The Philadelphia Bar Association continues to stand up for the right of lawyers and law firms a to practice law without intimidation or fear of retribution. On Friday, the Association once again joined over a dozen bar associations in signing onto two additional amicus briefs in support of Jenner & Block and WilmerHale in their lawsuits against the administration.

The Philadelphia Bar Association has joined the New York City Bar Association and more than a dozen metro and affinity legal trade associations in filing an amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie LLP’s motion for summary judgement in response to the Trump administration executive order targeting the firm.

The Philadelphia Bar Association Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention has released its 2025 slate of recommendations for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia Municipal Court and for candidates based in Philadelphia, statewide appellate courts.

The Philadelphia Bar Association has joined fellow bar associations in signing onto an American Bar Association statement in support of the rule of law and a second statement, prepared by the New York City Bar Association, supporting the independence of the legal profession and the judiciary.

Celebrate individuals and groups making a positive impact on our community!

Achievement Award 
To be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting on December 10, 2025
Description: The Award recognizes significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice (preferably in Philadelphia.)
Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2025

Philadelphia Bar Association Executive Director Harvey Hurdle is the 2025 recipient of the Arthur J. Birdsall Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Conference of County Bar Leaders (CCBL). The award recognizes bar executives who have been faithful stewards of bar traditions, who are committed to the success of their organizations, and who have significantly enhanced the profile of their bar association.

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Katayun I. Jaffari issued a statement in memory of Honorable Phyllis W. Beck, retired judge of the Superior Court who died on March 3.

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Katayun Jaffari issued a statement condemning recent attacks on judicial independence, including calls for the impeachment of judges and attempts to limit judicial oversight, and the executive order by the President revoking the security clearance of attorneys of the law firm Covington & Burling as punitive action arising from the firm’s representation of former special counsel Jack Smith, who had led investigations into President Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection and his handling of classified documents.

Watch the Video: The Philadelphia Bar Association held a hybrid event, “Meeting the Moment: Focus on Immigration,” on Wednesday, February 19. The event focused on the state of the law and the impact of new policies at the federal level on Philadelphia legal services agencies and immigration attorneys/organizations and the clients they serve. The event featured keynote remarks from and a fireside chat with U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D.-Pa.) and a panel discussion with speakers working directly with immigrant communities and on immigration issues and litigation.

The Philadelphia Bar Association’s 98th Chancellor, Katayun Jaffari, has been named one of the recipients of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s annual Diversity in Business award. Jaffari and other honorees was celebrated at a luncheon today, Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Museum of the American Revolution and will be profiled in a special issue of the Business Journal tomorrow.