About The Public Interest Section
The Public Interest Section, founded in 1991, provides a forum for public interest and private lawyers to come together on behalf of Philadelphia's neediest community. In 1994, the Philadelphia Bar Association By-laws charged the newly created Public Interest Section with "promot[ing] the interests of the members who address the legal needs and rights of the poor, minorities, victims of abuse, persons with disabilities, the homeless and other disadvantaged populations." The section was to provide a "forum for the Bar to work together on issues of mutual concern that affect the public interest . . . and to educate and involve the entire Bar in issues affecting the public interest."
Today, over four hundred members, consisting of public interest and private lawyers, law school faculty members, foundation directors and law students collaborate on projects to improve the delivery of legal services to Philadelphia's poorest community. Such collaboration not only vastly improves the delivery of legal services, but also has created a culture of inclusion within the Philadelphia Bar Association regarding issues that affect and concern the poor. The Public Interest Section, as the largest Bar Association team of public interest and private lawyers working to improve justice in Philadelphia, epitomizes the fulfillment of the Philadelphia Bar Association's mission to serve both the profession and the public by promoting equal access to justice, professional excellence and respect for the rule of law.
The Benefits of Section Membership
Section members can stay abreast of new developments in the law and exciting opportunities to shape the future of our society. The Public Interest Section's activities include:
- Agency/attorney collaborations to develop pro bono projects where current need is great but free legal services are scarce;
- Improving the current system of delivering pro bono services;
- Collaborating on amicus briefs for issues of importance to the community such as ensuring the greater availability of adoptive homes for children who need them, improving the quality of family court for all who use it and creating educational programs specially designed for public interest and pro bono practitioners.
The Bending the ARC Award: Recognizing Achievement, Resilience, and Courage
Each year, the Public Interest Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association honors a legal services advocate or public defender with the The Bending the ARC Award. The award-winner must work for, or be associated with, an organization whose purpose is to serve persons who cannot afford to pay for legal representation, or be a public-interest lawyer working with a nonprofit organization serving a charitable or public interest purpose.
See a list of past The Bending the ARC Award Recipients here.
The Honorable Louis H. Pollak Award
The award is given annually to a jurist who embodies Judge Pollak’s commitment to public service. The award does not come with any monetary amount, but serves as recognition of both the legacy of leadership Judge Pollak left behind and of the service of the awardee.
See a list of past The Honorable Louis H. Pollak Award Recipients here.
Section Committees
Civil RightsDelivery of Legal Services
Law Firm Pro Bono
Law School Public Interest Professionals
Legal Rights of Children
Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Membership and Marketing
Public Interest Associates
Women's Rights
