For those of us who have the privilege of practicing employment law in the Delaware Valley, one thing holds true: there is no shortage of excellent jurists. The judges hearing our cases always show impeccable patience and skill. Employment law cases are truly unique. The law can be nuanced with burden shifting paradigms, pretext, mixed motive analysis and a myriad of other complexities. And this says nothing of the parties and litigators who never fail to keep the bench on its proverbial toes.

As many lawyers (and judges know), the backbone of a vibrant federal bench is a stable of U.S. Magistrate judges. Congress established the role of federal magistrate judges in 1968 with the Federal Magistrates Act of 1968. The position replaced the role of federal court commissioner with the broader and more powerful office of U.S. Magistrate. Magistrate judges are empowered to dispose of a great range of matters including:

  • To preside over criminal arraignments.
  • The authority to conduct misdemeanor trials, if the defendant agreed.
  • To serve as special masters in civil actions.
  • Where requested by district judges, to preside over discovery and other pre-trial proceedings.