On February 9, at the request of the American Bar Association, the York County Bar Association passed a Resolution calling for the United States Supreme Court to establish and enforce a binding Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct issued by the Supreme Court on November 13, 2023, was an important first step, but it is only an aspirational statement of conduct, not an enforceable code. Every other judge in our state and throughout the country is subject to a code of conduct and defined consequences for violating prescribed conduct. Moreover, every other code of conduct and the associated enforcement rules include a process for a judge or justice to step aside in recusal and not hear a certain case where a judge or justice has an appearance of conflict of interest regarding the subject matter or the parties to a particular matter.

To strengthen public confidence in the legal system and the courts at all levels, all judges, and most importantly the Justices of our highest court, must be subject to a robust, enforceable Judicial Code of Conduct.

As leaders in the legal profession, the York County Bar Association joins with local and national bar associations, legal professionals, and citizens across the country in calling for the immediate implementation of a comprehensive, robust, and enforceable Code of Conduct for Supreme Court Justices, similar to that applicable to every other federal judge in the United States. The current lack of enforceability in the November 13, 2023, version of the Supreme Court Code of Conduct undermines public trust and respect for the Court, which in turn has a negative impact on the credibility of all courts. A letter about this action was also sent to Chief Justice Roberts and to the York Daily Record/Sunday News.

--Craig R. Milsten, President, York County Bar Association

Click to read the Resolution.

Court of Common Pleas female judges Amber A. Kraft, Andrea Marceca Strong, President Judge Maria Musti Cook,
Kelley L. Margetas, and Kathleen J. Prendergast

It has been 94 years since the first woman, Sara M. Soffel (Allegheny County), served as a judge in Pennsylvania. The YCBA is incredibly proud of the women on the bench beginning with the first woman York County Court of Common Pleas Judge Sheryl A. Dorney followed by Judge Penny L. Blackwell. The York County Court of Common Pleas elected its first female president judge, Maria Musti Cook, in 2021 making her one of 18 in the state. President Judge Musti Cook also holds the distinction of being the first female president of the YCBA as well as of the YCBF. After 300 years, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania elected its first female Chief Justice Debra Todd and currently, one-half of the high Court’s bench is female.

Celebrating Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting newly elected York County Court of Common Pleas judge, the Honorable Kelley L. Margetas. Judge Margetas assumed her position in 2024 and is one of five female judges currently serving on the Court of Common Pleas Bench. Judge Margetas grew up in a small town near State College and received her Bachelor of Arts from Ursinus College in Politics with minors in History and Business Administration. She received her J.D. from Dickinson School of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 2002.

Prior to ascending to the bench, Judge Margetas spent most of her law career as a prosecutor. Her initial interest in criminal prosecution sparked during her clerkship out of law school with Justice Thomas G. Saylor during his tenure at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Judge Margetas later served in various roles with the York County District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Adams County District Attorney’s Office.

She offered additional perspective on her legal career and inspiring women in law.

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in law?

I don’t have any family members that are lawyers, and I didn’t know any lawyers growing up, so where the initial idea came from, I’m not exactly sure, but I grew up wanting to find myself in a career where I knew that no matter what happened in my life, I could stand on my own two feet. From what I had known about the legal profession, I felt it was a career that would afford me that opportunity. I viewed the law as a profession where as a female, I would not only be able to sustain a career, but I could also have a family if that was something I decided I wanted in the future.

What has been the highlight of your career?

Looking back, the highlight was probably the two homicide cases that I worked on during my 2013 to 2016 stint at the DA’s Office—one with Tim Barker and one with Dave Sunday. Being able to work on those larger cases with two attorneys who are truly brilliant at what they do, it was a great experience for me. I’ll never forget that.

As a newly elected judge, what aspects of your position are you most excited about?

I am looking forward to gaining experience and exposure to areas of the law that I did not directly practice in my career as an attorney. My duties right now include the family division— juvenile delinquency, protection from abuse matters, and custody matters. While I feel very comfortable, as many of the components of these cases are familiar due to the overlap or similarity in analysis to criminal law, I look forward to gaining overarching experience in this specific area of law and expanding what I already know in different ways.

What challenges do you anticipate facing as a judge, and how do you plan to navigate them?

I’m making decisions that are going to impact the lives of others and especially the lives of children. Every single decision I render for the bench will impact the future of the child, and that is difficult for me. As a judge, you must focus on what is in the best interest of the child. The reality is, the decisions I make, though I think it’s in the best interest, we don’t know how it will impact the child in 10 years, 20 years, and I’m going to look back on the decisions I made as far as how often the child was seeing one parent versus the other parent or the schedule that I set for them and see how that ultimately impacted their life. It’s a lot of mental preparation to fortify your mind because it is a lot of responsibility.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of your professional life?

I have a four-year-old going on five, so a lot of my free time is spent running places for her, spending time with family, and going on vacation when time allows. Last year, my family traveled to Greece, which is where my husband’s family is originally from. They still have a lot of family over there; it was beautiful.

Is there a female leader who has been a source of inspiration to you throughout your life?

Thinking back, even as a young kid, I knew about Sandra Day O’Connor. She was the first woman appointed onto the United States Supreme Court. That was a big deal. When she was appointed, it was during a time that women were not necessarily prioritizing work, whether their choice or not, but you didn’t see very many women in high roles. I remember thinking, wow, how did she get there? What did she do? As a young child, you see this woman who has the position of authority, power, and respect and it was inspiring to see how she got there. This was at a time before equalizing gender disparities in the courts became a higher priority. While I don’t think that disparity is completely solved, I think it’s come a long way and strides are being taken in the right direction.

What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to enter the legal profession?

You can have it all. Don't let anyone tell you, you can't. You can be educated. You can have a family, whatever that looks like for you. You can work hard, and you can relax hard. The hard work and determination that you put into something will take you where you want to go.

Whitney is a dedicated and resilient professional currently pursuing her master's in public policy and administration at York College of Pennsylvania, with aspirations to contribute to the legal landscape through a forthcoming law school journey. As a member of the Tri-Alpha honors society, she has demonstrated academic excellence, achieving a remarkable 3.9 GPA during her undergraduate studies.

Whitney's journey through academia has been marked by perseverance and determination, overcoming systemic racial discrimination and facing personal adversities. Despite these challenges, she emerged with a profound understanding of the disparities within the legal system. Her experiences fueled a passion for justice, leading her to pursue a legal career focused on reshaping policy decisions.

With a background in retail operations and non-profit work, Whitney has actively engaged with her community, organizing events, fundraisers, and advocating for free community services. Her experiences as a small business owner and academic researcher have equipped her with a unique perspective on community needs and social support programs.

In her pursuit of a legal career, Whitney envisions a comprehensive overhaul of social programs, using her legal knowledge to propose cost-effective and efficient alternatives. Her goal is to address the discrepancies in the current structure of public support programs, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring that every American has access to basic necessities in a safe and comfortable environment.

Whitney also serves as a dedicated volunteer for Barrier Breakers, a nonprofit specializing in creating pathways to law school for marginalized brown and black communities. Her work there is data-driven, focusing on collecting and analyzing information to measure student success and impact.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Whitney finds joy in creative outlets, particularly in creating beautiful public spaces. A horseback riding enthusiast, she cherishes time spent with her children, husband, and two dogs. Whether engaged in home improvement projects or seeking adventures outside her comfort zone, Whitney approaches life with a passion for positive change.

As she embarks on her legal journey, Whitney Warner stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a lasting impact on social policies and the well-being of communities across America.

We also congratulate Judge Michael W. Flannelly, who was honored with the esteemed Richard E. Kohler Civility and Ethics Award. Judge Flannelly’s exemplary commitment to fostering civility and ethical practices serves as an inspiring example for the entire legal community.

Photo Gallery

Featured Left: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice P. Kevin Brobson and the Honorable Kathleen J. Prendergast
Featured Right: The Honorable Michael W. Flannelly and Clasina B. Houtman

John G. Bergdoll IV, Esq.
Attorney at Law Offices of J.G. Bergdoll, LLC

John is a York County native and graduated from Northern High School, York College with his bachelor’s in Psychology, and the Penn State Dickinson School of Law. While in Law School he interned with MidPenn Legal Services in York. He started the practice of law at his father’s firm and is now a solo practitioner at his firm, Law Offices of J.G. Bergdoll, LLC, with offices in Dillsburg and York. John is a general practitioner focusing on family law, bankruptcy, landlord tenant matters, and mental health. He is court appointed counsel for patients involuntarily committed for treatment, guardianship, dependency, and custody matters.

Matthew A. Sembach, Esq.
Chief Deputy Public Defender at the York County Public Defender's Office

Congratulations to our outgoing Association Board Members

• Christopher A. Ferro - Director, Assistant Treasurer, and Past President
• Susan R. Emmons - Director, Treasurer, and Secretary
• Jennifer A. Galloway - Director, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer
• Heather Z. Reynosa - Director
• Neil A. Slenker - Director
• Andrea N. Fitzsimmons - Young Lawyers Section Chair

Congratulations to our outgoing Foundation Board Members

• Michael E. Kochenour - Director and Past President
• Lawrence V. Young - Director and Past President

Welcome new 50 year members

Jane Alexander Award

Suzanne S. Smith was nominated by her peers as she embodies the best of the legal profession and is a life example for all of us for dedicating time and talent to better our community. Throughout her career, Suzanne has acted as a mentor to the women and men around her. She is currently in private practice at Fresh Start Law firm where she provides legal representation to those who have had criminal justice involvement, providing defense, expungements, pardon coaching and counsel for drivers' license restoration. She is the leader in the York County Bar Association expungement and pardon clinics and has served for over two decades as Women in Law Co-Chair. Suzanne consistently looks for legal issues and updates of interest to the Women in the Law. Suzanne is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and University of Dayton School of Law.

PBA Pro Bono Partner Award

AliceAnne Frost, Chief Executive Officer, The PROGRAM, “It’s About Change” was honored with the PBA Pro Bono Partner Award in recognition of her work in collaboration with many stakeholders to launch The Pardon Project of York County (PPYC).  PPYC seeks to assist individuals with a criminal record, who have completely served their sentence and are seeking a pardon forgiveness of their crime.  The PROGRAM, “It’s About Change” serves as the home of PPYC’s Pardon Fellow and York County’s Pardon Hub merging their existing menu with guidance, coaching, and advocacy for those seeking a pardon.  Under AliceAnne Frost’s dedicated leadership this collaborative partnership yields win-win opportunities for both reentrants and the community.

YCBA Individual Pro Bono Awards

Alina M. Dusharm, Esq. currently works as an attorney at Beacon Law focusing on the areas of child custody, support, and children and youth cases in York County. She is a graduate of Penn State Dickinson School of Law. She was recognized for her support of the pro bono program, specifically for taking numerous Protection from Abuse referrals. Attorney Dusharm has also logged many hours of pro bono service after accepting complex custody cases during which she provided invaluable legal counsel. 

Beth J. Kern, Esq. currently works as an attorney at CGA Law, focusing on the areas of municipal, business, employment, land use, and real estate law. Attorney Kern is a graduate of Widener University Commonwealth School of Law. She was recognized for providing pro bono services in a variety of settings, participating in our Wills for Heroes as well as direct referrals. It seems she would take as many PFA hearings as we could offer!  The clients were generously provided with her skilled legal counsel.

E. Haley Rohrbaugh, Esq. currently works as an attorney at CGA Law, focusing on the areas of bankruptcy, business law, collections, and estate law.  Attorney Rohrbaugh is a graduate of Widener University Commonwealth School of Law.  We appreciate her dedicated support of our pro bono efforts.  Attorney Rohrbaugh is being recognized for providing many hours of service directly assisting clients with her adept bankruptcy counsel. 

Carolyn J. Pugh, Esq.
Associate Attorney at Bellomo & Associates

Beth J. Kern, Esq.,
Attorney at CGA Law Firm

Beth is an Attorney at CGA Law Firm. She provides legal services to municipal, business, land use, and employment law clients and comes to the legal profession with over twelve years of corporate and professional experience. Most of her practice involves serving as a municipal and zoning hearing board solicitor, assisting with unique business and acquisition transactions, and providing advice on a variety of employment issues.

Yinet Pérez Vega, Esq.,
Staff Attorney at MidPenn Legal Services

Santo G. Spataro, Esq.,
Associate Attorney at Aevitas Law Firm