Tuesday, January 12, 2010

37-year-old lawyer adds 'judge' title

A 37-year-old lawyer says it will take some time to get used to being called "judge" after she was sworn in as a Magisterial District Justice for the Collegeville area.

From a profile of Catheen Kelly Rebar by Carl Hessler Jr. of The Mercury:
LOWER PROVIDENCE — Cathleen Kelly Rebar said it was "surreal" when people addressed her as judge as she filled the district court post once held by retired District Judge Benjamin R. Crahalla.

"When people say, 'judge,' I'm looking behind me to see if Judge Crahalla is still there," quipped Rebar, whose first day on the job was Jan. 4. "I'm still not used to it yet. It's surreal."

Rebar, 37, of Eagleville, ascended to the post during last May's primary election, defeating Collegeville lawyer Martin P. Dorminy and Teresa "Terrie" Stagliano, a Collegeville area businesswoman and council member, winning both the Republican and Democratic nominations for the post.

The new justice presides over cases from the areas of Collegeville, Trappe, Lower Providence and parts of Upper Providence.

Rebar, a 1998 Villanova University School of Law graduate who worked as a prosecutor before going into private practice, said her first week on the job was exciting and busy, presiding over civil hearings, approving search warrants and conducting video arraignments. Rebar, who said the post embodies everything she wants to do in public service, said she looks forward to the challenges ahead.
Read the full story at the newspaper's Web site.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

No comments: