Trust in Justice: Our Shared Responsibility
As we approach the November elections in the year of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia finds itself at an important civic moment. In our City, where the nation’s founding ideals were first declared, it is more than fitting to ask what those ideals require of us today.
Especially for those in the legal community, the answer begins with public trust. A justice system works only when people believe it is fair, that its processes are transparent, and that it is open to them when they need it. That trust is not simply granted to institutions. It is built, case by case and day by day, through the conduct of the people who serve them.
Our Collective Responsibility
At the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, we understand that lawyers, judges, and legal organizations have a unique responsibility to uphold the rule of law and ensure the justice system works for everyone, not only those who can afford it. Philadelphia's legal community has long taken that responsibility seriously. It shows in the hours volunteered through pro bono service, in public interest advocacy, in leadership that strengthens our institutions, and in the support given to organizations working to remove barriers to justice.
But advancing equal justice is not work that ends at the courtroom door, and it cannot be accomplished in a single season. It requires sustained commitment from all of us.
Celebrating Those Who Lead by Example
That is why the Philly Justice Ball matters. It is our opportunity to celebrate members of the legal community whose work reflects these values in action.
Jonathan Grode will receive the Pro Bono Award, recognizing his commitment to providing immigration legal services and expanding access to justice for immigrant communities. His work reflects the difference legal expertise can make for people navigating some of the most consequential moments in their lives.
Sue Wasserkrug will receive the Philadelphia Bar Foundation Award, recognizing her longstanding commitment to public interest law and her leadership in mediation and eviction diversion at CORA Good Shepherd Mediation. Through her work, she has helped Philadelphia families and communities resolve disputes and navigate the legal system.
Debbie Gross will receive the Pollak Champion of the Public Interest Award, recognizing a career that brought together substantial private practice experience and a deep commitment to public service. From representing individuals harmed by consumer, antitrust, and securities fraud to leading Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, she has championed the public interest and worked to strengthen confidence in the courts.
The late Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson will be honored posthumously with the Trailblazers for Justice Award, recognizing her historic leadership on the bench and her commitment to improving access to justice. As the first African American woman to preside over civil trials in Philadelphia and the first African American President Judge of any county in Pennsylvania, she opened doors and created pathways for those who followed.
A Legacy of Liberty, a Promise of Justice: Join Us On November 7
This year's Ball theme, “A Legacy of Liberty, a Promise of Justice,” draws directly on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The founders' words about liberty and justice were aspirations then, and in many ways they remain so. The distance between those ideals and the lived experience of many of our neighbors is the work still before us.
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is one way our legal community can close that distance. By investing in organizations, supporting leadership and strengthening the legal aid ecosystem, the Foundation helps turn principle into practice. Every contribution to that effort is a statement that the promise of justice is worth keeping.
Whatever happens in the upcoming elections, the work of earning public trust will not be over. As we celebrate our nation’s founding and look toward its future, we have an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles that define our profession. Public trust is built through our actions, our service, and our willingness to ensure that justice is not just an ideal, but a reality for all. We invite you to join the Foundation at the Philly Justice Ball on November 7.
