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PACDL Celebrates 20 Years
In the spring of 1988, a group of Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers became increasingly dismayed by the attacks on their beloved profession. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had approved prosecutorial searches of lawyers' offices and the seizure of privileged client files. Mandatory sentences were being proposed and approved with startling frequency. They and their clients were increasingly on the defensive in the courts, the legislature and the press.
Believing that they, as criminal defense lawyers, had a unique responsibility to protect and defend the precious constitutional rights guaranteed to all of us, a group of 7 criminal defense lawyers — Pete Campana, Dennis Clark, Rick Gray, Art Donato, Rob Donatoni, George Newman, and Bernie Siegel — sent out a plea for Pennsylvania's criminal defense community to join together. On June 11, 1988, 36 criminal defense lawyers, from throughout the state, came together on the 24th Floor of the Packard Building in Philadelphia. PACDL was born.
Over the next twenty years, PACDL grew into the strong vibrant voice for the criminal defense community it is today. Our 750 members can celebrate their 20th Anniversary with pride.
