Susan Mankamyer
Susan Mankamyer, Esq.
President of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania
Magisterial District Judge – District Court 16-3-01
Judge Mankamyer grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, the youngest of nine children. Following her graduation from West Virginia University College of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1992, she moved to Somerset County and began her legal career as a judicial law Clerk to the 16th Judicial District. In addition to the private practice of law which continues up to the present time, her former positions include teaching paralegal classes at Somerset County Technology Center, Assistant District Attorney for Somerset County and specializing in prosecuting child sexual assault cases, Program Director for the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association where she worked closely with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), and President of the Somerset County Bar Association. In addition to the Somerset County Court of Common pleas and surrounding counties, she is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
Judge Mankamyer was first elected to the bench in 2006, and reelected in 2012 and 2018. Due to her joint efforts with the local Veterans Affairs Office, the Somerset County Magisterial District Courts instituted a Veterans Diversion Program. Early on, her involvement with the Special Court Judges Association began, first as Assistant Webmaster, then on the Court Administration Committee, the Public Relations Committee, and the Computer/Technical Committee (Chairperson). In 2013, she was elected by her peers to receive the Association’s John T. Jeffers Memorial Award in Recognition of Dedicated and Unselfish Service to the Association.
Her colleagues in the Special Court Association elected her as the Association’s 2nd Vice President in 2019, and she maintains membership with the National Association of Women Judges and the International Association of Women Judges.
Judge Mankamyer is often invited to speak with several groups, school classrooms and school assemblies, including on topics such as driving laws, Constitutional Law, civics, and her role as a Magisterial District Judge, as well as Law Day presentations on the United States Constitution and current legal issues. She has participated in Mock Trial Competitions and is a regular guest instructor for Camp Cadet of Somerset County.
She has volunteered for and served as officers or board members of several local non-profit agencies, including the Somerset Aero Club, American Red Cross, Somerset County Humane Society, Conemaugh Township Parent Teacher Association, St. Francis Caring and Sharing, and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
Judge Mankamyer attends and is a past council member of St. David’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is a member of the Conemaugh Township Rotary Club and the West Virginia University Alumni Association. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, road cycling, music, boating, and range shooting. She lives with her two daughters in Davidsville, Pennsylvania.