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WILKES-BARRE — Judge Jack Panella, recently elected President Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court, was admitted as an honorary member of the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association during the group’s annual meeting Thursday at the Westmoreland Club.
And even though he’s a boxer and no barrister, former heavyweight champion and Panella friend Larry Holmes was bestowed the same honor.
As Superior Court President Judge Emeritus Correale F. Stevens explained it:
“I want to tell everyone that Judge Panella’s friend, Larry Holmes, just said to me that he was going to be a member of this association. Now I don’t have a problem with that at all. And if any of you do, I suggest you talk to the Champ.”
Jane Acri, president of the association, and Stevens said before the meeting that it’s a rare occasion to induct an honorary member — even rarer to induct two on the same day.
Acri said Panella has been a great friend to the association for years, having attended many of its events. She said Panella also helps with its CLE — Continuing Law Education — program.
“We felt this was an appropriate way to honor our good friend, Judge Jack Panella,” Acri said.
Panella said he was honored to be inducted, quipping that he thought he was already an honorary member.
“This is the friendliest, most professional and nicest group,” Panella said. “I want to tell you all that in my first official act as President Judge of the Superior Court, I scheduled a special hearing of the court for Luzerne County in June.”
‘Fighting to help people’
Panella said he represented Holmes for nine years before becoming a judge in Northampton County, which is the boxer’s neck of the woods. (Holmes was known as the “Easton Assassin” during his ring days.)
Panella said he wrote contracts for Holmes’ fights, recalling his friend’s June 1978 bout against Ken Norton in Las Vegas.
Panella said the fight was pretty much even after 14 rounds and it came down to the 15th and final round.
“This was Larry’s first title fight and he knew he had to win that last round, and he did,” Panella said. “In 2018, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of that win. Larry was a great champion and he is still fighting to help people.”
Panella explained Holmes, 69, and his wife established the Heart of a Legend Foundation that stands as Holmes’ legacy of community support.
“Larry’s lightning quick jab made him a champion,” Panella said. “His dedication to his community today keeps him as a champion for the people.”
Panella said he and Holmes and their wives are “best friends,” and he talked about the former champ’s generosity.
“I never billed him for any of the work I did for him,” Panella said. “And after every fight, he would send me a check for more than I would ever have billed him. And he would give a generous bonus to my secretary.”
In December, the Pennsylvania Superior Court elected Panella to be its new president judge effective Jan. 7. He succeeded President Judge Susan Peikes Gantman who completed her five-year term Jan. 6.
Panella was elected to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in November 2003, and was sworn into office as an appellate judge Jan. 9, 2004. He was retained in 2013 for another 10-year term.
