Phi Alpha Delta is the largest professional law fraternity in the United States. Founded in 1902, P.A.D. has since grown to 717 established pre-law, law, and alumni chapters and over 330,000 initiated members. Application for membership to Phi Alpha Delta is available to undergraduate students, law school students, lawyers, judges, and politicians. Five of the sitting Justices of the United States Supreme Court are members of P.A.D. From 1964 to 1968, Tom C. Clark, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, served as Supreme Vice Justice of the Fraternity. Six U.S. Presidents have likewise been members of P.A.D.
Organization and government
Pursuant to the Fraternity Policy Manual and By-Laws of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, the supreme governing body of the Fraternity is the International Chapter in Convention Assembled. The International Chapter is composed of up to two delegates from each active law school and alumni chapter, up to two alumni members at-large from each district, each District Justice, each International Officer, and each former Supreme or International Justice in attendance. Conventions are convened once every two years, usually in August. Between conventions, the Fraternity is governed by an International Executive Board composed of the International Justice, the International Vice Justice, the International Secretary, the International Treasurer, the International Marshal, and 4 Members at-Large. An International Tribunal composed of the Chief Tribune and two Associate Tribunes hold judicial authority within the Fraternity. All 12 International Officers are elected at Biennial Conventions. For organization purposes, the Fraternity is geographically divided into thirty-three districts covering North America. For each district, the International Justice, with the advice and consent of the IEB, appoints a District Justice to serve as regional coordinator and work with Law School and Alumni Chapters within their district. Each District Justice may have one or more Assistant District Justice to assist them in their work. District Justices are appointed, volunteer positions.
History
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, is a professional fraternity composed of pre-law and law students, legal educators, attorneys, judges, and government officials. Phi Alpha Delta was founded on November 8, 1902 for the purpose of promoting professional competency and achievement within the legal profession. Today, P.A.D. is the world's largest law fraternity with 206 law school chapters, 99 alumni chapters and 316 Pre-Law chapters in the United States, Canada and Mexico. P.A.D. was the first law fraternity to admit members of all races, creeds, colors, religions and national origins. Phi Alpha Delta became the first law fraternity to admit women in September 1970. In 1972 Phi Delta Delta Law Fraternity for women was, by joint action, merged into Phi Alpha Delta. P.A.D. is the only law fraternity to admit undergraduate students interested in the law. P.A.D. also sponsors an annual International Pre-Law Conference and Mock Trial Competition. P.A.D. is the only law fraternity to receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice for its Law Related Education program. P.A.D. hosts a "Senior Transition Program", aimed to help undergraduate seniors transition from the life of undergraduate studies to law school.
Prominent members of the fraternity
;United States Presidents ;U.S. Supreme Court Justices ;U.S. Vice Presidents
