STUDENTS AND ALUMNI TURN OUT FOR PENN STATE DICKINSON LAW’S 22ND ANNUAL JUDGES’ NIGHT
March 2025 — Appearing in front of judges is part of many attorneys’ career trajectories at one point or another. Speaking to these officials in an informal setting, asking them questions, and hearing their feedback can be invaluable for law students.
That is the idea behind Judges’ Night, put on by Penn State Dickinson Law’s Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) — Burr Chapter. The 22nd annual event, held on February 25 at Penn State Dickinson Law’s Carlisle location, brought together more than 50 students and 27 judges from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.
They gathered for a keynote speech by Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Justice Christine Donohue, followed by a cocktail hour and sit-down meal where students and judges mingled.
“Students interested in a litigation practice have to feel comfortable with and get to know judges,” said PAD President Ethan Kincaid ’25. “Every year, we see that our judges, many of them Penn State Dickinson Law alumni, really want to help the students, whether they offer them work in their chambers as a clerk or try to connect them with other people they know are looking for good students.”
More than half of the judges in attendance (14) were Penn State Dickinson Law alumni, who make an effort to prioritize the event.
Students appreciated both the insights from the speaker portion of the event and the networking aspect. Kristen Slubowski ’26 participated as a first-year (1L) student last year and again this year. She said she improved her networking skills based on her first experience, giving her greater confidence and leading to valuable conversations this time around.
“It provides a way to teach you how to network in a safe space,” said Slubowski. “Last year, I could not believe these judges took time out of their busy days for a sit-down dinner with us. I had never experienced anything like that before.”
This year’s conversations sparked self-reflection for Slubowski based on advice from Pennsylvania Middle District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson. “I think the most valuable insight came from Judge Wilson, who recommended getting a practitioner as a mentor. I consider one of my professors my mentor and had never considered trying to find a practitioner unrelated to academic life as a mentor. I found that insight very helpful,” said Slubowski.
‘Take advantage of the opportunities offered to you’
In her keynote, Justice Donohue encouraged students to be flexible with their career paths. “I often speak to brand-new lawyers when they’re initially sworn into the bar, and I tell them, don’t be concerned when you graduate from law school if you aren't doing what you thought you wanted to do or what you wished you would be doing,” said Justice Donohue. “Practicing law is a lot like life. Circumstances often determine what you do and where you end up, and you have to be willing to go with the flow and take advantage of the opportunities offered to you.” She noted that she herself never imagined becoming a judge early in her legal career.
Justice Donohue also implored students to remember their vital role in democracy. “What lawyers do in terms of participation in our democracy and making certain that we stay on course with our eyes to the North Star is just always so critically important,” said Justice Donohue.
Weeks of planning and communication
Kincaid and his executive board, which includes Vice President Nicole Cesanek, Treasurer Noah Yeagley, Marshall Ethan Bulger, and Clerk Daryn Kent, began planning for the event in November. In January, they sent invitations to more than 80 judges, tracking responses on an Excel document to ensure different courts and specialties were represented.
The PAD board assigned tables based on student interests. For example, those who indicated an interest in immigration law on their signup were seated with one of the two immigration judges in attendance.
A friend of Kincaid’s who works with Justice Donohue, Aidan Levinson ’26, helped secure the speaker. Kincaid asked Levinson to set up a meeting with her to discuss the keynote opportunity. “Justice Donohue’s welcoming personality makes her the kind of person I love to have as the keynote for Judges’ Night because it can sometimes be scary for students the first time they talk to a judge,” said Kincaid. “Someone who is down to earth and approachable makes it that much better for students.”
Employing skills learned during PAD’s Etiquette Night
In the fall, PAD sponsors an Etiquette Night, where students learn etiquette tips and tricks to apply in professional settings. The dinner portion of Judges’ Night gave those who attended last fall’s event a chance to test their new skills.
“I used the conversational skills that they taught us at Etiquette Night, including how to flow through conversation, and, of course, the little hand movements to use when you're eating and want to avoid looking like a slob,” said Ryan Snell ’27. “I paid particular attention to taking key words from what someone was saying and using those key words to continue the conversation.”
Snell appreciated the balance in the evening’s conversations. “The judges were easy to approach and surprisingly laid back,” he said. “I found it very valuable to speak to judges whom I will definitely be practicing in front of one day.”
He even came away from the night with a potential career opportunity. “After the dinner ended, I approached one of the judges who runs a veteran’s court, which I’m very interested in. He handed me his business card and told me to talk to him at some point for an externship if I was interested,” said Snell. “Judges’ Night is full of opportunities to talk to these judges who can offer clerkships on the spot.”
A special thank you to all the practitioners who attended Judges’ Night:
Christine Donohue (keynote speaker), Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Victor Stabile ’82, Pennsylvania Superior Court
William Tully ’82, Dauphin Court of Common Pleas
Michelle Sibert ’98, Cumberland Court of Common Pleas
Carrie E. Hyams, Cumberland Court of Common Pleas
Amber Kraft ’00, York Court of Common Pleas
Jennifer P. Wilson, United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
J. Michael Eakin ’75, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (retired)
Leonard (Len) G. Brown, III, Lancaster Court of Common Pleas
Merrill M. Spahn, Jr. ’92, Lancaster Court of Common Pleas
Nancy Ridgway ’88, Superior Court of New Jersey, Family Division
David L. Ashworth, Lancaster Court of Common Pleas
Jessica Brewbaker ’00, Cumberland Court of Common Pleas
Keli M. Neary, United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
Christina Simpson ’96, Adams County Court of Common Pleas
Alan R. Mege ’97, Northampton Magistrate
John F. Cherry ’83, Dauphin Court of Common Pleas
Alice Song Hartye ’05, Baltimore Immigration Court
Kelley L. Margetas ’02, York Court of Common Pleas
Royce Morris, Dauphin Court of Common Pleas
Edward Marsico ’88, Dauphin Court of Common Pleas
Kuyomars Golparvar, Baltimore Immigration Court
Kathleen Prendergast, York Court of Common Pleas
Courtney Powell, Dauphin Court of Common Pleas