About the Program
In service to our mission at the Philadelphia Bar Association and as legal professionals, we are using our power, influence, and voice to meet this moment in support of democracy and the rule of law. The Association launched Meeting the Moment to further our mission by finding innovative ways to CONVENE, COMMUNICATE and COLLABORATE with different stakeholder groups, working toward the goal of defending democracy and assisting in individuals whose rights are under attack.
Message from the Chancellor
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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. 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.”
2026 Chancellor, Ezra Wohlgelernter
Message from 2025 Chancellor Katayun I. Jaffari
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The Philadelphia Bar Association will continue to support the same ideals it has always stood for and to further our mission of promoting respect for the rule of law and equal access to justice. These ideals include protecting our immigrant communities and celebrating the diversity and strength they bring to our City.
2025 Chancellor, Katayun I. Jaffari
In the News
- Philadelphia Bar News - January 30, 2026: Philadelphia Bar Association Issues Statement Calling for the Restoration of the Slavery Exhibit at the President’s House Site on Independence Mall
- Philadelphia Bar News - June 27, 2025: Philadelphia Bar Association Releases Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Trump v. CASA
- Philadelphia Bar News - April 29, 2025: Why I Am Retaking the Attorney's Oath of Office on Law Day
- Philadelphia Bar News - April 28, 2025: NEWS ALERT: Bar Association Supports Law Firm Amicus Briefs
- Philadelphia Bar News - April 15, 2025: Philadelphia Bar Association Supports Amicus Briefs Filed by Jenner & Block and WilmerHale
- Philadelphia Bar News - April 8, 2025: Philadelphia Bar Association Joins Legal Trade Associations’ Amicus Brief in Support of Perkins Coie
- Philadelphia Bar News - March 26, 2025: Philadelphia Bar Association Stands with Fellow Bar Associations in Defense of the Legal Profession, Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law
- Philadelphia Bar News - February 27, 2025: Philadelphia Bar Association Issues Statement Condemning Recent Attacks on Judicial Independence and Attorneys
- American Bar Association - February 14, 2025: ABA wins Temporary Restraining Order in USAID, State Department funding lawsuit
- American Bar Association - February 11, 2025: ABA condemns remarks questioning legitimacy of courts and judicial review
- American Bar Association - February 10, 2025: The ABA supports the rule of law
- Philadelphia Bar Reporter - February 10, 2025: Convene, Communicate & Collaborate: A Blueprint for Advocacy in 2025, by Katayun Jaffari
Convenings
- Meeting the Moment - Focus on the Rule of Law - June 26, 2025 Watch Event Recording
- Law Day of Action - Thursday, May 1, 2025 Read a Recap of the Event
- Meeting the Moment - Focus on Education and Disability Rights - May 28, 2025 Watch Event Recording
- Meeting the Moment - Focus on LGBTQ+ Rights - Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Watch Event Recording
- Meeting the Moment: Impacts of the Federal Funding Freeze - Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Watch Event Recording
- Meeting the Moment: Focus on Immigration - Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Watch Event Recording
Trainings
CLE Live Webcasts
- Chancellor's Forum: The Voting Rights Act at 60: A Dream Realized or a Rude Awakening? Thursday, Aug. 7, 4-6:15 p.m. (1.0 SUB/1.0 ETH) – As a follow-up to the exceptional summer Quarterly panel, this Chancellor's Forum CLE continues the discussion and education regarding ensuring the voting rights for all Americans. Take the program.
CLEs On Demand:
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Navigating Education Law in the U.S.: Protecting Rights and Ensuring Access for All Students – Learn about the key components of education law in the United States, examining the recent regulatory changes and executive actions shaping education law and how they influence the educational experiences and protections for all students. Take the program.
Resources
Executive Orders
- Americans for the Arts: Executive Orders and Impacts: Comprehensive FAQ
- COZEN O'CONNOR: Recent Executive Orders And What They Mean For Your Business
- Democracy Forward: Response Center
- Education Counsel: Executive Actions Chart
- Just Security: Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
- National Council of Nonprofits: The Impacts of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits
- National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits
Immigration
- Temple Sheller Center - ICE Arrests in Pennsylvania Courthouse Event Tracker Form (Enter Events Here)
- ACLU: We Have Rights - What to Do When Interacting with ICE
- HIAS PA: Know Your Rights - Multilingual Resources
- PIRC Law | Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center: Know Your Rights
- ELC, HIAS, ACLU PA: Feb. 6 Webinar on Immigrant Students' Rights in PA Schools - Materials and Resources.
- ELC-PA and ACLU-PA: Open Letter to PA Schools on Immigrant Students' Rights and ICE Enforcement, with Welcoming Schools Policy Attached
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Education
- Education Law Center: Action Alert - Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Endangers All Pennsylvania Students. Speak Out!
- Education Law Center: Analysis - How Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Will Impact Pennsylvania Students
- Education Law Center: Back to School Guide
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: Education Division Civil Rights Protections for Students
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: Education Protections
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: PHRC infograph
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: Discrimination Fact Sheet.pdf
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission: Complaint Process Brochure_finalnocrop.pdf



