When I was elected Vice Chancellor, a lawyer I knew called to congratulate me. His name was Jeff Brodkin, and he reminded me that the Philadelphia Bar Association exists to “help make us better lawyers.”
Sadly, Jeff passed away soon after that conversation. But his message stayed with me. Supporting professional development is fundamental to our Association. This year, as Chancellor, I will make it my personal mission to help all our members, no matter what your areas of focus or what stage you are at in your career, to learn, grow and advance.
It was that type of environment that prompted me to get involved with the Philadelphia Bar Association years ago. What makes our Association special is that we bring together legal professionals from different backgrounds and perspectives, to learn from each other and to develop policies and initiatives that advance the profession, help our clients and make a difference to the city.
Celebrating the Semi-Quincentennial
This year, Philadelphia will be the epicenter of America’s 250th celebration, attracting visitors from across the country and the world, who want to learn about the history and ideals upon which our democracy was founded. We have a unique opportunity to show them how the Association’s core mission of promoting respect for the rule of law and advancing equal access to justice are integral to that history, and to spread the word about the proud tradition of excellence that defines Philadelphia lawyers.
As part of celebrating the 250th, we plan to bring the Bench-Bar & Annual Conference back to Philadelphia. Hosting the Bench-Bar here, in the birthplace of democracy, during the semi-quincentennial celebration, will elevate this event’s significance and deepen our members’ connection to our city and to one another.
Our planners will collaborate with practice groups to provide a wide array of CLEs, ensuring a robust and engaging educational experience. It will also be an opportunity to become a tourist in your own city, to learn about aspects of our history you may not have known before, or to gain unique access to some of the attractions that make Philadelphia special.
Technology and the Future of the Law
Technology has become the law’s greatest opportunity and its greatest challenge. Groundbreaking artificial intelligence tools are rapidly transforming how we manage our firms and how we practice law. Amid the AI boom, we must proactively prepare to utilize the latest technology while maintaining fidelity to our ethical and professional standards.
To do that, we will build on the momentum started in 2025 by Chancellor Kathy Jaffari and the Center for Innovation. We will develop skills training, CLEs and other initiatives to confront the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in our profession. We know that as an Association, it is critical that we lead the way in shaping thoughtful policies and best practices that uphold our responsibilities while embracing innovation.
Professional Development and Young Lawyers
For the past three years, the Young Lawyers’ Trial Academy, which was revitalized through the leadership of Chancellor Marc Zucker, has grown in scope and popularity, bringing together young attorneys with limited trial experience for an immersive week-long experience. Our cohorts have had the chance to learn from some of the city’s best trial lawyers, and from local judges, through hands-on sessions and mock trials.
I was honored to co-chair the program in 2025, alongside Marc and Antima Chakraborty and it was wonderful to hear the positive feedback from the participants and to see how they grew and bonded as a group during the week. We plan to continue to explore ways to expand this invaluable opportunity for our young and aspiring trial lawyers.
We know that opportunities like the trial academy, which pair young attorneys with strong mentors, is critical not only for training the next generation of Philadelphia lawyers, but also for keeping legal talent in the city.
Relevance and Future of the Bar Association
Making the Associations, and all its initiatives and offerings, relevant to you, our members, is essential to the vitality and future of our organization. The Philadelphia Bar Association is proud to be the voice of our profession, and we will continue to play this role now more than ever.
We are more than a voice. Think back to Law Day, May 1, 2025, when more than 450 leaders and members gathered outside City Hall to retake our attorney’s oath. Our battle cry was “Justice Matters,” and we know it certainly does. If we think big, our impact will extend not only across our city, but across the Commonwealth and beyond.
But at the end of the day, it all comes back to you, to every individual member. This is the year to break out of your niche, whatever it may be, and to expand your reach and professional impact. There is no limit to the opportunities the Association can offer, and there is truly a good fit for everyone, no matter what your passions or priorities. We hope you will join us.
History matters. Justice matters. And, above all, members matter.
Ezra Wohlgelernter is 2026 Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. You can reach him at chancellor@philabar.org.
