The Philadelphia Bar Association applauds retired Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman on the naming of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Philadelphia Courtroom in her honor.

Thanks to all of our members who joined us for Philadelphia Bar Association Night at the Phillies! We had a fantastic evening together cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies as they faced the New York Mets. Your energy, camaraderie, and support made the night a true home run!

xx

Let's support our brave and dedicated U.S. service members this holiday season and show them how much the Philadelphia Bar Association cares! We are hosting a bar-wide donation drive to collect funds from the members of our Sections, Committees, Board of Governors, and Bar Staff with the challenge to see what group can show our service members the most love and gratitude. 

The Philadelphia Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service helps you expand your client base with a trusted service that has been serving the City for more than 70 years

• Get prescreened and vetted referrals in your practice area(s), with the flexibility to fit your schedule and caseload
• Make thousands of dollars extra each year
• Expand your reach, while also growing access to justice for all Philadelphians

Take advantage of our free trial period for new LRIS panel attorneys now until 12/31! We especially need attorneys for the Employment (especially union and wage & hour) and Insurance (especially health insurance) panels!

The Philadelphia Bar Association invites you and your guest(s) to join our journey through Portugal’s Old-World allure and New World splendor. Our immersive program will engage with local attorneys, scholars, and artists offering poignant commentary on the Portuguese and E.U. legal and political systems, U.S.-Portuguese trade relations, Portuguese constitutional law, art, history, architecture, religion, and much more. You do not want to miss this opportunity to experience the heart of Portugal with the ability to earn up to 7.0 substantive CLE credits**.

Join the American Heart Association along with your colleagues, family, friends and neighbors as we come together to inspire healthy living, mental health awareness and overall well-being. Whether in-person or through a digital experience, we're going to touch more hearts, move more feet and raise more lifesaving funds than ever before through the Philadelphia Heart Walk.

The American Heart Association is committed to driving equitable health impact in our community. Equity is always at the center of our work, and it will continue to guide all that we do. By participating in the Heart Walk, your lifesaving dollars will fund research, address food insecurity and access to healthcare, and help us to better understand the root causes of health inequity in our region.

We have created the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Lawyers Have Heart Team and are hoping to get all sections/committees/Board of governors/law firms to create teams within the larger Philadelphia Bar Association “Company”

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

We take pride in supporting legal professionals in Philadelphia at every stage of their careers. Our members' experiences highlight the value of the Philadelphia Bar Association's resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts. Whether you're a seasoned attorney, a recent law school graduate, or a law student preparing for the future, our community is here to help you thrive. Read what our members have to say about how the Philadelphia Bar Association has positively impacted their professional journeys.

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!

Looking for a low-commitment and rewarding way to give back to the community? Volunteer with the Probate and Trust Law Section’s Diversity Committee as we join SeniorLAW Center to co-host an in-person pro bono Life Planning Clinic! The clinic will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 9:30 am to 1 pm at Stradley Ronon Stevens and Young, 2005 Market Street Floor 26, Philadelphia, PA . Members of the Probate and Trust Law Section are encouraged to donate their specialized skills to help low-income Philadelphians avoid guardianships and tangled title, preserve generational wealth, and ensure their wishes are respected.

At the Clinic, volunteer attorneys will draft simple life planning documents for elderly low-income Philadelphia clients, including simple wills, health care powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney and living wills. Document templates will be provided, and virtual training will be provided prior to the day of the event. Volunteer attorneys will meet with clients to draft their documents. Local law students are also invited to join the attorneys as volunteers to coordinate the drafting of documents in real time at the meeting!  In addition, we are looking for 2 notary volunteers.  If you have a notary in your office who can assist, please indicate as much in your sign-up email to the organizer, as detailed below.  There is no additional commitment beyond spending the morning drafting the documents with SeniorLAW Center’s clients.

If you are interested in volunteering for this Clinic, please email Chloe Mullen-Wilson at CMullen-Wilson@TimoneyKnox.com by Friday, September 19, 2025. 

We hope you will consider joining us for this opportunity to assist the community. There is high demand for these clinics – your efforts will be greatly appreciated by clients who would otherwise not have access to this important service.

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

The Summer 2025 issue includes stories from members of their experiences as children of immigrants. Members also share about their civil rights journey trip where they followed in the footsteps of the Civil Rights Movement as they traveled to Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. You'll also read about pro bono success stories - the first of a series of “pro bono success stories” which highlight the essential needs of pro bono clients and the transformative impact of work by our public interest law centers and dedicated legal volunteers.

How does your firm or organization train young lawyers? What resources and training opportunities does your firm provide? We’d love to hear from members from a range of different firms – small, mid-size, and large.

Share your submissions with us in 300-500 words to be featured in the Winter issue of The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine!

Email communications@philabar.org with your submission and headshot by November 7.

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

The Philadelphia bench has grown again this summer with the addition of a new Workers’ Compensation Judge: Eastern Pennsylvania native Robert Rachlin. Learn more about her background in this month's Workers Compensation Section's article.

Consider judging Battle of the Experts, the law school mock trial competition hosted by Drexel Kline Law on Friday, 9/19 through Sunday, 9/21 at the Kline Institute of Trial Advocacy at 1200 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19107.

Here are the times of rounds (inclusive of check in and post-trial feedback):

Round 1: Friday, 9/19, 8:40 am - 12:15 pm

Round 2: Friday, 9/19, 1:40 pm - 5:15 pm

Round 3: Saturday, 9/20, 8:40 am - 12:15 pm

Round 4: Saturday, 9/20, 1:40 pm - 5:15 pm

Semi-Final: Sunday, 9/21, 8:40 am - 12:15 pm

Judge orientation will be held via Zoom on the evening of Monday, 9/15 at 7 PM. You may attend or watch a recording of the orientation prior to the tournament.   

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

Please join us at our 35th Annual Scholarship Reception which will be held on September 25, 2025 at The Lucy!

In addition to honoring our scholarship recipients, we will be also be celebrating Renee Garcia, City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia, as our honoree for the event.  

The next two months at VIP are filled with trainings, clinics, and other opportunities for both new and returning volunteers to connect with VIP! Check out the calendar 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.

Save up to 40% OFF select major appliances and FREE DELIVERY on orders over $399*

Save an additional 10%^† with code SALE10.

*Offer valid 9/11/25 – 10/1/25. See Store for details.

As we move into the later stages of 2025, employer-sponsored healthcare is undergoing a dramatic transformation driven by technology, cost pressures, and shifting workforce expectations. Traditional models focused solely on insurance coverage are giving way to holistic, data-driven strategies that prioritize prevention, personalization, and accessibility.

Check out these events from the Wellness Committee!

Join us for a roundtable panel and reception with two attorneys, two paralegals, and a moderator to discuss the relationship between attorneys and paralegals, what each do, how paralegals are not glorified secretaries, and how trust is the cornerstone of effective legal advocacy.

Enjoy an insightful conversation, drinks and light bites. 

Thanks to our sponsors:

Join the YLD and Brandeis Law Society at Bochetto & Lentz, 1524 Locust St., for an evening of connection and conversation at our happy hour. This gathering offers the opportunity to expand your professional network and strengthen relationships with colleagues across the legal community. Enjoy drinks, light refreshments, and engaging discussions in a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to meet new contacts or reconnect with familiar faces, this event is a great way to build lasting connections!

Thanks to our sponsors: 

Join your friends with the Probate and Trust Law Section and their families and guests as the Philadelphia Union take on the New England Revolution at Subaru Park!

Thank you to our sponsor

In today’s increasingly polarized social and political climate, law firms face a growing tension between the responsibility to foster psychologically safe workplaces and the perceived risks of speaking out on divisive issues. At the same time, lawyers and legal professionals are experiencing rising rates of stress, burnout, and moral fatigue – challenges that are exacerbated by workplace cultures that may remain silent during times of societal upheaval.