By Wesley R. Payne IV
The Merriam-Webster U.S. dictionary describes a “Philadelphia Lawyer” as follows:
The reputation of the Philadelphia lawyer dates back to the Colonial period when our legal system was in its infancy and lawyers had to be especially astute. Many noted attorneys seem to have hailed from early Philadelphia, and probably no single lawyer is the source of the term, but several had been suggested. Although not strictly a lawyer, Benjamin Franklin is sometimes claimed to have inspired the expression through his cunning and diplomatic negotiations with the British and French. Another possible source is the Scottish-American Philadelphia attorney, Andrew Hamilton, who famously got newspaper publisher John Peter Zenger acquitted of libel charges in 1735, paving the way for the principal of freedom of the press in the process.
The term denotes a very capable lawyer, especially one learned in all legal techniques and tactics. An attorney willing to evaluate a legal issue, develop a competent strategy, act upon strong convictions and, at the end of the day, positively develop the law and the practice of law fully and completely.
This ideal of the Philadelphia Lawyer who is competent, compassionate and willing to do the right thing is the ideal that we always hear about. As a law student in Maryland and not thinking at the time that I would practice in Philadelphia, this mythical individual is what I thought about when I heard the term Philadelphia Lawyer. Fast-forward a few years, and practicing in Philadelphia was no longer a dream, but a reality for me and has been for the last 31 years. Over that time period, I have had the opportunity to work with many Philadelphia Lawyers on a daily basis – those that live up to the standard and beyond.
Many of these individuals are the ones that sparked my interest in the Philadelphia Bar Association. They are the hard-working attorneys that get up each and every day and focus their attention on their duties and responsibilities on behalf of their clients and the legal system. The attorneys that will not rest until the best-possible result is obtained on behalf of the client and the betterment of the legal system is obtained. They are leaders who want the best for the legal system and go the extra mile to make the system better. In short, a Philadelphia Lawyer is not merely one who seeks the best result, but one that seeks a just result that prolificates the rule of law and the protections of the legal system for all. They give of themselves and their talents to join organizations such as the Philadelphia Bar Association, actively participate in Sections and Committees, engage in outreach to the community, prepare and give CLE courses, draft resolutions and, as stated, at the end of the day, make the law more just and the practice of law just a little better.
That is a Philadelphia Lawyer to me.
Wesley R. Payne IV is Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association.
