Philadelphia Bar Association Executive Director Harvey Hurdle is the 2025 recipient of the Arthur J. Birdsall Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL). The award recognizes bar executives who have been faithful stewards of bar traditions, who are committed to the success of their organizations, and who have significantly enhanced the profile of their bar association.

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Katayun I. Jaffari issued a statement in memory of Honorable Phyllis W. Beck, retired judge of the Superior Court who died on March 3.

Renew your Philadelphia Bar Association membership for 2025 today! Don't miss out on amazing member benefits like the latest Bar news, upcoming networking opportunities, CLEs, discounted services, and much more!

Join us for an engaging seminar focused on emerging trends, strategies, and the opportunities and challenges of innovation in the legal sector.

Designed for legal professionals at all levels, this event will include dynamic fireside chats, discussions and Q&As, followed by interactive breakout sessions allowing participants to explore key innovation themes in small groups. 

Topics will include the meaning of innovation in law, its growing necessity, the obstacles legal professionals face in adapting to change, and leadership mindsets that can drive transformation.  

We want to hear from you: Take this short survey to ensure the topics you care about are included in the agenda-> Click here to share your thoughts now.

The Philadelphia Bar Association is now on Bluesky! If you'd like to follow us, you can create a FREE account to keep up with the latest news and updates!

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

The Winter 2025 issue celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Civil Gideon Task Force, introduces the 98th Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, highlights the 2024 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg "Pursuit of Justice" Legal Writing Competition winning essay, and more.

We want to hear from you! Do you have a legal analysis article idea or a story to share about a memorable case, social issues, travel or even pop culture, fiction or poetry? Share your submission with us to be featured in a future issue of The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine!

Email communications@philabar.org with the subject line: Magazine submission

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.

If you have a moment, we’d truly appreciate it if you could leave us a quick Google review. Share how your experience with the Bar Association has helped you to make connections and grow your career! It only takes a minute, and your insights can help others know what to expect. Your positive feedback helps our Association grow and continue providing the best service possible for members. 

Thank you for your support—it means the world to us!

Google: Philadelphia Bar Association -> Give us a star rating -> Write a review -> Hit Post

On October 29, 2024, Governor Shapiro signed SB 1232, amending the PA Workers’ Compensation Act to provide that Carriers are to pay a Claimant’s wage loss benefits by direct deposit unless a Claimant does not designate a bank account or requests to be paid by paper check. The amendment demonstrates a continued intent to implement technological modernizations to aid in the efficient implementation of the terms and provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act. This amendment to the Act became effective on December 28, 2024. 

In the personal injury legal space, marketing efforts often focus on differentiating a law firm from its competitors. However, in a highly competitive and low-differentiation market, like personal injury law, this traditional approach may not be enough. At PracticeMadePerfect, we’ve found that focusing on the behaviors and decision-making patterns of accident victims is far more effective in driving case acquisition. 

Today, the legal industry is in the midst of another transition with many tools incorporating cloud-based management and artificial intelligence, as well as blockchain and smart contracts. Law firms and lawyers are managing their practices virtually and associations like ours are balancing a culture of connecting people with the flexibility of on-line learning opportunities. 

What innovations in the practice of law will we be speaking about 20 years from now? How will technology continue to evolve the daily practice of law and the administration of justice? How will lawyers interact with clients and each other? These are questions that Associations like ours, law firms, courtrooms and individuals are all trying to answer, in an effort to keep pace with whatever comes next. 

March 10-14, 2025 is Civic Learning Week across the United States. To evaluate how well the Commonwealth is doing to inspire civically engaged students, celebrate the excellent work of Pennsylvania's teachers, and explore opportunities for further growth, PA Civics is hosting its third State of Civic Education in Pennsylvania on Monday, March 10 at 4 pm.

The virtual event will be valuable for teachers, parents, administrators, policymakers, and interested members of the general public. 

Governor Josh Shapiro will provide opening remarks. State Senator Dave Argall (R) and State Rep. Tim Brennan (D) will engage in a conversation about steps the Commonwealth can take to become a national leader in high quality civics education. And educators throughout PA will share innovations in the classroom.

Catch up and network with APABA-PA friends on March 18 from 5:30 - 7 pm at Miss Saigon.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters LGBTQ after-school program is looking for queer attorneys to meet with the high schoolers to discuss their careers and experiences. This would be on a Monday to be determined from 3-4 pm at Dobbins High School. If you are interested in volunteering, please email philalgbtqbar@gmail.com and cc Felicia Carter carterfeliciagrace@gmail.com.

This year, Juvenile Law Center is celebrating their 50^th anniversary with a Gala on May 2 in the Grand Belle at The Bellevue Hotel. Join them for cocktails, dinner, and dancing to celebrate Juvenile Law Center’s first 50 years and honor Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer, Marsha Levick, who is stepping down at the end of this year. They will also pay tribute to Bob Schwartz, JLC's Co-Founder and former Executive Director, whom they lost in 2024 but who will always remain in their hearts. JLC anticipates a full house and encourages you to reserve a table or purchase tickets now.

Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (PVLA) is thrilled to announce the return of The Arts Affair 2025 on Thursday, May 15 at REC Philly. This unforgettable evening will celebrate the vibrant intersection of the arts and legal advocacy, recognizing outstanding pro bono legal professionals and showcasing immersive artistic experiences, live performances, music, and more.

“The legal community plays an essential role in empowering artists, cultural institutions, and creative entrepreneurs, and we are proud to celebrate these honorees for their unwavering dedication,” said Nan Latona, Executive Director of PVLA. “Recognizing Joan Myers Brown with the inaugural Creative Impact Award underscores the profound influence that artists have on our cultural landscape. Their visions inspire our work at PVLA, and these award winners are instrumental in ensuring the arts continue to flourish in Philadelphia.”

The Courts, Community, and Rule of Law Committee of the Judicial Council of the Third Circuit announced today that it is hosting an essay contest for elementary students focused on civics, citizenship, and the concept of “We the People” – which are the first three words of the Preamble to the United States Constitution. The essay prompt is: How did our Nation’s Founders envision ‘the People’ when they drafted the Constitution, and how should we interpret their vision in our country today?

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.

New Year. New Job? Alevistar Legal Search is a Philadelphia Bar Association Annual Partner, and the premier legal search firm in the Philadelphia area focused on partner placements, group mergers, and associate placements.

If you want to grow or take a new direction in your career in 2025, consider working with Alevistar. Some of the best jobs are never advertised and many law firms and companies turn to Alevistar to recruit and refer top candidates to fill these positions. Alevistar Legal Search has relationships with many types of law firms & organizations that rely on us to assist with their hiring process.

To learn more or set up a meeting contact Brian Levinson at 610-617-1218 or brian@alevistar.com or Jason Mandel at 610-617-1219 or jason@alevistar.com or visit www.alevistar.com.

Check out these events from the Wellness Committee!

The Co-Chairs of the Career Development Committee cordially invite the members of the Young Lawyers Division, the Career Development Committee, and the Seasoned Lawyers Committee to a round table discussion on mentoring in the Philadelphia Bar Association. We will be discussing the changing hybrid work environment and strategies to re-engage attorneys in our Association with the mentorship that is needed for the young attorneys in our community. We hope to have an energetic discussion that will help us to re-establish the mentorship program within the Philadelphia Bar Association. 

The Beccaria Award is given annually and it represents the highest honor that the Justinian Society in cooperation with Criminal Justice Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association can give to any member of the Bar, whether or not a member of the either Section, who exemplifies the ideals of the career of Cesare Beccaria, the 18th century Italian scholar whose writings presaged the dawn of the modern penal system. The Award is to recognize distinguished achievement of a member of the Philadelphia Bar in the field of criminal justice, including legal and/or general education activities in the field.

This year's recipient is the Hon. John R. Padova, Senior Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Judge Padova was appointed to the Federal bench in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush. 

Join the Paralegals and the Legal Professionals Committee for their first meeting of the year!

Maintaining strong legal research skills is crucial for saving time and money for your clients. Having access to a robust database of local and federal case law is necessary information often used to structure your case. Whether you are an entry level associate or partner, legal research is a vital daily task and one that must be continually developed. Decisis provides industry-leading tools to make legal research easier and more intuitive, and it’s a free benefit to Philadelphia Bar Association members in good-standing. Research is one of the foundational skills required by attorneys and this CLE program will introduce you to the Decisis system and examine legal research tools, strategies and techniques using content and features that are available in the system.

Attend to learn core research principles that apply to all varieties of online legal research that help attorneys enhance their practice and efficiency.  

Join us for a fun and impactful evening at the YLD Happy Hour on March 26th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Top Tomato! We're excited to partner with Philabundance for a night of networking, socializing, and giving back to the community.

Join the Wellness Committee as they partner with the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation