The Philadelphia Bar Association’s 99th Chancellor, Ezra Wohgelernter, discussed the organization’s agenda for 2026 Wednesday, including honoring the Association’s history as Philadelphia and the nation celebrate the semiquincentennial, a focus on civics education, and offering initiatives that meet the evolving needs of the city’s legal professionals.
The 2025 Annual Meeting held at the Ballroom at the Ben also included a discussion of the Association’s accomplishments during the past year. Those include the Meeting the Moment initiative, which sought to convene legal organizations across the city to combat challenges to the rule of law and help groups whose rights are under attack. The Association also sign onto four amicus briefs in support of motions by four law firms for summary judgement in response to recent executive orders targeting those firms. All those firms were granted relief by federal judges striking down those orders.
“The Bar Association is the voice of our profession and will continue to play this role, especially now, more than ever. But we are more than a voice, it’s more about what we do and what we will do,” Wohlgelernter said. “And we are more than just a voice; think back to May 1, Law Day, when 450 leaders and members gathered outside City Hall to retake their attorney’s oath. Our battle cry was, ‘justice matters,’ – and we know it certainly matters…. If we think big, we will not only have a local impact on our city, but our influence can extend to the entire Commonwealth and nationally, as well.”
Inspiring Civic Engagement
The 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth is an opportunity to discuss how the origins of the Bar Association are closely tied to America’s founding. The Association is planning to collaborate with local and national groups to commemorate the anniversary and to discuss the principles upon which the Association was founded, including respect for the rule of law and a commitment to equal access to justice.
“Together, we will inspire civic engagement and reflect on the freedoms we cherish,” Wohgelernter said. “Here in Philadelphia is the oldest bar association in the country and we continue that legacy every day.” He plans to expand the Association’s outreach efforts in local schools to increase public awareness and understanding of the legal system.
“Trial lawyers devote enormous time and resources to selecting 12 impartial jurors. But here is the real truth: Jury selection does not begin on the first day of trial; it begins in middle school, in eight grade civics,” Wohlgelernter said. “If we expect citizens to value the rule of law, they must understand it. If we expect them to trust in the justice system, they must see themselves reflected in it. If we expect them to participate, we must teach them what participation means.”
Meeting Members’ Evolving Needs
Wohlgelernter also plans to continue and expand upon existing Association initiatives including the Center for Innovation, which was launched this year to provide training and insights about artificial intelligence tools and other emerging technologies, and the Young Lawyers Trial Academy. Launched in 2023, the Trial Academy offers weeklong immersive training for early career attorneys who want to gain courtroom skills.
“As we strive to meet the evolving needs of our members, we are committed to providing meaningful opportunities for professional growth, networking, and advocacy,” Wohlgelernter said. “Our programs and initiatives are designed to address the real challenges facing attorneys today, ensuring that each member feels supported, heard, and empowered in their practice.”
Reaffirming Commitment to DEI
Wohlgelernter also reaffirmed the Association’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. During the Annual Meeting, the Association announced the passage of updates to its bylaws, which include the creating of a Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion Division. The Division will be open to any member who wants to take part and compliment the Association’s existing diversity initiatives, working to increase diversity within the legal and judicial professions in Philadelphia, developing member programming, and promoting professional and business development.
“A justice system that does not reflect the public’s diversity cannot fully earn the public’s trust,” Wohlgelernter said. “This core value holds true for our Association both internally and externally. We will continue to build pathways for leadership and participation for all and ensure that every member of our Association and legal community feels seen, respected and valued Our commitment to DEI defines who and what we are.”
Honoring Distinguished Community Leaders
The Annual Meeting also honored the winners of the Citizens Bank Achievement Award, the Brennan Distinguished Jurist Award, the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Award, the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Award and the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “Pursuit of Justice” Writing Competition.
Hon. Theodore McKee, former chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, received the Justice Brennan Distinguished Jurist Award. The award recognizes a jurist who adheres to the highest ideals of judicial service. McKee was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1994 by President Bill Clinton and served as Chief Judge from 2010-2016. He previously served as a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for 10 years, beginning in 1984. Before becoming a judge, he worked as an assistant United States Attorney, deputy solicitor in the City of Philadelphia Law Department, and general counsel to the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Charisse Lillie, CEO of CRL Consulting and the first Black woman to serve as Philadelphia city solicitor, was recognized with the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award. The award is given annually to an individual who has made substantial and lasting contributions to the Association's goal of promoting full and equal participation and inclusion by all attorneys in Philadelphia's legal community. Lillie worked for Comcast from 2005-2017, serving in several roles, including senior vice president of human resources at Comcast Cable, vice president of human resources for the Comcast Corporation, president of the Comcast Foundation, and vice president of community investment of Comcast Corporation. She also previously served as partner and chair of the litigation department at Ballard Spahr, and as a board member and chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Frank Cervone, longtime executive director of the Support Center for Child Advocates, is the 2025 recipient of the Citizens Bank Achievement Award. The award recognizes significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice in Philadelphia. Cervone served as executive director of the Support Center for Child Advocates from 1992 until his retirement in 2023. He currently serves as pro bono counsel for several nonprofits and is a nationally recognized speaker, author and leader in shaping and guiding child welfare policy and practice.
Mimi McKenzie, legal director at The Public Interest Law Center, was recognized with the Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Award. The award is given annually by the Association’s Women in the Profession Committee to recognize an outstanding woman attorney who exemplifies the qualities that Justice O’Connor demonstrated in her life and work. McKenzie has served as legal director for The Public Interest Law Center since 2017, after previously working as a civil litigation attorney at Dechert LLP and as in-house counsel for Verizon.
The winner of the Ginsburg competition was Karina Zakarian, a 3L law student at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, for her paper, “From Damage(s) to Development: A Story of Tribal Resilience in the Face of Climate Catastrophe.”
