The Philadelphia Bar Association has entered into institutional partnerships with five legal services agencies in the city. The agreements extend all the benefits of membership to legal professionals working at Community Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, The Public Interest Law Center, SeniorLAW Center and the Support Center for Child Advocates.

“Our legal services agencies are a vital part of the city’s legal community, helping Philadelphians to navigate legal matters involving basic needs such as housing, income, and family stability,” Chancellor Katayun Jaffari said. “We are excited to partner with them to offer their employees all the benefits of Association membership.”

The agreements follow previous institutional membership relationships between the Bar Association and the City of Philadelphia Law Department and District Attorney’s Office, the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law and Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law.

“The institutional membership model has helped us to grow and diversify our membership over the past three and a half years,” Executive Director Harvey Hurdle said. “Many of these agencies have their roots within the Bar Association and the passion and commitment of our members. These institutional partnership extends the deep connections with our Association to future generations of public interest attorneys.”

“It’s been gratifying to see the institutional membership model evolve from an idea to a successful initiative encompassing multiple sectors of the Philadelphia legal community,” said Director of Membership and Outreach Andrea Morris-Tracey. “Each of these agencies, along with the city departments and law schools, brings unique and necessary contributions to our Association.”

The institutional memberships provide a number of unique resources to legal professionals working for the five organizations, including the ability to join the Association’s practice-relevant Sections and Committees; networking and social opportunities with other attorneys and the judiciary; an annual allotment of free continuing legal education (CLE) credits for use on any of the Bar’s one- or two-credit programs; and discounts at a number of local and national retailers, as well as for legal and professional services.

Leadership from the agencies said the institutional memberships will provide valuable benefits and support to their employees:

“Community Legal Services is thrilled to continue our decades long partnership with the Philadelphia Bar Association by becoming an institutional member,” Executive Director Debby Freedman said. “Institutional membership will allow our attorneys to benefit from the resources that memberships provide, including the connections, learning opportunities, and critical information vital to enhancing their legal practices. As we work to promote access to justice and opportunity in our city, we are grateful for this support from the Bar Association to further our mission.”

“I credit my Philadelphia Bar Association participation and membership with much of my career success,” said Maureen Olives, executive director of Philadelphia Legal Assistance. “I am thrilled to provide everyone at PLA the ability to enjoy the many networking, learning, and community building opportunities the Bar Association provides. We consider the Bar Association to be a vital partner in our work!”

“SeniorLAW Center values our partnership with the Philadelphia Bar Association and their efforts over the years to advocate for vulnerable populations in Philadelphia,” said Lawrence S. Felzer, senior director of finance and operations at SeniorLAW Center. “Our attorneys have served and currently serve in leadership positions within the Bar Association, and we believe all our attorneys should be active members to take advantage of networking opportunities, earn free CLE credits, and participate in advocacy discussions and efforts.” 

“Our team of staff attorneys and paralegals, alongside our staff social workers, practice in collaboration with over 250 pro bono volunteers throughout the city,” said Lisa Rayford Barrimond, executive director of the Support Center for Child Advocates. “Working in the public interest sector, our team has forgone a lot of the benefits they would receive in working at a private law firm. We are excited to be able to give our team membership with the Philadelphia Bar Association through this institutional membership so they are able to benefit from networking, ability to participate in sections and committees and other leadership opportunities to grow as professionals.”

“The Public Interest Law Center is proud to be an institutional member of the Philadelphia Bar Association,” said Executive Director Brent Landau. “Over five decades ago, the Law Center was officially incorporated by five past and then-present Chancellors of the Bar Association, and our connection with the Bar Association remains strong today. This renewed partnership underscores the essential role of nonprofit legal services organizations like the Law Center in ensuring access to justice for all Philadelphians.”