Join us as we continue our series on topics affecting our clients and the community, this time focusing on education. We will provide an overview of the recent threatened rollbacks in federal education funding, oversight, and support, including the proposed shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education and the impacts on students with disabilities.
Panelists will discuss top-of-mind issues and impacts due to recent policy changes at the federal level, the critical court cases on the horizon, and what the legal community can do to help.
Join us as we celebrate achievements by women aviators. Women in aviation and women in combat have been trailblazers in ensuring all people, regardless of gender, have an equal opportunity to serve their country. This program will highlight the accomplishments of women aviators and the legal and policy changes that have allowed women to serve as pilots in the military and private sector.
News
You decide who becomes a judge in Philadelphia. Our Judicial Commission's objective, nonpartisan investigations rate candidates on their ability, integrity and judgment. Make an informed decision – view our 2025 ratings and share them with your networks!
The Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention is conducting its biannual poll on the qualifications of judges seeking retention in the November 2025 general election. The poll closes Friday, May 30!
Look for us at #38 and #39! Voting ends June 13.
The annual Bar Run is a day that is a must attend event every year for lawyers and many who work at law firms around the Philadelphia legal community. It has become a day where you are almost guaranteed to run into colleagues or friends you have not seen all year and provides a great chance to reconnect.
As markets grow more crowded and competition heats up, how can your law firm stay ahead? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with a leading professor from Indiana University as we unpack the forces driving competitive intensity today. This interview-style webinar explores the trends, strategies, and insights you need to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape — straight from the heart of academia to your screen.
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
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!
Congratulations to 2025 Replansky Award recipient William H. Clark, Jr. and 2025 Dandridge Award recipient Sophia Z. Lee!
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Philadelphia Bar Association held a program titled, "Meeting the Moment: Focus on LGBTQ+ Rights," on Tuesday, April 29. With the rollback of legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community, education, collaboration, and advocacy will be critical to charting a path forward. Panelists discussed top-of-mind issues and impacts due to recent policy changes at the federal level, the critical state and federal court cases on the horizon, and what the legal community can do to help.
Features
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
Around Our Community
The Philadelphia Bar Association is partnering with Carpenters’ Hall historic site to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference in 2026. This June 1776 colonial gathering authorized the creation of Pennsylvania’s 1776 constitution and influenced the adoption of the Declaration of Independence just a week later. Due to the significance of this event, the Pennsylvania General Assembly has designated Carpenters’ Hall as the official birthplace of the Commonwealth.
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!
The Independence of our Judiciary, the third branch of government, is crucial to the continuance of our democracy. There are various threats and challenges to this important institution. This will be a conversation about these threats, and ways to support judicial independence.
The Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law and the UCLA School of Law co-host the Trial by Combat, the 1-on-1 collegiate mock trial national championship. This tournament aims to celebrate the best individual college competitors in the country—and identify the very best.
The eighth annual Trial by Combat will be held at Drexel Kline Law at the Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy on June 20-22, 2025. The field features the top 16 college mock trial competitors in the country. Here are the times of the trials (inclusive of check in and post-trial feedback):
Benefits and Partner Spotlight
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:
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.
Ready to hit the road this spring? Through your Philadelphia Bar Association Avis Car Rental Savings Program, you can save up to 25% off base rates on your rental. Whether you're heading out for a well-deserved spring break or planning a weekend adventure, your discount helps you get there for less.
Plus, enjoy extra perks when you enroll in Avis Preferred®, including:
Don’t wait, this offer is only valid from May 1 to May 22!
It's All in The Details
Be sure to use your Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number D423501!
Text PHILABARABG to 833.344.0228 to receive exclusive limited time offers.
Up to 43% off select major appliances and FREE DELIVERY on orders over $299.* Plus, take advantage of flexible financing options.**
*Offer valid 5/15/25-6/4/25. See Store for details.
This May, City Fitness is offering an exclusive deal for all new Corporate Members! You'll pay no dues until 6/6 and can take advantage of our amazing perks at any of our 8 locations at this unbeatable price. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to Brendan Fagan at (609) 254-9048.
Featured CLEs & Events
Check out these events from the Wellness Committee!
Join the Young Lawyers Division, Probate and Trust Law Section and the Tax Section for a happy hour at the Fitler Club. Network with section members over food and drinks and learn about all the Fitler Club has to offer.
Join the Philadelphia Bar Association's Family Law Section for a happy hour to celebrate the conclusion of the WRAP Court Law School Hygiene Drive in collaboration with Local Law Schools including: Temple Beasley School of Law, Villanova Charles Widger School of Law, Drexel Kline School of Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, Rutgers Camden School of Law, Penn State Dickenson School of Law, and Widener School of Law.
Please join us to mark the beginning of summer and a successful Law School Drive to collect hygiene items for youth involved in Philadelphia’s WRAP Court. In Philadelphia, WRAP Court, which stands for "Working to Restore Adolescent Power," is a specialty court within the Juvenile Division of the Philadelphia Family Court. It focuses on human trafficking and sex trafficking victims, particularly minors who have been through the dependency or delinquency systems. WRAP Court aims to provide specialized support and resources to these individuals, including trauma-informed care and a multidisciplinary team approach to address their unique needs.
Entry is free for members and law students who bring a hygiene item. We will be announcing the winners of our Drive who will be presented with a certificate. All those who bring a hygiene item will be given a ticket to our raffle to win one of 2 Raffle Baskets. Food and drink available for payment.
Get ready for an evening of connection and celebration at Water Works! Enjoy a lively atmosphere with a premium open bar, a generous reception-style menu, and music to set the mood.
We'll be recognizing our 2024 section chairs and proudly presenting the prestigious Irvin Stander Award to Connor J. Thomson, our 2025 recipient.
Come celebrate with us at the Family Law Section Summer Social at Uptown Beer Garden on Thursday, June 12th! It's a great chance to unwind, connect, and enjoy the company of your colleagues. With delicious food and refreshing drinks, we’ve got everything you need for a great time.
