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

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SIDEBAR Spring 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SIDEBAR Spring 2018
