Founded in 1902 in South Haven, Michigan, Phi Alpha Delta was organized by a group of Chicago area law students in response to a legal controversy over a rule affecting admission to the State Bar. The Students believed that law fraternity benefits should be made available to all members of the law profession and soon expanded P.A.D. outside the Chicago area. Phi Alpha Delta was the first law fraternity to open its membership to all members of the law profession.
In 1979, the P.A.D. Public Service Center was established in Washington, D.C. to expand upon the fraternity’s professional service through law related education. In 1980, P.A.D. developed a Pre-Law Program to address the needs of undergraduate students interested in going to law school. Growing from a tiny nucleus originating in a legal controversy at the turn of the century, Phi Alpha Delta has achieved a position of preeminence among the law fraternities.