The Philadelphia Bar Association issued the following statements congratulating Family Court Administrative Judge Hon. Margaret T. Murphy on her retirement. Judge Murphy was appointed to the role in December 2014, succeeding Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dougherty. Judge Murphy was appointed as a judge in 2000, and she was subsequently elected to a full 10-year term in 2001 and retained thereafter in 2011 and 2021. Prior to becoming a judge, she served as a master in divorce and support matters, and also as deputy court administrator of domestic relations.
“We have been honored to work closely with Judge Murphy during her 10 years leading Family Court,” Chancellor Jen Coatsworth said. “She brought to the role nearly three decades of insight and experience handling family law matters, including in her previous position as Supervising Judge of the Domestic Relations Division. Judge Murphy headed Family Court during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that the Court continued to operate and that sensitive matters such as those involving abuse and child custody were addressed in a timely matter, despite most institutions being shut down or restricted. Among her other accomplishments were creating the Court Relations Committee, a regular meeting between judges, court personnel, public interest lawyers and private counsel and setting the stage for the establishment of the mediation section of the Family Courthouse.”
“Judge Murphy has also been a valued member of our Family Law Section, including serving as a speaker on CLEs and town hall programs to share up-to-date Court policies and procedures. We wish Judge Murphy well in her retirement," Coatsworth said.
“We also extend our congratulations to new Family Court Administrative Judge Walter J. Olszewski,” Coatsworth said. “We look forward to further collaborations with Judge Olszewski in his new role, and to a continued strong relationship with our Family Court."
Family Law Section Chair Rebecca Levin Nayak added: "On behalf of the Family Law Section, I extend our gratitude to Judge Murphy for her exceptional leadership as Administrative Judge of the Family Court. Her years of service and commitment to justice have had a meaningful impact on the children and families Philadelphia. We also warmly welcome Judge Walter J. Olszewski to his new role. With his deep experience, we know that he will build upon the strong foundation established by Judge Murphy."
