[1][2] Adelphia Sigma Nu Phi was founded in 1903 by students and faculty of National University School of Law in Washington, D.C.[3][4] Its founders wanted to create a Greek letter law fraternity for men that would be a modern version of the English Order of the Coif.

[7] The purpose of Sigma Nu Phi was to improve legal education, promote professional ethics and culture, and establish a bond of brotherhood.

[6] The fraternity selected a seal, insignia, and design for a ring in February 1903, entering these with the Librarian of Congress.

The Sigma Nu Phi crest includes a cluster of three carnations, an Arabian lamp, an open book, and a crossed battle axe and key, flanked on both sides by an owl and surrounded by a legal scroll.

[24] The Sigma Nu Phi coat of arms was designed by Balfour and Company and adopted by the fraternity in 1921.

[8] Members wore purple gowns, based on judicial robes, with an old rose and gold girdle.

[5] Before 1921, some chapters had a pin or guard that consisted of its Greek letter, surrounded in pearls, that was worn attached to the badge.

[5] The Sigma Nu Phi pledge button was a gold owl that had jeweled eyes that was worn on the left lapel.

[5] It also issued a scholarship key to the members of each chapter with the highest grade point average in their class.

[8] In 1916, Sigma Nu Phi started publishing The Owl magazine quarterly.

[10][2] It was built in the 1870s for David Kellogg Cartter, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, and was later the home of Senator William Alexander Harris.

[10] Its lower level of the chapter house was decorted with hand-carved black walnut and included reading rooms, clubrooms, and space for programs and social events.

[32] Nationally, Sigma Nu Phi was governed by a high court of chancery which met annually, and an elected executive council.