Supreme Court Boards and Commissions

Board of Law Examiners:  (established 1902)  The Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners recommends the admission of persons to the bar and thus the practice of law in Pennsylvania.  The Board reviews admission applications for those who wish to sit for the bar examination and for practicing attorneys in other states seeking admittance to the bar without sitting for the exam.  In addition to passing the bar exam, prospective members of the bar of Pennsylvania must meet certain requirements relating to character and prior conduct. To aid the board in determining whether applicants have met such requirements, candidates must file with the board office a written application setting forth those matters the board deems necessary. This includes background information pertaining to character, education and employment. Board office staff then reviews the applications, occasionally investigating further, to determine an applicant's fitness and qualifications.  7 members, all of whom shall be members of the Pennsylvania bar.

Continuing Legal Education Board (established 1992):  The Continuing Legal Education Board administers the rules pertaining to such education for attorneys. This responsibility includes updating the requirements and rules as necessary, monitoring each attorney’s compliance with the requirements, notifying attorneys of CLE status, and accrediting and monitoring CLE providers.  10 members, all of whom shall be an active lawyer who practices and has his or her principal office in Pennsylvania.

Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court (established 1972): The Disciplinary Board was created to consider and investigate the conduct of any person who is subject to the Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement (Pa. R.D.E.). Such persons include attorneys admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, disciplined attorneys and judicial officers (if the Judicial Conduct Board declines jurisdiction).  Investigations may be initiated by the Disciplinary Board on its own motion or upon complaint from another person.  16 members: 14 members of the Pennsylvania bar and 2 non-lawyer citizens.

Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness (established 2005):  This unique collaboration of all three branches of state government results from recommendations made by Supreme Court’s Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System.  The Commission is charged with reviewing and implementing recommendations made by the Committee.  Additionally, the Commission investigates and implements new initiatives, raises public and professional awareness, and works to increase public confidence in the fairness of all three branches of government. 24 members:  8 appointments by the Court, 8 appointments by the Governor, 8 appointments by the Legislature. Lay citizens eligible for appointment. 

Investment Advisory Board (established 2003): The Investment Advisory Board was created to coordinate investment policy of non-tax supported, court-related boards and to maximize return on funds for the participating boards in a responsible fiduciary capacity.  Participating court-related boards are the Disciplinary Board, the Continuing Legal Education Board, the Lawyers Fund for Client Security, and the Board of Law Examiners.  8 members, 4 appointed by the Court and one each appointed by the participating boards.  Members must possess financial expertise or acumen.

Judicial Council of Pennsylvania (established 1972):  Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the Pennsylvania Constitution and the provisions of the Rules of Judicial Administration 301 and 302, the 28-member Judicial Council of Pennsylvania advises the Court in managing the Commonwealth’s Unified Judicial System.

The Judicial Council is composed of a broad-based membership from all three branches of state government, the legal community and citizens-at-large.  The Council includes representation from both majority and minority parties of the House and Senate through appointment by the four respective caucus leaders, as well as from the Executive Branch by gubernatorial appointments.  It serves as a “think tank” in a two-pronged advisory capacity to the Court by making recommendations on matters referred to it by the Court and, from time to time, on its own initiative.

The Judicial Council’s work is presently facilitated through the following committees:  Statewide Rules; Statewide Unification; Budget; Judicial Education; Judicial Safety and Preparedness; and Strategic Planning.  The committees are comprised of Judicial Council members, appointees based on specific experience and expertise, and AOPC staff.

In addition to its committee work, the Judicial Council is also supported by the Corporate Counsel Roundtable (CCR). Modeled after similar entities around the country,  the CCR was established in 2005 to provide both the Court and the Pennsylvania corporate community an opportunity to discuss current issues affecting the operation of the Pennsylvania judicial system in a non-case specific manner.  28 members, including these Court appointees: 3 judges of the common pleas courts selected from judicial districts other than the First and Fifth judicial districts, no more than one of whom shall be from the same judicial district;  one judge from courts other than the appellate and common pleas courts;  three non-judge members of the bar from the Civil, Criminal and Minor Court rules committees;  one non-judge member of the bar;  three non-lawyer electors, each of whom shall be selected from a different geographical area of the Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania Interest on Lawyers Trust Account Board (established 1988): The IOLTA Board was initially established as a voluntary means to raise money to provide civil legal services to the poor and disadvantaged of Pennsylvania.  In 1996, this program became mandatory.

The program works as follows: clients often ask attorneys to hold particular sums of money for them. When this involves a large amount of money or a lengthy period of time, attorneys invest the money for their clients. When the amount is small or will be held for a relatively short period of time, however, investing is not practical. It is these funds which the IOLTA program targets.

These small or short-term funds are deposited into special, interest-bearing IOLTA accounts at financial institutions which have been approved by the Supreme Court. On a quarterly basis, the financial institutions transfer the interest from these accounts to the IOLTA Board, which administers the program. The board, upon approval from the Supreme Court, then distributes the funds to non-profit organizations, law school-administered clinics and administration of justice projects that provide civil legal services free of charge to the poor and disadvantaged.  9 members, including two nominated by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security Board (established 1992):  The Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security was established as a means of helping clients recover some or all losses of money and/or property stolen from them by their attorneys. It is funded by a special annual assessment paid by any attorney admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania. Clients may receive up to $75,000 for any claim.  7 members, 5 members of the Pennsylvania bar and 2 non-lawyer citizens.