ARTICLE IX - SECTIONS

Section 900. Sections; Additional Sections.

1. The Sections of the Association shall be as set forth in this Article.
2. Additional Sections may be established by amendment of these bylaws as provided in Section 1100 upon petition to the Board signed by 50 or more Members whose principal practice or interest shall be within the contemplated jurisdiction of the Section. The petition shall state the contemplated jurisdiction of the Section, which shall be a recognized area of substantive or procedural law or the practice thereof, and which shall not be in substantial conflict with the jurisdiction of any Standing or Special Committee that will continue after the Section is established.

Section 901. Combination, Change of Name or Discontinuance of Sections.

The Board may change the name of, combine or discontinue any Section or Sections.

Section 902. Membership of Sections.

1. All members of Sections shall be Members except as set forth in Section 902(B) hereof, and any Member may be a member of any one or more Sections.
2. Any Section may permit one or more non-lawyers to serve as members of the Section or any committee thereof, except that unless otherwise approved by the Board no more than 10 percent of the members of any Section may be non-lawyers, and no non-lawyer may be an officer of any Section. This provision shall not be construed to prevent any other cooperation and affiliation, with the approval of the Board, between Sections and non-member groups for the purpose of furthering the work of the Sections and the objectives of the Association.

Section 903. Section Organization and Procedures; Reports.

1. Each Section shall adopt such bylaws and other regulations for its organization, governance and conduct of its business as it deems appropriate, not inconsistent with the Charter, Bylaws and resolutions of the Board.
2. The officers of each Section shall be the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as are provided in its bylaws. In lieu of a Chair and Vice Chair a Section may have two or more Co-Chairs, in which case any reference to the "Chair" of a Section in these Bylaws shall refer to any Co-Chair, as determined by the Section.
3. Subject to the approval of the Board, each Section may assess dues on its members in such amounts as the Section shall determine.
4. There shall be no expenditure by the Sections of funds not raised through assessment of Section dues unless first authorized by the Board.
5. At such time or times as the Chancellor or Board shall determine, the Chair of each Section shall transmit a report of its activities to the Chancellor and/or the Board.

Section 904. Section Meetings.

All Sections shall meet from time to time at the call of the Chair thereof, and it shall be the duty of the Chair thereof to call a meeting upon the written request of the Chancellor or of any 10 members of the Section.

The Business Law Section shall promote the objectives of the Association within the field of corporation, banking and business law, and, to that end, shall advance the development of the law and the further and continuing education of the Philadelphia Bar within such field in all its branches, shall formulate and extend the study of such field of law, and shall cooperate in obtaining uniformity with respect to both legislation and administration in all matters within such field.

Section 906. The Tax Section.

The Tax Section shall study and make appropriate recommendations to the appropriate legislative, executive, administrative or judicial authority with respect to any present or proposed law, regulation, ruling or procedure relating to federal, state or local taxation.

Section 907. The Probate and Trust Law Section.

The Probate and Trust Law Section shall promote the objectives of the Association within the field of probate and trust law and the further and continuing education of the Philadelphia Bar within that field in all its branches, shall formulate and extend the study of that field of law, shall cooperate in attaining uniformity with respect to both legislation and administration in all matters within that field, and shall simplify and improve the application of justice in that field.

Section 908. The Family Law Section.

The Family Law Section shall study and submit resolutions concerning the laws, local and statewide rules of procedure, administrative regulations and forms and procedures governing marriage, divorce, adoption, support, custody, property division, dependency, juveniles, protection from abuse, paternity and other subjects related to family law. The Section shall work with the Family Court of Philadelphia to develop and implement policy and rules, shall provide the members of the Section and the Bench with continuing legal education, shall encourage an atmosphere of civility, sensitivity and camaraderie among the members of the Bench and Bar, and shall work to improve the delivery of legal services, administration of justice and public perception of the family law system.

Section 909. The Criminal Justice Section.

The Criminal Justice Section shall study and make recommendations concerning criminal law and procedure. The Section shall cooperate in the improvement of criminal law enforcement in the City of Philadelphia and with the personnel charged with the same. The Section, on behalf of the Association, shall from time to time meet with judges, public officials, law enforcement, officers and others for the purpose of submitting to them and discussing with them plans for improvements or changes in criminal law and in the administration of criminal justice. The Section shall consider and report upon any such improvements or changes as may be referred to it by the Association and shall take such action as may be appropriate in support of or in opposition to such improvements or changes. When so directed by the Association, or by the Board, the Section shall advocate or oppose, in the name of the Association, particular suggested changes in rules of court or in the Federal or Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Section 910. The Real Property Section.

The Real Property Section shall promote the objectives of the Association within the field of real property law by discussing, studying and suggesting improvements in applicable laws, practices and procedures. The Section shall also assist in the formulation of continuing legal education programs and materials. The Section shall serve as a forum for communicating information to its members on current developments and trends in real property law and provide them with an opportunity to network and develop relationships with other lawyers and professionals in the real estate industry.

Section 911. The Public Interest Section.

The Public Interest Section shall promote the interests of the Members who address the legal needs and rights of the poor, minorities, victims of abuse, persons with disabilities, the homeless and other disadvantaged populations. The Section shall provide a forum for the Bar to work together on issues of mutual concern that affect the public interest, to provide continuing legal education to its members, and to educate and involve the entire Bar in issues affecting the public interest. In addition to other committees created by the Public Interest Section, there shall be three standing committees: a Civil Rights Committee, a Delivery of Legal Services Committee, and a Women’s Rights Committee of the Public Interest Section. The Chancellor, Chancellor-Elect and Vice Chancellor shall be ex officio voting members of the standing committees. The Chairs of all committees of the Public Interest Section shall be named by the Chancellor on or before January 15 of the Chancellor’s term to serve for a term concurrent with the Chancellor’s term or until their successors are appointed.

Section 912. The Workers’ Compensation Section.

The Workers’ Compensation Section shall promote the objectives of the Philadelphia Bar Association within the field of the workers’ compensation law. The Section shall advance the development of the law and assist in the formulation of continuing education. The Section shall seek to attain uniformity with respect to both legislation and administration in all matters within its field.

Section 913. The State Civil Litigation Section.

The State Civil Litigation Section shall promote the objectives of the Philadelphia Bar Association within the field of state civil litigation and, to that end: advance the development of the law and the further and continuing education of the Philadelphia bar within this field in all its branches; formulate and extend the study of this field of law; cooperate in attaining uniformity with respect to both legislation and administration in all matters within the field; cooperate with judicial, legislative and administrative bodies and other constituents of the organized bar to further these activities; suggest improvements in applicable laws, practices and procedures; and simplify and improve the application of justice in this field, all in conformity with the Charter and Bylaws of the Philadelphia Bar Association as at the time in effect.