Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice

Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice Established in 2005, the Commission addresses inequities in PA's three branches of government.

We are proud that PCFJ's sustained advocacy shaped the newly finalized IFP procedures, with many of our recommendations ...
05/28/2026

We are proud that PCFJ's sustained advocacy shaped the newly finalized IFP procedures, with many of our recommendations incorporated into the final rules. These changes strengthen fairness and help ensure that financial hardship does not stand between individuals and their ability to seek justice. The rules take effect November 1, 2026—visit the link in our bio to read them, and swipe through our post to learn more!

On Monday, May 11, Staff Attorney Bertig had the opportunity to serve on a panel addressing implicit bias and racial jus...
05/18/2026

On Monday, May 11, Staff Attorney Bertig had the opportunity to serve on a panel addressing implicit bias and racial justice issues in non-capital homicide litigation.

Held in Pittsburgh as part of the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania's larger training conference, the panel featured a detailed and honest discussion on the ways in which implicit bias manifests before, during, and beyond criminal jury trials.

PCFJ thanks for this opportunity and their continued partnership in advancing fairness and justice in Pennsylvania's justice system!

Law school is often portrayed as cut‑throat and intimidating—think The Paper Chase or Legally Blonde—where fear and hars...
05/11/2026

Law school is often portrayed as cut‑throat and intimidating—think The Paper Chase or Legally Blonde—where fear and harshness define the classroom. But what if kindness weren’t seen as weakness? What if it were fully compatible with rigorous, inclusive, and respectful legal education?

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, Anna P. Hemingway, makes that very case in her newly published law review article, “The Case for Kindness: Gender, Pedagogy, and Power in Legal Education,” appearing in the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy.

We invite you to explore this important work through the link below or in our bio.

https://lawjournal.ku.edu/sites/lawjournal/files/documents/Volume%2035/01_Hemingway_Final.pdf

On Thursday, April 30, Staff Attorney Bertig spoke at the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's LGBTQ Business Council eve...
05/07/2026

On Thursday, April 30, Staff Attorney Bertig spoke at the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's LGBTQ Business Council event on allyship and advocacy.

Joined by co-panelists Jonathan Huerta, Esq. (KingSpry) and Detective Mervinson Lopez (City of Bethlehem Police Department), Staff Attorney Bertig shared insights into the impact of recent Executive Orders and the critical protections that local non-discrimination ordinances provide LGBTQIA+ residents.

Held at Lehigh University's E.W. Fairchild-Martindale Library, the event provided PCFJ an opportunity to advance its central mission: collaborating with community organizations to raise public awareness of the impact of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and disability on the fair delivery of justice in Pennsylvania.

This month, Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice staff headed to the General Assembly to make a case for a sig...
04/30/2026

This month, Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice staff headed to the General Assembly to make a case for a significant budget increase. We took the opportunity to provide background regarding our organization’s impact and budget history while making a case for our future sustainability. If you value the ongoing role of PCFJ in Pennsylvania, call your state representative and ask them to fully fund PCFJ.



Thank you to Kyara Lozano, M.Ed., Middle School Guidance Counselor, and the entire Roberto Clemente Charter School team ...
04/27/2026

Thank you to Kyara Lozano, M.Ed., Middle School Guidance Counselor, and the entire Roberto Clemente Charter School team for hosting Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice and so many community members at Friday’s career fair. We are also grateful to former President Judge Johnson for inviting the Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice to speak with students about the importance of our justice system and how they can play a role in building a more fair and just Commonwealth. Inspiring conversations and a truly impactful day!

📣 Women across the Commonwealth - your voice matters.Our friends at the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women are writ...
04/22/2026

📣 Women across the Commonwealth - your voice matters.

Our friends at the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women are writing a State of the Woman Report for Pennsylvania, and they want to hear directly from you.

This 20-minute survey is your chance to share your experiences, priorities, and challenges - no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to.

📝 Take the survey and help shape the future for women in Pennsylvania: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stateofthewoman

Also available in

Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stateofthewomanspanish

Chinese: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/stateofthewomanchinese

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) for hosting an important dialogue on April...
04/14/2026

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) for hosting an important dialogue on April 9, 2026. Executive Director Maraleen Shields and Commissioner Cathy Law spoke about understanding implicit bias and its implications in death penalty matters—critical issues for ensuring fairness in our justice system.

🎉 Building Connections, Balancing Budgets, & Brainstorming Solutions 🎉The Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice...
04/06/2026

🎉 Building Connections, Balancing Budgets, & Brainstorming Solutions 🎉

The Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice (PCFJ) held its first quarterly meeting of 2026, which featured:
✅ Robust committee updates on LGBTQIA+ programming, Pennsylvania juror qualifications, and legislation designed to support survivors of abuse
✅ 3 upcoming speaking engagements by staff and Commissioners in the next month
✅ A full complement of 24 Commissioners from 13 counties eager to spread the word about PCFJ's ongoing work and its budgetary needs

As Executive Director Maraleen Shields shared:
"“The substantive impact and statewide value of the Commission’s work deserves increased investment from all three branches if the work is to continue.”

📅 Next meeting: June 26, 2026

Mental‑health professionals caution that reading Jeffrey Epstein’s files can cause “secondhand trauma”—especially for su...
03/30/2026

Mental‑health professionals caution that reading Jeffrey Epstein’s files can cause “secondhand trauma”—especially for survivors of abuse. Yet Lehigh County DA Gavin Holihan argues that judges and juries must hear the full, graphic details in court to properly assess intent and accountability.

Where these concerns are in tension, the article underscores the role of groups like the Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice (PCFJ) in supporting balanced legal processes—ensuring due process while highlighting ongoing efforts to meet trauma-sensitive standards and equip our jurors with necessary mental health resources.

👉 Read more: The Morning Call article (link in bio)

Address

601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 6200
Harrisburg, PA
17106

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17179981297

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