2026 Bench-Bar & Annual Conference
1776-2026: The Fight for Justice Continues! Earn up to 9.5 CLE/CJE* credits
Thu, September 17, 2026
9:00 AM to
Fri, September 18, 2026
7:00 PM ET
The Conference provides a lively and informal environment to network and earn up to 9.5 CLE/CJE* credits. Join Philadelphia Bar Association members, judges, and colleagues for an entertaining and educational experience at the W Hotel in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 17 and Friday, September 18, 2026. We offer two ways to experience the CLE programming, virtually on Thursday, September 17th with concurrent sessions from 9:30a - 1:20p, and then in-person on Friday, September 18th for concurrent sessions from 9:00a - 5:15p, including a brunch and closing plenary, with breaks in the day to socialize with and thank our sponsors, as well as take advantage of the headshot lounge and connect with colleagues and friends.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, AUGUST 21st!
With up to 27 sessions being presented, this year's conference affords lawyers and judges the ability to earn up to 9.5 CLE credits (CJE* credits pending) that offer something for everyone. Thanks to the brilliance of our sections, committees and members, the conference will highlight some engaging, timely, thought-provoking topics that explore legislative updates, updates in the law, as well as challenges and complex issues facing the legal profession.
Thursday, September 17:
Begins with a half-day of exceptional virtual CLE programming offering the opportunity to earn up to 3.0 CLE/CJE* credits. More to come regarding CLE session titles/topics.
Virtual Programming schedule:
- 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. - Conference Welcome, CLE Admin Announcements, and Sponsor Commercial
- 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. - Concurrent CLE Sessions (3 from which to choose)
- 10:45 - 10:55 a.m. - Sponsor Commercial & A/V Break
- 10:55 - 11:55 a.m. - Concurrent CLE Sessions (3 from which to choose)
- 11:55 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. - Sponsor Commercial & A/V Break
- 12:05 - 1:05 p.m. - Concurrent CLE Sessions (3 from which to choose)
- 1:05 - 1:20 p.m. - Administrative Announcements and remarks to close virtual CLE programming
Kick-off in-person Bench Bar interaction on Thursday afternoon from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. with networking and a sponsor showcase, where attendees meet and greet our sponsors, and connect with colleagues before the evening program begins. The evening boasts our Constitution Day program, Brennan Award presentation and reception from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. More details to come in the coming weeks.
Friday, September 18:
Friday's exciting, timely and contemporary educational topics provide our attendees with an opportunity to earn up to 6.5 CLE/CJE* credits. The day's schedule starts at 8:00 a.m. with registration and a continental breakfast before the two sets of concurrent sessions begin at 9:00 and 10:15 a.m. Then attend the Friday brunch at 11:15 a.m., with conference remarks and a 1-hour CLE plenary beginning at 11:45 a.m., followed by two sets of concurrent sessions at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. You may also enjoy a networking and social break from 2:30-3:00 p.m., before finishing the educational portion of Friday with a closing plenary at 4:15 p.m. We conclude the conference from 5:15 - 7:00 p.m. with Sponsor Passport raffle drawings, closing remarks, and a networking cocktail reception.
Engaging Plenary Sessions:
Our CLE plenaries kick off at brunch on Friday 9/18 (11:15 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.) with a session addressing Preserving the Right to Vote and Election Integrity in Pennsylvania. Then, the Friday closing plenary (4:15 - 5:15 p.m.) is presented by Melissa E. Murray, academic and legal scholar, leading expert in Constitutional Law, and the Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law and the faculty director of the Birnbaum Women's Leadership Center at New York University School of Law. She is the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary, cohost of a top-ranked podcast, Strict Scrutiny—which is about the Supreme Court and the legal culture that surrounds it—and a regular commentator on MSNBC.
Don't miss the Association's signature event of year!
More details to be added in the coming days and weeks.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Marquee Sponsor:
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Diamond Sponsor(s):
Platinum Sponsor(s):
Gold Sponsor(s):
Silver Sponsor(s):
Friends of the Bar Sponsor(s) & In Kind:
Looking to become a sponsor? Please contact:
Jen McAuliffe, Partnership Coordinator
jmcauliffe@philabar.org
Thank you to our Annual Partners:
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In-Person:
W Philadelphia
Great Room + Foyer
1439 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Virtual:
Via LIVE Webcast on your computer, tablet or smart phone
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing, via email, to Tara Phoenix at tphoenix@philabar.org and Allie Hooven at ahooven@philabar.org. The amount refunded for cancellation is dependent upon the date the cancellation request is received. Cancellation requests received on or before August 21, full refund less a $50 processing fee. Cancellation requests received August 22 through September 15, 50% of the total registration fee will be refunded. Cancellations received after Sept. 15 are 100% NON-refundable.
Cancellation Questions: Contact Allie Hooven at ahooven@philabar.org or 215.238.6367 or Tara Phoenix at tphoenix@philabar.org or 215.238.6349.