The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation presented its 2009 Louis J. Goffman Award for outstanding pro bono service to the First Judicial District’s Judge Annette M. Rizzo.

Judge Rizzo’s role in establishing the nationally recognized Philadelphia residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Pilot Program and in mobilizing the private bar to represent low income homeowners in the program’s conciliation process Judge Rizzo this year’s top pro bono honor.

Foundation Zone 12 Director Penina Lieber presented Judge Rizzo with the commemorative plaque at the PBA Awards Luncheon at the PBA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh. Judge Rizzo donated the $1,000 cash prize associated with the award to Philadelphia VIP.