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McVerry, Schwab Confirmed by U.S. Senate for Judgeships
New Appointees to Join Conti, Cercone on Bench
By Daniel Casciato
For The Lawyers Journal
October 4, 2002

Television provides great drama, but when the drama unfolding is about your career, it makes the viewing experience more harrowing. Just ask Terrence F. McVerry. The Allegheny County Solicitor found out last month that he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, through C-SPAN. C-SPAN 2, no less.

McVerry laughed as he retold the story. "A representative from the justice department called me in the morning and said that there was a strong rumor that I was to be voted on today," McVerry said. "I then asked, 'well, how will I know?' She said to watch C-SPAN 2 to see the vote live. So I immediately called my wife to see if we got it on our cable system, and fortunately, we did. Sen. (Rick) Santorum called me later that morning and said it was no longer a rumor I was definitely being voted on. So I went home and watched the entire thing on television."

And as he watched, a little nervously, from his living room, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him to the federal bench. "It was tense for a while because I honestly didn't know how the vote was going to turn out. I was very happy when I realized it was going to be unanimous," he said. In addition to his years in private practice and his short term as a Family Division Judge, McVerry was an assistant district attorney from 1969 to 1973 and a member of the state legislature from 1979 to 1990.

McVerry has served as the solicitor of Allegheny County, where he was the chief legal officer and director of a government law department. He was responsible for all civil litigation and advice and representation for all branches and departments of the county government. "I'm gratified that the president and the U.S. Senate felt that I am qualified, and I'm appreciative to them for their help throughout the confirmation process. I'm looking forward to it," McVerry said.

"All of the members of the federal bench are outstanding judges. We have a fine bench here in the western district and I'm honored to be numbered among them very soon." McVerry will be joined by Arthur J. Schwab, shareholder and chief counsel of complex litigation at Buchanan Ingersoll, who found out that he was confirmed about a week after McVerry. Schwab was chairing a board meeting at Grove City College when he received the news that he was confirmed as a U.S. District Judge. The U.S. Senate also returned a unanimous vote for him.

It's a double windfall for Buchanan Ingersoll, who is one of just three law firms in the nation to have more than one attorney nominated by President George W. Bush for federal judgeships. Of those firms, Buchanan Ingersoll is the only firm whose nominees have both received Senate confirmation to date. Schwab is joined by former Buchanan Ingersoll shareholder and past president of the Allegheny County Bar Association, Joy Flowers Conti, who was confirmed by the Senate in August.

According to William R. Newlin, Buchanan Ingersoll's CEO and Managing Director, "I have no doubt that (Schwab) will do a tremendous job as a judge for Western Pennsylvania. As a firm, we are honored that (Schwab) and (Conti) were chosen for such noteworthy roles, and the federal court system will benefit from having attorneys of their caliber serving on the bench." Schwab was thrilled when he heard the news.

"My family and I were very happy and joyous, because it's been such a long journey," he said in reaction. Schwab, who always wanted to become a judge, said that he pursued this position because it was an opportunity for him to repay the great blessings he has received as an attorney, especially in Western Pennsylvania. At Buchanan Ingersoll, Schwab has a national litigation practice and is former chair of the firm's litigation section. He served as chief counsel in complex litigation including professional liability, securities, banking, construction, employment and antitrust matters. He also developed a practice in the areas of trade secrets, employment agreements and unfair competition.

Schwab was grateful to those who helped him along the way.

"I have received tremendous assistance from many people, including senators, members of the local, state and federal bench, trial att-orneys from Allegheny County and quite frankly, throughout the country," he said. "Many people have been helpful and gracious throughout the process, and I'm very appreciative of their help and encouragement." McVerry and Schwab will join Conti and Court of Common Pleas Judge David S. Cercone, who was appointed late this summer.

The western district, which covers 25 counties from Erie to Johnstown, is allotted 10 judgeships.

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