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Delaware County Bar Association
25-Year Member

"The Geezers"

27th Annual Dinner
October, Aronimink Country Club, Newtown
Square. Just shy of 100 "Geezers" gathered for
the 27th Annual Geezer Dinner to welcome the
Class of 1992 and honor James C. Brennan as the
2017 "Golden Geezer" and Kristine Dick as the
2017 "Courthouse Geezer"... Keynote Speaker
was Father Rob Hagan, OSA, Associate Athletic
Director, Villanova, and Team Chaplain for the
Villanova University Basketball Team.
Kevin Marciano, Esq., Class of '92,
kicks the night off with reflections and
reminiscences of the year 1992.
The Courts: In 1992, the year of his admission to the Delaware
County Bar Association, Kevin Marciano personally clerked
for Judge Anthony Semeraro. William Toal served as President
Judge; while senior judges included Diggins, Robert A. Wright
and Reed. New judges sworn in included Clouse, Cronin,
Fitzpatrick, Bradley and Robert C. Wright. Those sworn in for a
second term included Judges Hazel, Semeraro, and Keeler. Judge
Labrum was elected to President-Elect of the PA Conference of
State Trial Judges.
Cases: Criminal Cases - 6,400 assigned (last year, over 8,000);
Civil Cases - 2,800 assigned (last year about 7,000).
Other Law Related: The Law Library was dedicated as the
Honorable Francis J. Catania Law Library.
Current Events: Microsoft releases Windows 3.1 in stores
everywhere; Panamanian ruler Manuel Noriega convicted by
Miami jury of assisting Colombia's cocaine cartel; Tonight Show
Starring Johnny Carson airs its final show on NBC; Hurricane
Andrew hits south Florida; Ruby Ridge standoff ends (11 days)
with Randy Weaver surrendering to federal authorities; TWA
Declares bankruptcy; and Bill Clinton defeats George H.W. Bush

and Ross Perot in the 1992 Presidential Election.
Cost of: Gas at $1.13 a gallon; a stamp at 29 cents; cell phone
plans for $25 (100 minutes, 25 cents per minute after).
Movies: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York; A Few Good Men;
Wayne's World; Reservoir Dogs.
Popular TV: Law & Order; Rugrats; the Jerry Springer Show;
Married with Children; LA Law.

James C. Brennan, "Golden Geezer"
of 2017
James C. Brennan graduated from the Law School of the
University of Pennsylvania in 1958 and was drafted into the
U.S. Army in August of the same year. "The military waited for
lawyers to finish law school, then they would draft them!" He
served for 2 years as a Private in the U.S. Army in Fort Benning,
Georgia. Because Brennan had a law degree, he was assigned
the position of Judge Advocate, and because he was a golfer
(2 handicap), this Private enjoyed the game at least 3 times a
week, participated in golf tournaments, and enjoyed time at the
Officer's Club with the Colonel... "It was the best 2 years of my
life!"
After Private Brennan served 2 years, he was encouraged to
reenlist, but he had a job waiting for him at the Hinkson Firm
in Chester, Pa., and he began his law career there in 1961. "It is
still the same firm today, but everyone has died except me. Ward
Hinkson had a great practice, represented most of the industry
along the Delaware River, knew everybody, and got things done!
In my first year in the practice of law, I tried 12 cases to a jury
verdict, which is unheard of today! It was different back then.
All cases went to jury, and Delaware County had 4 judges: 1 in
Orphans' Court and 3 others who served a Criminal and Civil
term. Now we have 17 sitting judges and a thriving Arbitration
program."
Brennan and Drew Forbes, as Chair of the Arbitration
Committee, put together the initial programs for arbitration
which were approved by Rita Prescott, Court Administrator
continued on page 10

Fall 2017

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