SIDEBAR Summer 2017 - 16

MONTGOMERYBAR.ORG

SIDEBAR FEATURE

MBA's Diversity Committee
hosts TWO Days in Court
way. While each speaker's road to success was unique, the stories
shared a common thread - the value of hard work, courage and
perseverance in achieving your dream.
The students then enjoyed lunch at One Montgomery Plaza,
where they were joined by Montgomery County Commissioners
Joseph C. Gale and Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., who educated the
students about local government.

W

orking hard to ensure that its milestone tenth year will
be one for the books, the MBA Diversity Committee
outdid itself this year, presenting its sixth annual
Day in Court program in two separate events. The first, hosted
in partnership with Upper Dublin High School, took place on
Monday, March 27 at the Montgomery County Court House.
The Honorable Cheryl L. Austin welcomed the group of over
20 high school students into her courtroom to observe live court
proceedings. Afterwards, Judge Austin entertained questions from
the students about court procedure and family law.
The students were then given the opportunity to meet with
such dignitaries as Court of Common Pleas Judges Hon. Daniel
J. Clifford, Hon. Richard P. Haaz, Hon. Garret D. Page, and
Hon. Steven C. Tolliver, as well as Montgomery County Assistant
District Attorney Todd Barnes, Esq., Montgomery County Deputy
Chief Public Defender Keisha Hudson, Esq., and Montgomery
County Public Defender Leslie Jones, Esq. Each speaker shared
his or her own success story, as well as lessons learned along the

16 SIDEBAR

The second event, in partnership with Elkins Park Middle
School, took place on April 20 and included approximately 25
enthusiastic sixth grade boys who are members of the school's
Leadership Academy. After observing two court proceedings
before the Honorable Judge Garrett D. Page, the students were
introduced to all aspects of the criminal justice system by Judge
Page, Judge Steven C. Tolliver, Chief Public Defender Leslie Jones,
Esq., Assistant District Attorney Todd Barnes, Esq., Assistant
District Attorney Christopher Daniels, Esq., and Fox Rothschild
attorneys Lindette C. Hassan, Esq., and Richard Lynn, Esq., and
program organizer Marilou Watson, Esq. The students asked
thought-provoking questions which highlighted their sincere
interest in what they were learning and in their futures. The
Montgomery County Public Defender's Office will continue
to work with Elkins Park Middle School to create additional
opportunities to build on this unique experience for these young
leaders specifically, as well as for the community overall.
This PBA award-winning program was made possible once
again through the tireless efforts of Marilou Watson, Esq., a partner
with Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell. The program is a part of the
Montgomery Bar Association's efforts to promote diversity within
the legal community. Other initiatives include the 1L Summer
Internship for diverse first-year law students.
https://montgomerybar.org/
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SIDEBAR Summer 2017
