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Philadelphia Bar Association Executive Director Harvey Hurdle is the 2025 recipient of the Arthur J. Birdsall Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL). The award recognizes bar executives who have been faithful stewards of bar traditions, who are committed to the success of their organizations, and who have significantly enhanced the profile of their bar association. The award, named for the longtime Pennsylvania Bar Association County Bar Services Director who retired in 2006, also recognizes efforts to collaborate with fellow bar executives and bar leaders.
“I am honored to receive this award from CCBL which recognizes accomplishments that were made possible by the outstanding work of the Philadelphia Bar Association staff and our dedicated volunteer leadership,” Hurdle said. “I am proud of the work that our Bar Association and bar Associations across the Commonwealth do for our members. I believe that this work is more important today than ever.”
The award was presented at the annual CCBL conference on March 7 in Gettysburg. Previous recipients of the award include former Association executive directors Mark Tarasiewicz and Kenneth Shear.
“Harvey’s leadership has been a tremendous asset to our Association. Over the past six years, we have introduced innovative new membership models and valuable benefits, while also continuing to serve as a strong voice for equal access to justice and respect for the rule of law,” said Chancellor Katayun I. Jaffari. “This well-deserved recognition honors Harvey’s exceptional contributions and steadfast commitment to the betterment of our profession."
In his acceptance speech, Hurdle said in college, he gave up his dream of going to law school, becoming an attorney and, eventually, a politician because at the time he could not imagine a future in the field as a gay person.
"So you can imagine just how meaningful it is for me to receive an award for leading the oldest and one of the most prestigious bar Associations in the country after I had given up on my dream to be an attorney," Hurdle said. "I am greatly indebted to the legal community because I believe the fact that I stand here as a married gay man with an adopted son is because of the work of super intelligent attorneys and extremely courageous judges. That closeted Penn State Junior could not even dream of that possibility."
He also shared a call to action to the bar association executive directors and presidents gathered at the awards luncheon.
"Let me close with some thoughts on the moment we are in," Hurdle said. "There are many different associations represented today of different sizes and political philosophies. In this time of political turmoil, I urge us all to look to what we share in common – our missions to protect the rule of law and the independence of our judiciary. If we work together, our collective voices can be a powerful beacon for all to see."
Since joining the Philadelphia Bar Association as executive director in 2019, Hurdle has led the organization to a budget surplus and spearheaded a rebranding, website redesign and strategic planning process. The Association’s institutional membership program was launched in 2021 and 2022 with law school partners Drexel and Temple, offering complimentary membership to all law students, as well as staff who are attorneys. The membership program expanded in 2023 to include the Philadelphia City Law Department, District Attorney’s Office and the Defender Association and again in 2024 with the addition of legal services agencies Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, The Public Interest Law Center, SeniorLAW Center and the Support Center for Child Advocates.
“Since Harvey joined the Philadelphia Bar Association as our Executive Director, he has been an exemplary leader and steward for our Association,” said 2024 Chancellor Jen Coatsworth, who co-nominated Hurdle for the award. “His innovative ideas and his contacts within the City have bolstered our reputation both within Philadelphia and nationally. He also has a remarkable ability to maximize resources: Harvey stabilized the Association’s finances by diversifying revenue streams and leading the development of a strategic plan and working to implement it, so that we can pave the way for our success for years to come. Due to Harvey's efforts, the Philadelphia Bar Association is a thriving organization; we will miss him tremendously when he retires in June.”
In 2023 and 2024, the Association relaunched its partnership program, bringing on annual partners Alevistar, bit-x-bit, M&T Bank, Practice Made Perfect (PMP), ProfitSolv and Wealth Enhancement Group. As part of each partnership, Association members receive exclusive discounts and benefits on the products and services offered by each company.
With Hurdle’s support, the Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention and Campaign for Qualified Judges have had three election cycles where only judges rated Highly Recommended and Recommended by the Commission have won seats on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
“Harvey is a leader among his colleagues in bar associations across the Commonwealth – and across the nation,” said Montgomery Bar Association Executive Director Denise Vicario, who co-nominated Hurdle for the award. “When I became Executive Director of the Montgomery Bar Association, Harvey was one of the first to reach out to welcome me. He embodies the spirit of the Birdsall Award as a trusted relationship builder, and as a team player who seeks ways to advance the legal profession and ensure well-being of all bar associations.”
A graduate of Penn State and Temple University, Hurdle previously served in financial and leadership roles in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including as CEO of Sellers Dorsey and COO of the Human Rights Campaign.
Hurdle announced in November that he will retire effective June 30, 2025. To identify Hurdle’s successor, the Association has created a Search Committee, chaired by Ballard Spahr Philadelphia Managing Partner Marcel S. Pratt. The Committee has retained a search firm to assist in conducting a national search.
