Judicial Independence Benefit 2024

PMC's ninth annual Judicial Independence Benefit was held on November 18, 2022 using a hybrid format at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. 

Click here to watch a recording of the event.

The event's keynote speaker was Ali Velshi. Ali Velshi is an award-winning journalist, host of *Velshi* on MSNBC, and the network’s Chief Correspondent. He is also a weekly economics contributor to NPR's *Here and Now*. Velshi has covered major U.S. elections and global stories, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the Iran Nuclear Deal. Known for his immersive reporting and interactive discussions, Velshi hosts "Velshi Banned Book Club" on MSNBC and its podcast feed. Previously with Al Jazeera America and CNN, he has earned two National Headliner Awards, a Sigma Delta Chi Award, and multiple Emmy nominations. 

The recipient of the 2024 Judge Edmund B. Spaeth, Jr. Award was Bennett G. Picker, a highly respected attorney and mediator. He serves as Senior Counsel at Stradley Ronon in Philadelphia and is one of the co-founders of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. He specializes in resolving complex commercial disputes and has extensive experience in mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. Picker is also an author and educator, contributing significantly to the field of ADR through his writing and teaching.