VLS Alumni Honored by PBA Commission on Women in the Profession
VLS is proud to announce that two alumni, Superior Court Judge Susan Peikes Gantman ’77 and Mary Cushing Doherty ’78, will be honored by PBA Commission on Women in the Profession at its annual awards ceremony on May 9.
Judge Susan Peikes Gantman is this year’s recipient of the Anne X. Alpern Award. This award is presented annually to a female lawyer or judge who demonstrates excellence in the legal profession and who makes a significant impact on women in the law.
Judge Gantman’s career in public service started as an Assistant District Attorney for Montgomery County, where she worked in the major crimes unit. In 1981, she entered private practice and in 1998, became a senior member and served as Co-chair of the Family Law Section of the law firm of Cozen O'Connor.
Throughout her career, Judge Gantman has been a tireless advocate on behalf of children and other victims of abuse, appearing frequently as a lecture and instructor for the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Montgomery County Bar Association, and the Department of Public Welfare. Judge Gantman is currently a frequent lecturer on issues of Appellate Practice and Procedure for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Montgomery Bar Association and the Lawyers Club of Philadelphia. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Women’s Philanthropy, the Federation of Allied Jewish Appeal, and Women of Vision. Judge Gantman has been recognized by the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth for her achievements and outstanding service.
Judge Gantman was also presented with the Margaret Richardson Award given by the Montgomery County Bar to a person who has advanced the role of women in the legal field and furthered women’s legal rights. She is a current member of the National Association of Women Judges. Other honors include the Bond of Faith and the Juvenile Advisory Association Award.
Judge Gantman has a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and received her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1977.
The PBA Commission on Women in the Profession selected Mary Cushing Doherty as this year’s recipient of its Lynette Norton Award. This Award recognizes and encourages female attorneys who excel in litigation skills and who are devoted to mentoring female lawyers.
With a distinguished record of professional and community service, Mary Cushing Doherty has more than 30 years of legal experience in the area of family law.
Doherty began her legal career in 1979 with Abrahams and Lowenstein of Philadelphia and is currently a partner at High Swartz, concentrating her practice on all aspects of marital dissolution and family law issues and is a zealous litigator when it serves the best interests of her clients.
Doherty was admitted as a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and currently serves on its Board of Managers. She has been a member of the PBA Commission on Women in the Profession since 1997 and currently serves on its Executive Council. Since 1995, Doherty has been a member of the Joint Pennsylvania State Government Commission’s Advisory Committee on Domestic Relations Law. She is frequently sought to write and speak about her legal expertise, and has served as a course planner and lecturer for the PA Bar Institute, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a lecturer for Villanova University School of Law and Widener University School of Law.
Doherty has been recognized by The Doris Jonas Freed Family Law Inn of Court, receiving its Frederick Cohen Award for Excellence in 2008. In 2006, Doherty received the Margaret Richardson Award for advancing the role of women in the legal profession and furthering women’s legal rights from the Montgomery Bar Association Women in the Law Committee.
Doherty has a B.A. from the University of Delaware and received her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1978.
The awards ceremony will take place on May 9, at the Marriott Lancaster at Penn Square, Lancaster, PA.
