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"Justice is the constant and perpetual wish to render to every one his due."
~ Emperor Justinian
 
 
Upcoming Events
2022-2023 Membership Application and Membership Renewal
06-12-2023
June Board Meeting
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07-17-2023
July Board Meeting
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08-21-2023
August Board Meeting
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09-18-2023
September Board Meeting
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10-16-2023
October Board Meeting
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11-20-2023
November Board Meeting
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12-12-2023
"SAVE THE DATE"
The Justinian Christmas Party
Arts Ballroom

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12-18-2023
December Board Meeting
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Justinian Society News
01-01-2022
Justinian Society Event Photos

To see all of the photos from our most recent events, see our Flickr account.

To see photos from the 2022 Justinian Christmas Party click here.

To see photos from the Beccaria Award held on December 13, 2022 given to Nathan J. Andrisani, Esq. for 2022 and Professor Louis M. Natali, Jr. for 2021 click here.

To see photos from the "In Person" Luncheon honoring Philadelphia Bar Chancellor Wesley R. Payne IV, Esq. held on February 17, 2022 click here.

To see photos from the 2021 "In Person" Luncheon honoring Phila Bar Assoc. Chancellor Lauren McKenna, Esquire and their immediate Past Chancellor Hon. A. Michael Snyder (Ret.) click here.

To see photos from the 2020 Beccaria Award held November 17, 2022 given to George Bochetto, Esq. click here.

06-17-2021
2021 First "In Person" Annual Meeting/Election Announcement
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06-29-2020
Virtual Annual Meeting, Election & Scholarship Announcement
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06-10-2020
News from The Justinian Foundation – 2020 Scholarship Recipient
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Members of the Month
June 2022 Justinian Member of the Month
This month, the Justinian Society proudly spotlights the accomplishments of The Honorable Daniel R. Sulman is a judge in the Family Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where he served from July of 2016 to January of 2018 and from December of 2019 through the present, following appointments to the bench by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and election in 2021. The Judge is a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, a graduate of Philadelphia public schools and magna cum laude graduate of Temple University. He earned his law degree at Temple University Beasley School of Law. More...
May 2022 Justinian Member of the Month
This month, the Justinian Society proudly spotlights the accomplishments of The Honorable Craig Levin who is a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. He assumed office on January 3, 2022. His current term ends January 5, 2032. Judge Levin was born and raised in Philadelphia. His life has been shaped by the communities where he grew up: First in West Oak Lane, then moving as a teenager to the Northeast. He attended Philadelphia Public Schools, graduating from Temple University with a B.S. in Finance and earned his Juris Doctorate from the Delaware School of Law at Widener University. He is a proud 'Philly guy' and loves all things 'Philly'. More...
March 2022 Justinian Member of the Month
This month, the Justinian Society proudly spotlights the accomplishments of The Honorable Ann M. Butchart who was elected to a ten-year term as a Trial Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia in 2005 and was retained for a second term in 2015. She has presided in Family Court, Criminal Court and Civil Court. More...
February 2022 Justinian Member of the Month
This month, the Justinian Society proudly spotlights the accomplishments of The Honorable Rosemarie Defino-Nastasi who presides in the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Trial Division in Philadelphia. She began her legal career working as an Assistant Defender for The Defender’s Association of Philadelphia. She then joined her family’s law firm in South Philadelphia working alongside her brothers, Michael and Vincent Defino. Judge Defino-Nastasi has presided in the Criminal Trial Division for over twenty years. More...
January 2022 Justinian Member of the Month
This month, the Justinian Society proudly spotlights the accomplishments of President Judge Jack Anthony Panella of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He was elected to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in November 2003 and sworn into office as an appellate judge on January 9, 2004 and retained in 2013. On January 7, 2019, he was elected President Judge. His true devotion and commitment is to assure that the Superior Court does it best to serve the people and the members of the Bar in ways that are efficient and productive, and balances judicial independence with accountability. More...
 
 
  October 2021 Justinian Member of the Month
10-01-2021

Judge Maria McLaughlin
October, 2021 Justinian Member of the Month

Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin, now running for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, first in her family to attend college, single mom, lawyer, judge and appellate judge, Maria McLaughlin personifies the meaning of hard work.

Judge McLaughlin grew up in the Overbrook section of West Philadelphia. She received her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and her law degree from Delaware Law School-Widener University. It is fortuitous that during her final year of law school, Judge McLaughlin clerked for the President Judge of the Superior Court, where she is now a member.

Upon graduation from law school and for the next 19 years, Judge McLaughlin worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia and later as Chief of the Child Support Enforcement Unit. She was one of the youngest female Chiefs ever appointed in Philadelphia. Her life was dedicated to protecting the rights of children. As a single mother and judge on the Court of Common Pleas, Family Division, of utmost importance to her was continuing to safeguard the rights of children. Judge McLaughlin is known for her commitment and compassion both on and off the bench.

In 2017, Judge McLaughlin led the ticket amongst nine candidates statewide for a seat on the Superior Court. She serves as liaison between the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Superior Court. This role has been crucial throughout the pandemic.

Giving back to the community was instilled in Judge McLaughlin from an early age. As a young child her parents would take her to spend time at a local orphanage, bearing gifts for the holidays, along with making sandwiches and delivering them to the homeless. These are traditions she continues with her own sons.

Throughout her legal career, Judge McLaughlin has dedicated numerous hours off the bench to various organizations, including, anti-violence, anti-drug, re-entry programs and youth organizations. She spent time working with women in prisons, helping them hone their interview skills so they might increase their chances of success outside the prison system.

Judge McLaughlin appears often as an instructor and/or guest speaker on a variety of topics for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, local bar associations around Pennsylvania, primary, middle and high schools, and universities and law schools throughout the Commonwealth.

There is nothing more important to Judge McLaughlin than family. She and her husband, Jonathan Saidel treasure their blended family, sharing six adult children and four grandchildren.

Professional Experience

  • Elected a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2017
  • Elected a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas 2011
  • Chief District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office 2002-2011
  • Assistant Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office 1992-2001
  • Judicial Law Clerk, Superior Court of Pennsylvania 1991

Memberships and Associations

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • National Association of Women Judges
  • Justinian Law Society
  • Brehon Law Society
  • Sons and Daughters of Italy, Roxborough
  • Alumni Board of Directors Delaware Law School of Widener University

Awards and Honors

  • Delaware Law School of Widener University Alumnus of the Year
  • Delaware Law School of Widener University Outstanding Service Award
  • Sons and Daughters of Italy Person of the Year

Una Piccola Conversazione

1. How long have you been a member of the Justinian Society?

Approximately 29 years. I joined as a young lawyer in the Philly DA Office

2. Why did you join the Justinian Society, and what do you hope to gain from membership?

Coming from a family of Italian immigrant, my heritage is very important to me. As a young lawyer, I joined the Justinian Society to connect with people who I share cultural values. Over the years I have gained many friendships in my colleagues from the bar and the bench.

3. What do you love or enjoy most about your job?

I love that I am in a position where I can help so many people. I've always been proud to wear my black robe for everyone.

4. How would you define success?

Watching my boys become fine young men they are after raising them as a single mom for so many years. Success starts in my home.

5. Who or what inspires you?

My mom will always be my biggest inspiration. I was very fortunate to have my mom as long as I did and the life lessons, she taught me; I carry with me every day to the bench.

6. If you could choose anyone in history as a mentor, who would you choose and why?

The Notorious RBG! She broke so many glass ceilings in the legal profession. I admired her grit, integrity, and her ability to relate to anyone.

7. Name one valuable lesson you've learned in your life and that you would advise other members to follow?

Never forget where you come from, a lesson I learned from my father. I used it as the theme to my video announcement for the PA Supreme Court.

8. What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I was a Penn State cheerleader. We Are!

9. What's the last book you read?

Lisa Scotto line's latest book, Eternal. She is one of my favorite authors and is from Philadelphia.

10. What's your favorite thing about Philadelphia, i.e., sports team, restaurant, museum, history, music etc.?

All of the above, that's why I love Philadelphia! But as an Italian, how could I not love the food. But don't you dare ask me to choose - I'm a candidate for state office.

 
 
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