President’s Dinner

Honoring our 2022 CCBA President, Michelle Bernardo-Rudy, Esq.

By Shannon K. McDonald, Esquire

On a crisp night in January hundreds of members of the CCBA gathered to celebrate the 2022 President, Michelle Bernardo-Rudy. Michelle spent 2022 in private practice and in 2023, is growing into a new role at the Court of Common Pleas, as Family Court Administrator. I had the pleasure of sharing an office wall with Michelle this past year, so it seemed right that I do the write up on her President’s Dinner. I hoped to channel one of those gossip columns but I’m afraid I didn’t take enough notes and as we all know, this old lawyer brain is just not as quick as it used to be. Perhaps it’s better if I refrain from name-dropping anyway.

The Loch Arie Mansion was the perfect timeless backdrop chock full of Chester County History. Pulling up to the mansion all alight from the ground floor up, the tower was a stunning arrival. For most, this was their first time being in the new space, and it was wonderful. There was no sign of this stately renovated mansion ever being the home of any illicit biker gang activity! The Ballroom was roomy enough for all of the guests and the tables, as well as a sizable dance floor. The DJ was excellent as well. Unfortunately for us, the bar line was not insignificant, but the beverages were quick enough to obtain. Overwhelmingly the review on the location was positive, not the least because of the easy location for most Chester County practitioners.

This event marked the first of our new CCBA executive director Greg Nardi, and there was only light, just in fun, booing of our former CCBA executive director. The PBA surely couldn’t hear it. Greg handled the evening well, ensuring that those who made speeches and got awards had an attentive audience and the right plaque, as well as ensured that the photographer got the right pictures.

Fêted by her friends, family and the who’s who of the Bar Association, Michelle Bernardo-Rudy (“Hurricane” to her friends) looked stunning in a floor length emerald gown which, as any good formal gown does, had pockets for her speech. Her sons teared up at the loving message she sent to them and surely were not embarrassed as teens and preteens tend to be with displays of emotion from their parents. During the video portion of the event we learned that Michelle is just as good a person as we all believe! Not one of her friends had anything bad to say about her, and she has been overwhelmingly liked at every workplace. Seriously, an entire table from Fox Rothschild told me that, after all insisting on being photographed with Michelle.

We celebrated with the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, many of whom were in attendance. Honorable President Judge John Hall gave an acceptance speech for the Board of Director’s Award, which actually went to Honorable Judge Bortner, who could not attend. Julie Manser was awarded the John F. McKenna Access to Justice Award, and Cathy Voit graciously accepted it on her behalf. The Judge Katherine B.L. Platt Service Award went to the hard-working Elizabeth Srinivasan. The Honorable Juan R. Sanchez Pro Bono Award went to me. The Pennsylvania Bar Association also tagged onto those awards for service, doubling the number of things we need to hang on our walls. Finally, the President’s Award went to Helen Mountain. And for our 50-year members, the Bar Association gifted them David Katz prints – and one rocking chair!

In all seriousness, this was an excellent event. This is a fun event every year and it is so nice to have the timehonored tradition of the awards and ceremony and have the personalization of each Bar Association president to make it unforgettable each year!