Meet the Newest Member of the Bench: An Interview with The Honorable A. Nicole Tate-Phillips

SIDEBAR FEATURE Meet the Newest Member of the Bench: An Interview with The Honorable A. Nicole Tate-Phillips

On Monday, January 3, 2022, Judge A. Nicole Tate-Phillips took her oath of office to become the newest member of the Montgomery County bench. Judge TatePhillips, a graduate of Spelman College and Northeastern University School of Law, spent her career serving as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and then as an Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal Division) in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She then moved on to become a Partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, LLP, practicing criminal and civil litigation and serving as a member of the firm’s White Collar and Government Investigations practice group before running for Judge in 2021.

I had the honor of interviewing Judge Tate-Phillips about her career, her interests outside of the courtroom, and her goals for the bench. Here is a condensed, edited version of our interview:

What are you looking forward to in your new role on the bench?

I see this as an opportunity to use my experience to make an impact as a decision maker. In family court, I am working directly with families. I ask myself, “how can I help this family or these children?” I am enjoying the opportunity to be helpful and provide guidance. I try to resolve issues by getting folks on the same page and by reminding them that we’re here about the children. I have a great team here at the courthouse and I have had great attorneys appear before me.

Describe your style in the courtroom.

Civility and respect for everyone is of the utmost importance. When I was a practicing attorney, I tried to always treat opposing counsel with dignity and respect. Strategically, there is a higher likelihood of getting a resolution when people are being respectful and listening to one another. I believe that this starts with me. I try to be measured and keep everyone else measured so that we can be clear on the issues. I try to be very clear in my thought process so that litigants leave my courtroom knowing that this judge cared enough to listen and to be fair.

Do you have any advice for attorneys trying a case before you?

Be prepared. Know when filings are due and when communication with the Court is required. Provide me with everything I need to make a decision. Be honest and credible. You earn credibility by being honest, making concessions where you need to rather than blindly advocating and taking unreasonable positions.

Do you miss anything about being a practicing lawyer?

I enjoyed my time as an advocate. I enjoyed the investigatory work and the process of getting to the answer; of finding the needle in the haystack. I also enjoyed the opportunity to seek justice in the Courtroom and do the right thing by people. I try to bring this experience to the bench. I strive to be the type of judge before whom lawyers don’t mind appearing.

Do you have any mentors or people that you admire, and why?

I have had the privilege of working with a lot of great judges and I feel very prepared in my current position because of that experience. I also have a wonderful family and village that I count as inspiration, including my parents and grandparents who were very involved with my upbringing and invested in my journey.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy reading, particularly autobiographies. I love running and being outside in warm weather. I also love being a mom to my teenage children who are very active.

Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer, LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Andrew M. Lamberton, Kathryn M. Brady and James G. Schu, Jr.

to the position of Partner with the firm.

ANDREW M. LAMBERTON KATHRYN M. BRADY JAMES G. SCHU, JR.

510 Swede Street Norristown, PA 19401 610-275-2000 kanepugh.com One Liberty Place – Suite 3618 Philadelphia, PA 19103

What is the last book you read? What is the last movie you watched?

The last book I read was “WILL” – Will Smith’s memoir and the last movie I watched was “King Richard,” the movie about Venus and Serena Williams, starring Will Smith.

Do you have any other “fun facts” that you would like the MBA to know about you?

I love distance running. I have run a marathon, as well as several half-marathons and other races. I particularly like running in other places. I have run races in Central Park, Brooklyn, Baltimore, Charlotte, the Las Vegas Strip, and Washington, D.C., to name a few. I find that distance running is a great way to see other cities. I wasn’t always a runner; in 2011 I trained with the Couch to 5k program on my treadmill. I never thought I would get the distance running bug, but once I started running outside with the Black Girls Run! program, I was hooked on running races and challenging myself to run long distance.

Do you have anything to say in closing?

I am very grateful to be in this position. We have a great Court in Montgomery County, as well as a great Bar. I am proud to be here and my goal is to bring my experience and perspective to positively impact families and communities in Montgomery County

Keep Us in Your Sights for Spring!

Come Visit Our Newly Renovated Gun Store 39 Years est. + Growing!

New Pistol/Rifle Ranges New Hepa Ventilation System We Target All The Outdoor Sportsman’s needs…

• We offer one of the largest selection of guns, safes and Sporting goods and accessories in the Delaware Valley.

NEW Lower Pricing

• Compare + SAVE! – Shop Online! • Over 1600 firearms in Stock • Custom orders welcome • Over 250 Gun Safes in stock • We offer Pistol & Rifle Shooting Classes

529 W. Butler Ave., Chalfont, PA 18914

(5 minutes north of Montgomery Mall) 215.822.3900 | TargetWorldInc.com

We accept all major credit cards Open: Tues-Fri 9-9 • Sat. & Sun. 9-5, Closed Mon.