PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Honorable Wendy Beetlestone became Chief Judge of the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on August 2, 2025. Judge Beetlestone has served as a federal judge for over ten years and follows the Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg as the 17th Chief Judge of this district. One of thirteen original federal judicial districts created by the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, the Eastern District encompasses Philadelphia, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Northampton counties.
Former Chief Judge Mitchell Goldberg noted that of the seventeen Chief Judges who have served this district, there has been only one woman—Judge Petrese Tucker. Judge Goldberg stated that, “our court has changed considerably since I arrived in 2008, when there were only six female judges. Today our court boasts eleven female district court judges and four female magistrate judges. Six out of the last seven appointments to our court have been incredibly talented female lawyers/former state court judges. It thus seems only fitting that a woman of Judge Beetlestone’s stature take her turn as Chief Judge.”
Judge Beetlestone’s colleague, Judge Mark Kearney observed that: “We welcome Judge Beetlestone to a long line of distinguished Chief Judges who ensure this Court meets the developing needs of our litigants, professional staff, and members of our Bar. We look forward to working with the global perspectives offered by Chief Judge Beetlestone in supporting the rule of law and judicial independence.”
Judge Kai Scott remarked: “I’ve had the good fortune to have been a colleague of Judge Beetlestone. I know her to approach her work with fairness, rigor, and clarity. I am confident that these qualities will enable her to perform her duties as Chief Judge with distinction. Her combination of decisiveness and willingness to collaborate with colleagues will ensure the continued strength of the Court. I look forward to her leadership.”
Judge Beetlestone received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1993. Judge Beetlestone served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Gawthrop, III, of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, from 1993 to 1994. From 1994 to 2002, Judge Beetlestone worked at the law firm of Schnader, Harrison, Segal, and Lewis, becoming a partner in 2001. From 2002 to 2005, Judge Beetlestone served as general counsel for the School District of Philadelphia. From 2005 to 2014, she worked at the law firm of Hangley, Aronchick, Segal, Pudlin and Schiller.
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania is headquartered at the James A. Byrne Courthouse in Philadelphia and has three divisional courthouses in Allentown, Reading, and Easton with a courthouse staff of over one hundred sixty employees.
The Chief Judge oversees the administration of the district which includes the offices of the Clerk of Court, Probation, Pre- Trial Services, and Bankruptcy.