Kathleen D. Wilkinson

Kathleen D. Wilkinson (Partner-Philadelphia, PA), President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, joined a panel on “Leading a Bar in Polarized Times” at the National Conference of Bar Presidents Annual Meeting on August 3, 2021. Kathleen spoke about the history of ABA Model Rule 8.4(g), which defines harassing or discriminatory behavior as professional misconduct, as a case study. She discussed how the Pennsylvania Bar Association urged the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to adopt a similar rule in 2016. After the adoption of a modified rule in 2020, a lawsuit was filed, an appeal was taken, and the court withdrew the rule. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issue an amended rule prohibiting knowing harassment or discrimination in the practice of law to take effect in August 2021. Kathleen suggested strategies bar leaders can use to address polarizing issues, such as seeking out opposing views, building consensus, educating stakeholders, and maintaining openness and civility.