More than 400 Philadelphia legal professionals joined the Philadelphia Bar Association at City Hall Thursday as part of the national Law Day of Action.
"Look around you – you are the brave among us to stand together, to facilitate a conversation, a call to action in support of the rule of law – in defense of our democracy," Chancellor Katayun I. Jaffari told attendees. "I personally have a sense of gratitude – my gratitude for the Philadelphia Bar Association and my gratitude for YOU – for coming out, for being the voice."
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to defending the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession by re-taking the Pennsylvania Attorney’s Oath. The oath was administered by former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Hon. Jane Cutler Greenspan (ret.). Before administering the oath, Greenspan quoted from a recent opinion by Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Hon. J. Harvie Wilkinson III:
"Courts speak with the knowledge of their imperfections but they speak with a sense that they instill a fidelity to law that would be sorely missed in their absence," Wilkinson wrote.
Jaffari noted in her comments lawyers strive to be the voices, advocates and champions of their clients. "We have a duty and we know that our duty as lawyers is to stand for democracy and to protect the rule of law, because we know without it – all we have is chaos," Jaffari said. "Law Day is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. It provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that we all share."
Also speaking at the event were Executive Director Harvey Hurdle and Paul Carrion, a co-organizer of the rally, vice chair of the Young Lawyers Division, and co-chair of the Military Affairs Committee.
Philadelphia lawyers have a long and storied history of standing up and speaking out in support of the rule of law and access of justice," Hurdle said. "We are so glad you have joined us here to day to continue that proud tradition."
Carrion discussed some of the Bar Association's efforts to help grow public understanding of the legal and justice system, to defend democracy and to assist individuals whose rights are under attack. In the past 100 days, the Association has:
- Signed onto four amicus briefs in support of motions by four law firms for summary judgements in response to recent Trump Administration executive orders targeting those firms.
- Launched a Meeting the Moment event series to bring stakeholders together to talk about what recent policy changes and rollbacks at the federal level mean for the state of the law and guidance to clients.
- Created a clearinghouse of “Know Your Rights” resources that members can distribute to their clients and to the public.
"We ... stand in support of the rule of law and in allegiance to our Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct by engaging the public through the work of our Sections, Committees and Young Lawyers Division," Carrion said.
At the conclusion of her remarks, before Greenspan re-administered the attorney's oath, Jaffari asked attendees to make a personal oath, or promise, to continue to stand together and speak out.
"Rest assured that we will be there right beside you," Jaffari said. "The Philadelphia Bar Association will continue to carry out its mission, unwavering, together will all of you, to serve the profession and the public by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law."
View Photos from the Event Here
For the latest updates regarding the Bar Association’s efforts to defend democracy and assist individuals whose rights are under attack, please visit our Meeting the Moment webpage.
