About

ΦAΔ (Phi Alpha Delta), or PAD, is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States of America. It was founded in 1902 and today has over 270,000 initiated members. Phi Alpha Delta has members who are university students, law school students, lawyers, judges, senators, and even presidents.^[1]

Statistically, approximately one out of six attorneys in the United States are members of P.A.D.

The purpose of this Fraternity shall be to form a strong bond uniting students and teachers of the law with members of the Bench and Bar in a fraternal fellowship designed to advance the ideals of liberty and equal justice under law; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to inspire the virtues of compassion and courage; to foster integrity and professional competence; to promote the welfare of its members; and to encourage their moral, intellectual, and cultural advancement; so that each member may enjoy a lifetime of honorable professional and public service.

Motto: Service to the student, the school, the profession, and the community

Phi Alpha Delta is the only law fraternity whose roots were nurtured in a legal controversy.^[1] On November 4, 1897, the Illinois Supreme Court adopted a rule for admission to the Illinois Bar which seriously affected many of the students then preparing for admission.^[3] To protect their rights, they organized the “Law Student League.” This league secured the passage of an act by the Illinois Legislature which exempted the students then studying for the bar from certain requirements of the rule. The Illinois Supreme Court, however, refused to recognize these exemptions, whereupon a test case was taken directly to the Illinois Supreme Court ^[4] The League was partially successful in this new undertaking.^[5]

The realization that more could be accomplished by a unified group and the close association formed in this common struggle led the members of the League to seek a way in which to preserve the relationship thus formed. Accordingly, in 1898 they formed the Lambda Epsilon Fraternity; Lambda standing for “law” and Epsilon for “equity.”

The founders of Lambda Epsilon undoubtedly meant to establish a law fraternity dedicated to promoting the professional development of its members. Their zeal to ensure that this new organization would remain true to its founding principles led them to place severe restrictive procedures on expansion to other appropriate law schools and to maintain a tight rein on the central government of the fraternity.

In a short period of time, it became apparent that the attraction for this type of organization was of universal interest within the legal profession and that the new organization should be reorganized to allow its benefits to become available throughout the legal profession. Realizing this need, the delegates to the convention held at the Colonial Tavern in South Haven, Michigan, on July 16, 1902 unanimously adopted a resolution dissolving Lambda Epsilon. The next day, the South Haven Articles were signed which were to become the foundation of Phi Alpha Delta. A committee was appointed to suggest a method of procedure. After several months of arduous work a meeting was held in Chicago on November 8, 1902, and the Articles, Constitution, Ritual and Rules governing the organization of were proposed and formally adopted together with the name of “Phi Alpha Delta.”

Within a month Blackstone ^[6], Story, Fuller, Webster and Marshall Chapters were installed. By 1910, the roster had increased to twenty-three in number.

Subsequently, Phi Alpha Delta secure in its principles and purposes has weathered war and depression and has proceeded along a steady, conservative policy of expansion until at this writing there are chapters chartered at law schools in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

In September 1970 Phi Alpha Delta became the first law fraternity to admit women. In 1972 Phi Delta Delta Law Fraternity, the leading fraternity for women was, by joint action, merged into Phi Alpha Delta and 5,000 leading women judges, attorneys and educators became members of Phi Alpha Delta.

The P.A.D. Public Service Center was created in 1978 to conduct foundation-type activities for the Fraternity. Its principal activity has been in the area of law related education. Since its inception, the Center has provided an opportunity for the members to teach young people about the law. Funded primarily through Federal grants, the Center has achieved recognition for its effective programming.

The 1980 Convention adopted a program of Pre-Law Chapters and in the Spring of 1981 the first Pre-Law Chapter of the Fraternity was established at Missouri State University (formerly Southwest Missouri State University). Today there are over 280 Pre-Law chapters chartered.

The fraternity continues to grow and expand its services, benefits and programs to members all across the world.

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International is a professional service organization composed of pre-law students, law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges, and government officials.^[8] Phi Alpha Delta was founded in 1902 for the purpose of promoting professional competency and achievement within the legal profession.

It is also the first law fraternity to admit women.^[9]

Since the beginning, Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) has experienced astounding growth and today is the world’s largest law fraternity with over 280 pre-law chapters, 198 law school chapters and 97 alumni chapters in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

PAD is the only law fraternity to recognize the needs of pre-law students and develop a program to help them as they pursue a career in the law.^[9]

In addition, PAD is the only law fraternity to sponsor an Annual International Conference and a Mock Trial Competition specifically addressing the needs of pre-law students.

PAD is the only law fraternity to receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice for its Law Related Education program and the first law fraternity to enter the information superhighway. The PAD Pre-Law Listserve provides a forum for pre-law students to discuss legal topics, programming ideas and chapter events.

Prominent Members of the Fraternity

United States Presidents

William Howard Taft

Woodrow Wilson

Warren G. Harding

Harry S. Truman

Jimmy Carter

Bill Clinton

U.S. Supreme Court Justices

Stephen G. Breyer (1994-?)

Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1993-?)

Tom C. Clark (1949-1967)

William Howard Taft (1921-1930)

UC Davis Chapter History

The UC Davis Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta was established On October 22, 1988 with 81  charter members. Unfortunately, the chapter died out in 1993. The chapter was re-established sometime between 1997 and 1998. The elected officers of the restarted chapter were President Matt, Vice President Brian and Secretary Tricia. Since the chapter resurfaced, it  has grown and is still growing

Fraternity Motto

Service to the Student, Service to the Law School, Service to the Profession and Service to the Community.

Fraternity Colors: Gold and Purple

Flower: Red Carnation