The York County Bar Association upholds the tradition of celebrating and recognizing the remarkable milestone of 50 years of YCBA membership, which stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication, commitment, and exemplary service to the legal profession. This year, we recognized the achievement of 29 Bar members. Among these distinguished members is the Honorable Stephen P. Linebaugh. Judge Linebaugh shared his insights and reflections on his career in law within York County.

Born and raised in Dover, PA, Judge Linebaugh’s family roots in the York area date back to the 1760s. His only time living outside of York was during his college and law school years. He and his wife, Jane, high school sweethearts from William Penn High School, returned to York County after their education. Despite advising young people to keep an open mind about their career paths, Judge Linebaugh always knew he wanted to be an attorney. By sixth grade, he had made up his mind to pursue law, and by seventh grade he had checked out his first law book from the library. Encouraged by their parents, Judge Linebaugh and his siblings were the first in their family to attend college.

Judge Linebaugh began his legal career in 1972 as a law clerk in York County, becoming the second law clerk in the county’s history. At that time there was only one law clerk for the five judges on the bench. He later served as an assistant district attorney before establishing his own practice, focusing on municipal law, estate administration and planning, business law, and real estate law. His judicial career commenced in 1997 when he became a judge on the York County Court of Common Pleas, serving two ten-year terms including 5 years as President Judge, and presiding over more than 200 civil trials. Judge Linebaugh retired in 2017 but still works part time as a mediator. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys gardening, reading (multiple books simultaneously!), and fly-fishing for trout.

What drives your passion for the legal field and the law?

I have never woken up in the morning and said I don't want to go to work. I thought being a lawyer was the greatest thing in the whole world. There were days when I was overwhelmed and it was hectic, but I still wanted to go to work. After becoming a judge, I realized that was the greatest job in the entire world. It sounds somewhat corny, but I really enjoy helping people.

What inspired you to pursue a career as a judge?

In law school, I didn't think much about being a judge, but I was very impressed with our judges. They were highly respected in the community, dedicated, and very hardworking. The judge I worked with the most was Judge Albert G. Blakey III. He was a fascinating individual and was a brilliant man. We would love to debate. When I became a judge, I tried to emulate him, particularly his preparation and knowledge of the facts better than the lawyers arguing the case. I thought being a judge would be a great way to finish my career and have some influence on the system, particularly in getting lawyers to adhere to the rules of civil procedure, for which I became known as sort of a stickler. I always chuckled because as a practicing lawyer, I hated the rules of civil procedure.

What does your work look like now that you’ve retired?

In my last ten years on the bench, I handled only civil matters. I enjoyed trying to find a way to help people come to a resolution, even if it didn’t always happen. In 2008, I started learning to be a mediator at the National Judicial College. At the time, I had no intention of retiring, but I wanted to have the tools to help people. I retired in January 2017 but stayed on a few months longer to try the backlog of criminal and civil cases. After officially resigning on July 31, I joined a former judge in Pittsburgh who had a mediation and arbitration practice and traveled across Central and Eastern PA for mediations. Realizing I was working full-time, which was not my retirement plan, I decided to cut down my workload last year to about three half days a week.

Which accomplishments during your career as an attorney make you most proud?

In my legal career, I'm proud of the municipal work I did in the early seventies. My first year after being a law clerk, I became the solicitor for Goldsboro Borough. From there was Dover Borough, followed by Lewisberry, Dallastown, and then I represented the Red Lion Water Company. I also worked to form sewer authorities including the Northeastern York County Sewer Authority, Conewago Township Sewer Authority and one in the southern part of the county which in turn helped with some of the water pollution in our area.

I also pride myself in helping people who couldn’t really afford a lawyer. I remember one client met with me regarding a will. I gave her a bill for five dollars and she proceeded to come back every week for five weeks to give me a dollar until her bill was paid. It was important to her and gave her the peace of mind she needed. That gave me a lot of satisfaction.

What advice would you give to practicing attorneys or aspiring lawyers?

My best advice is to reach out to the opposing lawyer in any case. Whether it’s via phone, a meeting, or zoom to talk to them about what you intend to do and make yourself available to discuss any concerns with the case. It goes a long way and makes your life easier and yes, makes the other side’s life easier too. That would be the best thing for the practice of law. Be civil. You can fight for your client and do the best job you can, but you don’t have to be nasty or unpleasant. Also, make sure to always be prepared and know the facts of your case. Take responsibility for your work.

For the well-being of the legal system in York County, attend every Memorial Minute. I started in 1972 and in 1973 I attended my first Memorial Minute for W. Walter Van Baman who was born in 1874. I’ve tried to attend every one that I can. It shows respect to the legal profession, it shows respect to their families, and it shows respect to other lawyers who are there. The Memorial Minute books ( Memorial Minutes: Reflections at Journey's End) compiled by Attorney J. Ross McGinnis provide an incredible history of the Bar Association and the people that make up the Bar.

Practicing law is an honorable and noble profession. Somewhere over the years that has been forgotten. I encourage attorneys to attend Bar functions—some of my best memories are because of the Bar Association. Every event I go to I try to meet new lawyers. Over the years, you get to be friends with people. Judge Renn always said, “It’s hard to come into the court room and be unpleasant to the person you had a beer with last Friday night.” If everyone was a member of the Bar Association and participated in the events and social events, it would make us a better organization and a stronger judicial system.

Championing Access to Justice: The Court Self-Help Center

As a judge, I am most proud of starting the Court Self-Help Center, alongside Megan Dietz (left), who was working for me at the time and is now the Chief Deputy Court Administrator. Early in my judicial career, I realized we had a significant number of self-represented litigants who needed assistance. During my second year at a judicial conference, I recommended the idea of a court self-help center but nothing moved forward. A few years later, I recommended the same idea and was met with resistance with some believing the Bar Association should be responsible for its creation. When I became President Judge, I decided we would move forward. 

Megan and I attended a national convention in St. Louis, Missouri, where we gathered many ideas. We also toured about six self-help centers in Pennsylvania. The main challenge was funding. I found an unused room on the fourth floor of the Judicial Center, roughly the size of the YCBA’s conference room, furnished it with items from the County warehouse, and put up a sign that said “Court Self-Help Center.” The York County Bar Foundation provided a $10,000 grant for start up fees and advertising. 

We opened in October 2013 and served 829 people in the first six months. The following year, we served 2,500 people and the year before COVID we had fielded over 6,200 requests for information. The Center has also benefited Bar Association members, providing forms and even referrals to MidPenn and the Bar Association, making our system more efficient overall. The Court Self-Help Center now fills a much larger space and in 2019, the Bar Foundation established a Reading Ready Corner with the United Way inside the Center so children can take home books. Who knows, they may be the next lawyer or judge. 

York County’s Court Self-Help Center was highlighted in a report from Temple University, J ustice for All: The Current Success of Self-Help Centers in Pennsylvania Courts and Recommendations For Growth and other counties and states from the surrounding area have reached out to us to replicate our model. I am proud of not giving up on this project and seeing its positive impact on so many individuals, not just in York County.