Judge McEwen was born on October 8, 1932 in Philadelphia. A lifelong resident of Delaware County, President Judge Emeritus McEwen was raised in Upper Darby. He attended St. Joseph’s High School, St. Joseph’s University, and studied law at St. Joseph’s and the University of Pennsylvania. He spent 23 years as a trial lawyer before being elected as District Attorney of in his home district (1967). After nine years in that office, he served as General Counsel for the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association.
In 1981, Judge McEwen he began his judicial career sitting on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. From 1996-2001, McEwen was named President Judge on the Superior Court. He was elected to full ten-year terms in 1991 and 2001. He also was appointed by Governor Tom Ridge as President Judge of the Court of Judicial Discipline. He was President of the Council of Chief Judges of State Courts of Appeal, Board of Advisors to the United Nations, Hearing Consul for the Republic of Bulgaria, and Professor of Law at Villanova University. Judge McEwen received Honorary Doctorates from DeSales University, Widener University Law School, and the University of Scranton. Judge McEwen’s book Not Even Dicta (1996) showcases his legal knowledge and candor.
President Judge Emeritus McEwen retired from judicial service in 2012 and passed away on April 26, 2018, at the age of 85.