Philadelphia Bar Foundation Announces Michael Coard, Esq. as Keynote Speaker for the 2026 Philly Justice Ball
Nationally Recognized Civil Rights Attorney, Activist, and Advocate to Headline Signature Philadelphia Event
PHILADELPHIA – [Month] [Day], 2026 – The Philadelphia Bar Foundation has announced that nationally recognized civil rights and criminal defense attorney Michael Coard, Esq. will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Philly Justice Ball, A Legacy of Liberty, A Promise of Justice, taking place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA).
A prominent Philadelphia attorney, activist, educator, and public speaker, Coard is the founder of the Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), an organization dedicated to preserving and protecting African American history, culture, and civil rights. Widely respected for his advocacy on issues involving racial justice, police accountability, historical preservation, and social equity, Coard has become one of the region’s leading voices on justice and community empowerment.
“At a time when conversations surrounding justice, equity, and civil rights remain critically important, Michael Coard’s voice and leadership continue to inspire meaningful dialogue and action,” said Jessica Hilburn-Holmes, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. “His lifelong commitment to advocacy, accountability, and advancing the interests of underserved communities reflects the very values at the heart of the Foundation’s mission to expand access to justice.”
With more than 30 years of major jury trial experience, Coard has built a distinguished career as a criminal defense and civil rights attorney, representing clients in high-profile and complex matters while remaining deeply engaged in community advocacy and public education. In addition to his legal work, he is a frequent local and national media commentator, journalist, radio host, and lecturer known for his passionate and unapologetic commitment to truth and justice.
The 2026 Philly Justice Ball will also honor Deborah “Debbie” Gross, recipient of the Pollak Award, and posthumously recognize the Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson (November 10, 1950 – August 27, 2025) with the Trailblazers for Justice Award in recognition of her lasting contributions to public interest law and advancing access to justice in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation invites members of the legal community, civic leaders, and supporters of justice and equity to attend the 2026 Philly Justice Ball. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Foundation.
About the Philadelphia Bar Foundation
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is the charitable arm of the Philadelphia legal community, dedicated to expanding access to justice. The Foundation funds civil legal aid, invests in the legal aid workforce, and supports programs and initiatives that strengthen legal services throughout Philadelphia.
