controller’s office.

A $900,000 project to renovate a vacant building in downtown Greensburg to house the bar association’s new headquarters is expected to be another focus of the organization this year. Construction started in February and, until it was halted last month as part of the state’s pandemic response, the project was due to be completed in June. The completion date is now in limbo, Avolio said.

“We’re now hoping to have it done by the end of the summer,” Avolio said.

With Avolio taking over the bar association reins, Greensburg attorney Dennis Persin will serve as the organization’s president-elect for the next year. Westmoreland County Assistant District Attorney Judy Petrush was named vice president.