WHEREAS Justice Christine Donohue of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court devised Project LITIGATE to address the lack of experience that young lawyers have in the court room; and

WHEREAS, many bar associations have responded with support of Justice Donohue’s initiative including the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, which drafted a resolution that was adopted by the Board of Governors and House of Delegates, encouraging the promotion of federal, state and local Judges in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and law firms, to participate and be a signatory to LITIGATE Pledge, a copy of which is attached hereto; and

WHEREAS LITIGATE Pledge, which stands for Lawyers Initiate to Improve Next Gen Attorneys’ Trial Experience, is an initiative that encourages Judges and law firms to adopt policies supporting the facilitation and promotion of young attorneys’ trial skill experience and litigation by 1) permitting oral arguments made by junior attorneys, specifically those who drafted or significantly contributed to the matter presented to the court, particularly when the junior lawyer is within their first ten years of practice; 2) adopting policies supporting meaningful participation by junior attorneys in trials, so long as attorneys are adequately prepared to represent the clients’ best interest(s); and 3) urging law firms, including practices which include outside counsel, whether located within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or if outside of the Commonwealth, to pledge their support to such policies by signing a document evidencing their support and making said support known to all junior attorneys within the practice; and

WHEREAS the Philadelphia Bar Association has a long-established history and interest in supporting the development, training and growth of junior attorneys to learn and advance their trial advocacy and litigation skills; and

WHEREAS, training and mentoring of junior attorneys is included as part of the Association’s Strategic Plan;

WHEREAS the Philadelphia Bar Association recognizes the important and necessary role that courts and law firm leaders play in preparing and training the next generation of trial attorneys; and

WHEREAS the Philadelphia Bar Association agrees with Project Litigate that it is becoming increasingly difficult for aspiring trial attorneys to acquire litigation skills, and that it is our obligation to encourage, promote and facilitate young attorneys’ development of litigation and trial advocacy skills.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Philadelphia Bar Association urges law firms and Judges to support, promote and sign Litigate Pledge; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chancellor and/or the Chancellor’s designee(s) shall communicate the Philadelphia Bar Association’s position herein to law firms and Judges expeditiously, and take such other action as necessary to effectuate this resolution.

PHILADELPHIA BAR ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Adopted: October 24, 2024