Special Counsels
Honorable James A. Lineberger, Esquire
2006 Retired Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge. Judge Lineberger was first elected to the Bench in 1991 after spending 13 years practicing Law. Judge Lineberger was a Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney from 1978 to 1986, ascending to Deputy for Community Relations, EEO officer and Senior Trial Assistant. While in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, Judge Lineberger distinguished himself in the Rape and Career criminal units where he tried hundreds of Major felony cases. Thereafter, Judge Lineberger had a thriving Private criminal defense and civil litigation practice before ascending to the bench. While on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Criminal Trial bench, Judge Lineberger distinguished himself foremost in the Homicide division where he presided over hundreds of capital and non-capital cases. Judge Lineberger was known as a tough, no-nonsense but extremely fair jurist whose intellect and wit were second to none.
Judge Lineberger received his Bachelor’s Degree (Class of 1964 from University of Nebraska at Omaha where he studied education and German was his major subject area. He received his JD from Temple University, Class of 1978. Judge Lineberger has a distinguished Military Career serving from 1948 to 1968 retiring from the United Sates Army as a Captain. He still maintains extensive ties with the United States military, particularly the ARMY.
Judge Lineberger also had an extensive business career in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors between his time in the military and the start of his legal career. His resume’ is available for inspection as it relates to his work history from 1968 to 1978.
Judge Lineberger had received many awards over the years, in fact too numerous to mention herein but most recently he was the 2006 recipient of the Eagle Award from the Clifford Scott Green Chapter of the National Bar Association’s Judicial Council in Philadelphia, PA.
Judge Lineberger’s present and past Board Affiliations plus Professional Affiliations include:
PRESENT AND PAST BOARD AFFILIATIONS
Chairman of Southeastern Pennsylvania Council on the Intergovernmental Personnel Act
Chairman of the Board, Safe Streets, Inc. (Emergency Juvenile Control Project)
Chairman of the Community Development Fund, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Vice President, Philadelphia Health and Welfare Council
Member, Philadelphia Anti-Poverty Action Committee
Member, Philadelphia Mayor’s Advisory Council on Economic Development
Member, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Member, Greater Philadelphia Council on Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
Vice-President, Korean and American Friendship Society
Member, Atomic Veterans of American
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Bar Association
National Bar Association
National Black Prosecutor’s Association
Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
Philadelphia District Attorney’s Alumni Association
Temple Law Alumni Association
Philadelphia Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Judge Lineberger is special counsel and Managing Attorney to the firm for period (2007-2008) and will specialize in ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), Mock Trials (Civil and Criminal), Advising for-profit and non-profit businesses and as well as Case Consultation (Civil or Criminal). Judge Lineberger’s wisdom, knowledge and guidance will be invaluable to our firm and clients. Judge Lineberger is a noted and preeminent member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bars. Judge Lineberger is semi-retired, but is available for trial consults, private mediation and historical prospective when necessary.
Honorable Deborah S. Griffin, Esquire
1970 Brooklyn Academy HS – valedictorian
1976 University of Pennsylvania, BA
1987 Oxford University (England) – Certificate program Intellectual Property
1988 University of Missouri – Columbia, Juris Doctor
Bar Admissions
1988 Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
1989 Eastern District of Pennsylvania
1991 Middle District of Pennsylvania
1992 U.S. Tax Court
Born and educated in NYC Public Schools. Held several management positions with Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Cincinnati, Southern Bell, AT&T and DeKalb County (GA) government.
Upon graduation from law school worked as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting domestic violence crimes. Went into private practice in 1990 concentrating on criminal defense (misdemeanor and felony), Family and Orphan’s court matters. Elected Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court in 2001.Served on the Municipal Court bench for criminal and civil dockets for over six years until retirement in 2008. Currently as a special counsel to Nattiel & Associates, P.C. while maintaining the Law Offices of Deborah S. Griffin, Esquire.