Events
Event

Diversity on the Bench: A Roundtable Discussion with Philadelphia Judges

Blank Rome LLP | Philadelphia Office

Blank Rome LLP will host a special Black History Month event, featuring a thoughtful conversation about diversity on the bench with an esteemed panel of Philadelphia judges and former Temple Law School dean. The program will be held on February, 25, 2020, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Firm's Philadelphia office. 

Reviewing the legal career and legacy of the Honorable William H. Hastie, the first black federal district court judge and first black federal appellate court judge, this panel of three sitting judges, one retired judge, and one former law school dean will reflect on Judge Hastie’s Owen J. Roberts memorial lecture, “Judicial Role and Judicial Image,” delivered on March 22, 1973, at the University of Pennsylvania in making observations about judicial independence as the linchpin of the Constitution’s separation of powers and of our hope for preservation of democracy.

Speakers include: 

  • James T. Giles, Blank Rome LLP Of Counsel, former Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Frederica Massiah-Jackson, Judge and former President Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
  • Timika Lane, Judge, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
  • Charles Hayden, Judge, Philadelphia Municipal Court
  • Robert Reinstein, former Dean, Temple Beasley School of Law

The planning committee for this program includes: 

  • James T. Giles, Of Counsel, Commercial Litigation
  • Mark M. Lee, Partner, White Collar Defense and Investigations
  • Joel Michel, Associate, Commercial Litigation
  • Melanie S. Carter, Associate, Commercial Litigation
  • Sophia Lee, Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Energy, Environment, and Mass Torts
Philadelphia Black History Month Event
Bottom photo, pictured from left: Sophia LeeCharles Hayden, James GilesTimika Lane, Frederica Massiah-Jackson, Robert Reinstein, and Mark Lee.