By Rachel Kipp, Diana George, and Caroline Plunkett
We chatted with Christie Jones, executive director of the Philadelphia Bar Association, to discuss the challenges, achievements, and lessons she’s learned since stepping into the role. Her experience offers valuable insight into leadership at a transformative moment. Through this conversation, she shares her perspectives on what it means to her to lead, adapt, and build momentum during that critical first year—laying the groundwork for the Association’s future success.
Q; What has been your proudest moment in the past year as executive director?
A: I’ve had many proud moments since joining the Bar! I am consistently proud of the Bar Association staff and the work they do. Their dedication to serving our members and supporting the profession—both in Philadelphia and across the region—continually impresses me. Any organization would be fortunate to have a team as committed and capable as the Bar’s.
I’m also deeply proud of the leadership of Immediate Past Chancellor Kathy Jaffari and current Chancellor Ezra Wohlgelernter. The legal profession is facing extraordinarily challenging times, as the rule of law and the roles of lawyers, the judiciary, and bar associations are being questioned. Throughout this moment, Kathy and Ezra have been unwavering in their commitment to defending those institutions and ensuring that the rule of law is not undermined.
My pride in the Philadelphia Bar Association will continue unabated into 2027, when the Association celebrates its 225th anniversary and welcomes its 100th Chancellor, Kristine Calalang, who will be the Association’s first Asian American woman Chancellor.
Personally, an extraordinary moment was being named a City & State’s 2026 Black Trailblazer. As the first Black woman to serve as executive director, I see that recognition as both a personal milestone and a meaningful moment for the Bar. To me, it reflects the Bar Association’s commitment to inclusivity and to advancing justice across Philadelphia’s diverse legal community and the broader region.
Q: What is something you learned about the Philadelphia Bar Association in the past year that you did not know when you accepted the position?
A: The reality is that no one fully knows what the role will demand until they are in it. Over the past year, I’ve learned a tremendous amount, and I expect that learning to continue. In this position, learning never really stops.
Much of that learning centers on the evolving needs of our members. Those needs shift as Philadelphia’s legal community grows and changes - shaped by demographic trends, rapidly developing technologies, changes in law school and law firm recruitment, and a stronger interest in advocacy and community engagement.
I was once told that the Philadelphia Bar Association must be all things to all members. A large part of this role is continuing to learn how to meet that challenge thoughtfully and well.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Bar associations across the country are working to remain relevant to the legal communities. Our members are asking, “Why should I join?” and it is my responsibility to ensure that lawyers, judges, and others in the legal profession see clear value in joining the Philadelphia Bar Association. Keeping the organization meaningful to the community is constantly top of mind.
Like many executive directors of nonprofit membership organizations, I also think a great deal about the budget. We have long been in an era of doing more with less, and keeping the Bar Association on sound financial footing is a constant priority.
Q: What are your goals for your second year? What about the next five years?
A: Over the next five years, my focus is on strengthening the Bar Association’s organizational foundation while ensuring it remains relevant to lawyers across Philadelphia and at every stage of practice. The Bar’s 225-year legacy is an extraordinary asset. The opportunity—and the challenge—is to honor that legacy while responding thoughtfully to the needs of today’s lawyers, regardless of practice area or demographic.
As executive director, I’ll be focused on building the structures, practices, and procedures that allow the Bar Association to respond nimbly to changing member needs while operating effectively and efficiently. This work will be further shaped through the Bar’s upcoming strategic planning process led by the Board of Governors.
In the coming year, I am especially excited to celebrate the Bar Association’s 225th anniversary. My goal is to support the Bar and its leadership in honoring an institution whose history is nearly as old as the nation itself.
Q: How has your leadership style evolved over the past year?
A: The Philadelphia Bar Association is a distinctive organization that calls for thoughtful, engaged leadership. I inherited a strong foundation from my predecessors, including Harvey Hurdle and Kenneth Shear, whose long and distinguished tenures helped shape the Bar. Over the past year, I have worked to build on that legacy while growing more confident in making the role my own.
I continue to learn what works and what doesn’t, and over the past year my leadership has grown in both focus and approach. I’ve placed a strong emphasis on listening to both staff and members so I can make better decisions and build trust. I’ve also become more intentional in how I communicate expectations and vision.
Q: What was the most unexpected challenge you faced, and how did you navigate it?
A: The most unexpected challenge is a personal one: being farther from my family. We are extremely close-knit, and even though they are only about three hours away in the Washington, DC, metro area, not seeing them three or four times a week has been difficult.
My niece is growing so quickly, and she brings me enormous joy, so I feel that distance especially deeply. Still, her steady stream of artwork and our weekly WhatsApp calls have made the transition much easier.
Q: What have you learned about yourself in this role?
A: This role has helped me better understand both my strengths and my areas for growth. During the Bar Association staff retreat in January, I learned that I am energized by identifying where the organization can improve and by assessing whether an idea or solution is practical and worthwhile. I am drawn to big ideas and to the possibility of meaningful change.
At the same time, I have learned that I benefit from support in turning those ideas into clear, manageable steps. While I bring deep commitment, strong focus, and high standards to the work, I have also recognized the importance of pacing myself, delegating more intentionally, and not taking on too much alone. I am fortunate to have a team that is exceptionally skilled in execution, and I have come to better appreciate how much they value collaboration and input.
Q: How do you define success now compared to when you started?
A: For me, success comes down to engagement - how actively members and other legal professionals connect with the Bar Association, participate in the Philadelphia legal community, and contribute to the broader profession.
Our members are the Bar Association’s strongest ambassadors. Success means making sure the Association is helping them become better lawyers and giving them meaningful reasons to share the value of membership with others.
Q: What have you learned about Philadelphia this year? Do you have a favorite place in the city?
A: I love Philadelphia. There is so much to admire about the city: its walkability, its blend of history and modern life, and its neighborhoods, each with a character that feels like a small city of its own. I adore how global Philadelphia feels, bringing together people and influences from around the world.
While I am still discovering the city, Reading Terminal Market has quickly become one of my favorite places. It is not just the variety of food that draws me in, but also the communal spirit of the place. People from all walks of life gather there, and that energy makes it feel especially vibrant.
Q: How has your previous role informed what you are doing at the Association? How has your perspective on the judiciary or the legal profession changed since starting in the job?
A: In my previous role, I engaged with the judiciary from a broad, high-level perspective. The International Association of Women Judges brought together women judges from around the world, many of whom were the first to serve in that capacity in their countries, to support and empower one another.
By contrast, the Philadelphia Bar Association is a two-century-old professional organization that not only serves the legal community but also advocates for it. While my previous role expanded my view of judicial practice globally, this role has sharpened my understanding of how the judiciary operates within Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth, and of the direct effect that work has on the people it serves.
Being executive director of the Philadelphia Bar Association has given me a more nuanced perspective and a deeper respect for the balance judges must maintain among independence, accountability, and public trust. I have become more aware of the pressures facing the legal profession, from political and physical threats to structural challenges involving access and equity. That has reinforced for me the importance of the Association not only as a service provider, but also as a leader in shaping the future of the profession.
