Upcoming Events

Leading By Example:  How Women Shaped the Pennsylvania Judiciary

CLE Opportunity

Leading By Example:  How Women Shaped the Pennsylvania Judiciary

Honoring the Life and Career of the Honorable Rochelle S. Friedman

In conjunction with a Special Session of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania

May 23, 2024, Pittsburgh

Join the Commonwealth Court Historical Society and the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center on May 23, 2024,  in Pittsburgh to examine the career and achievements of the Honorable Rochelle S. Friedman.

The Hon. Rochelle S. Friedman (Ret.) is a pioneer who blazed paths for women in the legal and judicial fields in Western Pennsylvania. From her years as a student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and legal work defending civil liberties to her dogged political campaigns, legendary dissents as a 25-year member of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, and mentorship of lawyers, judges, and elected officials, Judge Friedman’s life and career reflect the challenges and successes of generations of women in the law.

To celebrate the recent donation of Judge Friedman’s personal and professional papers to the Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives, the History Center and the Commonwealth Court Historical Society will tell Judge Friedman’s story with the help of some of the many local leaders who joined her along the way, including Senior Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, President Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer, Bonnie DiCarlo, Judge Maureen Lally-Green (Ret.) President Judge Emerita Bonnie Brigance Leadbetter, Tina Mazaheri, President Judge Emeritus Dan Pellegrini (Ret.), Robert Peirce, Jr., Justice David Wecht, and Judge Michael H. Wojcik.

Program attendees can also see a special display of materials from Judge Friedman’s papers, which will remain on view in the Detre Library & Archives through June 6.

The program is in conjunction with the History Center’s new exhibition, A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh, showcasing the stories of barrier-breaking Western Pa. women like Judge Friedman who helped shape our region and nation.

Before the program, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hold a special session from 1-3:30 p.m. in the History Center, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to witness the daily workings of this unique appellate court.

Admission

All program attendees will enjoy special after-hours access to the History Center exhibit, A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh, until 8 p.m.

The program has been approved for one substantive Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for Pennsylvania attorneys, offered through the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA).  Attorneys wishing to receive CLE credit must register through the ACBA website.

The program is free for non-attorneys (and attorneys who do not want to register for CLE credit) with pre-registration through the Heinz History Center website here.

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania session begins at 1 p.m.

Doors open for the program at 4 p.m., and the program will start at 4:30 p.m.

You can donate to PAACHS here to help cover the costs of this event.