Beetlestone, Kearney, Leeson and Pappert nominated to fill federal judicial vacancies
Washington, D.C. - Following the announcement of President Obama’s nomination of Wendy Beetlestone, Mark Kearney, Joseph Leeson and Gerald Pappert to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statements:
“Wendy Beetlestone’s experience as a litigator and expert on education law along with her prior service as a solicitor for the Philadelphia School District will prepare her well for her next role as a federal judge,” said Senator Casey.
“Mark Kearney has had a highly successful career as a trial attorney and as a managing shareholder of his law firm,” said Senator Casey. “He is an outstanding lawyer and an excellent candidate for federal judgeship.”
“In addition to having a highly respected career in the practice of law, Jay Leeson has also demonstrated an abiding commitment to public service,” said Senator Casey. “I am confident that he will continue to serve Pennsylvania and the nation with distinction.”
“Jerry Pappert’s legal career as a federal litigator and as a former Attorney General of Pennsylvania has made him an excellent candidate for the federal bench,” said Senator Casey.
“I am happy that President Obama will nominate Wendy Beetlestone, Mark Kearney, and Jerry Pappert to be district court judges in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,” said Senator Toomey. “These nominees, who will all sit in Philadelphia, as well as Joseph Leeson, who will preside in Allentown, possess a wealth of legal experience based on their work in both the public and private sectors. I am confident that they will excel as federal judges, and I will continue working with Senator Casey to get these outstanding nominations confirmed by the Senate as soon as possible.”
President Obama also nominated Lehigh Valley attorney Joseph Leeson to be a district court judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. If confirmed, Mr. Leeson will sit at the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Allentown.
In the last three and a half years, Senators Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to recommend to the President accomplished jurists of high ability and integrity to preside in the federal courts of Pennsylvania. In that time, they have confirmed 10 Pennsylvania judges to the federal bench.
Wendy Beetlestone
Wendy Beetlestone is a shareholder at the law firm Hangley Aronchick Segal &Pudlin in Philadelphia. She previously served as the General Counsel to the School District of Philadelphia. Ms. Beetlestone received her undergraduate degree from Liverpool University and law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Ms. Beetlestone is also a Trustee of Philadelphia University and a member of the board of the Education Law Association.
Mark Kearney
Mark Kearney is a managing shareholder at Elliott Greenleaf & Siedzikowski, P.C. in Blue Bell. Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Kearney received both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from Villanova University.
Mr. Kearney currently serves as the President of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He is also on the Board of Consultors to Villanova Law School and is on the board of directors of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Joseph Leeson
Joseph Leeson has been a partner at Leeson & Leeson in Bethlehem since 1980. He was the Bethlehem City Solicitor from 1998 to 2004 and he served as a member of the Bethlehem City Council from 2004 to 2010. Born in Allentown, Mr. Leeson received his undergraduate degree from DeSales University and his law degree from Catholic University School of Law.
Gerald Pappert
Gerald “Jerry” Pappert is a partner at the Cozen O’Connor law firm in Philadelphia. He is a former Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University and his law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Mr. Pappert is also the chairman of the Pennsylvania Banking & Securities Commission.
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