The origin of Phi Alpha Delta is unique in that it is the only law fraternity whose roots were nurtured in a legal controversy. On November 4, 1897, the Supreme Court of Illinois adopted a rule for admission to the Illinois Bar which seriously affected many of the students then preparing for admission. To protect their rights, they organized the "Law Student League." This league secured the passage of an act by the Illinois Legislature which exempted the students then studying for the bar from certain requirements of the rule. The Illinois Supreme Court, however, refused to recognize these exemptions, whereupon a test case was taken directly to the Supreme Court of Illinois (see in re Application of Henry M. Day, et al, 181 ILL. 73). The League was partially successful in this new undertaking.

The realization that more could be accomplished by a unified group and the close association formed in this common struggle led the members of the League to seek a way in which to preserve the relationship thus formed. Accordingly, in 1898 they formed the Lambda Epsilon Fraternity; Lambda standing for "law" and Epsilon for "equity."

The founders of Lambda Epsilon undoubtedly meant to establish a law fraternity dedicated to promoting the professional development of its members. Their zeal to ensure that this new organization would remain true to its founding principles led them to place severe restrictive procedures on expansion to other appropriate law schools and to maintain a tight rein on the central government of the fraternity.

In a short period of time, it became apparent that the attraction for this type of organization was of universal interest within the legal profession and that the new organization should be reorganized to allow its benefits to become available throughout the legal profession. Realizing this need, the delegates to the convention held at the Colonial Tavern in South Haven, Michigan, on July 16, 1902 unanimously adopted a resolution dissolving Lambda Epsilon. The next day, the South Haven Articles were signed which were to become the foundation of Phi Alpha Delta. A committee was appointed to suggest a method of procedure. After several months of arduous work a meeting was held in Chicago on November 8, 1902, and the Articles, Constitution, Ritual and Rules governing the organization of were proposed and formally adopted together with the name of "Phi Alpha Delta."

Within a month Blackstone, Story, Fuller, Webster and Marshall Chapters were installed. By 1910, the roster had increased to twenty-three in number.

Subsequently, Phi Alpha Delta secure in its principles and purposes has weathered war and depression and has proceeded along a steady, conservative policy of expansion until at this writing there are chapters chartered at law schools in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, and 84 alumni chapters.

The Fraternity thus has far more active chapters than does any other law fraternity in the world. The Fraternity has initiated over 200,000 members into chapters at accredited schools only.

In September of 1970 Phi Alpha Delta became the first law fraternity to admit women. In 1972 Phi Delta Delta Law Fraternity, the leading fraternity for women was, by joint action, merged into Phi Alpha Delta and 5,000 leading women judges, attorneys and educators became members of Phi Alpha Delta.

The Public Service Center was created in 1978 to conduct foundation-type activities for the Fraternity. Its principal activity has been in the area of law related education. Since its inception, the Center has provided an opportunity for the members to teach young people about the law. Funded primarily through Federal grants, the Center has achieved recognition for its effective programming.

The 1980 Convention adopted a program of Pre-Law Chapters and in the Spring of 1981 the first Pre-Law Chapter of the Fraternity was established at Southwest Missouri State University. Today there are over 200 Pre-Law chapters chartered.

The fraternity continues to grow and expand its services, benefits and programs to members all across the world.

Declaration of Purpose

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. 

To find out more information on our fraternity, feel free to check out the Phi Alpha Delta Wikipedia entry which has fraternity first, accredited chapters, and more by clicking HERE!