For decades, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation has worked in close partnership with the civil legal aid community to advance equitable access to justice. As the legal services landscape and funding environment have evolved over time, the Foundation is proposing refinements to its grantmaking framework to better align funding approaches with organizational capacity, while remaining responsive, equitable, and preserving the stability of long‑standing partnerships. The proposed updates outlined in the link below are shared for public comment to invite feedback before any changes are finalized. The deadline is May 22.

Don't miss the opportunity to build a more perfect practice: Join us September 17-18 at the 2026 Philadelphia Bar Association Bench-Bar & Annual Conference!

This year, we are holding Bench-Bar in Philadelphia, to celebrate the unique history of our city and to highlight the lasting legacy of Philadelphia lawyers in our country's 250th year. Hone your skills with relevant and timely CLEs, hear from insightful and prominent speakers, and build relationships with your fellow legal professionals.

As the fight for justice continues, we all have a unique role to play. We hope you will join us to celebrate history, to affirm our commitment to democracy, and to enjoy learning and socializing with our community.

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!

Nominations are being accepted for Philadelphia Bar Association’s Large Firm Management Committee Public Service Awards to be presented to honor and recognize two young attorneys for their exceptional pro bono or public service work.

Nominations are due Friday, June 5.

This year's Bar Run will benefit the Anchors Foundation. Established in 2019 in honor of Carol Camp and her courageous fight against ovarian cancer, Anchors strives to ease the challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis by arranging household services for families navigating treatment, providing transportation and lodging for appointments, and funding ovarian cancer research.  

The Bar Run is a family friendly day that includes the 5K Run Individual Competition, 5K Run Team Competition, Philadelphia Bar Association Member Competition, and the Buchanan Kids Dash!

Have questions about team registration? Follow these step-by-step instructions: Team Leader Guide and Team Participant Guide

This year is a special one as the country celebrates its 250th birthday – with Philadelphia, as the birthplace of our nation, stepping into the spotlight. Last fall, Kathryn Ott Lovell, executive director of Philadelphia250, shared the vision, priorities, and progress of the city’s Semiquincentennial celebration.

Watch the video to learn how the legal community can meaningfully support and amplify the initiative. Gain insights into the strategic goals and civic impact of Philadelphia250, opportunities for engagement by firms and other legal organizations, sponsorship, and storytelling, and ways to align organizational values with the celebration’s themes of equity, innovation, and community.

If you have an ethics question, please call (215) 238-6328 and a member of the Professional Guidance Committee will assist you. 

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

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.

The Spring 2026 issue includes a conversation with the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, Zane David Memeger, the 2025 Hon. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “Pursuit of Justice” Legal Writing Competition winning essay, the 25th anniversary of Marshall Dennehey’s Advanced Trial Advocacy & Mock Trial Program, and much 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

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

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 few days ago, I had the pleasure of witnessing something that reminded me exactly why we chose this profession. On May 6, 2026, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia hosted the National Civics Bee—a competition bringing together middle school students from across our region to demonstrate their knowledge of American government, history, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The students were sharp, passionate, and genuinely engaged. The judges—civic leaders from across Philadelphia, including representatives from the Committee of Seventy, CEIBA, Founding Forward, PA Civics, and the legal community—were equally impressive. Watching it all unfold, I kept thinking: this is what the law is for. 

The Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators invites you to our Chapter Showcase on May 13 at The Pyramid Club. 

Our chapter membership includes more than 150 Law Firm Administrators, CEOs, CFOs, Office Managers, and other firm leaders from law firms throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding region. This event is a great opportunity to network with our members and business partners and learn about the many benefits membership in our Chapter has to offer law firms.

Registration is free.  

The Pyramid Club

May 13 4:30-7:30 PM

To secure your spot, please contact Kathleen Remetta at kremetta@weirlawllp.com to register.

For more information, please visit www.phila-ala.org or contact us at ala-bps@phia-ala.org.

The ABA Litigation Section invites you to attend a local, in-person reception welcoming our Class of 2026 JIOP Philadelphia/Delaware summer interns.

The 2026 Philadelphia JIOP Reception will take place at the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse on Monday, June 1 from 5:30 PM-7:00 PM. Please contact gail.howard@americanbar.org with any questions.

Your firm can also donate to the JIOP program at ambar.org/donateJIOP or send a check made out to the ‘ABA Fund for Justice and Education - JIOP’ to the attention of ‘ABA Section of Litigation - Jessica Urban--JIOP’ at 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654. For invoices, please send an email to Gail Howard gail.howard@americanbar.org with the subject line: PHILADELPHIA JIOP SPONSORSHIP

JIOP is a 501(c)(3) organization. As such, all JIOP contributions are considered a charitable contribution and are tax deductible.

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.

This May, power forward with the latest technology designed to keep pace with your ambition. From agile business laptops to high performance gaming and creator rigs, Lenovo delivers the performance, reliability, and innovation you need to move confidently into what’s next. Act now before the summer heat and earn My Lenovo Rewards with every purchase.

Offer valid 5/1/26 –5/31/26

Spring is here, and it’s time to mix and mingle!

Come out to Uptown Beer Garden on Wednesday, May 13 at 5:30pm with the Young Lawyers Division, Probate & Trust, and Tax Section for drinks, great conversation, and a chance to connect with fellow attorneys.

We hope to see you there!

Join the Solo and Small Firm Management Committee for happy hour on May 20 at 5:30pm! Location will be revealed shortly.

*advance registration is required*

Celebrate the season with colleagues and friends at a lively Spring Social designed for the Paralegals and Legal Professionals Committee. This will be an evening of connection, relaxation, and fun.

Join us at Independence Beer Garden located at 100 S Independence Mall W, Philadelphia, PA 19106 at 5:30 pm on May 21st. Enjoy views of the liberty bell, local libations and enjoyable yard games.

This event is hosted by the Paralegal & Legal Professionals Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association and is generously sponsored by Esquire Deposition Services. 

Please note: Attendance includes Philadelphia Bar Association members and invited guests of Esquire Deposition Services.

Come celebrate with us at the Family Law Section Summer Social at Uptown Beer Garden on Thursday, June 4th! 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.

*advance registration is required*

Thank you to our sponsor, All State Investigations!

Get ready for an evening of connection and celebration at the Downtown Club! 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 2025 section chairs and proudly presenting the prestigious Irvin Stander Award to our 2026 recipient.

Enjoy live music from Tribute To The Legends and experience the creativity of Marshall Marshall James Kavanaugh, the Dream Poet For Hire, who will be crafting personalized poetry live during the event.

*advance registration is required*