ChesterNewMatter4thQtr2021 - 13

CCBA Feature
Reflections
By The Honorable Mark L. Tunnell
I would like to be remembered as the judge
* Who used a No. 2 pencil because he couldn't type.
* Who opened court with a tipstaff banging away with his
badge of office, also called a tipstaff.
I
was admitted to the bar in 1975 and was lucky enough
to get my foot in the door of a small law firm in
Phoenixville, Cremers, Morris & Greenwood. I started
there 46 years ago. After ten years, I became attracted
to the bright lights of West Chester. I joined the firm of
Gawthrop Greenwood, P.C. and worked there for a quarter
century. I was a board-certified civil trial advocate.
I was active in the Bar Association and was its President
in 2003 (18 years ago). I thank Wendy and Genya for
all the work they did that year to help me as they had
done previously and still are toiling away today. They are
amazing people.
I ran for judge in 2007 and lost. I ran again in 2011 and
won. I took the bench for a 10- year term. That term ends
on January 2, 2022. I will turn 72 the following month. I
have decided not to seek senior status. I look forward to
spending more time with Judy, my wife of 43 years and
with our five grandchildren. I have been truly blessed.
I want to tell you that being a common pleas trial judge is
a great gig. The ten-year term flew by. It was challenging.
When I was a lawyer preparing for a gut-wrenching trial,
I used to wonder whether judges experienced any gutwrenching
on the bench. I can now report that judges do
have gut-wrenching times in coming to decisions - at least
this one did. Most cases become clear as trial runs along,
but there are cases which leave a judge's stomach in knots
and brain aching. I hope and pray that I got it right.
I have had the same secretary for 34 of my 46 years in the
law, Iliana DeLarosa. She is a remarkable person in so
many ways. I also owe a debt of great thanks to my law
clerk, Meg Franceski, who labored above and beyond the
call. We need to figure out how to clone people like her.
* Who opened court with the Pledge of Allegiance.
* Who used his trilobite collection during settlement
conferences with great success (yes, you read that right).
* Who had a sense of humor or thought he did.
* Who always tried to be courteous and patient with
counsel in the courtroom, and out.
* Who in one year presided over 140 weddings.
I thank all who helped me, and there are many,
along the way.
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY
AND ETHICS MATTERS
STATEWIDE PENNSYLVANIA MATTERS
NO CHARGE FOR INITIAL CONSULTATION
Representation, consultation and expert testimony in
disciplinary matters and matters involving ethical issues,
bar admissions and the Rules of Professional Conduct
James C. Schwartzman, Esq.
* Judge, Court of Judicial Discipline
* Former Chairman, Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania
* Former Chairman, Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania
* Former Chairman, Continuing Legal Education Board of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
* Former Chairman, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Interest on
Lawyers Trust Account Board
* Former Federal Prosecutor
* Selected by his peers as one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in PA
and the top 100 Super Lawyers in Philadelphia
* Named by his peers as Best Lawyers in America 2022 and 2015
Philadelphia " Lawyer of the Year " Ethics and Professional
Responsibility Law and Legal Malpractice Law
1500 Market Street, East Tower, Suite 1800 * Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 751-2863
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