Earth Data, Inc., which provides field-oriented hydrogeological and environmental consulting services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, announces the appointment of two new employees: Benjamin Gemballa, Project Geologist, and Kayla Warhola, Staff Geologist.

Gemballa of Apollo, PA, recently completed his Master of Science degree in Seismology at the University of Memphis, where he was also a Graduate Research Assistant. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in geology at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. His work experience has included work on the Proline Pipeline in Irwin, PA. He was the Memphis Chapter President of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and coordinated lectures from faculty and professors in the geosciences from around the world.

Benjamin Gemballa, new Project Geologist at Earth Data, Inc. and Kayla Warhola, new Staff Geologist at Earth Data, Inc.

Warhola of Baltimore recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the California University of Pennsylvania. Her work experience includes being a Geotechnical Engineering Technician at Geo-Technology Associates in Laurel, MD. She has been a member of the Pittsburgh Geological Society and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists.

“We are thrilled to have these two employees join our team at such an important time in the company’s history. Earth Data’s team is a dynamic group of qualified water resource engineers, hydrogeologists, geologists, soil scientists, GIS/LiDAR specialists, licensed well drillers, and field technicians,” comments Mark Williams, President of Earth Data, Inc.

Earth Data, Inc. was recently awarded the biggest contract in its 47-year history when it was selected by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District as lead consultant for its Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT®) managed aquifer recharge and monitoring well services project. The project is expected to last 10 to 12 years and is thought to be one of the largest drilling projects in the United States

For 47 years, Earth Data, Inc. has been providing field-oriented water resources and geospatial consulting services using high-tech tools to collect, analyze, manage, and distribute data in sophisticated ways. For further information, visit earthdatainc.com.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono joined the Oct. 24-30 National Celebration of Pro Bono by recognizing its volunteer attorneys for their work providing access to legal representation for civil matters and the public good.

The nonprofit hosted an Oct. 27 outdoor reception at Legal Assets in Easton, Md. to thank the legal service provider’s volunteer attorneys and student interns. Mid-Shore Pro Bono Board of Directors members made remarks to thank the top 25 volunteer attorneys as ranked by the number of hours donated to help people through civil legal matters on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

From left, Mid-Shore Pro Bono Board of Directors Secretary Holland Brownley, Esq., Board President Timothy Abeska, Esq., and Board Member Sarah Dahl, Esq.

“It’s great to get together with our network of attorneys and student interns to thank them for engaging in pro bono work,” said Mid-Shore Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney and Board of Directors President Tim Abeska, Esq. “Mid-Shore Pro Bono offers quality attorneys and quality service for those in our community who need it most.”

Abeska retired after practicing law for nearly 35 years and as a counsel member of Barnes & Thornburg, LLP of Rock Hall, Md. He has been providing volunteer attorney services with Mid-Shore Pro Bono since 2018.

From left: Reception guest Diane McComb, Mid-Shore Pro Bono Board Member Doncella Wilson, and Volunteer Attorney Marianne Dise, Esq.

The National Celebration of Pro Bono is sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Center for Pro Bono Committee to recognize pro bono work as a professional responsibility and an individual ethical commitment of each lawyer. The ABA says the Committee launched the National Celebration of Pro Bono in 2009 because of the increasing need for pro bono services during harsh economic times and the unprecedented response of attorneys to meet this demand.

America’s legal organizations—including Mid-Shore Pro Bono—have since participated in the National Celebration of Pro Bono every October to draw attention to the need for pro bono participation, and to thank those who give their time year-round.

From left, Mid-Shore Pro Bono Paralegal Intern Abigail Gilbert, Lower Shore Bilingual and Outreach Coordinator Johanna Cooper, Executive Director Sandy Brown, and Managing Attorney Meredith Girard, Esq.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono includes a growing network of more than 150volunteer lawyers ensuring access to the legal system and providing free or reduced-fee legal services for those who need legal help on the Eastern Shore. The legal assistance network annually provides nearly$2 million in legal services to more than 3,000 individuals needing legal representation in civil matters.

“The people of the Eastern Shore are extremely fortunate to have the volunteer work of these dedicated attorneys,” said Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director Sandy Brown. “And we are always looking for more attorneys to become volunteers with us and who share our passion for providing access to legal representation in civil matters for everyone, regardless of anyone’s ability to pay.”

Mid-Shore Pro Bono’s Board of Directors announced Sandy Brown is stepping down at the end of the year after serving as the nonprofit legal assistance organization’s longest standing Executive Director for the last 13 years. The Board announced in early November that Managing Attorney Meredith Girard will begin as Executive Director in January 2022.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono serves residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore through a growing network of volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants, with offices in Easton, Chestertown, and Salisbury. More about becoming a volunteer or receiving legal services is at www.midshoreprobono.org. More about the American Bar Association’s Center for Pro Bono is at www.americanbar.org/groups/center-pro-bono.