Philadelphia Bar Foundation to Honor Two Legal Leaders at 2026 Philly Justice Ball Deborah Gross and the Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson (posthumously) Recognized for Lasting Impact on Justice
PHILADELPHIA – April 1, 2026 – As part of the city’s 250th anniversary year, the Philadelphia Bar Foundation will honor Deborah (Debbie) Gross with the Pollak Award and posthumously recognize the Honorable Frederica Massiah-Jackson (November 10, 1950 – August 27, 2025) with the Trailblazers for Justice Award at the 2026 Philly Justice Ball, A Legacy of Liberty, A Promise of Justice, on November 7, 2026 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The event brings together leaders from across the legal and civic community to support expanded access to justice for Philadelphians facing critical legal challenges.
“Debbie Gross and Judge Massiah-Jackson each transformed our legal community in lasting ways,” said Jessica Hilburn Holmes, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation. “Their leadership, integrity, and commitment to justice reflect the very purpose of these awards and the mission of the Foundation.”
Gross, a respected litigator and public interest leader, built a career in private practice representing individuals harmed by consumer, antitrust, and securities fraud, securing meaningful results through complex class action litigation. Alongside her legal practice, she demonstrated sustained commitment to public service through leadership roles in the legal community, including as President of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation and as the 90th Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. In 2020 she transitioned fully into public interest work as CEO and President of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, where she advances civic education, judicial accountability, and public confidence in the courts. The Pollak Award recognizes leaders whose careers combine substantial private practice experience with meaningful and significant public interest contributions.
Massiah-Jackson was a trailblazer in Pennsylvania’s judiciary, making history 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 served on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 1984 to 2021, including as President Judge from 2000 to 2006, where she led a system of 130 judges and thousands of employees. Throughout her tenure, she prioritized access to justice—advancing reforms to improve fairness, strengthening representation in critical cases, and promoting race and gender equity in the courts. The Trailblazers for Justice Award is presented posthumously to honor leaders whose work created pathways to justice for others.
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation invites the community to attend the 2026 Philly Justice Ball on November 7 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Foundation.
