Tomorrow: Kay Yu To Receive Justice Sotomayor Diversity Award April 17

Join the Philadelphia Bar Association for its 2018 Spring Quarterly Meeting & Reception at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel on Tuesday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. The Association will present the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award and honor Immediate-Past Chancellor Deborah R. Gross. Following the meeting, members will have the opportunity to network in a relaxed cocktail-reception setting…READ MORE

Registration Closes Today: Workers' Compensation Awards Luncheon Feat. Former FBI Profiler James Fitzgerald April 20

Join the Workers' Compensation Section at its annual Awards Luncheon at The Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia on April 20 at 11:15 a.m. The program will feature keynote James Fitzgerald, former FBI profiler and subject of the Discovery Channel's "Manhunt: UNABOMBER" series. The Section will also present its Martha Hampton and Irvin Stander awards…READ MORE

Deadline Today: Solo and Small Firm Mgmt. Ctte. Supporting Central High Prom April 16

The Solo and Small Firm Management Committee is giving disadvantaged Central High School students an opportunity to attend the Junior Prom! Because 60 percent of Central High School students are at or below the poverty level, many cannot afford to attend their own Junior Prom. Central High is a public high school located at Broad and Olney in Philadelphia. If you would like to support one or more students please contact Maureen Farrell, chair, Solo and Small Firm Management Committee at maureen@maureenfarrell.com.

FREE CLE: Tales From the Financial Services Trenches April 18, April 25 (VIDEO ENCORES)

FREE CLE for Philadelphia Bar Association members in good standing.

An Expert Witness - Your Best Friend or Worst Nightmare?

This CLE program will provide guidance and important tips for selecting, qualifying and preparing an expert witness. Our featured speaker, Paul Brahim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BPU Financial Services, will explore the following important questions…

April 18

April 25

Philadelphia Bar Association 5K May 20

It's that time of year again! Registration is open for the 2018 Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk on May 20 benefiting Support Center for Child Advocates…READ MORE

New Date: Cheryl Ingram Award Reception April 23

The LGBT Rights Committee Cordially invites you to its Cheryl Ingram Award Reception Field House on Monday April 23 at 5:30 p.m. The Cheryl Ingram Advocate for Justice Award will be presented to Professor Leonore F. Carpenter, Temple University Beasley School of Law…READ MORE

CLE: Paperless Chase April 24

iPad Best Practices for Lawyers April 24

Co-hosted by the Solo & Small Firm Management Committee, State Civil Litigation Section and the Brehon Law Society

Attorneys always look for ways to set themselves apart from their colleagues, in the 21st century that includes the use of technology. This CLE will help introduce innovation to your litigation practice, and demonstrate efficiencies that attorneys can use on a daily basis using your iPad. From preparing cases, to mediation, arbitration and trial, keep everything at your fingertips without carrying stacks of paper documents and case notes…READ MORE

Tax Law Update & Business Impact on Cannabis Industry April 30

This 2-hour course offering, Tax Law Update & Business Impact on the Cannabis Industry, will take the practitioner through the basics of what a Section 280E audit looks like and both the civil and criminal implications of the audit…READ MORE

Deadline May 11: 2018 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 'Pursuit of Justice' Legal Writing Competition

Submissions are now being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2018 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg "Pursuit of Justice" Legal Writing Competition. Law review-quality submissions may be on any topic relating to rights, privileges and responsibilities under federal law. The first place award winner will receive a $2,500 cash prize and publication in The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine and on the Association's website. The award will be presented at an Association event…READ MORE

Save the Date: 2018 Bench-Bar & Annual Conference Oct. 12-13

Mark your calendars! Join us at the 2018 Bench-Bar & Annual COnference at Borgata on Oct. 12-13. Registration will be open soon!

Volunteers Needed: The Philadelphia New Americans Campaign

The New Americans Campaign Philly is soliciting for volunteers. The NAC transforms the way aspiring citizens navigate the path to becoming new Americans. It is committed to connecting lawful permanent residents to trusted legal assistance and critical information that simplifies the naturalization process…READ MORE

Latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court Public Committee, Board & Advisory Group Vacancies

• Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee: Deadline April 30
• Minor Judiciary Education Board: Deadline April 30

For more information on the available vacancies, click here.

30th Annual Philadelphia Bar Foundation Golf & Tennis Classic June 11

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Experienced Mass Tort Attorneys Needed for LRIS Referrals

The Philadelphia Bar Association's Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) has expanded its Product Liability panels in order to better meet the needs of clients requiring assistance with injuries resulting from the use of Paxil, Reglan, Risperdal, Xarelto, Yaz, pelvic mesh or talc.

If you have significant experience litigating any of these matters, we invite you to join LRIS. Attorneys wishing to receive referrals for claims involving Paxil, Reglan, Risperdal, Xarelto, Yaz, pelvic mesh or talc must represent, or have represented, at least 12 plaintiffs in civil actions involving the same product brought in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and must have completed a minimum of five hours of CLE in trial tactics, products liability or class actions within the past three years.

For more information on LRIS, please click here.  You may also contact Charles J. Klitsch at cklitsch@philabar.org or 215-238-6326.

Philadelphia Bar Foundation: Funding the Future of Legal Aid

Please consider making a gift to the Philadelphia Bar Foundation in 2018. With your support, the Foundation strengthens the provision of free legal services in our justice system and the delivery of civil legal aid in Philadelphia. Through various programs, services and partnerships, in conjunction with annual grants and other support provided to almost 40 legal aid nonprofit partners, the Foundation promotes access to justice for all people in the community. You can make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people in need across Philadelphia and our region by donating today.

Legislative Action Center: Support the Expansion of Protections Under the Pa. 'Hate Crimes' Law

It is important for the legal community to take action to support the rule of law and condemn hatred and bigotry. One important way is to advocate. Alarmingly, Pennsylvania Senate Bill 96 and Pennsylvania House Bill 505 seek to expand the definition of ethnic intimidation and have been languishing in Harrisburg. A crime motivated by hatred toward these protected classes would be graded higher than specified under current law…READ MORE

Upcoming Philadelphia Bar Association CLE Courses

The Philadelphia Bar Association, a statewide Continuing Legal Education (CLE) provider in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, offers CLE courses to lawyers and members of the business and legal communities throughout the region. Lawyers and other professionals can turn to the Philadelphia Bar Association for convenient, high-quality, low-cost CLE courses on the latest issues, legislation and regulations.

VIDEO ENCORE: Be Judge, Be Jury... Become An Arbitrator April 16

Compulsory arbitration was created as a means of efficiently disposing of smaller civil cases and conserving judicial resources by requiring as a first step that such cases be tried before a panel of three local court-appointed attorneys, with the understanding that any party can later appeal the decision and obtain a new trial. Experienced practitioners offer guidance and practical strategies to successfully conduct an arbitration and serve as an arbitrator. Attend this CLE program and obtain certification to become an arbitrator…READ MORE

Life Planning for Philadelphia Seniors: A Training for Pro Bono Volunteer Attorneys Assisting to Serve Elders in Need April 17

Co-hosted by the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, Inc., SeniorLaw Center and the Philadelphia Bar Association

At this CLE program, volunteer attorneys will receive training on how to prepare and execute basic life planning documents, including simple wills, living wills and financial and health care powers of attorney. For each document, attorneys will learn the relevant Pennsylvania law, pertinent definitions, drafting tips, and common misconceptions their clients may have about this area of law. Particular focus will be given to meeting with and preparing and executing documents for SeniorLAW Center's client base: low-income older Philadelphians…READ MORE

The False Claims Act in 2018: A Brave New World? April 18

Panelists will address recent developments in the dynamic landscape of the False Claims Act (FCA). This program will survey recent FCA developments from the judicial, government, relator and defense perspectives…READ MORE

Philadelphia Zoning & Land Use 2018: A Primer on Process, Tactics and Inner-Workings of Philadelphia Development April 19

Zoning and land use in Philadelphia is ever-changing. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newly minted lawyer, the complexities of navigating the Philadelphia development process remain consistent throughout your career. In this comprehensive three-hour seminar, you will learn about the current state of the inner-workings of the Philadelphia zoning process from those who interpret and enforce the rules and regulations…READ MORE

Full course calendar here.

The Challenge Ahead: Access to Justice - Public Interest Organization Volunteer Opportunities

The Philadelphia Bar Association's new pro bono volunteerism initiative "The Challenge Ahead: Access to Justice" provides opportunities for Association members and beyond to help people in need by providing limited legal representation, education, advice and advocacy. This one-stop-shop allows the city's legal-aid nonprofit organizations to know who is interested in assisting by giving volunteers the opportunity to add their name to a list for these groups to access if they need additional support for a particular cause.

For a list of volunteer and pro bono organizations and opportunities, click here.

Support Center Annual Benefit Reception & Auction April 18

The Support Center for Child Advocates will hold its Annual Benefit Reception & Auction at the Crystal Tea Room on Wednesday, April 18 from 5-8 p.m. The event will celebrate the extraordinary efforts of their friends who devote countless hours to improving the lives of vulnerable children. At the event, the 2018 Judge Lois G. Forer Child Advocacy Award will be presented to Ann and Mark Baiada and the Eddie Ohlbaum Distinguished Advocate for Children Award will be presented to Mark Gittelman…READ MORE

Philly VIP Annual Awards Ceremony April 19

Philadelphia VIP will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall in the Mayor's Reception Room (Room 202) and Conversation Hall (Room 201) on Thursday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. Each year, Philadelphia VIP hosts its annual Awards Ceremony to celebrate its dedicated volunteers and supporters, recognize special achievements, and elevate the importance of pro bono…READ MORE

Barristers' Association 2018 Scholarship Gala May 5

The Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, Inc. invites you to its 2018 Schaolarship Gala at The Westin Philadelphia on Saturday, May 5 at 6 p.m…READ MORE

JLC 2018 Leadership Prize Celebration May 9

The Juvenile Law Center's 2018 Leadership Prize Celebration will be held at the National Constitution Center on Wednesday, May 9 from 6 - 9 p.m. The Juvenile Law Center's 2018 Leadership Prize Winners are Francis ("Frankie") V. Guzman, a juvenile justice attorney at the National Center for Youth Law; Judge Steven C. Teske, the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court of Clayton County, Georgia; and Teen Vogue…READ MORE

SeniorLAW Center Annual Gala MAy 19

The SeniorLAW Center will celebrate its 40th anniversary of protecting the rights of older Pennsylvanians at its Annual Gala at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel on Saturday, May 19 from 6-10 p.m. The theme for this year's Gala, "Four Decades for Seniors,"" will honor remarkable individuals who helped pave the way in elder justice over the past four decades. The Gala will include dinner, cocktails, music, auction, celebration and more…READ MORE

Nationalities Service Center Global Tastes 2018 May 22

Nationalities Service Center invites you to attend Global Tastes 2018, an evening of delicious food and lively music in celebration of diverse international communities at WHYY on Tuesday, May 22 from 7-10 p.m. A VIP reception will precede the event at NSC from 6-7 p.m. At this event, Sozi Tulante, former city solicitor and incoming fellow and lecturer-in-law at University of Pennsylvania Law School, will receive the Nationalities Service Award to honor his refugee journey from Zaire to Philadelphia to become our city's chief legal officer…READ MORE

Mighty Writers Wanted!

Mighty Writers, a nonprofit whose mission is to teach kids to think and write with clarity, is looking for mentors! Studies have shown that having a mentor results in improved outcomes for youth, yet two-thirds of young people don't have one. Mighty Writers wants to change that, and they're hoping to partner with the Philadelphia Bar Association to provide students with the caring and committed mentors they seek…READ MORE