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John W. Herron

Judge Herron's career spans a number of areas of legal practice giving him a vast knowledge of legal issues and the Commonwealth’s judicial system. His career began in the trust and estate’s department at White and Williams until he accepted an offer to join the DA Arlen Spector’s office where he tried criminal cases before juries and judges.

 

From there, he was courted by Bar leaders to head the newly formed office of Disciplinary Counsel in Philadelphia and rose through the ranks to become Chief Disciplinary Counsel.  Throughout that association he practiced regularly before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court arguing many precedent setting disciplinary cases.

 

In 1986, he accepted an offer to join then DA Castile’s administration as Deputy of Investigations, the third highest position in an office of 175 assistant district attorneys. In that role, he focused on grand jury investigations, white collar crime, drug enforcement, and economic crime.  There were several high profile investigations undertaken including the Move prosecution and judicial corruption.

 

From there he was selected by Governor Casey as a merit judicial nominee and was successfully elected to the Bench in 1988.

 

As judge, he has had a remarkable career progressing through criminal and civil assignments presiding over a combined total of over 300 jury trials, all the while holding high administrative positions, including judicial team leader, as well as three 3-year terms as Administrative Judge supervising 73 judges and 1,200 employees of the Trial Division.  He was also appointed as Chair of the Administrative Governing Board, the governing body for all courts in Philadelphia with over 100 judges, 2,400 employees and a budget of $110 million dollars.

At the mid-point of his judicial career, he taught legal ethics and trial advocacy for five years to law students at Temple University's Beasley School of Law.

  

As a judge in the civil program, he tried every type of claim in the system including medical malpractice, products liability, personal injury, premises liability, state RICO claims, libel actions, property disputes, contract claims, injunctions, UCC claims, and many others.

 

In the year 2000, he created and launched the first and only commerce court in Pennsylvania with his close friend Judge Sheppard.  There he took the inaugural assignment for several years presiding over complex commercial matters, class actions and TRO actions.

 

Upon the conclusion of his Commerce assignment, he accepted assignment in the Orphans’ Court where he had an individual calendar of probate and trust litigation until his retirement in 2022.

 

He brings to his mediation practice vast and unparalleled knowledge of the law and its procedures.

Past & Current Professional & Bar Memberships

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of PA

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

PA Superior and Commonwealth Courts

Common Pleas

American College of Business Courts

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Philadelphia Bar Association

Jr. Legal Club

University of Pennsylvania Innes of Court, Master

Beasley Law School Inn of Court

Recognition

Brennan Award, Philadelphia Bar Association award as the distinguished jurist of the year

Administrative Judge of the Trial Division.  Appointed to an unprecedented three  3-year terms by the Pa. Supreme Court

Chair, Administrative Governing Board. Appointed by the Pa. Supreme Court.  In charge of all courts in Philadelphia, 93 judges and 2,100 employees.

Inaugural Member of the Constitutionally Created Judicial Conduct Board.  Appointed by Governor Casey to a three year term

Person of the Year recognized by the Philadelphia Bar Association

Lifetime Achievement Award by the Legal Intelligencer

Business Litigation Committee Award

American Legion Service Award

"The Candidate has been a lawyer in private practice and served for 12 years as Assistant Disciplinary Counsel in Charge; Deputy Chief Counsel and Chief Disciplinary Counsel in the Commonwealth. In 1987, following a stint in the District Attorney’s Office, he was appointed and then elected to serve on the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. He has served with distinction for nearly 15 years on the Court holding assignments in both the Criminal and Civil Sections and the Orphans’ Court. From 1996 until 2002, he served as the Administrative Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Trials Division, supervising 900 employees and 73 judges. His administration was widely lauded for innovations that improved both the efficiency of the court and the treatment of those who come before it—all done while carrying a full trial load as one of only two judges on the newly formed Commerce Court program. The Candidate is intelligent, fair, unbiased and respectful of counsel, jurors, parties and witnesses. His legal knowledge is impressive and he is quick to perceive issues, extremely well prepared and writes with skill, compassion and insight. His extensive and broad experience, when combined with his distinguished administrative background and thoughtful and caring approach to issues of judicial policy enabled the Commission to conclude that the Candidate would serve with distinction as a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice and finds him highly recommended."

Pennsylvania Bar Association, 2003

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