Bench-Bar registration for the virtual option ends TOMORROW! You can still earn up to 10 CLE credits - register today!

Members have access to HeinOnline archive collection of Philadelphia Bar Association publications. To access the archive, you must be a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Celebrate individuals and groups making a positive impact on our community!

Achievement Award 
To be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting on December 10, 2025
Description: The Award recognizes significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice (preferably in Philadelphia.)
Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2025

Our Summer 2024 edition includes tributes to Steve LaCheen, a longtime editorial board member of The Philadelphia Lawyer who died in May, from previous and current board members. This issue also includes side hustles and second careers submitted by members of the Association.

A roundup of the latest activity taking place in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 

Fall is here and with it comes the final busy stretch before the 2024 general election. It has been written by many that this year’s election will be one of the most important in recent memory, but in our current reality, *every* election is highly consequential. And as attorneys who work every day to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of our clients, we have a special role to play.

The Commonwealth Court is seeking a second level legal professional for work as a career law clerk within a Harrisburg chambers. The interested individual will aid the Judge in researching complex legal issues that are before the court. Outstanding research and writing skills are required.

The 2025 Board Observer Program (BOP) is now accepting expressions of interest from nonprofits interested in hosting a Board Observer next year! This award-winning program, a collaboration between the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, DLSC, and YLD, has been recognized with the 2014 LexisNexis "Partnerships For Success" Award. It offers young lawyers a unique opportunity to serve as Observers on nonprofit boards in the Philadelphia region, gaining insights into nonprofit governance, leadership skills, and valuable networking connections. Nonprofits benefit from the fresh perspectives of these young professionals, fostering innovation and community growth. If your nonprofit is interested and hasn’t hosted an Observer before, please complete the form below by September 9th.

La Salle Mock Trial Association invites you to serve as a judge for the 2024 First Annual Explorer Invitational! The La Salle Mock Trial Association is thrilled to revive this event for universities and colleges. 

There will be four rounds of competition: two on Saturday, October 19th, and two on Sunday, October 20th. Each round will last approximately three hours with a brief break in between each round. Check out the tentative schedule!

The National Law School Mock Trial Competition hosted by the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law needs judges! 

The competition is September 20-22, 2024 at the Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy at 1200 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19102. The tournament features ten of the top trial advocacy programs in the country. You can sign up to judge by clicking here.

Here are the times of each round (inclusive of check in and post-trial feedback, all times Eastern Standard Time):

· Round 1: Friday, September 20, 2024 8:40 am - 12:15 pm

· Round 2: Friday, September 20, 2024 1:40 pm - 5:15 pm

· Round 3: Saturday, September 21, 2024 8:40 am - 12:15 pm

· Round 4: Saturday, September 21, 2024 1:40 pm - 5:15 pm

· Semi-Final: Sunday, September 22, 2024 8:40 am - 12:15 pm

Judge orientation will be held via Zoom on Monday, September 16, 2024.  You may attend or watch a recording of the orientation prior to the tournament. 

If you have any questions, please contact me at pmp45@drexel.edu.

SEPTEMBER 28-30
Center for Criminal Justice

Empire Philadelphia is scheduled for September 28-30. You can volunteer for one trial or several—it is up to you. 

Empire Mock Trial is a 501 (c)(3) education nonprofit that coordinates mock trial programs for high school students. This is the first year that we are hosting a program in Philadelphia, after running competitions in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Hong Kong.

We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way, and we must change that. Join your friends, family and co-workers to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

By registering for Lawyers Have Heart today, you are taking the first step to save lives.

Wednesday, September 11
4 - 6:30pm

Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA), in collaboration with Stradley Ronon, proudly presents an event focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and the arts. This insightful session will explore the complex legal issues and considerations surrounding AI's impact on artists and creative work. The distinguished panel will feature three attorneys with copyright experience, Sekou Campbell, Chad A. Rutkowski, and Aleksander Goranin, who all possess deep knowledge of this emerging field, alongside noted Philadelphia creative and advocate for artists, Shekhinah B., who will provide a unique creative perspective. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the panel discussion.

Philadelphia Bar Association members save up to 41% off select major appliances and free delivery on orders over $399.*

Plus, take advantage of flexible financing options.**

Terms & Conditions:

*Offer valid 8/22/24 – 9/11/24. See Store for details.

**Payment options through Affirm are subject to eligibility, may not be available in all states, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders.

California's SB-1047, aka the “AI Act,” is moving forward through the state’s legislative process with new amendments aimed at regulating high-risk generative AI models. The bill, designed to prevent potential large-scale harm and ensure information safety, has been amended based on feedback from AI firms and others.

While it aims to set a precedent for AI safety, it faces criticism from tech giants and some lawmakers who worry it might hinder innovation. Next steps: approval from the state Assembly and Senate, and then Governor Newsom’s review. Will this law, should it pass in California, become a model for other states to follow? And how should lawyers try to leverage AI in their respective fields?

bit-x-bit has GenAI-supported software to help you build chronologies and case maps, as well as conduct document review. Contact us to learn more.

Our Annual Partners and other benefit providers give Bar Association members access to discounts from local and national retailers, for legal and professional services and more!

DISCOUNTS INCLUDE:

• Wireless and data services discounts from Verizon, including 22% off your monthly bill for eligible members
• Travel discounts and planning services from Mondee
• Up to 35% PC computers and printers from HP
• Up to 20% off on gifts from 1-800-FLOWERS, Harry & David, and Cheryl’s Cookies
• Additional discounts on products and services, including performances at the Kimmel Cultural Campus, rental cars through Avis and Budget, and more

Decisis is a fast, reliable legal research tool powered by LexisNexis - free for Philadelphia Bar Association members - a $1788 value! Search all courts and jurisdictions (Need a case outside Pennsylvania? Find it with Decisis™.)

To access the benefit login with your member account.