Nominations Sought for 2026 Louis J. Goffman Awards 

Nomination are open for the 2026 Louis J. Goffman Award.

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation’s Louis J. Goffman Award recognizes and honors individuals or organizations whose commitment to pro bono work has enhanced the delivery of legal services to Pennsylvania’s poor or disadvantaged communities, making a critical difference in the lives of those in need of legal representation. Since 1989, recipients’ donations of time, talent, and expertise have served as a model for other legal professionals and organizations.

The 2026 nomination deadline is April 1, 2026.

The Louis J. Goffman Award will be presented during the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting at the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA. The recipient is presented with a commemorative plaque and a monetary contribution.

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Since mid-2018, emeritus status has been an option for retired attorneys who desire to perform pro bono work with legal aid organizations. The Emeritus program creates a pool of qualified volunteer attorneys to provide services to those in need. Emeritus attorneys perform valuable roles in the community by bolstering legal aid and other nonprofit programs to help close the gap between the need for and the availability of free legal services. 

Attorneys on retired status must complete and submit an Application for Emeritus Status, including appropriate documentation and payment of the registration fee of $35. An emeritus attorney is authorized solely to provide pro bono services under the auspices of an eligible legal aid organization and without charge or an expectation of fee.

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