Blank Rome announced that the Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg, the immediate past Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will join the firm’s Business Litigation group in Philadelphia, effective January 1, 2026.
The firm said Goldberg will become its sixth retired judge currently practicing at Blank Rome, joining Edward N. Cahn, James T. Giles, Judith J. Gische, Timothy K. Lewis, and Stephen M. Orlofsky. Blank Rome also noted that Goldberg is the third former chief judge of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to join the firm, alongside Cahn and Giles.
Blank Rome Chair and Managing Partner Grant S. Palmer said Goldberg’s background as a prosecutor, civil litigator, and chief judge adds perspective to the firm’s litigation and appellate capabilities, and the firm expects he will also develop a practice as a mediator and arbitrator handling complex matters.
The firm highlighted Goldberg’s more than 40 years of legal experience, including early work in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, private practice focused on complex commercial disputes, and service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, before his appointment to the federal bench in 2008 and later service as chief judge. Blank Rome also said he has experience in pharmaceutical patent disputes and related antitrust litigation, including Hatch Waxman matters, developed in part through more than a decade as a visiting judge in the District of Delaware.
Litigation Department co-chair Daniel E. Rhynhart said Goldberg’s arrival strengthens the firm’s ability to advise clients through complex disputes and supports mentorship efforts across the litigation team. Blank Rome said Goldberg will serve as a mentor firmwide and support its Trial Academy program for senior litigation associates, which features mock trials presided over by retired judges at the firm.
Goldberg said he is looking forward to joining Blank Rome’s litigation group, supporting client work, mentoring rising litigators, collaborating with colleagues, and helping expand the firm’s appellate, mediation, and arbitration capabilities.
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“We are truly privileged to welcome Judge Goldberg to Blank Rome,” said Grant S. Palmer, Blank Rome’s Chair and Managing Partner. “Judge Goldberg’s remarkable career as a prosecutor, civil litigator, and chief judge add unique perspective to our nationally recognized Litigation Department and Appellate Litigation practice. His deep understanding of the courts, strong relationships throughout the federal judiciary, and commitment to fairness will help our clients anticipate challenges, craft winning strategies, and resolve disputes efficiently—whether at trial, on appeal, or through alternative dispute resolution. Additionally, we are confident that Judge Goldberg will be able to develop a practice where he serves as a mediator / arbitrator to assist in the resolution of complex litigation. Judge Goldberg’s arrival deepens our bench of litigators and former judicial leaders to serve clients at the highest level with unparalleled insight and experience.”
Grant S. Palmer, Chair And Managing Partner, Blank Rome
“We are incredibly honored Judge Goldberg is joining our leading litigation and trial team,” said Daniel E. Rhynhart, partner and co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. “His distinctive judicial background will be highly beneficial in advising clients throughout all stages of complex disputes, while further enhancing the capabilities of our accomplished litigation team, which includes more than 400 attorneys across 16 offices. Just as importantly, his commitment to mentorship and advocacy excellence will help develop the next generation of trial lawyers at Blank Rome and uphold our tradition of outstanding client representation.”
Daniel E. Rhynhart, Partner And Co Chair, Litigation Department, Blank Rome
“I am truly excited to join Blank Rome and the litigation group,” said Judge Goldberg. “Throughout my career, I have valued the highest standards of advocacy and integrity. I have long admired Blank Rome’s commitment to excellence and collegiality, and I look forward to contributing my experience to support the firm’s clients, to help mentor up-and-coming litigators, and to collaborate with many friends and respected colleagues. I am also eager to help grow the firm’s appellate team and to further develop a robust mediation and arbitration practice, building on my experience as a trial judge.”
Hon. Mitchell S. Goldberg, Immediate Past Chief Judge, U.S. District Court For The Eastern District Of Pennsylvania
