Join us as we continue our series on topics affecting our clients and the community, this time focusing on federal funding. With its robust legal nonprofit and community engagement sectors, Philadelphia stands to be particularly impacted by recent actions that would freeze or dramatically cut federal funding in those areas.

This program will examine the far-reaching impacts of these cuts on our state and local governments, nonprofit organizations and communities, and how the philanthropy sector might help fill the void. 

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

A huge thank you and shout out to Temple Beasley School of Law’s Discipline Advocacy Service for their advocacy in raising awareness for Human Trafficking and collecting hygiene donations for youth involved in Philadelphia’s WRAP court program. In the month of February, their student group collected donations and funds from 44 individual donors to provide much needed daily items for survivors involved in WRAP Court.

WRAP court stands for ‘Working to Restore Adolescents’ Power’ and it is aimed at helping a specific cohort of children and young people who are at risk of or are a victims of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. These young people come through the court system due to delinquency and (or) dependency matters. 

For the months of February-April, Philadelphia Law Schools are working with the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Family Law Section to help collect much needed items for youth.

If you are interested in learning more about the WRAP Court program or how you can help, please contact Chair of the Family Law Section and Women Against Abuse Supervising Protection from Abuse Attorney Nadege Tandoh ntandoh@womenagainstabuse.org or Support Center for Child Advocates Director of Intake and Pro Bono Beth Perez bperez@sccalaw.org.

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!

The Philadelphia Bar Association stands in support of the expansion of the legal definition of parenthood in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's ruling in Glover v. Junior. Our Board of Governors passed a resolution in support of intent-base parentage in 2024 and also filed an amicus brief in partnership with the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Assocation in support of this outcome of the case.

Thank you to all of our members, Sections and Committees who contributed to this outcome and to our efforts to support intent-based parentage!

READ MORE: The Philadelphia Inquirer: The Pa. Supreme Court expands the legal definition of parenthood

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

Philadelphia is home to over 44,000 small businesses, many of which operate with extremely limited resources. Thousands of earnest entrepreneurs in our city devote their lives to pursue their dreams, but when rent, payroll, and other expenses come due, most cannot afford to resolve legal problems. Even fewer can proactively work with a lawyer to prevent issues down the line. 

Philadelphia is full of art. From the art museum known for its famous Rocky statue, to the graffiti tags along i76 that remind us to be socially conscious on our commutes to work, artists constantly create for our enjoyment. Philly is home to famous theatres, dancers, singers, authors, and more. For once, those within the city escape from our hectic and stressful lives to breathe and take in something beautiful. As a law student, music surrounds me like a warm embrace when I study alone within Temple Law’s concrete library. My classmates get tattoos to commemorate their perseverance through 1L year, and I go to local fashion boutiques to showcase my personality in my newly found professional wear. Artists constantly soothe society with their creations, but art law is a place where the legal community can soothe artists.  

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.”

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.

We are happy to share two exciting opportunities for a quick mindfulness practice to help you get through your work week offered by mindfulness expert and attorney Courtney Schulnik!

News about Philadelphia Bar Association members being recognized in our community.

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.

With Millennials and Gen Z now comprising most of the workforce, businesses must rethink their approach to employee benefits.  These generations prioritize flexibility, mental health, financial wellness, and purpose-driven work environments over traditional perks.  In a competitive job market, offering the right benefits package can significantly impact talent attraction, retention, and engagement.

Check out these events from the Wellness Committee!

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 Corporate In-House Counsel Committee on Thursday, April 3 at 5:00pm for a kick-off happy hour at Bentley Systems! 

Hot Topic to include Compliance in the Era of Trump EOs (FCPA (non)enforcement, anyone?)

**advanced registration is required**

We are excited to invite you to attend our upcoming legal panel, designed specifically for law students. This event aims to provide valuable insights into the legal profession, offering students the opportunity to hear directly from experienced attorneys.

This legal panel will bring together speakers from various legal specialties, including corporate law, criminal law, public interest, and in-house, to provide valuable insights into the diverse career paths available in the legal field. Emphasizing the importance of mentorship, panelists will discuss how mentorship has shaped their careers and offer advice on finding and nurturing meaningful professional relationships. This session will highlight the role of mentors in guiding law students through the complexities of legal practice, fostering personal and professional growth, and navigating the transition from law school to the legal workforce.

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