The Board of Governors is the body that manages and carries out PBA policies as they are established by the House of Delegates. Between meetings of the house, the Board of Governors may perform any of the functions that the house itself may perform, with the exception of the duties specifically reserved to association members and delegates.
Specifically, the board is charged with the duty of drafting, administering and approving the association’s budget. Also, the board is responsible for overseeing the PBA sections and committees, and for transmitting to the house the reports prepared by the sections and committees. The bylaws also require the board to develop plans that will make PBA more useful to its members. The board generally will make recommendations to the house on specific issues, and will determine the association position on public issues and litigation affecting the legal profession. In addition, all actions taken by the board are to be reported to the House at its next meeting.
The Board of Governors is also authorized to enter into contracts that will bind the association. The board may authorize any of the association’s officers, or other agents of the PBA, to enter into binding agreements, and this authority may be general or may be limited by the board to certain areas.
Each year, the Board of Governors is required to present a report to its members. The report contains details concerning association assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the status of PBA membership. This report, which must be verified by the PBA president and treasurer, is filed with the minutes of the house meetings.
Composition of the Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is comprised of the following members:
- PBA general officers (president, president-elect, vice president, chair of the House of Delegates, secretary and treasurer)
- the immediate past president;
- three representatives from the Young Lawyers Division (the chair, chair-elect and the most recent living past chair;
- one zone governor from each zone;
- two minority governor;
- one woman governor; and
- one unit county governor (beginning in 2004).
The board’s membership is proportioned among the geographic zones in the commonwealth. This is in contrast to the House of Delegates, whose membership is based on direct representation.
Click here to view the 2020-2021 Board of Governors Roster
Click here to obtain further information relating to the Board of Governors (Members Only)
Click here to view the PBA bylaws