Donate

Your Financial Support is Needed! 

Supporting a criminal defense attorney association that prioritizes continuing legal education and criminal justice reform advocacy is not just an act of generosity; it is an investment in the future of the legal profession and the justice system as a whole. Here is why criminal defense lawyers should consider donating to PACDL:

1. Strengthening Legal Skills: Donations contribute to the development and accessibility of high-quality legal education programs. These programs empower criminal defense attorneys with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their practice, ultimately benefiting their clients.

2. Keeping Current with the Law: The legal landscape is constantly evolving. Donations help fund initiatives that keep defense attorneys up-to-date with the latest legal developments, ensuring that they can provide the best possible representation for their clients.

3. Elevating the Profession: By supporting contining legal education, you actively contribute to raising the overall standard of practice within the criminal defense bar. This, in turn, enhances the reputation of the profession as a whole.

4. Advocating for Justice Reform: Donationis enable PACDL to advocate for meaningful changes in the criminal justice system. These efforts can lead to more equitable and fair legal processes for all individuals regardless of their background.

5. Protecting Individual Constitutional Rights: Supporting criminal justice reform advocacy initiatives helps protect the constitutional rights of individuals. Donations contribute to efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights of the accused and ensuring due process.

6. Amplifying Your Voice: A strong association with a well-funded advocacy arm can be more effective in influencing legislation and policy changes. Donations give you a collective voice that can resonate more powerfully with lawmakers and the public.

7. Fostering Collaboration: PACDL often brings together criminal defense lawyers from diverse backgrounds. Donations facilitate collaboration and the exchange of ideas, leading to more effective advocacy and representation.

8. Creating Resources: Your contributions can go toward the creation of educational materials, resources, and tools that assist defense attorneys in their daily practice, ultimately benefiting their clients.

9. Shaping the Future: By donating, you invest in the future of criminal defense law. your support helps train and empower the next generation of defense attorneys ensuring that they continue to advocate for justice and reform.

10. Fulfilling a Civic Duty: As advocates for justice, criminal defense lawyers have a unique opportunity and responsibility to contribute to a fair and equitable legal system. Donating is a way to fulfil this civic duty.

in summary, donating to PACDL that focuses on continuing legal education and criminal justice reform advocacy is a meaningful way for criminal defense lawyers to make a positive impact on their profession and society. Your contributions play a vital role in advancing justice, protecting individual rights, and ensuring that the legal system operates fairly. 

Choose Your Area of Support

Over the past several years, Pennsylvania's criminal justice system has been assailed and not without damage.
Equal justice is not rhetoric. PACDL seeks to preserve the rule of law and the freedoms enshrined in the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions. Toward that end, PACDL has created three channels in which you can help reform the criminal justice system, support advocates who work to protect individual liberties, and help those who share their thought leadership with their colleagues so they can benefit from their experiences.

Bernie Siegel Memorial Scholarship. The Association seeks to provide financial scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers across the Commonwealth who require financial assistance to participate in the Association's capital defense case seminars.  The partial or full scholarships for PACDL's capital case CLE seminars are available to any PACDL member who seeks to satisfy their Rule 801 credits. Give today online by completing this form. Your contribution will go to PACDL, a 501(c)(6) association.  Please contact your tax advisor regarding your available business deduction under the Tax Code.

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Foundation for Justice.  Guided by an all-volunteer board of directors, the Foundation was incorporated in 2017 and seeks opportunities to advance policy changes to ensure a fair and balanced criminal justice system -- where equality before the law and liberty equally applicable to all individuals take the front seat.  Complementing its policy advocacy, the Foundation intends to be a respected research contributor by providing a balanced perspective to the well-publiciized and embedded advocates of law enforcement.  This is your opportunity to invest in our initial funding round. 

Help us restore a balanced, common sense perspective to criminal justice administration and help defense attorneys effectively represent the accused and ensure that client constitutionally guaranteed rights are protected. Give today by clicking on this link.  Your charitable donation will be a contribution to the Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and may be tax deductible.  Please check with your tax advisor. 

The Foundation is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Charitable Organizations (Reg. No.113347).  This solicitation is limited to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not apply in states where registration is required.


PACDL 2023 Annual Appeal.  For over 35 years, PACDL has been serving as the voice for the defense. Whether you are a public defender, conflict counsel, a solo practitioner or a member of a law firm, we serve you.  Our amicus briefs have been relied upon in cases and effectuated positive change. Our Lawyers Assistance Strike Force has your back when facing contempt charges as you protect your clients' rights. And our Advocacy Committee weighs in on relevant and timely issues before the General Assembly and other Commissions. Your gift will help sustain all of those efforts.  Give today by completing this donation form.  
In Memoria of Bernie L. Siegel.  He was a criminal lawyer and educator who passed away on January 17, 2012.  As a solo practitioner in Philadelphia, he engaged in crininal defense since 1986 and was involved in several high profile cases.  He supported the criminal defense bar as a co-founder of PACDL, becoming president from 2007-2008. 

He also was a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall Award from the Philiadelphia Bar Assoociation, Criminal Justice Section and the Alan Jay Josel Advocacy Award from PACDL in 2005. He was an adjunct professor of law at La Salle University for 10 years and taught advanced criminal trial advocacy as an adjunct professor at Temple University's Beasley School of Law.  He was a contributing author to the books, "Pennsylvania Grand Jury Practice" and "By No Extraordinary Means."  

Why Stand With PACDL

"PACDL members should know that PACDL is your second chair." 
-- Sara M. Webster, Past President (1997-1998)

"Protecting the limitations on Government authority is the fabric of democracy.  Every day you take the Government to task for an accused, you add a stitch to a broken tapestry.  Don't ever forget that PACDL stands with you and supports your efforts." 
-- Joel Trigiani, Past President (1996-1997)