The Philadelphia Bar Association has entered into institutional partnerships with the City of Philadelphia Law Department, the Defender Association of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, extending all the benefits of membership to legal professionals working at each organization.
The agreements follow previous institutional membership relationships between the Bar Association and Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law.
“Institutional partnerships represent a future model of growth and success for the Philadelphia Bar Association,” Executive Director Harvey Hurdle said. “Individual attorneys from the City Law Department, the Defenders and the DA’s Office have long been active members and leaders in our Association. We are excited to welcome the new members we will gain as part of these partnerships, which allow us to speak with a stronger voice as the Philadelphia legal community’s premier trade association.”
“These partnerships would not have been possible without the vision of these three organizations, which recognize our preeminent role in convening and coordinating our broad constituency, advocating reforms, networking, improving access to justice and preparing lawyers for the future,” Chancellor Marc J. Zucker added. “We are excited to provide the tremendous benefits of membership to all of those within these organizations.”
The institutional memberships provide a number of unique resources to legal professionals working for the three organizations, including the ability to join the Association’s practice-relevant Sections and Committees; networking and social opportunities with other attorneys and the judiciary; an annual allotment of free continuing legal education (CLE) credits for use on any of the Bar’s one- or two-credit programs; and discounts at a number of local and national retailers, as well as for legal and professional services.
"I am grateful to Chancellor Zucker and the Philadelphia Bar Association for their vision and intentionality in inviting the Philadelphia Law Department to be a part of this phenomenal organization," said Diana P. Cortes, who recently stepped down as City Solicitor. “Our 330+ Law department members are great attorneys, legal professionals, and public servants of our beloved City. They will have unique opportunities to further develop their respective areas of expertise and strengthen their Philadelphia connections through the Bar Association. In turn, the Bar Association will benefit immensely from the contributions of the Law Department members as the City does on a daily basis."
“The Defender Association leadership team and staff rely heavily on the wealth of resources and information provided by the Philadelphia Bar Association,” Chief Defender Keisha Hudson said. “This partnership represents an enhanced opportunity for all of us to grow as practitioners and protectors of the law in Philadelphia.”
“The Philadelphia DA's Office is delighted to enter into a new partnership with the Philadelphia Bar Association to promote the professional development of our attorneys and to share their criminal justice experience with the wider legal community,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “This agreement ensures that the Philadelphia Bar Association will be an even more vibrant and diverse organization.”
