The Philadelphia Bar Association will celebrate Law Week 2022 between Monday, April 25 and Friday, April 29 with an array of community service events coordinated by the Young Lawyers Division and presented by volunteer lawyers. This year, Law Week will be conducting a hybrid model to connect with the community as COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift gradually. The theme for this year, as identified by the American Bar Association, is “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.” The theme will include topics such as constitutional change in the United States, social movements that lead to change, and shifts in U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence, among others.
As we have seen from recent events, everyday citizens and contemporary leaders are consistently raising their voices to fulfill the promise of the Constitution. Attempts to make the Constitution a “more perfect Union” still occur today as “we the people” are always defining and refining the original words of this dynamic document.
Law Week’s programming will include an in-person Legal Advice Live in the Heim Center (which is named for 1991 Chancellor Robert C. Heim) on the first floor of the Parkway Central Library, a call-in LegalLine with specific topics for residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, Lawyer in the Classroom, the Goldilocks Trial, and the Edward F. Chacker poster and essay contest.
“Law Week, the marquee event for the Young Lawyers Division, allows lawyers to present themselves as resources and mentors to the community,” said Mike Jones, chair of the Young Lawyers Division. “From educating children about the practice of law with Lawyer in the Classroom to guiding our neighbors who seek assistance with legal issues in Legal Advice Live, Law Week is an opportunity for lawyers to give back, while the community benefits with free legal advice and education that they might not have had the chance to obtain otherwise.”
Programs are aimed at educating the community in the practice of the law. Volunteers are needed throughout the week for certain programs. Please reach out to Mike Jones (MJones@PhillyVIP.org), Melissa Ruth (MARuth@duanemorris.com), Kelsey Schiappacasse (kschiappacasse@fisherphillips.com), Candace Hardy (chardy@ohaganmeyer.com), or Jordan Freeman (jordan.freeman1@gmail.com) to sign up to volunteer for noted events.
“While Law Week is once a year, it should be a reminder to everyone, including members of the Philadelphia Bar Association, that our role as lawyers, counselors, and advocates is to help people,” Jones said.
Volunteer Opportunities: Lawyer in The Classroom (April 25 and April 26) Volunteers needed to visit classrooms of different Philadelphia schools to answer questions on the legal profession and address students' concerns about the law and legal issues that affect them as they enter adulthood.
- Monday, April 25 – 11:50 AM – 1:10 PM
George Washington High School (in-person)
- Tuesday, April 26 – 10:05 AM – 11:30 PM
George Washington High School (in-person)
Legal Advice Live and LegalLine (April 27 from 12 PM - 6 PM) Volunteers needed to assist residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties by providing free legal assistance on specific subject matter areas including family law, housing and homeownership, employment and business counseling, and wills and estate. Area residents can call 215-238-6333 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. to have their legal questions answered confidentially and for free, in addition to visiting the Parkway Central Library in person from 12-2 p.m.
- In-person at the Parkway Central Library - 1901 Vine St., 1st Floor, Heim Center
- On-call for LegalLine
- 12-2 p.m.
- 2-4 p.m.
- 4-6 p.m.
Goldilocks Trial More information to come. Keep an eye out on social media for updates.
Edward F. Chacker Poster Contest & Essay Contest Philadelphia students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to create a poster depicting the 2022 Law Week theme. Also, junior and seniors in high school enter an original essay on the Law Week theme and the winning essay wins a $1,000 college scholarship. Spread the word by sharing the information to your networks!
