By Ezra Wohlgelernter
When you are the junior member of a team, it can be difficult to see a clear path to the moment when you will be “first chair” – whether that means leading a trial or stepping into a senior role at your firm, organization, or public office.
Many of our members remember that stage of their careers well. As someone who has traveled that path and watched many others do the same, I can say there is no single route to professional growth in our profession. But there is a guiding principle that applies at every stage: continually ask yourself a simple question – “How can I make myself valuable?”
For young trial lawyers, it is important never to view serving as second chair as a demotion. It is one of the most valuable positions a lawyer can hold. From that seat, you can observe closely, learn strategy in real time, and benefit from the mentorship of experienced advocates. Lawyers who listen carefully, proactively anticipate the team's needs, and step forward with a simple “I’ll handle that” often discover that their preparation, judgment, and initiative do not go unnoticed.
Our Association is committed to helping lawyers at every stage develop those skills and find opportunities to grow. Through section and committee involvement, continuing legal education, and mentoring initiatives, the Philadelphia Bar Association provides members with leadership opportunities and a forum for exchanging practical knowledge and professional insight. These experiences not only strengthen our profession but also help members bring new ideas, skills, and confidence back to their workplaces.
For lawyers early in their careers – or for experienced attorneys entering a new practice area – our CLE programs regularly offer practical instruction on litigation practice, and the various roles lawyers play in the courtroom. Many of these programs feature judges who preside over our cases and seasoned advocates who once stood where you stand today.
Our Young Lawyers Trial Academy, now entering its fourth year, is another way members can sharpen their advocacy skills while discovering the value they bring to the courtroom. Likewise, this year’s Bench-Bar Conference, which will take place this September in Philadelphia, will include new skills-based tracks designed to provide deeper training and practical insights across a range of practice areas.
Equally important are the informal opportunities these programs create. Speak with almost any group of members, and you will hear stories about a new job discovered at Bench-Bar, a career pivot inspired by a CLE program, or a leadership opportunity that began with service on a committee of the Association. Time and again, members tell us that their involvement here helped them grow into leadership roles – including that long-anticipated “first chair” position.
Above all, never lose sight of the fact that your greatest professional asset is you. Each of us brings a unique perspective, set of experiences, and approach to problem-solving. That difference is not a liability; it is often the very insight that helps a client, a colleague, or a court see a problem in a new way. As leaders in the profession, we should encourage those perspectives and continue building workplaces – and a bar association – where lawyers at every stage can learn, contribute, and thrive.
Together, by investing in our own growth and in one another, we strengthen both our profession and the community we serve.
Ezra Wohlgelernter is the 2026 Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He can be reached at chancellor@philabar.org.
