The purpose of the Club, when it was originally formed, was to encourage among its members social intercourse and a free discussion of matters affecting lawyers; elevating the standard of professional ethics, aiding in all movements looking toward the prompt and efficient administration of justice, the promotion of legislation for that purpose, and the maintenance of a club house and library for the use of members.

Today the Club functions as a professional organization which sponsors three informal cocktail receptions for the judges of various Pennsylvania courts and the members of the federal bench sitting in Philadelphia.

Historically, the fall reception is in honor of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and the Philadelphia Municipal Court. Generally there is a fall reception honoring one or more of the appellate courts. The spring reception honors the judges of the Federal bench including the judges of the Third Circuit, judges of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Bankruptcy Court, and the federal magistrates.

These receptions provide an informal venue for members of the bench and bar to meet and become better acquainted outside of the demands of a formal legal proceeding. These informal receptions are a positive way to permit members of the bench and bar to interact.