Dauphin County Family Law Practice: a View from the Courthouse

Judge McNally is a graduate of Central Dauphin High School, Pennsylvania State University, and the Dickinson School of Law. He served as President of the Dauphin County Bar Association (2003) and as a Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (2013-2015). John practiced Civil Litigation since 1988 before joining the Bench in 2018. He currently serves in the Courts’ Civil Division handling civil matters and the Orphans’ Court presiding over Dependency, Guardianship Petitions as well as various motions and petitions. Effective June 1, 2024, he will move to the Family Law Division while continuing in Guardianship matters. Judge McNally is the proud father of three children and enjoys active participation in their many activities.

The Honorable Courtney K. Powell attend the Pennsylvania State University where she majored in Speech Communications and minored in Business Administration. She received her Juris Doctorate from the Widener University School of Law in 1997, and then spent the next 25 years in both the public and private sectors. After graduating from law school, Judge Powell served six years in the Dauphin County Public Defender’s office representing minors in juvenile delinquency proceedings, and later adults in all stages of their criminal matters, including appeals to both the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts. Upon leaving her role with the Public Defender’s office, she received a Proclamation from the Dauphin County Commissioners for her years of outstanding service and legal work for the community and county. In 2001, Judge Powell turned her focus to private practice, and in 2002 joined the Hershey firm of James, Smith, Dietterick and Connelly, now known as JSDC Law Offices when she practiced both family law and criminal law. She became a partner with JSDC Law Offices in 2022. Judge Powell also served as one of the Solicitors for Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging, where she handled guardianship matters. Professionally, Judge Powell is a member of the Pennsylvania and Dauphin County Bar Associations, and the William W. Lipsitt American Inn of Court. She is active in her community, and volunteers with her children’s schools and activities, and the Calvery United Methodist Church food pantry. She resides in Harrisburg with her husband Mark, two children.

EDUCATION: College: Harrisburg Area Community College (German Club, President; Newspaper, Sports Editor, named one of the top 40 alumni for the College's 40th year) Temple University, Philadelphia (Dorm Council; Crew [rowing]; Intramural Sports Referee Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, PA, J.D. 1972 (Newspaper, Legislative Research Committee; Law Club, President) EMPLOYMENT: Private Practice: Krevsky & Rosen, PC: Attorney at Law specializing in Domestic Relations and Criminal Law (1976-Present) Senior Master Hearing Officer: Counduct Hearings for Children in juvenile delinquency and dependency proceedings (1992-Present) Dauphin County Custody Concillator: Conflict Custody Mediations (2005-Present).

Daniel Bell-Jacobs is an associate with the Pennsylvania family law firm of Howett, Kissinger & Holst P.C., where he focuses his practice on matrimonial law. Prior to joining Howett, Kissinger & Holst, Daniel served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Robert G. Bigham of the Court of Common Pleas of Adams County in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he worked on numerous complex issues in the areas of divorce, child custody, and support. As a law clerk, Daniel served on the Adams County Bar Association’s Family Law Committee and Bench-Bar Committee. Daniel is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Juris Doctor cum laude from the Harrisburg campus of Widener University School of Law, now Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Daniel is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Dauphin County Bar Association. Daniel is an Eagle Scout and a lifelong learner. His hobbies include computers and technology, playing guitar, and outdoor adventure.