About Us

Greetings from our president
The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia serves hundreds of members and was established to serve as a proactive organization aimed at combating racial discrimination against Black lawyers, particularly regarding bar admission. Since its inception, the Barristers’ Association has become a juggernaut in the Philadelphia legal community and the organization continues to make an impact on issues surrounding racial discrimination and inequality in the legal community and beyond.
This year, the organization will build on those accomplishments by providing enriching seminars, scholastic endowments, and community service. It has been said that “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
In giving back to the community, the Barristers’ Association is committed to engaging and advocating for individuals that are often overlooked, forgotten, and disadvantaged, simply based on the color of their skin, socioeconomic status, or gender.
Jahlee Hatchett
President 2022- 2023
OUR MISSION
Today, The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. continues to provide a very important and unique role for its members by providing a forum for discussion and dissemination of information of matters of particular interest to Black attorneys and the Philadelphia Black community at large.
Our membership now encompasses a network of approximately 1,000 lawyers and jurists who serve society at the highest positions in both the private and public sectors of the legal profession.
As an affiliate of the National Bar Association, the Barristers’ Association is an active participant in a community of practicing Black lawyers, judges and law students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Barristers’ Association’s structure consists of an Executive Committee and an Advisory Board. The Executive Committee is responsible for the operation of the organization and is composed of elected officers and appointed members. The Advisory Board, which is made up of distinguished members of the legal profession, provides advice and counsel to the Executive Committee.

OUR HISTORY
Establishment
Established in 1950 to address the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the City of Philadelphia through programs such as seminars, cultural events and publications.
Racial Discrimination Elimination
Members of the Barristers’ Association served on the Liacouras Commission, which investigated ways to eliminate racial discrimination in bar admission procedures.
Addition to Voter Registration Pools
Merit Selection of Judges
Youth Awareness & Career Opportunities Promotion
Scholarships to minority law students at local law schools are awarded annually to further encourage and support Black students in their pursuit of a degree in law. Continuing Legal Education seminars and political education forums have been offered to members of the Barristers’ Association to facilitate professional development and political awareness
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Take some time to meet our Executive Board
ADVISORY BOARD
*Former President, Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc.
Sherrell Dandy
Monique Myatt Galloway*
U.S. General Services Administration
Damian Jackson
Reilly, Janiczek, McDevitt, Henrich & Cholden, P.C.
Kevin Mincey*
Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross LLC
Deborah Watson-Stokes
Office of the District Attorney
Rhonda Hill Wilson
The Law Offices of Rhonda Hill Wilson
Nadege Tandoh
Ade Galloway
Clear Channel
Charles M. Gibbs*
Mcmonagle, Perri, Mchugh, Mischak & Davis
Carlton Johnson
Archer Law
The Honorable Karen Y. Simmons
Philadelphia Municipal Court
V. Amanda Witts
Our sponsors
Our signature programs and scholarships are a great opportunity to give back.





Current Law Students Enjoy Free Membership
