Lawyer Retires After 52 Years At District Attorney's Office

Deputy District Attorney Stephen B. Harris on Tuesday.
Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office

Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Stephen B. Harris has retired after 52 years serving the office.

Harris, a Harvard Law School graduate, was hired by the office in August 1968 and served under eight district attorneys before retiring in August. He worked as a trial attorney, the first assistant district attorney, and then as the office’s appellate advocate for 30 years. In his recent role, he argued on behalf of the district attorney’s office in state and federal appellate courts.

“It was a very rewarding experience,” Harris said during a small ceremony at the Justice Center on Tuesday afternoon.

Harris was presented a plaque for his five decades of service and gifted bound copies of a highly-regarded 1992 appeals court decision following his argument that convinced a panel of judges to reverse their earlier decision and affirm the conviction of George Geschwendt, who killed six people in the 1976 Abt family mass murder in Bensalem.

Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office

“It was just time for me to say au revoir,” Harris said. “You have, now, a great appellate group and they ought to be given the opportunity that I had to go down there and argue these cases in the Superior Court, argue these cases in the Supreme Court.”

“It was a great honor. I truly enjoyed the time that I served, and I thank every one of you for the support that you’ve given me.”

District Attorney Matt Weintraub spoke along with Deputy District Attorney Jill Graziano, the office’s Chief of Appeals; former Chief of Appeals Karen Diaz; and Doris Bowen, a paralegal and legal secretary who worked alongside Harris for more than three decades.

“You have been a revered institution, not just for your knowledge but for your grace, your intellect, your professionalism and just your command of the situation,” Weintraub said. “I know when you walk into a Superior Court or Supreme Court, it’s “Hey Mr. Harris, like it’s an old friend.

Former Chief of Appeals Karen Diaz speaks.
Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office

“We are never going to recapture that because 52 years is a long time to earn that stature,” Weintraub said. “What I’m hopeful for is that we can honor your legacy and make you proud and continue the wonderful appellate tradition that you have bestowed upon us.”

Harris said he knows the appeals division is in good hands as he retires.

Harris will continue to run his civil law practice.