Chief Justice Debra Todd has published her yearly open letter to Pennsylvania attorneys honoring the 2026 National Celebration of Pro Bono and encouraging support of pro bono legal work across the Commonwealth.
First instituted under the sponsorship of the American Bar Association by Philadelphia lawyer Sharon Browning, the annual observance “draw[s] attention to the need for pro bono participation [and thanks] those who give their time year-round.” This year’s celebration, to be held throughout the week of October 25th-31st, will highlight the lawyers’ responsibility to ensure that legal issues are not an obstacle to people participating fully in civic life.
In her letter, Chief Justice Todd notes, “This year's celebration is especially significant because September 28, 2026, marked the 250th anniversary of the ratification of Pennsylvania's first constitution. Our Founders sought to create a government "without partiality for, or prejudice against, any particular class, sect or denomination," and a framework for administering justice through a system of courts, and those concepts remain foundational to our efforts to improve access to justice for the less fortunate throughout our Commonwealth.”
Read Chief Justice Todd’s full letter here. Access PAProBono.net’s full calendar of activities here.