Board of Directors-City Trust

- 1101 Market St Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19107

When you hear the term "attorney," you often think of a single individual or a law firm. However, in Philadelphia, a unique legal entity exists that serves a critical and specialized function for the community: the Board of Directors of City Trusts. This is not a typical private law practice; rather, it is a body of appointed professionals, including attorneys, who are responsible for the administration of charitable trusts and funds bequeathed to the City of Philadelphia for public and charitable purposes. This article provides an informative look at this distinctive organization, its purpose, and its role as an attorney resource for the people of Pennsylvania.

Established in 1869, the Board of Directors of City Trusts was created by an act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to ensure that the management of city trusts would be free from political influence and handled by a dedicated, professional group. This mission continues today, as the Board oversees a significant portfolio of trusts, including those for world-renowned institutions like Girard College and Wills Eye Hospital. The Board's membership, which includes esteemed legal professionals, serves to safeguard and administer these funds for the benefit of the community, acting as an attorney on behalf of the city's charitable interests.

This content is designed to help users in the Pennsylvania region understand the important work of the Board, its location, and the specific functions it performs. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of its role as a steward of public trusts and a vital legal resource for the City of Philadelphia's charitable endeavors.

The office of the Board of Directors of City Trusts is centrally located at 1101 Market St Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. This address places the Board's operations in a prominent and easily accessible part of downtown Philadelphia. For anyone in the city or surrounding areas, this location is highly convenient to access, particularly for those who may need to interact with the Board's administration or its members. The Market Street location is well-served by a variety of public transportation options, making it a practical choice for all individuals.

The provided information confirms that the office includes both a restroom and a wheelchair-accessible restroom. This indicates a commitment to accommodating all visitors, including those with mobility challenges. The presence of these amenities reflects a professional and considerate approach to serving the public and underscores the Board's role as a public-facing entity.

While the Board itself is a governing body and not a private law firm that takes on individual clients in the traditional sense, its professional staff and members are available to manage and administer its trusts. A phone call to (215) 568-0440 would be the appropriate first step to inquire about any matters related to the trusts it administers. The combination of a central location and an accommodating environment ensures that the Board is accessible to the public it serves.

As a body of attorneys and other professionals, the Board of Directors of City Trusts does not offer traditional legal services to the public in the same way a private firm would. Instead, their legal work is focused on managing and administering the vast portfolio of trusts for which the City of Philadelphia is a trustee. Their work is a form of public service and legal stewardship. Based on public data, the types of legal and fiduciary services they provide include:

• Trust Administration: The primary function is to administer trusts for charitable purposes, ensuring that the funds and assets are used in accordance with the benefactor's wishes.
• Investment Management: They are responsible for safeguarding and administering the investment of money and other assets held in these trusts, which requires legal and financial expertise.
• Property Management: The Board maintains revenue-producing immovable property under its jurisdiction, which includes all the legal aspects of real estate management.
• Oversight of Charitable Institutions: The Board provides oversight to key institutions funded by these trusts, such as Girard College and Wills Eye Hospital, ensuring their operations comply with the trust mandates.
• Legal and Financial Compliance: The Board's members and staff ensure that the administration of each trust adheres to all applicable laws and financial regulations, a core legal function.
• Advisory Services: They advise the Mayor and City Council on matters related to the execution, disposition, or modification of trusts, acting as a trusted legal counsel for the city.

Essentially, their "services offered" are the comprehensive legal and fiduciary responsibilities required to manage a portfolio of public trusts. The attorneys on the Board and its professional staff apply their legal skills to this unique and important purpose, serving the public good rather than individual clients.

The Board of Directors of City Trusts is a unique entity with several notable features that distinguish it as a vital legal and public institution in Philadelphia. These highlights are a testament to its long history and the caliber of its members.

• Historical Significance: The Board was created over 150 years ago to ensure the proper management of public trusts, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to its mission and the city.
• Distinguished Membership: The Board is composed of esteemed citizens of Philadelphia, including prominent attorneys, who are appointed by the Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas. This accountability to the judiciary underscores its integrity and professionalism.
• Uncompensated Service: The Board's members serve without compensation, highlighting a dedication to public service and the charitable purpose of the trusts they administer.
• Oversight of Major Institutions: The Board's governance includes oversight of highly respected institutions like Girard College and Wills Eye Hospital, underscoring the significant impact of their work on the community.
• Fiduciary Responsibility: The Board acts as a fiduciary for the City of Philadelphia, which is the trustee of these trusts. This role requires a high degree of ethical and legal responsibility, a core feature of their work.
• Expertise in Trust Law: The Board's focus on administering trusts, including recommending the acceptance or rejection of new trusts, demonstrates a specialized expertise in this complex area of law.

These features collectively illustrate that the Board of Directors of City Trusts is not just a legal organization but a cornerstone of Philadelphia's charitable and public infrastructure, guided by dedicated professionals committed to its mission.

Board of Directors-City Trust

Address: 1101 Market St Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA

Phone: (215) 568-0440

When considering the Board of Directors of City Trusts, the value it provides is not to an individual client but to the entire community of Philadelphia and, by extension, Pennsylvania. What makes this entity worth choosing as a steward of public funds and legal interests is its historical integrity, professional governance, and unwavering commitment to its charitable mission. Unlike a private attorney, this Board's purpose is not profit but public service. Its members, who serve without compensation, include legal professionals who lend their expertise to ensure that charitable legacies, some of which are centuries old, continue to benefit the people they were intended to help.

The Board's accountability to the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas provides a layer of oversight and trust that is unique. It ensures that the administration of these trusts is handled with the highest level of legal and ethical standards. This is particularly important for significant institutions like Girard College and Wills Eye Hospital, whose continued success relies on the Board's meticulous management.

For residents of Pennsylvania who are interested in the administration of public trusts or the institutions they support, the Board represents a trustworthy and transparent entity. While it doesn't serve as a legal firm for personal cases, its existence and function are a testament to a unique legal model designed to preserve and grow charitable legacies for the benefit of generations to come. In essence, the Board of Directors of City Trusts is a collective of attorneys and civic leaders who serve as a trusted legal and fiduciary backbone for some of the city's most important charitable assets.

Board of Directors-City Trust

1101 Market St Suite 2600, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA