U. aikido instructor is out for judgeship

Hal Abramson is out for justice. But it's a different type of justice than what aikido expert Steven Segal was looking for in his recent movie. Abramson, a University alumnus and third degree black belt, is seeking one of the 16 open state Court of Common Pleas judgeships. An accomplished attorney in many areas of the law including civil rights and government law, Abramson is known for defending the state judiciary system from a lawsuit by state judges who were removed for allegedly accepting bribes from the Roofers' Union. But at the University, this 43-year-old is best known for instructing scores of students, employees and alumni in the martial art of ki aikido. Abramson said he began practicing aikido in 1972 after boxing and shotokan karate did not "hold my interest." He is now the chief instructor of the Philadelphia Ki Society and teaches weekly at the University's ki aikido club. Developed in Japan over 80 years ago, aikido is based on samurai warrior hand-to-hand combat techniques. But it does not stress confrontation. "It is a martial art which emphasizes non-confrontational conflict resolution as a means of self-defense meaning the best form of self-defense is not to fight at all," Abramson said. Abramson, who was endorsed by the Philadelphia Bar Association, said that aikido emphasizes remaining calm and relaxed in the face of confrontation. "These concepts are very effective for attorneys who practice in the courtroom. [They] enable you to focus on the issues and perceive what is occurring," said Abramson. He added that he performs some relaxation techniques before going into battle in the courtroom so he can feel as if he is in "the eye of the storm." According to Abramson, the connection between martial arts and hearing cases is not far-fetched. "In fact, a good martial artist will have a judicial temperament, and a good judge is already in many ways a martial artist," he said. "A judge's job is to resolve disputes in a socially acceptable way, and of course, that is the goal of any martial artist as well." Because he teaches Philadelphians how to avoid being victims of crime, Abramson also sees his aikido instructing as a community service. In one case, a University graduate student -- who was only practicing aikido for a year -- was crossing the street when a man approached him from the front. Sensing something was amiss, he sidestepped out of the way. The attacker then crashed into his partner who was rushing the student from behind. The student walked calmly away from the scene. Abramson said he has never been attacked. She said Abramson's honesty, integrity and his ability to "stay very calm in very pressurized situations" would make him a "marvelous judge." In addition, Brennen said she and all of Abramson's students are "very proud to have him as an instructor." After visiting with Democrats from the University's ward, party ward leader Kevin Vaughan said Abramson would "bring honesty and integrity to the bench," and he would be "an excellent choice." Vaughan said that the nine Common Pleas Court candidates who are endorsed by both political parties are almost guaranteed positions of the 16 available. So Abramson is really vying for one of seven open seats. Despite the shortened odds, Vaughan said, "He should be okay." Abramson graduated from the College in 1970, and he received his Masters in Business Administration from Wharton in 1972. At Wharton, Abramson became interested in law and he continued his study at Temple University Law School. He then worked in the City Solicitor office and as a legal counsel to the state's judiciary system. He currently practices with the Philadelphia law firm of Fox, Rothschild, O'Brien and Frankel. Abramson also served as a city mental health master where he adjudicated cases of people being committed to mental health institutions and then recommended a course of action. If elected to the bench, Abramson is one judge who won't need Bull as a baliff.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.