History

"The purpose of this chapter shall be to provide effective, cohesive, forum smaller than that of the entire undergraduate school student body, to promote the principles, ideals, and precepts of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International; to promote the principles of liberty and equal justice under law for all citizens; to stimulate excellence in scholarship; to provide a forum for the interchange between members of this chapter and the other members of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, and to develop lasting friendships among its members."
- UC Berkeley Phi Alpha Delta Mission Statement

Chapter History

Berkeley Phi Alpha Delta was founded in 2002, becoming the first pre-law fraternity on Berkeley's campus. Over the years, we have refined our purpose and expanded to include nearly 100 active members. Berkeley PAD is staunchly committed to the values of inclusivity which our brothers and sisters around the world value so much. In keeping with this, we do not have a formal pledging process, do not haze, and do not practice unneeded exclusion of those individuals wishing to be a part of the PAD family.

A Fraternity of Firsts

Phi Alpha Delta, International was founded on November 8, 1902. In September of 1970 it became the first law fraternity to admit women. The first Pre-Law Chapter was established in 1981 at Southwest Missouri State University. There are currently over 200 chapters chartered at law schools in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, as well as 300 Pre-Law chapters and 97 alumni chapters. Over the years Phi Alpha Delta has continued to grow and expand its services, benefits and programs to members all over the world.

Phi Alpha Delta was the first law fraternity to:

Open membership to all genders, races, creeds and national origins.
Establish a Pre-Law Program to assist undergraduate students interested in the law.
Hold P.A.D. Day at the Supreme Court, a day designated for P.A.D. attorneys to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Win a CFEA Award for Excellence in the highly-competitive multimedia category for the P.A.D. History Video.
Implement an on-line membership database for networking students and alumni together.

Distinguished Members

Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International has hundreds of prominent members that include U.S. Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, and others. Approximately one out of six attorneys is a member of Phi Alpha Delta.

I. Presidents of the United States