From left are Magisterial District Judges Adam Katzman, Richard Welsh, Kate McGill, Doug Lavenberg, Suzan Leonard, Edward Levine, Dara Nasatir, Jodi Griffis, and Todd Stephens. (Credit: Submitted Photo)
Nine judges can now argue before the Supreme Court, among other perks.
Nine Montgomery County Magisterial District Judges had the honor of being admitted into the Supreme Court of the United States Bar Tuesday in Washington D.C.
The judges took their oaths before all nine members of the Supreme Court and are now eligible to argue before the Supreme Court.
The Honorable Jodi Griffis (Conshohocken), Adam Katzman (Skippack), Doug Lavenberg (Ambler), Suzan Leonard (Blue Bell), Edward Levine (Lansdale), Kate McGill (Oreland), Dara Nasatir (Lafayette Hill), Todd Stephens (Horsham) and Richard Welsh (Limerick) traveled to Washington D.C. at their own expense for the ceremony.
Former Magisterial District Judge David Keightly, who is a member of the SCOTUS Bar, served as the groups Movant which is required for the admission.
The judges met with Chief Justice John Roberts in a private room prior to being sworn in and had the opportunity to ask questions.
“It was an amazing and humbling experience,” said Levine. “Chief Justice Roberts was incredibly insightful and gracious. He answered several questions from the group which related to being a Judge and the kinship we share on the bench.”
Beyond the honor of being a member of the Supreme Court Bar and being able to argue before the Court, members also get special seating for arguments, have access to the Supreme Court library, can listen to arguments in real time in the bar lounge, and receive a special certificate from the court.
The judges had the opportunity to hear arguments in The Republic of Hungary v. Simon, a case that dealt with the Hungarian government’s confiscation of Jewish-owned property during the Holocaust.
“I was impressed with the Justices’ questioning of the lawyers,” said Keightly. “They were cordial and polite, but also quite pointed in their questioning. As for the lawyers, they must have been scared half to death, considering the circumstances they were in, but they answered the probing questions clearly and gracefully.”
Montgomery County has 29 Magisterial District Judges, 19 of whom are attorneys, and now 16 are currently on the Supreme Court Bar. “
We have a great judiciary in Montgomery County and it starts with our foundation, the District Courts. To have so many judges, not just our attorney judges, so experienced and accomplished is a credit to our county and our voters,” said Levine.
