Chief Justice Debra Todd directed a letter to Pennsylvania Lawyers in commemoration of Law Day 2025 thanking them for their support of legal aid and pro bono service. The letter appears below.

Text of the letter:

May 2025

Dear Pennsylvania Lawyer:

As we commemorate Law Day, I join outgoing PBA President Nancy Conrad and incoming PBA President Kristin Hamilton in thanking Pennsylvania lawyers and judges for their support of legal aid and pro bono service.

All Pennsylvania lawyers contribute to civil legal aid programs through their annual registration fees. We direct a portion of those fees, along with class action residual funds, to legal services organizations through the IOL TA Board. Further, under an IOL TA grant administered by the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, our Loan Repayment Assistance Program, funded by pro hac vice admissions fees paid by out-of-state attorneys, provides student loan forgiveness to attorneys working for legal service agencies, making it easier for law school graduates to pursue positions in public service.

Still, it is lawyers who volunteer who have the most direct impact on those in need. The PBA and county bar associations encourage attorneys to "render public interest legal service" pursuant to Pa.R.P.C. 6.1 by contributing their time and expertise to representing individuals who have critical needs but cannot afford to retain private counsel.

Any Pennsylvania lawyer may now receive CLE credits for pro bono work performed through an accredited Pro Bono CLE Provider. In addition, our Court created an "Emeritus" status which allows retired attorneys to perform pro bono service with a minimal annual registration fee and reduced CLE requirements under the auspices of non-profit legal aid organizations.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN), in partnership with our regional legal aid providers and a network of specialty legal aid programs, provides a framework and structure for legal assistance.

If you already donate your time to pro bono service, I thank you. And, if you have not yet found the time to perform pro bono service, I urge you to commit to doing so and to encourage the young lawyers who work for you to do the same.

Together, we truly can make a difference.

Warmest regards,

Debra Todd