Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors is proud to feature families, groups and individuals who make a difference in our community. This month, we turn our attention to The Honorable William C. Mackrides, Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge and proud Edgmont and Delaware County resident. We are excited to honor him and his dedication to preserving and protecting our community as our 2025 Newtown Edgmont Friend & Neighbor of The Year!
Judge (Chip) Mackrides is a lifelong resident of Delaware County. He grew up in Springfield and attended Springfield High School, where he participated in football, wrestling, track, weightlifting, art club and ski club, and graduated with honors. He received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Villanova University and Juris Doctor of Law from Loyola University School of Law. “I remember when I was growing up, my parents always used to tell me that I was going to be a lawyer someday,” he said. “I was very good at ‘making my case’ when I needed to defend myself, and I was a neighborhood defender and peacekeeper. I always stood up for my friends and neighbors, I was kind of like their free kid lawyer.”
His childhood passion for helping others expanded into the non-profit sector as well. “Early in my career, I became involved with a non-profit organization to help out my friend and law partner, Steve Moss,” he explained. “I saw that Steve was constantly being dragged into issues with the many various good causes that he was involved in. In order to give Steve some relief, I found it necessary to jump in to help.” Chip said that was the beginning of many years of volunteering and serving his community.
Chip worked for a local moving company while in college. “I will never forget the time we moved a man named Russ Miller out of his office/home,” Chip said. Russ hosted a popular WWDB-FM radio show called Real Estate and Your Estate. “I remember Russ asking me my plans for the future. I told him about my intention to attend law school, and he strongly suggested I become well-versed in real estate law because of a
growing need.”
Chip heeded Russ’ advice, graduated from law school, and Practiced law in Delaware County for more than 33 years in the areas of Contracts, Real Estate, Estate Litigation, Administration and Planning and Business Law. He was trained and served as a mediator/arbitrator for more than 30 years. He has lectured on various legal topics for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Delaware County Bar Association, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, and Delaware County Community College, in person, on television and on the radio.
In 1987, Chip and his wife moved from Brookhaven to Edgmont with their two young sons. “Before we had children, my wife and I loved to drive out to Edgmont, “the country”,” Chip said. “We loved the rural nature of the area and dreamed of someday raising our family there.” Eventually, that dream became reality, and the Mackrides have loved every minute of living in this wonderful community. Their sons went through the Rose Tree Media School District and went on to study higher education, with one a medical doctor and the other a trial lawyer.
Chip’s involvement in his community continued as he served as Vice President of the Delaware County Bar Association, Section Chair and Delegate for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and Solicitor or President of numerous Charity and Community Non-profit Boards. He also served as President of the Rose Tree Media Education Foundation, President of the Delaware County Association of Township Officials, Chancellor of the
Delaware County Justinian Society and President of the Guy G. deFuria American Inn of Court.
In his hometown, Chip recognized issues that were important to his family and many others in Edgmont. He applied and was appointed to the Planning Commission, where he served as Chair. His beginning in politics occurred when he decided to run for Supervisor of Edgmont Township. He actually won the Primary with a write-in vote and went on to be successfully elected several more times and serve for more than 14 years. “I never set out to become involved in politics,” Chip said. “But I realized that it was necessary to get yourself in a position to accomplish good things.” As a political leader in Edgmont, Chip took the position that people from both political parties were all Edgmont residents, “our friends and neighbors,” and conducted political business with kindness and respect to all. To this day, when he goes to the polls to vote, he can be seen going to both tables to hug and shake the hands of his friends and neighbors. We may have different views and be on separate teams on game day, but it’s not that hard to be respectful and warm, and to appreciate the many human qualities that we all have to offer.
Longtime friend and colleague, Chip Miller said, “Judge ‘Chip’ Mackrides is a remarkable community leader whose personal integrity, dedication and compassion has helped to shape Edgmont Township as the community we know today. Serving as an Edgmont Township planning commission member and then as an elected Township Supervisor, Chip leads not only with vision but with heart – Always listening, always caring and always striving to bring people together for the greater good.”
Mackrides service and role as Supervisor and reputation as an even-keeled, fair and experienced lawyer led Chip to his endorsement and election as Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Judge. “I was elected in November 2013 and sworn in on January 6, 2014, to a 10-year term on the
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas,” Chip explained. “In November 2023, I was retained for an additional 10-year term.” He credits much of his success to his ability to asses a problem or situation while remaining neutral and respectful.
Edgmont Township Supervisor and Attorney Lindsey Conan said, “Judge Mackrides has always demonstrated a deep commitment to his community—not only during his tenure as an Edgmont Supervisor, but through his involvement with various boards and organizations long before his election to the Court of Common Pleas. He often reminded me that the practice of law goes beyond the office and courtroom. It’s about being present in the community, meeting people, and building meaningful relationships. These connections are often what lead clients to your door—because they know you care and are committed to helping them solve their problems.”
Judge Mackrides’ philosophy and approach have earned him a stellar reputation among his colleagues, peers and clients. He has been chosen as a Pennsylvania SuperLawyer every year from its inception in 2004 through 2014 and has received awards for distinguished service, leadership and pro bono work. He has the highest ratings through Martindale-Hubbell, a prime resource for attorneys looking to grow their practice and a rating of 10/10 through AVVO (short for “avvocato,” the Italian word for lawyer), and received the President’s Award in 2002 and “Man of the Year” Award in 2008 from the Delaware County Bar Association and it’s Lawyer’s Club.
Judge Mackrides has been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. He serves as Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Civility Committee, Zone 9 Delegate to the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and an outgoing PA Conference of Trial Judges Education Committee member.
There is no doubt that Judge William C. Mackrides has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, constituents and community members for his tireless work as an advocate for justice. Those accolades are well deserved. But when asked how it all came to be, he credits the love and support of his wife, who has been a part of every move he’s made, his supportive boys and this wonderful community he feels fortunate to call home. He also wants to give credit to his fellow Judges (and support staff) whom he admires for their daily caring devotion and hard work on behalf of Justice and the welfare of the residents of Delaware County.
Do you know a Newtown Edgmont family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.