President Judge Emeritus Susan Peikes Gantman is a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees in 1974. Judge Gantman graduated from the Villanova School of Law in 1977. Following graduation from law school, Judge Gantman served as law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Lowe, of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. Judge Gantman has also served as Solicitor for the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and the Montgomery County Housing and Community Development. Her career includes additional public service as an Assistant District Attorney for Montgomery County, where she worked in the major crimes unit.
In 1981, Judge Gantman entered private practice. Her extensive legal experience includes litigation, domestic law, juvenile law, Orphans Court actions and appellate practice. In 1991, Judge Gantman joined the law firm of Sherr, Joffe & Zuckerman, P.C. as Partner and Chair of the Domestic Relations Section. In 1998, she became a senior member and served as Co-chair of the Family Law Section of the law firm of Cozen O’Connor.
Throughout her career, Judge Gantman has been a tireless advocate on behalf of children and other victims of abuse. During her years in practice, Judge Gantman appeared as a frequent lecturer and instructor, conducting numerous classes and seminars for the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Montgomery County Bar Association, and the Department of Public Welfare. Judge Gantman is currently a frequent lecturer on issues of Appellate Practice and Procedure for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Montgomery Bar Association and the Lawyers Club of Philadelphia. She has also served on the Board of Directors for Women’s Philanthropy, the Federation of Allied Jewish Appeal, and Women of Vision. Judge Gantman has been honored by many organizations: Anne X. Alpern Award, Pennsylvania Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession; Brandeis Law Society Law Day; honoree, Montgomery Bar Association Annual Dinner; she was awarded Women of the Year 2014, The Legal Intelligencer. Judge Gantman has been recognized by the Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth for her achievements and outstanding service. She was presented with the Margaret Richardson Award given by the Montgomery County Bar to a person who has advanced the role of women in the legal field and furthered women’s legal rights. She is a current member of the National Association of Women Judges. Other honors include the Bond of Faith and the Juvenile Advisory Association Award.
Judge Gantman is a member of the American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association and Montgomery County Bar Association. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania Bars Commission on Women in the Profession, the Appellate Practice Committee, the National Association of Women Judges, and the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Taxis Circle. She is a Fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation and a Master of the Villanova University School of Law Inns of Court.
Judge Gantman’s election to a ten-year term on the Superior Court was confirmed in January 2004, and she won retention in 2013. She was elected by her peers as President Judge of the Superior Court for the five-year term beginning January 7, 2014 to January 6, 2019. Her Chambers are located in Montgomery County.