Chester County resident Juan Sanchez, a U.S. District Court Judge in Philadelphia, credits hard work and baseball for his unique pathway to the federal bench.

Sanchez moved at age 12 from Puerto Rico to the Bronx, where he learned English, excelled in school, and developed his baseball talents.

Baseball helped him assimilate and make friends, but it was his passion for public service – inspired, in part, by baseball legend Roberto Clemente – that led him to serve in federal court.

After a career with Chester County Legal Aid and the Public Defender’s Office of Chester County, Judge Sánchez was elected to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas in 1997, where he served until President George W. Bush nominated him in 2004 to a seat on the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This four-minute video is part of a series produced by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts that features judges with an inspirational message.

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