WHEREAS, Charles (“Charlie”) Klitsch has served the Philadelphia Bar Association, the oldest association of lawyers in the United States for a total of 37 years; and

WHEREAS, for the past 18 years, Charlie Klitsch has served as the Bar Association’s Director of Public and Legal Services; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has worked tirelessly with Bar leadership to build the Philadelphia Bar Association into the most highly respected metropolitan Bar Association in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch is well known for his wise counsel, sound judgment, uncompromising integrity, and sheer dedication to the profession and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch is revered as a consummate professional, who deeply values civility, fairness, and justice; and

WHEREAS, during his 37 years of service to the Bar, Charlie Klitsch championed policies in the best interest of advancing the public interest and the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, his exemplary work ethic, knowledge, dependability, patience, and supportive demeanor has made Charlie Klitsch an invaluable member of the Bar community; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has been a respected legal and ethical advisor to generations of Chancellors who relied on his sound advice; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has been essential to the operation of the Board of Governors through his wise counsel, skillful facilitation, and unwavering support; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has been instrumental in building a nationally recognized Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) and the award-winning Legal Line, and is heralded as a national expert in this area; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has been key to expanding and elevating the Bar’s Judicial Selection and Retention Commission and the Campaign for Qualified Judges to the great benefit of the public and the legal profession and has been instrumental in raising the programs to national models; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has provided essential guidance on ethical and professional dilemmas to numerous legal professionals and has advanced critical Association programs including Professional Guidance, Professional Responsibility, Fee Disputes, among others; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has worked tirelessly with Bar leadership and lobbyists to further the Bar’s legislative and policy programs in order to promote the public interest and the interests of the legal profession; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Charlie Klitsch has personified the mission of the Philadelphia Bar Association, to serve the public and the legal profession by promoting justice, professional excellence, and respect for the rule of law; and

WHEREAS, Charlie Klitsch has dedicated his career to the advancement of the Association, through his exemplary work and his strong relationships with the Chancellors, leaders, members, public and staff; and

WHEREAS, after 37 years of exceptional service to the Philadelphia Bar Association, the entire legal profession, and the public, Charlie Klitsch has decided to retire as Director of Public and Legal Services as of December 31, 2021, to enjoy more time with his friends, and family, especially Chris Heller, his loving husband.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association conveys its deepest gratitude to Charlie Klitsch for distinguished service to the Association, the legal profession and the community and congratulates him on the occasion of his retirement as the Association’s Director of Public and Legal Services.

PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
ADOPTED: DECEMBER 21, 2021