Fall at the Foundation
By Thomas A. Brophy, president emeritus at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, P.C., and president of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.
This fall brings a number of exciting opportunities to support the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, learn about the work of our nonprofit partners, and honor those making a difference in our legal community. Join us at any or all of these events and programs!
Bench-Bar & Annual Conference - October 12
This fall, the Philadelphia Bar Association will hold its annual Bench-Bar & Annual Conference October 12th and 13th at the Borgata in Atlantic City. As most of you know, Bench-Bar is the Philadelphia Bar Association’s premier event for networking and socializing with colleagues and members of the judiciary. The Philadelphia Bar Foundation looks forward to being a part of this community again this year and sharing updates on our work. If you are present, please stop by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s table to learn more about the ways in which we support legal aid in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Law Rocks - October 18
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is getting ready for one of our newest traditions, the Third Annual Law Rocks Philadelphia concert. Law Rocks is a nonprofit organization that organizes concerts around the world, gathering legal professionals to play music in support of charity. The 2018 Philadelphia Law Rocks concert will take place Thursday, October 18th at World Café Live in University City at 7:30 p.m. Two bands, “Class Action & the Marshall Dennehey Horns” and “The Lift Offs,” will be performing to raise money for the Philadelphia Bar Foundation.
We are so excited to have these bands supporting us, and hope that you will join us in rooting for them at their battle of the bands to raise awareness for the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. You can support both bands and the Bar Foundation by making a donation in their honor at the Law Rocks event page on the Bar Foundation website.
Pro Bono Week – October 22-26
National Pro Bono Week returns October 22nd with a number of opportunities to support legal aid in Philadelphia. Celebrate with us by participating in Philly Jeans for Justice!
Philly Jeans for Justice is a year-round effort that encourages firms and companies to plan fundraising casual days benefitting the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Planning your fundraiser is simple: register your Jeans for Justice event at the Bar Foundation website, collect donations in-person or on the website, and share your event on social media with our hashtag, #PhillyJeansForJustice. Please consider planning a fundraising day at your workplace this Pro Bono Week or another date before the end of the year.
Proceeds from Philly Jeans for Justice fundraisers support our grant-making efforts at the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. Thank you to the many offices that have already participated, including our first and second quarter fundraising winners: Marks, O’Neil, O’Brien, Doherty & Kelly, P.C. and Nicole Miller Philadelphia. My own firm held our latest Jeans for Justice day last month and showed off our Eagles spirit for the home opener. Your firm can also demonstrate your support for legal aid in a creative way this fall!
Cy Pres CLE/CJE - October 30
On the morning of October 30th, a panel of expert judges and attorneys will discuss the particulars of the cy pres doctrine and what counsel must consider when structuring a cy pres distribution. Cy pres funds remaining from class action lawsuits can make a significant difference by supporting the charitable and public service causes of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation in our community. This program is generously sponsored by The Huntingdon National Bank; lunch and CLE/CJE credit are offered at no charge.
Access to Justice Celebration - November 8
As I mentioned in the August President’s Column, we hope you are looking forward to our annual November Access to Justice event. This year, our traditional Access to Justice Benefit will transform into a more relaxed weeknight event to celebrate your generous contributions, and the outstanding achievements of pro bono and public interest lawyers among us.
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s Access to Justice Celebration and Awards Reception will take place Thursday, November 8th at the Crystal Tea Room from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. We hope that you can join us for an evening of drinks, food, networking, and music from the band “Class Action & the Marshall Dennehey Horns.”
We will recognize our supporters and celebrate the recipients of our 2018 Pro Bono Award, Philadelphia Bar Foundation Award, and Trailblazers for Justice Award. Because of the support of our Unified Giving partners, we are able to offer complimentary attendance to all of our 2018 supporters. We hope that your organization will consider becoming a Unified Giving partner to the Bar Foundation and join us for our annual celebration.
2018 Philadelphia Bar Foundation Grants
Over the past few months, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s Grants Committee has been hard at work preparing to award next year’s grants to our nonprofit partners. Each year, members of our Grants Committee and staff meet with the executive director of every one of the agencies that applies for funding – 38 this year! We enjoy this opportunity to connect with the leaders of our public interest community. We also learn about exciting new projects and continuing legal aid initiatives across Philadelphia.
We appreciate the time and dedication of our committee members that make this process possible, allowing us to support nonprofits that promote access to justice and remove barriers for people facing poverty, abuse, and discrimination.
I hope that I’ll see you at many of our events this fall. Thank you for understanding the importance of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s mission and supporting our nonprofit partners all through the year.