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Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Chad F. Kenney
has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a new post on the
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
"During his years of public service, Judge Kenney has
proven himself to be an independent and fair jurist who
has served the people of Delaware County well," said
Republican Senator Pat Toomey in a joint release with his
Democratic colleague, Bob Casey. "Judge Kenney will
make a terrific addition to Pennsylvania's Eastern District
bench and I congratulate him."
President Judge Chad F. Kenney was initially appointed
to the Court and was sworn in on August 22, 2003. He was
elected to a full ten-year term in November 2003. In June
2012, he was elected by his colleagues to the position of
President Judge.
Prior to his appointment Judge Kenney was twice
elected Sheriff of Delaware County, serving in that position
from 1998 until taking a seat on the Bench in 2003. He is
a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School, Villanova
University and Temple Law School where he served on
the Law Review. He was nominated by President Donald
Trump for the federal judgeship in December.
Judge Kenney has served in a variety of roles in the
Common Pleas Court, including Family Court, the Criminal
and Civil trial sections and the Motion Hearing Division.
He most recently oversaw the Orphans' Court. "Judge
Kenney has demonstrated unwavering dedication to his
responsibilities throughout his years on the bench to assure
that the ends of justice were always met for all parties,"
stated President Judge Kevin F. Kelly.
Judge Kenney served as Delaware County Sheriff from
1998 until his appointment to the Delaware County bench
in August 2003. He was elected to a full 10-year term
on the bench later that same year and was elected by the
Board of Judges to serve as President Judge in June 2012,
replacing Judge Joseph Cronin.
Judge Kenney, a Republican and former Nether
Providence party leader, served as President Judge until
2017, when he was replaced by Judge Kevin F. Kelly. "The

hallmark of Judge Kenney's president judge tenure was
a staunch commitment to systematic betterment and an
insightful appreciation of the court's need to recognize and
effectively address within the constraints of the judicial
function a host of societal concerns, including the ongoing
opioid epidemic battle and the unique challenges presented
by those suffering from mental illness and military
veterans becoming enmeshed in the criminal justice
system," President Judge Kelly said in a statement. "His
foresightedness and tireless efforts in such regard led to the
creation of the Mental Health and Veterans Court programs,
along with the Second Chance Court treatment program,
and the expansion of the existing Drug Treatment Court."

Congratulations Judge Kenney and all the
best for continued success on the federal bench.
About the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The United States District Court for the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania (in case citations, E.D. Pa.) is one of
the original 13 federal judiciary districts created by the
Judiciary Act of 1789. It originally sat in Independence
Hall in Philadelphia as the United States District Court
for the District of Pennsylvania, and is now located at
the James Byrne Courthouse at 601 Market Street in
Philadelphia. There are Eastern District federal courtrooms
in Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, and Easton.
The Court's jurisdiction includes Philadelphia, as well
as Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh,
Montgomery and Northampton counties. The district is
a part of the Third Circuit, and appeals are taken to that
Circuit (except for patent claims and claims against the
U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are appealed
to the Federal Circuit).
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