Following her graduation, Barbara received her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College.  While there she served as a role model herself when she coxed for Columbia’s male varsity crew in the absence of a team at Barnard. Returning to Philadelphia, she graduated from Temple Law School in 1989.  When asked how she became interested in the law she responded, “I really liked watching Perry Mason. I wanted a job that would keep me interested and stimulated and challenged, and it has.” Following law school, she clerked for a federal judge before entering private practice. She accepted a position at the prestigious Philadelphia firm of Pepper Hamilton in 1990.  A full partner today, Barbara “serves as head of the antitrust section and deals with high stakes issues including trade restraints and price fixing.”

In addition to the demands of her paid work, Barbara has been honored repeatedly for her volunteer leadership in the Philadelphia area. When asked why this aspect of her professional life is so critical, Barbara explained that, “Equal access to justice is a critical concept to me. For me, pro bono is not as option, it’s a responsibility.” To that end, Barbara served as president of the Board of the Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program. When she received the First Union Fidelity Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association in 2003, they credited her with “turning the program around.”  Allan H. Gordon, chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, praised her “ongoing and creative efforts” and “continuous commitment in advancing the cause of the poor and underrepresented.” 

More recently, Barbara became the president of the Board of Trustees for Community Legal Services (CLS). This organization’s mission “is to provide the highest quality legal assistance to low-income Philadelphians who cannot afford legal counsel when they most need it.” CLS has helped over 17,000 Philadelphians fight consumer fraud and predatory lending, prevent homelessness, ensure fair treatment in the workplace and protect women, children and the elderly.  For her leadership at CLS, as well as her role in the creation of a new project called “Law Works,” Barbara was presented with the Champion of Justice Award in 2006.  In describing Barbara’s contributions, the award noted, “She worked endlessly to build strategic partnerships, lead fundraising efforts and guide changes in eligibility and scope.”  Referring to Barbara personally they also said that she “is no-nonsense and direct, strategic and smart, and can be counted on to speak her mind, and provide helpful, level-headed direction and advice.” 

Finally, Barbara currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Committee of 70, a non-partisan organization whose mission is to improve the Philadelphia region by demanding ethical conduct of public officials, promoting government efficiency, educating citizens and safeguarding elections. 

When I recently asked Barbara’s daughter Amalia what she would like me to say about her mother she was uncharacteristically quiet. What she finally said was, “There are too many good things about her for me to pick just one.”