The Honorable Daniel R. Sulman
June 2022 Justinian Member of the Month

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.

Judge Sulman 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.

The Judge served as law clerk to the Hon. Edward R. Summers in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and as both Support Hearing Officer and Custody Hearing Officer in the Domestic Relations Branch of Philadelphia Family Court. As a Custody Hearing Officer, he developed and implemented new procedures to effect the prompt resolution of custody relocation cases.

In May of 2019, Sulman was elected as a board member of the Philadelphia Board of Revision of Taxes, an independent seven-member board that adjudicates property tax assessment appeals, where he served until, he returned to the judiciary in December of 2019. Judge Sulman is a member of the Temple University Political Science Advisory Board, the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court.

Judge Sulman enjoys Philadelphia professional sports and spending time with his wife and two children.

Una Piccola Conversazione

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

For one year.

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

I was invited to join the Justinian Society by friends who are also respected members of the bar who are active in the Justinian Society. My goal is to continue engaging with attorneys and members of the bench in order to promote collegiality within the legal profession.

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

The opportunity to apply my education, training and life experiences to make a difference in the lives of Philadelphians in the most important cases involving children and victims of domestic violence.

4. How would you define success?

Success can and should be measured subjectively, as its meaning is unique to each individual. For me, doing the right thing and going to sleep each night with a clear conscience.

5. Who or what inspires you?

My two beautiful children.

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

Supreme Court Justice William Brennan for his legal scholarship and empathy.

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

Always show respect and courtesy to others.

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

I have been an Eagles season ticket holder for more than 20 years.

9. What's the last book you read?

Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.

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

I am a proud to be a lifelong Philadelphia and it is a true luxury to appreciate the richness and importance of our local history as well as the diversity of cultures in Philadelphia. Eating a meal at one of the many excellent Italian restaurants in Philadelphia is one of my favorite things.