Local woman to head Montgomery Bar Association
NORRISTOWN » The Montgomery Bar Association has a new executive director, a familiar face in the legal community who comes to the post with a wealth of experience in law and court systems.
Denise S. Vicario, of Whitpain, assumed duties as executive director of the 2,000-plus member professional organization for attorneys and judges on July 6.
“I’m deeply humbled and honored to be the new executive director of the Montgomery Bar Association. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to serve the county, the citizens and the court in a different way. It’s the next step in my career to make sure that I can continue to serve the citizens and the public in the best way I’m able to do so,” Vicario said during a recent interview.
Vicario, who grew up in the Horsham area, succeeds Nancy R. Paul, who recently retired as executive director of the organization after 29 years of service.
Vicario, a graduate of Widener University School of Law who also has a bachelor’s degree in international history and relations from Saint Joseph’s University, previously served as chief deputy court administrator for Montgomery County’s Court of Common Pleas since 2016. In that position, Vicario helped manage and oversee operations of a court system consisting of 24 Common Pleas Court judges, 30 Magisterial District Court judges and more than 500 staff members.
From 2014 to 2016, Vicario was the deputy court administrator for special courts in the county.
Vicario previously served a stint with the Superior Court of California in Orange County – one of the largest trial courts in the nation – managing diverse areas of court administration and implementing large-scale court enhancement projects. Upon returning to Montgomery County, Vicario spent time in private practice before overseeing court operations for the criminal division and special courts in Montgomery County.
“Working for the courts was one of the foundational experiences of my life. I am eternally grateful and I would not be in my current position without the wonderful opportunity the courts afforded me for many, many years. I’m very grateful the court was so supportive of my new role,” Vicario said.
Jack Costello, director of operations and communications for Montgomery Bar Association, said Vicario “brings with her a unique skillset, including first-hand knowledge, experience and understanding of the legal community, the court system, and local culture.”
“She has a keen understanding of the association’s diversified membership, as well as the needs of those who live and work in the communities the association and its members aim to serve,” Costello wrote in a news release.
Vicario will oversee numerous activities of the bar association.
For members, the association offers an important arena for networking, professional development and education. For the community, the association serves as a legal resource offering education, legal assistance and funds and resources for individuals and agencies in need.
“Our big programs are related to access to justice. We’re working very hard on diversity initiatives and we do a lot of work with legal aid and supporting them,” Vicario said. “We do all those things to support the legal community and our local community.”
The association also is actively engaged in public service through community outreach, free educational events offered throughout the year, programs such as the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project and mock trial competitions for high-school students.
A member of the Montgomery Bar Association since 2003, Vicario has served as a director, chair and vice-chair of multiple committees including the Law Reporter Committee, Awards Committee, SideBar Committee, Diversity Committee, Women in the Law Committee and Community Outreach Committee. Vicario also served on the Advisory Board of the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project (MCAP) since 2015.