|
The International
Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi, established in the year 1869 to
promote a higher standard of professional ethics, is one of the oldest
legal organizations in North America and in fact is the oldest legal
organization in continuous existence in the United States. Founded almost
nine years before the American Bar Association, Phi Delta Phi holds a
unique position in the history of the North American bench, bar and law
schools. During the past two decades, Phi Delta Phi's reputation as an organization
devoted to legal excellence has continued to flourish internationally
with new chapters in Canada, México and Europe.
Phi
Delta Phi’s active chapters – called Inns after the English Inns of Court
– are located at numerous law schools in North America and Europe. Since
its founding in 1869, Phi Delta Phi has initiated over 195,000 members,
making it the largest legal professional fraternity whose membership is
limited to law students and lawyers. Unlike some other legal
organizations, Phi Delta Phi does not initiate individuals who have not
successfully matriculated into an accredited law school. Nevertheless,
Phi Delta Phi’s published position on diversity is quite broad, and the
Fraternity is committed to the elimination of discrimination based on
race, color, religion, national origin, family status, sex, age, sexual
orientation, handicap or disability.
More
judges, American presidents, governors, senators, representatives,
cabinet members, ambassadors, American Bar Association presidents, Association
of American Law School presidents, and law school Deans have come from
the ranks of Phi Delta Phi than from any other legal fraternity. Five of
the sitting justices of the United States Supreme Court are Phi Delta
Phi’s, including the Chief Justice of the United States.
|