What is Phi Alpha Delta?

Updated December 1, 2022 · 1 Min Read

Phi Alpha Delta is the largest law fraternity in the United State open to both men and women. Established in 1902, the fraternity, commonly called P.A.D., has members who are undergraduate and law school students, along with lawyers, judges, and politicians. More than 300,000 have become initiated members. The fraternity's motto is "Philos Adelphos Dikaio," ...

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Phi Alpha Delta is the largest law fraternity in the United State open to both men and women. Established in 1902, the fraternity, commonly called P.A.D., has members who are undergraduate and law school students, along with lawyers, judges, and politicians. More than 300,000 have become initiated members. The fraternity's motto is "Philos Adelphos Dikaio," which means "Love of Humanity and Justice for All."

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Mission and Purpose

The purpose of Phi Alpha Delta is to advance integrity, compassion, and service in the legal profession through service to students, schools and the community. Its purpose is to form strong bonds between the educational community of students and professors with working legal professionals such as practicing lawyers and sitting judges. The fellowship was one of the first fraternal organizations not to discriminate against ethnic and national origins, creeds and religions, color, etc. It was also the first law organization to admit women. P.A.D. is devoted to advancing liberty and equal justice under the law. By encouraging integrity and professional competence, Phi Alpha Delta hopes to promote a lifetime of honorable legal service among its members.

Membership Eligibility

The fraternity has an open membership policy. Three main types of membership are offered by Phi Alpha Delta. Pre-law members encompass students and faculty at any college or university that has a pre-law chapter. Law school members involve law students currently studying at a member university. Alumni members are practicing legal professionals in a jurisdiction recognized by the fraternity's International Chapter or International Executive Board. This category also includes sitting judges.

Honorary membership is the fourth category. Individuals receiving P.A.D. membership in this manner must be approved by a majority vote of the fraternity's International Executive Board. This designation is awarded to legal professionals who have earned an unusual distinction in the field of law on, at a minimum, a state-wide basis.

Phi Alpha Delta makes it easy for members to change their membership category through online forms that indicate a change in schools. Law student status is automatically updated to alumni status upon graduation.

Membership Benefits

After joining the fraternity, members get a number of valuable benefits. Phi Alpha Delta helps students by giving them discounts on test preparation courses for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Record Exams (GRE) and state bar exams from various organizations like Princeton Review, Powerscore, Kaplan and more. Internships and mentoring opportunities are also available. members also have access to a job postings board.

In addition, both students and alumni members get a variety of discounts. Professional discounts are available at companies such as Office Depot, AD, and Brooks Brothers. Student discounts primarily involve books and test preparation courses. Car rental and hotel discounts are available for every membership types.

Foundation Activities

Those already working in the legal field are encouraged to donate regularly to the fraternity's foundation. This arm of the organization funds scholarships for students. Every student that qualifies gets a scholarship worth a minimum of $1,000. Several different scholarships are available.

Both students and professionals can benefit from this organization. The philosophies and programs offered by Phi Alpha Delta are in place to help ensure the ethical continuation of legal professions in the United States.

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