Practice Areas:
- Corporations
- Elder Law
- Tax and Estate Planning
- Wills and Probate
Admitted: 1950, Pennsylvania; Superior Court of Pennsylvania; Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; United States District Court; United States Tax Court; Supreme Court of the United States
Member:
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Schuylkill County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Education:
- Law School: Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 1950; New York University, LLM (in taxation) 1954
- College: Ursinus College, B.A.
More Information:
Honors/Awards:
- Torch Liberty Award, Anti-Defamation League, 1998.
- Businessman of the Year, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, 1995.
- Citizen of the Year Award, Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival, 1994.
- Angel Award, Hawk Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1992.
- Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America.
- Pennsylvania Bar Medal, Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1990.
- Citizen of the Year, St. David’s Society of Schuylkill and Carbon Counties, 1987.
- Distinguished Citizens Award, Penn State University – Schuylkill Campus, 1987.
- Honorary Doctor of Law Degree, Ursinus College, 1987.
- Volunteer of the Year Award, Southern Schuylkill United Way Fund, 1972.
- Others Award, Salvation Army, 1970.
- Young Man of the Year Award, Pottsville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce, (some years ago…).
After graduating from the Shamokin public schools, Joseph H. Jones served three years in the United States Navy during World War II, being honorably discharged with the rank of LT., JG, having served in the Pacific Theater. Mr. Jones then continued his education at Ursinus College, Dickinson School of Law and New York University. While at Dickinson School of Law, he served as editor-in-chief of the Dickinson Law Review, ultimately graduating first in his class. In 1950, Mr. Jones moved to Pottsville, began practicing with the firm of Hicks, Williamson & Friedberg (which is now Williamson, Friedberg & Jones, LLC), where he is now senior partner of the firm.
A very active member of both the state and county bar associations, Mr. Jones has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association since his admission to the Bar in 1950, and served as President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1987 – 1988. During his term as President, he was able to bring more minority attorneys into active participation in the Pennsylvania Bar Association activities, while also promoting continuing legal education for attorneys. As chairman of a statewide task force on Legal Services to the Needy, he also was able to improve the availability of legal services to the poor. In addition to these accomplishments, Mr. Jones has also served as a member of the Lawyers Trust Account Board, administering IOLTA Funds, used for the purpose of providing funding for civil legal services to the poor, since the enactment of legislation creating the Board in 1988. He is a Past President and is also presently a director of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the Pennsylvania Bar.
Mr. Jones is presently a member of the Board of Directors of Losch Boiler Sales and Service, Inc., and several other business corporations. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Schuylkill Trust Company when it merged with Berks County Trust to become the American Bank and Trust Company. American later became Meridian Bankcorp and he served on its Board of Directors as well, in addition to serving on the Board of Meridian Asset Management until 1995. Mr. Jones has a total of 38 years of service to these bank boards.
In addition to his extensive experience in law and business, Mr. Jones also has an active career in civic affairs. He is a Past President of Hawk Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America, as well as a President of the Appalachian Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, prior to its inclusion in the Hawk Mountain Council. He is also Past President and Secretary of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation, a position held for over 20 years; Past President of Pottsville Lions Club; Past Commander-In-Chief of Coldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, 33rd Degree Mason and Past President of the Salvation Army and a lifetime board member. He was also President of the Pottsville Area Development Corporation in 1986, and presently serves on the Penn State University Advisory Board – Schuylkill Campus.
Mr. Jones has also chaired successful capital fund raising campaigns for the Schuylkill United Way, Greater Pottsville Industrial Development Corporation, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Pottsville Free Public Library, Good Samaritan Hospital, Pennsylvania State University – Schuylkill Campus, Ursinus College, Hawk Mountain Council B.S.A., Pottsville Hospital, Pottsville Area Development Corporation and Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation.
For his efforts with the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation, a street in the new industrial park “Highridge” was named “Joe Jones Way”.
He has also served on the Committee for Racial Harmony for the City of Pottsville since its inception and as Chairman of Schuylkill County’s VISION from its inception until 2001. He aided in the organization and served as Chairman of the Lasting Legacy for Pottsville, a corporation designed to promote the Bicentennial celebration for Pottsville and to create a permanent endowment fund from which certain city projects can receive additional funding.