Middle District of Pennsylvania

Chief Judge D. Brooks Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit announced today the formation of a Workplace Conduct Committee and the appointment of Julie Procopiow Todd, Esq. as the Third Circuit’s Director of Workplace Relations.

Going forward, the Workplace Conduct Committee will examine existing Third Circuit policies and procedures for preventing and addressing workplace misconduct. It will also present recommendations to the Judicial Council on how to promptly and effectively process complaints of such misconduct. In forming its proposals, the Committee will be guided by the recommendations of the Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group formed last year at the direction of Chief Justice Roberts. Chief Judge Smith will serve as the Chair of the Committee. Other members include: Judge Colm Connolly of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware; Magistrate Judge Maureen Kelly of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; Judge Gerald Pappert of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Judge Patty Shwartz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; Judge Susan Wigenton of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; and Circuit Executive Margaret Wiegand, who is also a member of the national Working Group. With the hiring of Ms. Todd, the Third Circuit Workplace Conduct Committee is uniquely poised to assist the courts of the Third Circuit in maintaining an exemplary workplace.

Ms. Todd is currently an Administrative Judge for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), where she has been adjudicating complaints of employment discrimination brought by federal government employees for 26 years. Over the last 10 years, Ms. Todd has coordinated the EEOC Administrative Settlement Envoy Program, an award-winning model settlement initiative. A soughtafter presenter and speaker, Ms. Todd brings to her new post years of training experience on workplace topics. In announcing the appointment, Chief Judge Smith commented that “Ms. Todd’s background in EEOC matters is an invaluable asset, and one that will redound to the great benefit of the entire Third Circuit as we continue our efforts to provide a safe, hospitable, and efficient workplace for all.”

Scheduled to assume her new duties on October 14, 2019, Ms. Todd will coordinate implementation of employment dispute resolution policies for all courts within the Third Circuit, which include the Court of Appeals, and the federal district and bankruptcy courts in the Districts of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the United States Virgin Islands. The Director of Workplace Relations will also create a circuitwide workplace conduct office that will not only develop proposed policies but also provide trainings aimed at fostering healthy working environments and the fair resolution of workplace issues. 

Chief Judge D. Brooks Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit announces the application process for a bankruptcy judgeship in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, seated in Reading.  A bankruptcy judge is appointed to a 14-year term pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §152.         

            To be qualified for appointment an applicant must:

(a)        Be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of at least one state, the        District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and a member in good     standing of every other bar of which they are members. 

(b)        (1) Possess, and have a reputation for, integrity and good character; (2) possess, and have             demonstrated, a commitment to equal justice under the law; (3) possess, and have demonstrated, outstanding legal ability and competence; (4) indicate by demeanor,           character, and personality that the applicant would exhibit judicial temperament if        appointed; and (5) be of sound physical and mental health sufficient to perform the         essential duties of the office.

(c)        Not be related by blood or marriage to (1) a judge of the United States Court of Appeals   for the Third Circuit; (2) a member of the Judicial Council of the Third Circuit; or (3) a judge of the district court to be served, within the degrees specified in 28 U.S.C. § 458, at   the time of the initial appointment.

(d)       Have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years.  The     Judicial Council may consider other suitable legal experience as a substitute for the active practice of law. 

            The selection process will be confidential and competitive.  At present, the annual salary for this position is $194,028.  Persons shall be considered without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability, or religious affiliation.  The name of the candidate selected for the position will be published for public comment prior to appointment.  The name of the person selected will also be submitted to the Director of the Administrative Office, who shall request background reports by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  In addition, a nominee for a bankruptcy judgeship may be required by the court of appeals to complete a preliminary disclosure statement after being selected for appointment by the court of appeals and prior to preparation of the background reports by the FBI and IRS.  The disclosure must be filed with the court of appeals and will be considered confidential.  The individual selected must comply with the financial disclosure requirements pursuant to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Pub. L. No. 95-521, 92 Stat. 1824 (1978) (codified as amended at 5 U.S.C. app. §§ 101-111).

            The application process is entirely automated. No paper applications will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted electronically by noon on August 22, 2019.  Applications must be submitted only by the potential nominee personally.  To apply, go to www.ca3.uscourts.gov for more information or call the Circuit Executive’s Office at 215-597-0718.

The Pro Bono and Mediator Recognition Certificates for the period January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019 are attached below.