About Us

BARRISTERS ASSOC. OF PHILA. - SWEARING-IN CEREMONY '23

Greetings from our president

It is with great joy and excitement that I welcome you on behalf of the 2022-2023 Advisory and Executive Boards of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. to our website!

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.

Last year, the Barristers’ Association proved that “the best of being Black is yet to come.” At a time where we witnessed the appointment and confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson; it has never been clearer that the best of being Black is certainly yet to come.

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.

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Yours in service,

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.

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OUR HISTORY

1950's

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.

1973's

Racial Discrimination Elimination

Members of the Barristers’ Association served on the Liacouras Commission, which investigated ways to eliminate racial discrimination in bar admission procedures.

1978's

Addition to Voter Registration Pools

The Barristers’ Association joined other concerned groups in filing an action against the Philadelphia Registration Commission which resulted in the addition of 50,000 Philadelphians to the voter registration pools.

1983's

Merit Selection of Judges

The Barristers’ Association provided testimony before the Pennsylvania State Legislature on the issue of the merit selection of judges.

Today

Youth Awareness & Career Opportunities Promotion

In more recent years, the Barristers’ Association has sponsored or participated in activities that promoted youth awareness and career opportunities in the legal profession, and increased citizens’ awareness of their rights under the law.

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