There are many different paths an attorney can take in the government field. Whether it be working as a government lawyer, running for office, or working in the judiciary, the Legal Career Transitions Committee has resources to help you transition into these roles.
Judicial Legal Career Transition Video Series
View the videos below to hear from attorneys who have transitioned in their careers and now serve as judges.
Commonwealth Court Judge
Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt
Court of Common Pleas Judge
Judge William T. Tully
Judge Christine A. Ward
Magisterial District Judge
Judge Christopher J. Cerski
Judge Andrea Duffy
Judge Christopher Mattox
Superior Court Judge
Judge Alice Dubow
Judge Daniel D. McCaffery
Judge Mary P. Murray
Judge Mary P. Murray is a Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge having been elected in November of 2017. Judge Murray graduated from Duquesne University in 1992 with a B.S./B.A., in 1995 with her MBA and in 1996 with her Juris Doctorate. Prior to her election to the Superior Court, Judge Murray served as a Magisterial District Judge from 2004 through 2017. Before running for office, she worked as a general practice attorney, counsel for a title company and a judicial law clerk. She maintained a wills and estates practice while servings as an MDJ. Judge Murray was appointed to the Minor Court Rules Committee in 2008, serving as chair from 2012-2014. In 2023, she was appointed to the Appellate Rules Committee. She is a member of the PBA Legal Career Transitions committee, serving as Vice-Chair since 2022.
Commonwealth Court Judge
Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt
Court of Common Pleas Judge
Judge William T. Tully
Judge Christine A. Ward
Supreme Court Judge
Judge Daniel D. McCaffery
Justice McCaffery served in the First Cavalry Division of the United States Army from 1983 - 1986. From active duty, Justice McCaffery was one of a select few chosen to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point Prep School before being honorably discharged and continuing his service with the Army Reserve, 304th Civil Affairs Unit. Throughout McCaffery’s career he has served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office; a partner at Jaffe, Friedman, Schuman, Nemeroff and Applebaum PC; a court of common pleas judge; a Superior Court judge; and was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. McCaffery received his bachelor’s degree in broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media from Temple University in 1988 and his Juris Doctorate from the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in 1991.
Government Sector Legal Career Transition Video Series
View the videos below to hear from attorneys who have transitioned into careers in the government sector.
Arlene Marshall-Hockensmith, Director Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, DCNR
Other Resources
Government Lawyers Committee