Marple Friends & Neighbors is proud to feature groups, individuals and families who make a difference in our community. This month we turn our attention to Judge David H. Lang, a longtime Broomall resident, dedicated fire company volunteer, teacher and a judge magistrate for the past 35 years. We’re excited to honor Judge Lang as our 2025 Friend & Neighbor of The Year.
Originally from Wilmington, DE, Judge Lang moved to Broomall with his parents and two younger siblings when he was eight years old. He attended Marple Newtown High School (MNHS) in the late 1960s, where he was actively involved in the band, both at school and in the community. “I picked up the trumpet in elementary school and my parents always encouraged me to practice and persevere,” he said. “I’m glad they did because being part of the music program gave me so many unique opportunities.” In addition to being part of the MNBand, he was also a member of the Eagles Sound of Brass Band, which gave him the opportunity to play at halftime during Eagles games held at Franklin Field. He also played at Flyers games and helped organize bands for the Mummers Comic division. “I like to joke and say I was a band geek,” he said. “The people I met in the music program were some of my best friends and still are to this day.” Growing up Judge Lang was also active in Boy Scouts and while he was in high school, he earned his Eagle Scout rank.
After graduating from MNHS in 1969, not only did Judge Lang have musical aspirations and hoped to continue to play music in college, he was also already interested in law. “It’s funny I don’t remember being set on becoming a lawyer back then, but I saw that in my high school yearbook, one of my peers wrote good luck in law school.” Before going to law school, he studied Political Science and History at Eastern University, where he was also a member of the music program.
A 1976 graduate of the Delaware Law School, Judge Lang has held a private law practice in Media for 44 years, with a concentration in consumer and business bankruptcy. “When I first opened the practice, I focused on a little bit of everything. Then it slowly evolved,” he explained. “You learn what you like, and I ended up doing a lot of bankruptcy work and I got a good reputation for that.” Early on in his law career, Judge Lang also spent nearly six years as a public defender. “Back then, you could do both,” he explained. “I enjoyed being a public defender and it gave me a lot of trial experience.”
It was during the 1980s that Judge Lang became involved in local politics in Marple, and he seized the opportunity to run for Delaware County Magisterial District Judge in Pennsylvania. He began his tenure in 1991 and has been re-elected several times, presiding over District Court 32-1-27, which encompasses parts of Marple and Newtown Township. Judge Lang explained that Magistrate Judges have a broad range of respon-
sibilities. “We perform critical duties to ensure the timely adjudication of both civil and criminal cases,” he said.
In his early years as a Magistrate Judge, Judge David H. Lang worked in the Marple Newtown Administration Building, which was the former Marple Jr High School. “The court was actually the former home ec room,” he recalled. “I also shared court space with District Justice David T. Videon, who was overseeing the John DuPont case, one of the most bizarre true crime stories in American sports history.” John DuPont, a multimillionaire heir to the DuPont family fortune, shocked the nation when he shot and killed Olympic gold medal-winning wrestler Dave Schultz, a beloved figure in the wrestling community who lived and trained at the Foxcatcher estate in Pennsylvania. “Justice Videon ruled there was sufficient evidence against DuPont to go to trial in Common Pleas Court,” Judge Lang explained. “It was very interesting to work alongside David during this time.”
Over the years, Judge Lang has overseen a variety of cases, from traffic violations and landlord-tenant disputes to preliminary criminal hearings, ensuring that justice is administered efficiently and fairly in our community. “I have found this job to be very fulfilling,” he added. “My court is the people’s court and I give a fair shake to those who enter it by taking the time to listen. Everyone has a right to tell their story.” Judge Lang said he’s had the unique experience of speaking to people years after they’d been in his courtroom. “When people tell me how they’ve turned their life around, that means a lot to me.”
Outside of the courtroom, Judge Lang is a dedicated family man. He met his wife, Patricia, shortly after law school when she worked in the same medical office as his mom. The couple has been married since 1978. “I’m very proud to be married to a man that has dedicated over 30 years of his career to serving the Marple Newtown community,” said Patricia. “I have seen the passion that he has for his position and how much it means to him to get to do this job. He has come to know people throughout this town and calls many of them his dear friends. I think one of his favorite things about his career as a judge has been the opportunity to officiate the marriage ceremony for countless couples over the years. It’s been a honor to stand beside him and I’m proud to be his wife.”
Patricia and David raised their family here in Broomall. “There’s a reason why folks move into this township and why we never left,” said Judge Lang. “It’s a safe community with great schools and a nice place to raise a family.” Their four children David, Ashley, Stacey and Daniel all live close by. David is a corporal for the Pennsylvania State Police, Ashley works for the county, Stacey works at The Baldwin School in their Admissions Department and Daniel is a Behavioral Health worker at Marple Newtown High School. Patricia and David also have nine grandchildren, ranging in age from one year to college age. “It’s wonderful that everyone is local because we get to see them a lot,” Judge Lang said, fondly.
Judge Lang’s son Daniel said he’s always known his dad to be someone deeply connected to Marple Newtown. “Growing up, it seemed like everywhere we went, someone would stop to say hello or thank him and that left a big impression on me,” he said. “I remember being a young child, sitting at his judge’s desk in the courthouse and holding his gavel, feeling like it was the coolest job in the world.” Daniel recalled that over the years he’s watched him walk door-to-door canvassing the neighborhoods, not just to be re-elected but because he genuinely loves this town and wants to keep serving it. “Now as an adult working at his high school alma mater, I still hear people speak so highly of him, and it makes me proud,” he added. “He’s a constant
example of what integrity, dedication and community spirit look like, and in my eyes he truly represents the values of Marple Newtown.”
As a longtime resident of the Marple community, Judge Lang said it’s always been important to give back. “My dad was always very service-oriented
and instilled that in me,” he added. This dedication to serving others is what led Judge Lang to join the Broomall Fire Company in 1971. Although he took a brief break from the fire company during law school, he’s been active and served as its solicitor since the late 70s. “I’ve met so many nice people,” he said. “I have fond memories of the Carnival and participating in the Fourth of July Parade. After I retire from practicing law, I still plan to stay as active as I can in an administrative role.”
Something else Judge Lang plans to do after he retires is to continue teaching. Since 2015, he has been an adjunct professor at Delaware County Community College in their Paralegal Certification Program. “I’ve discovered how much I love teaching,” he said. “I love engaging with the students and hearing their points of view.”
It’s no surprise that members of the community commend Judge David Lang for his exceptional dedication to the community and integrity on the bench. “Judge Lang has been a staple of this community for decades. His knowledge and respect for the law is matched only by his integrity and fairness to those with whom he interacts both in and out of his courtroom,” said Marple Police Chief Brandon Graeff. “Above all else, he is a true gentleman!”
Thank you, Judge Lang, for sharing your story about what it means to be a positive role model, not just to your own children, but to so many in the Marple community. Your are deservedly, our 2025 Marple Friend & Neighbor of The Year!
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.