The Judge Group is an information technology consulting firm founded in 1970 by Edward K. Judge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Edward Judge was an entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to start a staffing company focused on connecting skilled technology professionals with companies in need of their expertise.
The Founding of the Judge Group
After graduating from La Salle University in 1970, Edward Judge started the Judge Group at just 26 years old. He had $700 in capital and a small office above a steak shop in Philadelphia. In the early years, the Judge Group focused on placing candidates with skills in new technologies at the time, such as COBOL programming. Demand for technology skills was growing rapidly, and Judge built a reputation for having a reliable network of qualified candidates to meet client needs.
Some key facts about the founding and early years of the Judge Group:
- Founded in 1970 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Edward K. Judge
- Initial office located above a steak shop with only $700 in capital
- Focused on IT staffing and recruiting, originally in technologies like COBOL
- Built a strong reputation for quality candidates early on as technology demand grew
Edward Judge showed strong entrepreneurial spirit in identifying the market need and starting his own staffing business fresh out of university. His connections from school and ability to find and vet strong technology talent were the foundation of the Judge Group’s success.
Early Growth and Expansion
Within its first five years, the Judge Group expanded to open additional offices in New Jersey and Delaware. The company continued focusing on technology staffing, gaining expertise in established languages like COBOL as well as new languages and technologies that were emerging at the time like C, C++, UNIX, and Oracle databases. This combination of specialized expertise and scale enabled the Judge Group to become a major regional player in the technology staffing space through the 1970s and into the 1980s.
Some key milestones in the Judge Group’s early growth include:
- Expanded to New Jersey and Delaware within first 5 years
- Developed specialized expertise in legacy and emerging technologies
- Established reputation as a major technology staffing firm regionally
- Opened first national office in Boston, MA in 1984
- Expanded across the U.S. opening 20+ offices in the 1980s and 1990s
By developing expertise across both established and emerging skills, the Judge Group was able to cement itself as a leader in technology recruiting and staffing across the East Coast through strategic expansion.
National Expansion and Growth
After building up a strong regional presence on the East Coast in the 1970s and early 1980s, the Judge Group looked to expand its reach nationally. The company opened its first office outside of the tri-state area in Boston, Massachusetts in 1984. This launched a period of national expansion, with over 20 new offices opening across major metro areas across the United States through the 1980s and 1990s.
Some key milestones during the Judge Group’s national expansion include:
- 1984: First national office opened in Boston, MA
- 1980s: Expanded across East Coast and Midwest
- 1990s: Opened offices in South and Western U.S. including Texas, California, Colorado, and Arizona
- 1997: Opened first international office in London, England
- 1998: Reached $100 million in annual revenues, with over 40 offices nationwide
Through this rapid expansion, the Judge Group was able to take its successful technology-focused staffing model nationwide, establishing itself as one of the leading technology recruiting firms in the country. By the late 1990s, the company had over 40 offices across the United States as well as its first international office in London.
Continued Growth and Diversification
The Judge Group has continued its growth in the 21st century, both expanding geographically and diversifying its services. The company now has over 65 offices in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It has also built out service lines beyond core technology staffing, including:
- Professional Services – consulting, project management, business analysis
- Engineering – design, construction, manufacturing
- Health Care – medical device, pharmaceutical, health IT
- Human Resources – recruiting process outsourcing, HR consulting
This diversification has allowed the Judge Group to expand into new markets while leveraging its core capabilities around recruiting, staffing, and workforce solutions. Revenues have grown to over $600 million annually in recent years.
In addition to organic growth, the Judge Group has also expanded through selective acquisitions. Key acquisitions have included:
- Innovative Architects (technology consulting) in 2004
- Pinnacle Technical Resources (engineering) in 2006
- Ambrose Group (Microsoft consulting) in 2007
These acquisitions have allowed the Judge Group to quickly gain expertise and scale in new service areas.
Leadership and Transition
Edward K. Judge led the Judge Group as CEO and Chairman until he retired in 2002. The company remains family-owned, with leadership transitioning across generations. Key leaders have included:
- Edward K. Judge: Founder, Chairman and CEO (1970-2002)
- Michael K. Judge: Son of Edward Judge, CEO (2002-2011)
- Daniel K. Judge: Son of Edward Judge, Chairman (2002-present)
- Martin Judge: Son of Michael Judge, CEO (2020-present)
Keeping leadership within the Judge family has allowed the company to maintain continuity in its mission and strategy even through periods of transition. Daniel K. Judge continues to serve as Chairman of the Board, providing insight into the company’s foundations as a new generation leads the Judge Group today.
Financial Performance and Recognition
| Year | Revenue | Major Awards/Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $100 million | Ranked #20 on Forbes “The 500 Largest Private Companies” list |
| 2011 | $600 million | Ranked #13 on Staffing Industry Analysts “Largest US Staffing Firms” list |
| 2015 | $725 million | Recognized as one of Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in North America |
| 2019 | $669 million | Ranked #45 on SIA “Largest Global Staffing Firms” list |
The Judge Group has been recognized both for its strong financial performance and excellent workplace culture. It has grown to over $600 million in annual revenue while being frequently named as a top workplace and leading staffing firm.
Current Status and Operations
Today, the Judge Group continues to be headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, with over 65 offices globally. Core offerings include:
- Technology staffing – contract, contract-to-hire, direct hire
- Professional services – consulting, project management, IT services
- Engineering – design, construction, industrial
- Health Care – staffing and workforce management
- Human Resources – RPO, consulting, managed services
The company partners with over 4,000 clients annually, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups and non-profits. It has a network of over 110,000 qualified professionals that it can quickly match to client needs.
The Judge Group continues to earn recognition for its strong workplace culture and business performance. Recent awards include:
- 2022 & 2021: ClearlyRated Best of Staffing for Client and Talent Satisfaction
- 2021: Philadelphia Business Journal Best Places to Work (#4)
- 2020: Inc. Magazine Best Workplaces
50 years after its founding, the Judge Group remains a leading privately-held staffing and professional services firm who has maintained the entrepreneurial spirit that Edward Judge first launched it with.
Conclusion
The Judge Group has grown from a small, local IT staffing firm in 1970 to a global leader in talent solutions over 50 years, but it has maintained a commitment to quality and culture instilled by founder Edward Judge. It continues to expand through a mix of organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and leadership transition across generations of the Judge family. With expertise across technology, engineering, health care, and HR, the Judge Group is well-positioned to continue its success in providing top talent and enabling client performance.
