Philadelphia Bar Foundation Welcomes Five New Trustees to Its Board
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of five accomplished leaders to its Board of Trustees: Christie R. Jones, Nolan Tully, Jason Leckerman, Melissa Atkins, and Jacqueline Romero.
Together, they bring extensive experience across nonprofit leadership, private practice, and public service, strengthening the Foundation’s mission to expand access to civil legal aid and advance justice throughout the region.
Meet the New Trustees
● Melissa K. Atkins, Esq. is a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, advises clients on employment and labor law issues, with a particular focus on workplace investigations and compliance. Her practical insight and focus on equity in the workplace bring a valuable perspective to the Board’s work.
● Christie R. Jones is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association, where she leads one of the oldest and most active metropolitan bar associations in the country. Christie’s leadership within the legal community and her longstanding commitment to equity and public service make her a valuable voice on the Board.
● Jason A. Leckerman, Esq. serves as Chair of the Litigation Department at Ballard Spahr LLP, where he also leads the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Group. His legal practice spans commercial and antitrust litigation, and he is well known for his extensive pro bono work in asylum and civil rights cases.
● Jacqueline Romero, Esq. recently joined BakerHostetler LLP after serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A seasoned prosecutor and the first woman of color and openly LGBTQ+ person to hold that role, Jacqueline brings a strong background in public service and white collar investigations to her new role as trustee.
● Nolan Tully, Esq. is a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, focuses on long-term care insurance litigation and regulatory matters. He brings deep expertise in compliance, dispute resolution, and financial services, along with a strong dedication to civic engagement.
The Philadelphia Bar Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the city’s legal community, providing unrestricted funding and support to nonprofit legal aid organizations across Philadelphia. The addition of these five new trustees reflects the Foundation’s commitment to strong, inclusive leadership and its vision of equal access to justice for all. For more information, visit philabarfoundation.org.