Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde

Honorable Judge Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde (JFL) contributed to the law, legal system and administration of justice for over thirty years. She was elected Municipal Court of Philadelphia Judge of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Courts in 2007. JFL presided over fifty thousand criminal preliminary hearings, motions and bench trials and civil small claims, landlord/tenant and code enforcement trials. JFL received among the most votes for Municipal Court of Philadelphia (MC) Judicial Retention in 2013 and 2019. The Philadelphia Bar Association (PBA) endorsed JFL for retention in 2019.

JFL is a 1987 Villanova University Law School Juris Doctor Graduate. Her 1983 Bachelor of Arts in Justice is from American University. JFL was admitted to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bar and the U.S. Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bar in 1989. JFL served as a legal intern for Pennsylvania Superior Court and Public Defender Service of Washington, D.C., employee relations clerk for U.S. Department of Agriculture in Alexandria, Virginia and judicial law clerk for MC. JFL litigated state and federal civil and criminal cases for 17 years. JFL served among In- House Counsel for Smokin’ Joe Frazier Inc. and Laborers’ District Council Prepaid Legal Fund.

JFL served as a panelist and published papers at Harvard Law and University of Pennsylvania. JFL furthered continuing judicial education for eleven years on the MC Judicial Education Conference Planning Committee. JFL is a PBA Advancing Civics Education Program (ACE) Executive Committee and Curriculum Committee Member. As a Team Leader, JFL recruited lawyers and taught ACE Lessons to students for eight years. Via judicial fellowships, internships and mentorships, JFL aided various academic achievement and financial growth of over two hundred law school, college, university and high school students. JFL’s First Judicial Intern is a State Representative in Philadelphia. JFL helped create a Virtual Justice System Careers Development Worksite during Summer 2020. Eighty students, ages 14 to 20 learned from justice system leaders for six weeks, earning $560, despite Covid-19.

JFL was born December 2nd in Beaufort, South Carolina to Mrs. Florence Smith Frazier and late Former World Heavyweight Champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier. JFL graduated Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School of Pennsylvania in 1979; voted Class President, Most Likely to Succeed and Best Personality. JFL enjoys speaking Spanish and French.

JFL aka Sister Smoke is a World Champion Boxing Student of U.S. National Historic Joe Frazier’s Gym. Starting professional boxing at age 37, JFL won five boxing championships. JFL and father are First Father and Daughter World Champions in boxing history; established 2000 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. JFL and other female fighters’ outstanding performances promoted the acceptance of women.