A group of 10 men and women sat quietly in the jury box of a Westmoreland County courtroom on Tuesday.

Their task was not to weigh evidence of a defendant’s innocence or guilt, but were there instead to join the club as the Westmoreland Bar Association welcomed new members to the organization that represents attorneys in the county.

“You should take pride in all of the accomplishments that brought you here today,” said Westmoreland Bar Association President Judi Petrush. “The law is a noble calling. It is about finding real solutions for real problems.”

In all, the bar welcomed 16 new members, including the 10 who were formally acknowledged during an afternoon gathering in the county’s ceremonial courtroom as they were introduced by co-workers and mentors.

The new members, a combination of just-minted attorneys and others who recently relocated to the county or joined local law firms, add to the organization’s ranks, which include more than 430 members.

Bar association Executive Director Alahna O’Brien said Tuesday’s ceremony is the first conducted since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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