By Katayun I. Jaffari
Each year on Constitution Day, September 17th, we commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution. As a Philadelphian, who lives and works is this great city, I am proud that this transformative document was created and executed in the place of brotherly love and sisterly affection.
The United States Constitution is the bedrock of our republic – if we can keep it, so famously asserted by Benjamin Franklin on September 17, 1787. So the story goes, as Franklin was leaving the Constitutional Convention on this day, he was asked by Elizabeth Willing Powel, the wife of the Mayor of Philadelphia, what type of government had been created. Franklin replied, "A republic, madam, if you can keep it". History has demonstrated that the quote expressed a warning to the new formed United States that the efforts of its citizens to survive and thrive would require constant vigilance and participation. We have learned that Franklin was highlighting the fragility of a republic government which can easily devolve into a dictatorship if not actively maintained by the people. Franklin warned us all that the people themselves, through their own excesses or apathy, have the ability to undermine the government.
For those of us in the legal profession we know the importance of civic engagement and that, “We the People” is more than a phrase – it’s a commitment to the rule of law and the passion we, as lawyers, judges, and legal professionals, have for always working toward justice for all. As Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, I have reflected often this year on how the ideals of the Constitution continue to guide us as well as challenge us, particularly in times of division and uncertainty.
On this year’s Constitution Day, I had the privilege of speaking at the Naturalization Ceremony at the National Constitution Center. My own connection to that moment was deeply personal. I am the daughter of two naturalized citizens who came to the United States from Iran in pursuit of freedom and opportunity. My father, Mohammed Jaffari, took his Oath of Allegiance in New York more than 50 years ago; my mother, Parvaneh Shokrahe, in Philadelphia 40 years ago in 1985. I still have my mother’s original naturalization certificate as well as the program from her ceremony– which includes the prominent ad for the Bar Association’s lawyer referral service. The naturalization certificate and the program are powerful reminders of the sacrifices and dreams of my parents that shaped my life and career.
My parents believed fiercely in the promise of the United States. This year I, as many of you, have had concerns about whether our country continues to deliver on that promise for all. Yet in moments of doubt, I return to the resilience of our profession and the people who carry forward the ideals upon which this Association was founded in 1802 – respect for the rule of law, importance of the independence of the legal profession and our judiciary, and the ongoing fight for equal access to justice for all. My parents believed their daughters would have the opportunity to raise their voices and speak out against injustice. I am proud to do so each and every day.
As Chancellor, I am proud of our Association and its members. Together, we have defended judicial independence, called out threats to democracy, and ensured that the Association remains a voice of conscience for our city and the region.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all who supported the work of our Meeting the Moment efforts. We, as a collective, convened, collaborated and communicated to promote the rule of law while defending our democracy.
I am proud of all of the statements we made to support these ideals. As well as our:
· Amicus Advocacy: We signed onto four amicus briefs in support of law firms targeted by executive orders. Federal judges struck down all four executive orders.
· Public Engagement: Through our Meeting the Moment series, we hosted conversations on immigration, the federal funding freeze, LGBTQ+ rights, education, disability rights, the rule of law and diversity, equity and inclusion. These events drew hundreds of participants and fostered vital community dialogue.
· Legal Education & Resources: We created a public clearinghouse of “Know the Law” and “Know Your Rights” materials and joined a national Law Day of Action on May 1, where more than 400 Philadelphia legal professionals retook their attorneys’ oaths at City Hall.
· Advocacy for Judicial Independence: We have spoken out on issues threatening the judiciary and broader legal profession, ensuring the legal community's voice is clearly heard.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding in 2026, the words of the Constitution continue to challenge and inspire us. I often reflect on the concept of “Awe”, a theme explored by Dr. Dacher Keltner in Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Awe reminds us to look beyond ourselves and find wonder in our shared humanity. Dr. Keltner shares: “[b]y finding awe, from our first breath to our last, awe moves us to deepen our relations with the wonders of life and to marvel mysteries that are part of our fleeting time here, guided by this most human of emotions.”
I am in awe of one of the most importance wonders of life that I see in our members – the strength, courage and kindness of others. The work of our Association, and of our profession, is rooted in this sense of collective awe: in our enduring system of laws, in the daily acts of justice performed by our colleagues, and in our shared pursuit of a better, more equitable future.
While we can never stop fighting for our republic, as I told the audience at our Summer Quarterly, I find hope in the strength of our legal community and in its resilience, its passion, and its commitment to “We the People.”
Katayun I. Jaffari is 2025 Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. You can email her at chancellor@philabar.org.
