Lebanon lawyer receives Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Trailblazer Award

A Lebanon-based trusts and estates attorney received the Pennsylvania Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section’s 2025 Trailblazer Award during the association’s annual meeting May 8 in Lancaster.

“Lebanon native and attorney Fred Long was recently recognized with the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 2025 Trailblazer Award, highlighting his standout work in estate planning and probate law,” a June 20 release on the award said.

Long is a partner at Long Brightbill, where he focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and probate, and regularly advises clients on integrating real estate and closely held business interests into efficient, tax-sensitive estate plans.

He co-hosts “Death and Dirt,” a podcast sponsored by the PBA Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. He publishes educational content on YouTube and teaches free estate planning workshops to help the public better understand wills, trusts, and healthcare directives.

“As a partner at Long Brightbill, Long has built a reputation not just for legal excellence, but for making complex topics like wills and trusts accessible to the public through free workshops, a podcast, and online educational content,” the release said. “His deep community roots, dedication to pro bono service, and statewide leadership in his field make this a proud moment for Lebanon and a compelling story of local impact and professional achievement.”

Long serves on the council of the PBA Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section and is regularly appointed by the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas in contested probate and guardianship matters. He earned a master of laws degree in Taxation, with distinction, from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he received the Faculty Award for outstanding academic achievement. He also holds a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Widener University School of Law and a bachelor of science in communications from Susquehanna University.

A lifelong resident of Lebanon, Long is active in civic and charitable organizations and has developed an educational program on tax-efficient charitable giving, which he offers to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

The Trailblazer Award annually recognizes next-generation lawyers practicing in the real property, probate, and trust areas of law. Honorees must demonstrate excellence in the practice of law, professionalism through bar association activities, and a commitment to pro bono legal services, the release explained.

The award alternates each year between real property and probate/trust. To be eligible for the award, a person must be a lawyer under the age of 40 or, if older, has been practicing law five years or less. Candidates also must practice primarily in the area of real property law or probate and trust law, be a PBA member in good standing and demonstrate excellence in the practice of law and the highest ethical standards, professionalism through participation in the bar association or similar professional activities, and a commitment to pro bono legal services.