About Us
Phi Alpha Delta
Our History
Phi Alpha Delta (P.A.D.) was founded on November 8, 1902, with the mission to promote integrity, compassion, and professional advancement within the legal field. What began as a small group of law students dedicated to building a supportive and collaborative community has since grown into the world’s largest professional law fraternity. Over the decades, Phi Alpha Delta has remained steadfast in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity. In 1967, P.A.D. made history as the first law fraternity to admit women, setting a precedent for equity and representation in legal education. The fraternity has since expanded internationally, creating a global network that connects students, professionals, and alumni across continents.
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Today, Phi Alpha Delta serves over 330,000 members and supports 650 active chapters at the pre-law, law school, and alumni levels. Our fraternity continues to empower aspiring legal professionals through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and professional development. At UC San Diego, our chapter proudly carries on this legacy by providing pre-law students with the tools, resources, and community they need to thrive. We remain committed to fostering excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service, guiding our members on their journey toward success in the legal profession.
Purpose
Phi Alpha Delta is a pre-law fraternity dedicated to providing a supportive community and valuable resources to aspiring legal professionals. As a fraternity, we are dedicated to service: service to the student, the school, the profession, and the community. It is through devotion to the ideals of compassion, courage, diversity, innovation, integrity, professionalism, and service that we better both our profession and our community.
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.
Our Values
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Leadership
We empower our members to step into leadership roles and embrace the responsibility of making a meaningful impact. Through opportunities to organize events, mentor peers, and take on executive roles, we foster growth in communication, teamwork, and decision-making. We believe in cultivating leaders who act with integrity, purpose, and a commitment to shaping the future of the legal community.
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Professional Development
We are committed to equipping our members with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed in the legal field. By offering workshops, networking events, mentorship, and hands-on experiences, we bridge the gap between ambition and achievement. Our focus on professional development ensures that every member is prepared to navigate the challenges of law school and beyond with confidence and expertise.
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Community
We prioritize building a welcoming and inclusive environment where every member feels supported and valued. Our community is united by shared goals, mutual respect, and a commitment to lifting each other up. Through meaningful connections, collaborative projects, and a network that extends beyond graduation, we ensure that every member has a place to belong and grow within Phi Alpha Delta.