The latest item for Eyes of the Law, our legal celebrity sightings column, is a doozy. From the AP:

Rock band Bon Jovi, Harrisburg restaurants and school bands from all over the state were part of yesterday's daylong celebration of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's inauguration for a second term....

Even more talented than Rendell was his wife, Midge Rendell [aka Third Circuit Judge Marjorie O. Rendell], who capped the concert by singing a duet with rock star Jon Bon Jovi of "Who Says You Can't Go Home?"

The performance brought the night's first standing ovation. Rendell ambled up on stage afterward and marveled that no other first lady could sing with Bon Jovi.

"Take that Maria Shriver," he bellowed, referring to the wife of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Please correct us if we're wrong. But this is, as far as we know, the first time a federal circuit judge has sung a duet with Jon Bon Jovi.*

In addition to her musical prowess, the Honorable Marjorie Rendell also deserves props for being the Stylish Marjorie Rendell. The attractive Judge Rendell, a federal judicial hottie, wore a gown by noted designer Paula Hian to the inauguration festivities.

For hard-core fashionistas, a lengthy description of the frock appears after the jump.

A detailed account of Judge Rendell's ball gown, from the Phildelphia Inquirer:

Paula Hian described Rendell, who stands 5-foot-7 and hovers around a size 8, as the "perfect fit model" for the fitted navy-blue velvet gown with capped, off-the-shoulder sleeves.

A panel of scalloped Swiss lace embroidered with silver threading runs along the front center of the dress. That lace continues down the fitted bodice, which flares into a trumpet skirt.

"I really liked the idea of a sparkly embroidery design," Hian said. "She's sort of very feminine and pretty. This dress is outstanding, but at the same time it's understated."

Rendell adds: "I'm a blue-eyed blonde. What other colors do we wear? Black? Dark blue? And this year, navy blue and silver are the colors of the Inaugural."

Fantastic. Perhaps Hian can also design a couture judicial robe for Judge Rendell, to bust out at en banc arguments and other special occasions?

* For the record, federal appeals court judges are not untalented in the music department. For example, Judge Stephen S. Trott, a senior member of the Ninth Circuit, was part of The Highwaymen -- the folk band responsible for turning Michael Row the Boat Ashore into a #1 hit.

A minute of oath-taking, a day to party [Associated Press via Philadelphia Inquirer]
She's inaugurating a brand-new dress [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Paula Hian [official website]