Al Dandridge and Rachel Branson Speak at Hon. C. Darnell Jones Portrait Unveiling

On June 11, 2013, Judge C. Darnell Jones, II, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and former President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was honored with a portrait in Philadelphia City Hall’s famed courtroom 653. The portrait fundraising effort was spearheaded by the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia and its president, Schnader attorney Rachel E. Branson.

Ms. Branson said, “Here we are today. Celebrating Judge Jones’s Journey and his service to the bar and the city’s most vulnerable populations with his own portrait. The portrait will hang in City Hall, where it will be a lasting tribute by the Judge’s peers, law firms, and lawyers, who saw fit to honor him for all he has done to advance the judiciary and the legal profession.”

Longtime friend, Philadelphia Bar Association vice-chancellor and Schnader partner Albert S. Dandridge, III, offered remarks on behalf of the bar. “It is a testament to Judge Jones that almost 100 organizations and individuals contributed to this effort. I believe that this is just a small measure of the esteem to which Judge Jones is held in the Philadelphia Legal Community and the city at large. However, I believe that the most telling evidence of the overwhelming respect and high regard for Judge Jones is the diversity of the lawyers and judges who contributed to this effort and the diversity of the people in this room.” 

Ms. Branson also announced that beginning next year, the Barristers’ Scholarship Foundation will present the “Honorable C. Darnell Jones, II Scholarship” to a deserving law student with high academic credentials.

The Judge Jones’ portrait was made possible with the collective effort of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia the Clifford Scott Green Chapter of the National Bar Association Judicial Council, along with other members of the bench and bar, which formed the Portrait Unveiling Committee.

Judge C. Darnell Jones was named President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County in December 2005. He served as President Judge from January 2006 to October 2008, when he was commissioned as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. At the time Judge Jones was elected President Judge, he had already served as a judge in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas for eighteen years, spending six years in the civil division and twelve years in the criminal division. During this time Judge Jones served as presiding judge in the Homicide Division, Major Civil Trial Division, and Commerce Case Management Program. He also served as managing judge of the Adult Probation and Parole Department, as a member of the Judicial Education Committee, and as a supervising judge of the Philadelphia County Grand Jury.

Two years into his term as President Judge, Jones was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Judge Jones was confirmed by the Senate in September 2008, and received his commission in October 2008.

In addition to his duties as a jurist, Judge Jones has been an active educator since 1991, teaching at St. Joseph’s University’s Graduate School, Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, the University of Pennsylvania’s Law School, The National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and The National Judicial College.

Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia President and Schnader attorney Rachel E. Branson speaks at the portrait unveiling.

Judge Jones playfully interrupts Ms. Branson to add to his prior remarks.

Philadelphia Bar Association Vice-Chancellor and Schnader partner Albert S. Dandridge, III, offers his remarks at the event.

Judge Jones’ portrait unveiling played host to a packed courtroom of friends, colleagues and family.