Pollak Champion of the Public Interest Award

The Honorable Louis H. Pollak Champion of the Public Interest Award is presented by the Philadelphia Bar Foundation on special occasions to a lawyer who has been a true champion of the public interest legal community. The Pollak Award honors a lawyer, in private practice, who throughout his or her career has provided extraordinary service, including through support of the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, to the mission of accomplishing access to justice for all.

debbie

2026 Recipient: Deborah Gross

Debbie 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. As CEO and President of PMC, 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.