Fineman Krekstein & Harris attorney Andrew Chirls named Chairman of Human Relations Commission of Narberth

Andrew Chirls, Esq. was named chairman of the Human Relations Commission of the Borough of Narberth, PA. He is a past chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association and is a member of the Commercial Litigation/Business Dispute, and Real Estate practice areas of the Philadelphia-based law firm of Fineman Krekstein & Harris P.C.

In June 2017 by unanimous vote, Narberth Borough became the 43rd municipality in Pennsylvania to adopt a non-discrimination ordinance, filling a gap in state and federal law by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and certain other characteristics not included in federal and state law. The legislation amended the borough code to establish a Narberth Human Relations Commission, to be made up of five regular and two alternate members. The Commission will be empowered to receive and respond to complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and commercial property, and public accommodations.

Narberth Borough Councilmember and Chair Aaron Muderick appointed Chirls to the Commission for a four- year term and as its inaugural chairperson. This is Chirls’ second stint as the head of a Human Relations Commission. When he resided in Philadelphia, he served on the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations for six years, was its chairman for the last months of his tenure. While Chirls’ legal practice area is primarily in business litigation, attorney ethics and mass torts, he has an extensive background in LGBTQ rights, going back to his service as a leader of the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal and in his work submitting amicus briefs in many high-profile LGBT rights cases. He tried the first case based on AIDS/HIV discrimination ever presented to a jury in Pennsylvania.