SIDEBAR Spring 2018 - 25
The Honorable Jeffrey S. Saltz By Robert R. Watson, Jr., Esq. The Honorable Jeffrey S. Saltz has had a busy two months since being sworn-in as one of Montgomery County's newest Judges. Having previously managed a civil and commercial law practice focused on business litigation, commercial fraud, breach of contract and corporate matters, Judge Saltz was pleased to learn that his initial assignment will be to the Court's busy civil division. While Judge Saltz's private practice office was located in Philadelphia, he and his family's Montgomery County ties are deep. A resident of Lower Merion Township since he was 4 years old, Judge Saltz is a proud graduate of Lower Merion High School. Living just blocks from his boyhood home, he and his wife raised their three children in the same neighborhood in which he grew up. Each child attended the same elementary, middle and high schools that he did many years earlier. In fact, Judge Saltz's grandchild also lives nearby. Outside of the office, before becoming Judge, Judge Saltz was active in the Lower Merion - Narberth Democratic Committee, including time as its former Chairperson. His Honor also served on the Montgomery County Democratic Committee and the Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority. Outside of business and politics, Judge Saltz and his family are members of the Beth David Reform Congregation in Gladwyne, including his service as its President from 2004 through 2006. Still an active member of the Congregation, Judge Saltz found that participation in Friday Night Services during last year's busy judicial election afforded an excellent and worthwhile time of reflection and release. Judge Saltz had previously considered running for County Judge, but it was only in the last year that he determined the time was right for a new challenge, after which he fully devoted himself to the opportunity. He sees the Court's new civil case management system as a very important opportunity for real change in how cases are handled in Montgomery County. If it was not for that process being in place and actively applied, Judge Saltz would have advocated for it after coming to the Bench. As a result, he finds that his chief responsibility is following through with civil case schedules and priorities to assure that the system works. While he admits he enjoys the perspective of ringleader offered by his position on the Bench, Judge Saltz truly values his role listening to the attorneys and cases before him. In his first two months, Judge Saltz has found real enjoyment in the chance to evaluate the claims before him and the positions presented. He is particularly interested in the opportunity to hear perspectives which are different from those he or any other person initially presented with a case may naturally take. Judge Saltz recognizes that oral argument is at the option of the Judge under our Local Rules, but he insists that when given the opportunity he finds that counsel are strong advocates and have a true opportunity to present the Court with different options, which do impact how the case is handled looking ahead. Judge Saltz also states his firm belief that it is the Judge's obligation to allow the lawyers to try the case. While he does find it difficult to separate himself from his prior role as advocate, he believes it necessary to allow all parties the opportunity to present and advocate their own positions without significant judicial involvement. Regarding the Montgomery Bar Association, Judge Saltz has been impressed with our members and leaders' sincere dedication to both the Association and the judicial process in the County in general. Similarly, since taking his position on the Bench, His Honor has also found that our County Judges have a strong devotion to assisting the MBA in any way they can, with an eye toward continuing to build a better court system in Montgomery County for all involved. SPRING 2018 25 S P R I N G S P E C I A L F E AT U R E S MONTGOMERYBAR.ORG
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