Morris James LLP is pleased to announce that Francis J. (Pete) Jones, Jr. has been confirmed by the Delaware Senate to serve as a Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware in New Castle County. The confirmation follows Governor John Carney's nomination on March 6th. Mr. Jones appeared before the Senate Executive Committee and confirmed this as an opportunity to fulfill his life-long desire to serve the citizens of Delaware as a Judge.
"We are thrilled Pete is confirmed to serve as a Superior Court Judge," said Keith Donovan, Managing Partner of Morris James LLP. "He has been with Morris James since 1983 serving his clients, and as an Executive Committee Member and Chair of the Firm's Personal Injury Group. His abundant contributions and sound leadership will remain part of the firm's legacy."
With over 37 years of practicing law, Mr. Jones has helped many clients injured in personal injury accidents; several cases were precedent-setting. He also served as an Alternative Dispute Resolution practitioner, serving as both a mediator and arbitrator for Delaware cases. During his career, Mr. Jones served as a Member of the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners, Member of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, two-time Delaware Chapter President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and as a Member and Chair of the Delaware Supreme Court Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection. Mr. Jones has participated in the Delaware Mock Trial Program since its inception in 1993. He has served as coach, judge, and as program director. He was instrumental in bringing the National Mock Trial Competition to Delaware in 2008, having served on its Board of Directors for over 23 years as Chair and on the Chair Rules Committee.
Mr. Jones is the recipient of the 2019 Delaware State Bar Association First State Distinguished Service Award, the 2017 Justice Gene Franchini Golden Gavel Award, 2005 DSBA Distinguished Mentoring Award, and the 2008 Middles States Counsel for Social Studies Distinguished Service Award. He ranked as an outstanding attorney in Martindale Hubbell, Best Lawyers in America®, including "Lawyer of the Year," Delaware Super Lawyers®, and Delaware Today Top Lawyers.
Mr. Jones served as a clerk for The Honorable John J. McNeilly of the Delaware Supreme Court after earning his J.D. in 1982 from The Catholic University Columbus School of Law, and his B.A. in 1979 from The Catholic University of America.
