A Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Family Law Section. It is an honor to serve as this Section’s 2025 Chair. When I decided to attend law school, my intention was never to become a lawyer. I understood that my fight for vulnerable populations would be more successful if I knew the law. I envisioned that in my work, I would use my secret weapon (knowledge of the law), only when it was absolutely necessary. After I matriculated into law school, I quickly learned that my knowledge of the law, was a useless weapon if it remained a secret.
As a member of the Family Law Section, I continuously meet members of my profession who also understand the importance of using their weapons openly. I experience the benefit of using our weapons collectively for the passage of legislation that offers additional protections for individuals and families. We use our weapons when members of our Section volunteer weekly at the Philadelphia Family Court Help Center. Here, thousands of Philadelphia residents who cannot afford private counsel, are provided with the legal forms needed to file pro-se petitions for their custody and divorce matters. This service is at no cost to the litigants. We also engage in outreach by promoting pro-bono work within our Section and hosting collection drives for Philadelphia children and families facing difficult circumstances.
Across the Commonwealth, our Section is a trusted voice for the rights of the most important human institution--family. If you are not already a member of our Section, I invite you to become a member. We meet every first Monday of the month in Philadelphia Family Court. I also invite you to join one of our twenty subcommittees. Our CLEs and Section meetings are where we sharpen our weapons. Our subcommittees are where we strategize how to effectively use our weapons. If you are already a member, I look forward to another year of making great contributions together. Our individual weapons are much more effective when used together.
Respectfully,
Nadège Tandoh, Esq.
Family Law Section Chair, 2025
Monthly Section Meetings - 2025
Family Law Section Meetings
- January 13, 2025
- February 3, 2025
- March 3, 2025
- April 7, 2025
- May 5, 2025
- June 2, 2025
- June 12, 1015 -Summer Reception
- July - No Section Meeting
- August - No Section Meeting
- September 8, 2025
- September 16, 2025 - Dependency Judicial Panel at 2pm
- October 6, 2025
- November 3, 2025
- December 1, 2025-Virtual
- December 9, 2025 -Winter Dinner
Family Law Executive Committee Meetings (All meeting at noon by Zoom)
- January 16, 2025
- February 20, 2025
- March 20, 2025
- April 17, 2025
- May 15, 2025
- June 17, 2025 (moved because of holiday)
- July 17, 2025
- August 21, 2025
- September 18, 2025
- October 16, 2025
- November 20, 2025
- December No Meeting
Minutes & Caselaw Update
Resources & Forms
Here you will find links to printable documents relating to various areas of Family Law. These forms and instructions were prepared under the sponsorship of the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Pro Bono Opportunities
The section encourages members to promote access to justice though pro bono service:
Volunteer at the Custody Help Center
The Help Center, on the 11th floor of the 1501 Arch provides legal information about child custody. Volunteers do not provide legal advice, but they typically point self-represented litigants toward the appropriate filing and help them complete the forms. The help center is regularly staffed by Family Law Section volunteers. To volunteer sign up on this Google Doc.
Take a case with Philadelphia VIP
Philadelphia VIP connects low-income Philadelphians in need of legal services to volunteer attorneys. All VIP clients have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty. VIP nearly always seeks volunteers for family law cases, including custody, adoption, and simple divorce. Click the button below to see available family law cases.
