January 27, 2026

The Philadelphia Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation Section is pleased to announce that it is seeking nominations for the annual Irvin Stander Award. This award is given by the Section in memory of Workers’ Compensation Judge Irvin Stander, a Philadelphia Judge who was well known for his prolific writings on Workers’ Compensation and Zoning law. Judge Stander was also a founder of the first law school course on Workers’ Compensation at Temple University Law School, now the Temple University Beasley School of Law.

The Irvin Stander Award recognizes an outstanding graduating law student who has demonstrated legal acumen or scholarship in the areas of Administrative Law or Workers’ Compensation. The award committee is seeking an individual who has a demonstrated passion for Administrative or Workers’ Compensation Law, shown through academic excellence in an Administrative Law or Workers’ Compensation Law school class, related employment, internship, publications, or other activities, and has a significant connection to the Philadelphia area. The recipient of this prestigious award will receive a $2,500.00 prize to defray the cost of the annual bar examination, as well as a plaque commemorating this honor.

In addition to being considered for the Irvin Stander Award, all eligible applicants will also receive sponsorship for this year to the Philadelphia Bar Association and membership to the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Association.

See the requirements and documentation necessary set forth below. The requirements for the Irvin Stander Award are as follows:

1. The applicant must be a law student during the application period who is anticipated to graduate from law school prior to the Pennsylvania Bar Examination in July 2026.
2. The applicant must be currently enrolled and actively attending a law school located in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, or Chester counties in Pennsylvania, or the applicant may be a law school student currently enrolled and actively attending a law school at any location in the United States who is a resident of Philadelphia or has demonstrated a connection to the Philadelphia area.
3. If the applicant does not attend a law school located in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, or Chester counties in Pennsylvania, the applicant must include in his or her personal statement their connection to the Philadelphia area.
4. The scholarship recipient will be awarded the $2,500.00 scholarship in a timely fashion to provide financial assistance towards the recipient’s Pennsylvania bar examination review course. The scholarship recipient will also be invited to an upcoming event hosted by The Philadelphia Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation Section for the presentation of the award and plaque. Attendance is required, barring exigent circumstances that are determined to be an acceptable excuse by the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation Section. Failure to attend the award presentation event, barring exigent circumstances that are determined to be acceptable by the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association - Workers’ Compensation Section, may result in the forfeiture of the award at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association - Workers’ Compensation Section.

The following documentation is required from the applicant:

1. A cover letter addressed to the Philadelphia Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation Section - Awards Subcommittee. The cover letter should clearly state the applicant’s name, mailing address, e-mail address, and landline or cell phone number.
2. A resume.
3. An official law school transcript.
4. One letter of recommendation, preferably from an Administrative or Workers’ Compensation Law professor who taught the applicant. If the applicant is unable to obtain a recommendation from that teacher, a letter of recommendation from any law school professor, employer, or mentor, if the letter includes information on the applicant’s interest, work, and/or aptitude relating to Workers’ Compensation/Administrative Law. No more than one letter of recommendation will be considered. No personal letters of recommendation will be considered.
5. A personal statement that introduces the applicant and explains why the applicant is deserving of the award, why the applicant is interested in Workers’ Compensation/Administrative Law, the applicant’s connection to the Philadelphia area, and how Workers’ Compensation/Administrative Law aligns with the applicant’s future goals. The word limit is 250 words.
6. The application period runs from Monday, February 2, 2026, through Friday, May 1, 2026. All applications must be received by the Awards Subcommittee on or before May 1, 2026.
7. The application and all required documentation must be submitted electronically via email to the Philadelphia Bar Association – Workers’ Compensation Section – Attn. AJ Dejewski, Esquire at adejewski@sterncohenlaw.com.