March 31, 2026
Penn State Dickinson Law honors 2026 Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo Award recipients
Judge Michelle H. Sibert ’98 and Yinet Pérez Vega ’19 LL.M. recognized at annual ceremony
CARLISLE, PA—The Women’s Law Caucus (WLC) at Penn State Dickinson Law honored two standout alumnae during the 31st annual Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo Awards, held March 25 in Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium at the Carlisle location.
Judge Michelle H. Sibert ’98, who serves on the Court of Common Pleas in Cumberland County, received the 2026 Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo Award. Yinet Pérez Vega ’19 LL.M., attorney and manager of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility at MidPenn Legal Services in York County, received the 2026 WLC Recent Graduate Award.
It marked just the second time the award ceremony had been held since Judge Rambo passed away in late 2024, and Abigail Williamson ’27, the public relations chair of the WLC, paid tribute to the late legal pioneer. Williamson described Judge Rambo as “a woman of many firsts,” including the first in her family to go to college, the first woman judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, and the first woman judge to serve as chief of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The WLC established the Rambo Award in 1993, recognizing Judge Rambo as the first recipient and paying tribute to her contributions as a lawyer, jurist, and promoter of women in the law.
WLC Recent Graduate Award honoree: Yinet Pérez Vega
The WLC Recent Graduate Award is given to an exceptional Penn State Dickinson Law alumna who has graduated within the past 10 years.
Following opening remarks by WLC Vice President Bailey Reilly ’27, WLC Advocacy Chair Kayla Clare ’27 introduced Pérez Vega, calling her a mentor and close friend. “She has spent her legal career providing interpretation services and giving back to the community through various events, such as license renewal clinics, stop the violence events, and more,” said Clare. “She is truly one of the best attorneys I have ever met and had the opportunity to work with, and she's an even better person.”
In accepting the award, Pérez Vega thanked her family members in attendance, including her cousins and husband, as well as all the women who have encouraged her throughout her career. She singled out Elsie de R. and Samuel P. Orlando Distinguished Professor Medha D. Makhlouf for continuing to invite her back to the Law School to mentor and teach students.
“When I spend time with Penn State Dickinson Law students, I feel we have the best quality of human beings and students. And I always think, ‘Wow, I'm so proud of this profession, and I'm so proud of the quality of students, of human beings, of attorneys that we are forming,’” said Pérez Vega.
She stressed the importance of integrity and resolve in the legal profession and legal education. “It is always important to carry ourselves with honesty and also, for myself, with love—love for the profession and love toward the ethics that ensure emotional safety for the students we are teaching and the people we mentor so they can find the right pathway in this profession that I carry with pride,” said Pérez Vega.
While at the Law School, she served as secretary of the Latinx Law Student Association and was also involved in student development initiatives. Since 2021, she has worked for MidPenn Legal Services, first in the Gettysburg office and now in York. She began her practice dealing with Social Security and public benefits law and has expanded to include domestic violence matters and power of attorney, focusing on advocacy for vulnerable and underserved communities.
She serves on the York County Bar Association’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee as well as the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Minority Bar Committee and Women in the Profession Commission. She will become president of the York County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division later this year.
Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo Award honoree: Judge Michelle H. Sibert ’98
The Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo Award is given to a female judge or attorney who has had a distinguished career and made the professional success of women more likely. After recognizing past recipients of the award who were in attendance, including 2022 winner and Professor of Law, Emerita Laurel S. Terry, WLC President Daney Stevens '27 introduced Judge Sibert.
“What stood out to me about Judge Sibert was her reputation, one consistently defined by integrity and an unwavering commitment to advocating for victims. In her current role on the bench, that same dedication is evident. She's widely respected for her integrity, her fairness, and her thoughtful approach to justice,” said Stevens, who recently served an externship in Judge Sibert’s chambers.
Judge Sibert began her acceptance by reading the quote “much is expected from those to whom much has been given” and noting how she shaped her life in accordance with that aim. She recalled a childhood defined by family and warmth. “Growing up in that environment, I never doubted I could become whatever I wanted to be. That foundation carried me forward,” said Judge Sibert.
She then described finding her calling within the legal profession. “Over time, I came to understand that my gift was advocacy: standing up for others who could not stand up for themselves,” said Judge Sibert. “That belief shaped both my career and my community outreach. Whether speaking at Law Day or career day at our local schools or with crime victims whom I met along the way, I try to impress upon them the importance of advocating for themselves and, just as importantly, advocating for others who may not have yet found their voices.”
Judge Sibert has served on the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas since 2022 and is currently assigned to criminal and domestic relations cases. Previously, she worked in the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, where she served as assistant district attorney, chief deputy of appeals, director of victim services, and first assistant district attorney.
A former member of the Safe Harbour Board of Directors, Judge Sibert remains active in her church community, where she serves on the hospitality team and assists refugee families resettling in the area. She also serves on the In Him Christian Wellness Board of Directors.
Following the awards ceremony, attendees (including Penn State Dickinson Law Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway and other administrators as well as Law School faculty, staff, students, and alumni) enjoyed mingling and enjoying delicious food at a reception.
