By all measures, it has been an extremely challenging year. While our days are filled with work, family and friends, we have also been burdened by the looming knowledge that our democracy is under attack.
Each morning, I open my email to dozens of messages asking what the Bar Association can do to help communities whose rights are in peril, or to speak out on challenges to the rule of law and equal access to justice.
We are proud of all that we have done as an Association in the past six months and are committed to continue the work to be responsive to our members’ messages and asks.
Below is a summary of some of the most pressing steps that we have taken in advancement of our mission to serve the profession and the public by promoting justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law. We have done all of these things while continuing to serve our members with countless CLEs, happy hours, substantive meetings and programming from our nine Sections, our many committees, and our Young Lawyers’ Division.
Meeting the Moment Initiative
In January, we launched our Meeting the Moment initiative to convene, collaborate and communicate with stakeholder groups in an effort to defend our democracy. Since that time, we have used the power of our voice to make an impact.
- We signed onto four amicus briefs in support of motions by four law firms for summary judgements in response to recent executive orders targeting those firms. To date, all of those firms have been granted relief by federal judges striking down those orders.
- Our Meeting the Moment event series has focused on immigration, the federal funding freeze, LGBTQ+ rights, education and disability rights, and the rule of law. Hundreds of members of our community have attended these events, and we are proud of the critical conversations and relationship building that have come about as a result. Be sure to join us on July 16, either virtually or at Aramark, for the next event, focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
- We created a clearinghouse of “Know the Law” and “Know Your Rights” resources that members can distribute to their clients and to the public. We also joined a national coalition of organizations holding Law Day of Action events on May 1. More than 400 Philadelphia legal professionals joined us at City Hall on May 1 to retake their attorneys’ oath.
- We have spoken on behalf of the legal profession in support of judicial independence and other important matters under attack.
As we look forward to the next six months, our leadership is continuing to talk about how we can best use the power of the Association’s voice to continue fighting the good fight.
Further Impact
While the threats to our democracy have been at the forefront of the Association’s work this year, I’m equally proud that our volunteer leadership and staff have continued to carry out so many other initiatives.
- We recently activated our Legislative Action Center, and are working with our lobbyist in Harrisburg, to advocate for full funding for SEPTA to prevent severe cuts that would both hurt the region’s economy and impede the work of our justice system and equal access to justice. I encourage you to add your voice by writing to your state legislators today. You can do so here.
- Our Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention marked a fourth consecutive year when only Court of Common Pleas candidates rated “Recommended” or “Highly Recommended” by the Commission will advance to the November general election. The Commission is also currently working hard to assess candidates seeking retention this fall.
- We launched a Center on Innovation with a summit earlier in the year focused on emerging trends and strategies around the delivery of legal services including AI and other technology. We have also planned hands-on workshops to help members get comfortable with technology to help their legal practice, the first of which will be a a hands-on session on ChatGPT on July 22. Register here.
- We are also encouraging the community to take time for wellness during a period when stress levels are running high. Please join us for a portion of, or all of, our July 8 Wellness Summit at Cozen O’Connor. Considerjoining a Bar Association team for the Heart Walk in November, or attending one of our many upcoming happy hours or social events.
- We held our inaugural Civil Rights Journey which led a group of members and their family to across the cities of Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham to learn firsthand from some who witnessed and made history in the struggles of the civil rights movement. We culminated the trip with a celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 at our Summer Quarterly. Stay tuned for information on how to register for our Civil Rights Journey in May 2026.
- We held numerous Chancellor’s Forums including Bullying in the Legal Profession: Its Impact on Lawyers and Recommendations for Change; the Changing Landscape of Judicial Security; Women in the Leadership; and Women Who Fly.
In the midst of all of the great work of the Association through its volunteer leadership, staff and members, we are about to bid farewell to Executive Director Harvey Hurdle. Harvey has brought tireless energy, leadership and dedication to our organization. As we say goodbye and good luck to Harvey we welcome to our community our new Executive Director, Christie R. Jones.
There has been so much incredible work done over the last six months and there are so many exciting things to come for our Association. As I told the audience at our recent Summer Quarterly, when it comes to the challenges that our democracy and the rule of law are facing, I have hope from seeing how our community has turned out to participate in conversations, to lend a hand to those who need it most, and to take a stand and direct action to preserve the American history of “we the people” and keep safe our fundamental rights.
Together with you, the Philadelphia Bar Association remains steadfast in its efforts to protect the legal profession and the judiciary, and to help you effectively serve your clients and practice in a profession you love.
As I said in January, with light and hope, your Chancellor, Kathy Jaffari.
Katayun I. Jaffari is 2025 Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. You can email her at chancellor@philabar.org.
