Patrick F. Dugan

Honorable Patrick F. Dugan In 2019 Judge Dugan was elected President Judge of Philadelphia Municipal Court by his peers. First appointed to the Bench in 2007, Judge Dugan was elected to the court in 2009 and retained in 2015. In his role as President Judge oversees the administrative operations of both the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the Court. Currently, Philadelphia Municipal Court is one of nation’s busiest courtrooms, presiding over 135,000 cases in 2018. Municipal Court has been a leading court in innovation, diversion and reform initiatives. It is also one of the oldest courts in the United States, tracing its roots to the 1682. Prior to being elected president judge, Dugan was one of the founders of Philadelphia’s Veterans Court, assigned there since its inception in 2010. In 2018, the Philadelphia Bar Association honored Judge Dugan’s Veterans Court Team with the Henry Czajkowski Award for excellence. Dugan retired as a US Army Captain in 2016. He has served as an enlisted airborne infantryman, a civil affairs soldier and as a JAG officer. He served 23 years between active and reserves. Some unit assignments include the 82nd Airborne Division and the 2nd Infantry Division. He has served overseas in Panama, South Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. Among Dugan’s military awards are the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Parachutists Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Philadelphia Magazine honored Dugan, naming him the Best Philadelphian 2004. Dugan has also received the prestigious Ancient Order of Hibernian’s national Dr. Sean McBride award for humanitarian service. Dugan is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s Prep High School and Rutger’s Camden Law School. He is married to retired Philadelphia Police Officer Nancy Dugan and they are the parents of six grown children and eight grandchildren.