Delco has new president judge for Common Pleas Court

Delaware County Court elected Chad F. Kenny as its new president judge Thursday.

Kenny, 56, was elected by the 20-judge court to replace Joseph P. Cronin Jr., who announced in April that he would retire. Cronin was elected to the position in 2008.

As president judge, Kenny will take over the administrative duties of the court and will sit in Orphans Court. He will oversee 11 judicial departments and a staff of 725 employees.

Kenny said that while he is looking forward to the challenges the new positions will offer, he will miss interacting with the public.

"The hardest part is giving up jury trials," he said.

In the spring of 2013, the county will begin using an electronic filing system for civil cases, he said. That will allow lawyers and those involved in cases to access files online in a more efficient and timely basis than with the current paper system, he said.

"You can access it from anywhere, you won't have to come to court," Kenny said.

Kenny said the court would also look into software to help computerize the juror notification system.

Kenny has served on the bench since 2003. From 1998 until he was elected judge, he was the sheriff. He attended Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill and Villanova University, where he majored in political science, and Temple University Law School.

He lives in Nether Providence Township with his wife, Anita; they have three children.