Herbert B. Cohen Inn of Court Celebrates Annual Dinner with Distinguished Honorees

Pictured Above: The Honorable Michael W. Flannelly, The Honorable Mark A. Kearney, Clasina (Caty) B. Houtman, Esq., and the Honorable Kathleen J. Prendergast

The Herbert B. Cohen Chapter of the American Inn of Court Annual Dinner on June 6, 2024, proved to be an exceptional evening of celebration and recognition within the York legal community. Held at the York County History Center, the event marked the last meeting of the 2023-2024 year and honored two highly regarded individuals who embody the utmost standards of legal excellence and civility. The American Inns of Court is an association of lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals from all levels and backgrounds who share a passion for professional excellence, providing a platform for members to build and strengthen professional relationships and advance the highest levels of integrity, ethics, and civility.

The highlight of the evening was the address by the Honorable Mark A. Kearney. Judge Kearney, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2014 as the 100^th judge in the history of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, delivered an inspiring speech reflecting on his judicial career and the importance on standing up for what is right. He emphasized, "Your currency is your reputation," highlighting the lasting impact of one’s integrity and professionalism.

Judge Kearney was also the recipient of the prestigious Robert I. Shadle Legal Excellence and Professionalism Award. Named after the late Judge Robert I. Shadle, who served on the York County Bench for seventeen years before his death, this award recognizes individuals who, like Judge Shadle, exemplify unwavering dedication to the rule of law and judicial temperament.

In addition, Clasina (Caty) B. Houtman, Esq., was honored with the Richard E. Kohler Civility and Ethics Award. This award pays tribute to Judge Richard E. Kohler's legacy of promoting civility and ethical conduct within the legal community. Caty has served for 25 years as a public defender and her commitment to these values serves as an inspiring example for her peers and colleagues.

Attorney Houtman, a graduate of Dickinson School of Law, serving in the Public Defender's office since 1999, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy. Colleague Brian McNeil, Esq. shared the following about Caty, “Having worked for Caty for several years now, I can say that she epitomizes zealous but ethical and respectful advocacy. She’s never going to back down from a fight to get the best possible result for her client, but she effectively balances spirited advocacy with a strong appreciation for her ethical duties and treating others with respect and civility.”

The Herbert B. Cohen Inn of Court extends its heartfelt congratulations to Judge Kearney and Attorney Houtman on their well-deserved honors. Their contributions continue to enrich and inspire the legal profession in York County and beyond.

About the Robert I. Shadle Legal Excellence and Professionalism Award

Judge Robert I. Shadle, served on the York County Bench for seventeen years before his death. During his term as judge, he served as President Judge and became a candidate for the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He sat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Criminal Rules committee as a both a valued member and vice president for many years. While small in stature he ranks as one of the giants of the York County Judiciary and the York County legal profession. Judge Shadle was a true scholar of the law. His extraordinary work ethic coupled with his knowledge assured that in each case tried before him the rule of law was paramount. Despite encountering extraordinary enormous community pressure on a number of matters that came before him he remained even tempered and impartial. All of Judge Shadle’s rulings applied the law and were fundamentally fair in application. He set the standard for Judicial temperament.  Judge Shadle combined all the professional aspirations of the Inn’s dedicated mission. Accordingly, the Inn’s Excellence award was named after Judge Robert I Shadle. 

About the Richard E. Kohler Civility and Ethics Award

The late Judge Richard E. Kohler was the Orphan’s Court Judge in the exclusive charge of the Orphan’s Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of York County. Judge Kohler was a former member of the York City School Board had a strong sense of the York community.  His mantra was civility as evidenced by his consistent display of collegiality in the “lawyers reading room” and willingness to address inquiries from all lawyers regarding the law and the mechanics of resolving thorny Orphans’ Court issues. As a Judge, he was able to set aside personal biases, and consider all sides of the question, and then when resolving the decision, explain it in a fashion that made sense even to those who may disagree. While some may have considered his voluntary advice as ex parte contacts made with him, and through him relative to advancing particular cases that appeared before him in the Orphans’ Court, the overall design of his intervention was to advance the Judicial System in a civil fashion rather than to adversely impact upon it. He always observed the bounds imposed on Judicial discretion by precedent, Statute, or Constitutional text, and then through his wiles, came down with the right decision. He was the epitome of Civility.