For the better part of a decade the Family Court Help Center, staffed by Philadelphia Legal Assistance, has provided help to pro se litigants in family court. That vital assistance is in jeopardy due to the impending expiration of dedicated funding that will not be renewed. A working group from the Bar Association's Civil Gideon and Access to Justice Task Force has been meeting regularly for several months to secure short-term funding for this important resource and planning efforts to obtain reliable support for years to come. You can do your part by donating to PLA!

A Research Project examining mental wellness of women lawyers was recently launched under the direction of the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, which must be completed before the extended deadline of Dec. 17, 2025. As a part of the research, a virtual Survey has been launched and the results from the Survey will be helpful in not only determining experiences of men and women who are or have previously practiced law in the U.S. but also, will provide the researchers with valuable information to formulate recommendations for developing solutions for those experiencing mental wellness challenges and creating more equitable workplaces for all attorneys. The primary purpose of this survey is to collect perspectives from women/females and men/males in the legal profession about stressors in their workplace, what they do for self-care, and ways their employer responds to these situations and promotes wellness. 

Thanks to Kathleen Wilkinson, Special Advisor to the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession and a co-chair of its Mental Wellness Committee for bringing this to our attention. Kathleen previously served as Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar and President of the Pennsylvania Bar. 

Ballots for 2025 Philadelphia Bar Association elections were emailed to all members in good standing on Monday, November 24. Participating in the elections is your chance to have a say in the future leadership of our community. Use the guide to make an informed decision and cast your ballot.

A proposed amended version of the Philadelphia Bar Association bylaws were adopted by the Board of Governors at the September 16, 2025, meeting (pursuant to Section 12.1.1.1 of the current bylaws) and are being submitted to the membership per Section 12.1.2. The amended bylaws will be presented to the membership for approval as part of our upcoming Bar election.

DEADLINE APPROACHING – Sign up by Feb. 1! New: Discounts available for public interest attorney members!

Travel with us to Alabama and Georgia and listen as participants in the Civil Rights movement tell their stories. Hear from insightful faculty about how legal cases and doctrine from the time still resonate today. Be inspired to continue the fight for equal access to justice. 

We would like to recognize and thank all of the volunteer attorneys who participated in the Pro Bono Challenge throughout the month of October! See list below.

Thank you for attending our Annual Meeting and year-end Section and Committee events throughout November and December!

We hope you enjoyed these opportunities to network with your colleagues and celebrate your fellow legal professionals! More events to come.

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**.

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 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!

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.

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

The Fall 2025 issue includes a part two of stories from members of their experiences as children of immigrants. You can also get to know the new executive director of the Philadelphia Bar Association, Christie Jones. Members also shared their favorite hobbies outside of work to help them feel rejuvenated and prevent burnout.

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

Dozens of members of the Bar filled the conference room on October 17, 2025 for the Workers’ Compensation Section’s October 2025 CLE: “Legends of Workers’ Compensation: A Look Back and Ahead on the Workers’ Compensation Adjudication System.” 

It’s Saturday or Sunday morning, and you and your significant other want to grab some brunch, but you are simply tired of the usuals; been there, done that. We suggest you give Café Lyft a shot.  

This is my last column as the president of the Bar Foundation as my term ends on December 31. I will be succeeded by Josh Snyder, who has served the Foundation for many years and in many capacities including as vice president. I know that the Bar Foundation is in good hands with Josh at the helm, and I am excited to see the heights that he and the Foundation will reach. I will continue to be engaged in the Foundation and look forward to helping in ways that I can. 

Volunteer for La Salle Mock Trial Association's 2026 Blue & Gold Annual Invitational and Drexel University’s 12th Annual Dragon Mock Trial Invitational.

The Support Center for Child Advocates is gearing up for one of our most meaningful annual traditions: Gift Card Drive Delivery Day. We are seeking volunteers to help deliver gift cards directly to the children and caregivers we serve across Philadelphia.

Delivery Day is a powerful moment of connection and compassion, and we couldn’t do it without dedicated volunteers who are willing to be the friendly face representing Child Advocates at each doorstep.

Volunteer Role: Gift Card Driver & Distributor

Date: Saturday, December 13
Time Commitment: Approximately 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Starting Location: Support Center for Child Advocates
1617 JFK Blvd, Suite 1200
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Volunteers will pick up gift card envelopes at our office that morning and drive to several homes throughout Philadelphia to deliver them directly to caregivers.

What You’ll Need

• Valid driver’s license
• Personal vehicle
• Fully charged phone (for GPS)
• Warm clothing and comfortable shoes

Ready to Volunteer?

If you’re able to join us, please contact Jmoore@phila.gov  so we can begin confirming drivers and preparing routes. You may also indicate if you prefer deliveries in certain neighborhoods—we will do our best to accommodate. Your time and kindness directly touch the lives of more than 1,400 children and youth this season. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make the holidays brighter for the families we serve.

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.

Celebrate the season with us! On December 9, the Family Law Section Annual Reception returns to the elegant Arts Ballroom. Reconnect with friends, enjoy good company. We will also recognize the Honorable Deborah Canty, our 2025 recipient of the Herbert R. Weiman Sr. & Jr. Award 

Celebrate the holiday season with the State Civil Litigation Section at the Pyramid Club, where you can enjoy an evening of camaraderie, an open bar, and hors d'oeuvres as we recognize this year’s honorees. The event will feature an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award given in remembrance of Judge Angelo J. Foglietta, as well as the presentation of the Bonavitacola Award to Justice Kevin M. Dougherty.

The Criminal Justice Section invites you to its Annual Holiday Gathering and Awards Ceremony. Join colleagues and friends for an evening celebrating the presentation of the Thurgood Marshall Award, the Henry Czajkowski Award, and the Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson Community Justice Engagement Award, recognizing outstanding service and commitment to justice.

Join the Young Lawyers Division on Thursday, December 17 at 6:00pm! This year's holiday party will be held in the Burnham Ballroom at the Kimpton Palomar. We will welcome our 2026 YLD Chair and celebrate Damali Martin, recipient of the Craig M. Perry Service Award; Elizabeth Perez, recipient of the F. Sean Peretta Service Award, and the Community Legal Services - Justice Rising Advocates, 2025 recipients of the the Vision Award.