Judge Nusrat J. Love was elected as a judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas in November 2019 and sworn in on January 3, 2020 to a ten-year term. In Chester City, in Delaware County, and across Pennsylvania, Judge Love’s election is recognized for a few very prominent firsts —
Judge Love is the first African-American woman and first woman of color on the Delaware County trial court
Judge Love is the first Muslim to be elected as a state trial court judge in Pennsylvania history
These are no small feats. And, as Judge Love recounts in her video story, her accomplishments were borne of hard work, taking career risks, and an unwavering commitment to the equitable application of law and justice. Her fascination with the law began as young girl. After graduating Swarthmore College, with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Black Studies, she completed her Juris Doctor degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1996. She went on to complete a judicial clerkship, then served as a civil trial attorney in Philadelphia for a decade.
Chester enters Judge Love’s story when she decided to open her own private practice focused primarily on criminal defense, family and juvenile dependency law. Judge Love fondly describes her years spent in Chester city, learning from and assisting residents and her involvement in local organizations advancing justice. Now a member of the bench, Judge Love is the Liaison (Supervising) Judge of the Family Law Section where she presides over custody, divorce/equitable distribution, domestic relations and protection from abuse cases.
“On a personal note, I am so proud for Nusrat because diversity and inclusion in our legal profession and our judicial system do not just happen. We need our community to accept the importance of these precedents, but most importantly, we need qualified people with diverse backgrounds to step up, to do the necessary work and to weather the challenges, and Nusrat, you’ve done that.”
Delaware County Assistant District Attorney Erica Parham, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Swearing-in Ceremony, January 3, 2020.
Judge Love is the recipient of the 2020 Judge Carolyn H. Nichols Drum Major for Justice Award, that recognizes local civil rights activists and is named after one of the highest-ranking African American female justices elected to the Pennsylvania bench. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is active in many civic and charitable organizations and currently serves on the board of the George Lindsay Foundation, is a member of the Delaware County and Pennsylvania Bar Association (of which she is a member of the House of Delegates), and the Clifford Scott Green Judicial Council of the National Bar Association. Judge Love has received numerous awards for distinguished community service and leadership.
