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Jenkins Under Attack, Again

April 11, 2018
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Join our efforts to Save Jenkins.

The Philadelphia Bar Association is considering a resolution to jeopardize the funding and future of the Jenkins Law Library.  The resolution encourages the Legislature to enact House Bill 1937. This bill will cripple Jenkins Law Library by diverting two-thirds of its primary funding source, court filing fees, to the First Judicial District’s general fund.

You may be surprised to learn that court filing fees, not membership dues, comprise 70% of our revenue. Jenkins and our members have relied on court filing fees since 1860. Membership fees make up just 20% of our annual income. Should this legislation pass, Jenkins will be crippled.

Opponents to Jenkins believe this legislation will secure additional funding for the private bar that represent indigent criminal defendants. In fact, the legislation does not mention indigent defense, and only says that funding normally reserved for the Library should be redirected to the First Judicial District. The money is not dedicated to indigent defense. While funding indigent defense is an admirable goal, it is the City’s obligation to pay for indigent defense from part of its $4.3 billion budget. Self-represented litigants, the public and the Bar should not be denied critical services to pay for the City’s obligation.

The Philadelphia Bar Association is considering a resolution in support of this legislation. The resolution alludes to a “pledge” by the City, which claims that the City’s obligation to fund the FJD will be reduced and receive a credit by an equal amount lost by Jenkins, and the amount saved would then be available for the City to pay conflict counsel. This secret pledge – not revealed or made part of the resolution – is being kept from the Bar, the committees, and Jenkins. It has not been made public by the resolution’s proponents or by the City.

The resolution also suggests the library could survive on endowments and membership fees alone, however they are wholly inadequate to fund your Jenkins library.

If this bill is passed, critical services and resources will be denied to our members. We level the playing field for all, whether rich or poor, solo practitioners or large firms. We provide services to those in need and to many that could neither afford nor avail themselves of these necessary legal resources. The most vulnerable citizens and their families will be harmed, including self-represented litigants seeking help in their most emotionally charged legal problems. Hundreds of thousands will be impacted.

We are proud to serve our 6,500 members, and the citizens of Philadelphia, since 1802. With your help, we intend to do so for many years to come.


Numerous Bar Association Past Chancellors and other prominent members of the legal community have joined me in our letter calling on the Bar Association to reject the resolution and legislation for a variety of reasons. I hope you will do the same. Please use the link below to add your name and tell the Philadelphia Bar Association that you oppose this resolution and the legislation.

 

Sincerely,

Theodore “Ted” Simon
President, Jenkins Law Library

More from the blog

Support Jenkins
May 3, 2018

Jenkins, the City and HB 1937

The President of our Board, Theodore "Ted" Simon, wants to both thank everyone that has responded to Jenkins’ requests to support the library and let you know that your voices have been heard by the Mayor’s Office. The house bill is now on pause and we are communicating with the Mayor’s office consistent with the demands of our membership, supporters, self represented litigants and the legal community. While we continue to oppose HB1937 which would cripple Jenkins, we also continue to support the proper governmental and constitutional funding of indigent defense. For the moment while I would ask you to continue to sign our letter of support, at this time, there is no need to further write or call the Mayor’s Office. Once again, we thank the large numbers of supporters that wrote the Mayor. We know we have a passionate group of supporters and we will keep you informed and advised when and where we need your further directed help and assistance. You have been indispensable to this collective effort to save Jenkins. (To see our prior messages, click the Blog link above.)
Support Jenkins
April 30, 2018

Did You Contact the Mayor Regarding Jenkins Funding?

The President of our Board, Theodore "Ted" Simon, has written a letter to Mayor Kenney. Mr. Simon thanks everyone who has signed our letter of support, those who have already contacted the Mayor, and those that are doing so. Please encourage everyone to reach out to friends and colleagues and ask them to email and call the Mayor at james.kenney@phila.gov or (215) 686-2181 to voice their concerns.
Support Jenkins
April 25, 2018

Save Jenkins: Contact The Mayor

Please take a few moments to let him know how important it is for Jenkins to continue to level the playing field for those seeking justice in Philadelphia. Be sure to tell him that HB 1937 threatens Jenkins’ ability to make a difference in your practice and every day for ordinary Philadelphians who are facing legal challenges.