Lancaster Lawyer Receives Civil Rights Award

Solo practitioner Elisabeth S. “Dolly” Shuster of Manheim is the recipient of the second annual Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Civil and Equal Rights Champion Award, which was presented virtually at an awards ceremony on Nov. 19 as part of PBA Committee/Section Day.

Developed by the Civil and Equal Rights Committee (CERC), this award honors an individual who champions for civil rights for all Pennsylvanians by making a significant impact through constitutional advocacy, legislative acts or advocacy or individual representation and development of case law.

Shuster has been an advocate for equal rights throughout her career. From serving as deputy attorney general of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General through her tenure as chief counsel of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), she organized the PHRC legal office so that it would effectively implement anti-discrimination policies inherent to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, she directed her staff members to serve as a resource for claimants, and she advanced efforts to implement the act across the state.

In private practice, Shuster consults and performs contract work in the areas of discrimination and employment law.

An active PBA member, Shuster advocates for the advancement of equal rights for women and for the protection of those marginalized by discrimination. Her work in numerous committees and sections has included the PBA Commission on Women in the Profession Executive Council; the commission’s Annual Conference, Diversity and Legislative committees and Governance Subcommittee; the Minority Bar, Immigration Law and Statutory Law committees; and Civil Litigation and Labor and Employment Law sections.

Shuster received a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University and a Juris Doctor from Villanova School of Law.

Founded in 1895, the PBA strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access of legal services; and serve its lawyer members.