CLEARFIELD – Lee Grace Valigorsky was admitted into the Clearfield County Bar Association Friday afternoon during a swearing in ceremony in Courtroom No. 1 at the Clearfield County Courthouse.
Valigorsky was presented by her mother, Attorney Toni Cherry, Esq. of DuBois. President Judge Fredric Ammerman and family members, Judge Paul Cherry and Judge John Cherry of Dauphin County conducted the ceremony in unison.
Toni Cherry was accompanied by her sister, Attorney Paula Cherry, Esq., as well as a courtroom full of Cherry and Valigorsky family members, and District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr.
Thirty-eight years ago, Toni Cherry recalled standing with her father, as he moved for her admission to practice law before the late Judge John Reilly Jr. “I never realized what it must have meant to him to present his daughter until today,” she said.
Valigorsky earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Penn State University in 2011; Master’s degree in public relations from Rowan University in 2014; and Juris Doctorate degree from the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law in 2017.
Toni Cherry also mentioned that Valigorsky was chosen to receive the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Eric D. Turner Award in May. She had also successfully passed her bar examination and said it was an honor and privilege to present her daughter to the court.
According to Toni Cherry, her daughter is the first member of the Valigorsky family and the 15th member of the Cherry family to practice law. She said three Cherry family members have become judges.
Judge John Cherry said he was honored to be a part of the ceremony with Ammerman and his brother, Judge Paul Cherry. He remembered “Lee Grace” as a young girl who was “never a wilting flower.”
He described Valigorsky as showing great character, courage and spirit, and he strongly believed she would carry all of those with her into her law practice and courtroom.
Judge Paul Cherry added that while Valigorsky has tough acts to follow as a young attorney, she is also surrounded by great role models. He said it was an honor to swear in another family member, and “there was no doubt” she’d be an outstanding advocate for her clients.
Valigorsky will practice law with her mother’s firm.
