Occupation
Assistant District Attorney
Qualifications for office
24 years of experience as a trial attorney. 21 years overseeing the Elder Abuse Unit at the District Attorney's Office seeking justice for seniors who were preyed upon or exploited either by physical abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.
Education
Duquesne University, B.A.; University of Pittsburgh, J.D.
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Capone for Judge
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I have 24 years' experience and have tried hundreds of cases. For the last 21 years, I've overseen the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Trial Unit and prosecuted only those who prey on seniors. I've also been a crime victim. That experience gives me unique perspective regarding how important it is to be compassionate and empathetic toward litigants and everyone who comes to court. Those of us who work in the courts may become desensitized to the intimidating nature of court proceedings.
Some of my Elder Abuse prosecutions were born of Orphan's Court proceedings. In those cases, I've observed those proceedings and reviewed transcripts. I've also had civil experience as a paralegal and when I participated in Pitt Law's Elder Clinic.
I would make sure each party was fully and fairly heard, and follow the law.
I would make sure that all individuals understood that they have a right to have counsel, and if they cannot afford counsel, are court appointed legal counsel. Every individual who came before me would be treated with the utmost respect, dignity and fairness. Court is a very scary process for anyone who finds themselves in that situation for whatever reason, and must be treated with the respect and dignity that all individuals deserve. I would make sure each party understands the process every step of the way.
Occupation
Judge
Qualifications for office
Highly Recommended by the Allegheny County Bar Association with over twenty years of experience in child welfare law at the local, state, national, and international level.
Education
J.D. Temple University Beasley School of Law; M.S.W. University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work; B.A. American University
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I was appointed to the bench by Governor Shapiro and am serving as a Judge in the Family Division. I'm seeking election to a ten year term. In my prior career as an attorney, I appeared as the petitioning party, acting as sole counsel, in hundreds of child welfare cases that I tried to verdict. Many of these cases had companion adult criminal proceedings and dually adjudicated delinquent youth cases which required working on a multidisciplinary team to address the matters pending in all Divisions including with our counterparts in the Criminal Division. In addition, many of the matters that I handled proceeded to adoption and/or termination of parental rights proceedings as well as adult guardianship proceedings in the Orphans Division.
In all of my cases as an attorney, I took pride in the collaborative work I engaged in with opposing counsel to achieve positive outcomes that served the needs of all parties involved. I believe that my dual-degree background and interdisciplinary approach uniquely position me to address the complex challenges that frequently bring families into the courtroom with very different but equally valuable viewpoints. As a Judge, I mange my courtroom with a cooperative and collaborative approach. The tone I set is focused on treating everyone with dignity and respect, engaging in trauma-informed practice, and utilizing both my legal and social work skills to de-escalate high-conflict situations.
To me, justice means ensuring a level playing field for everyone who enters a courtroom. Despite various efforts by the legal community, legal services remain out of reach for many individuals. This is a significant issue because just and fair outcomes often depend on individuals being prepared and informed when they come to court. Expanding access to legal services across the socioeconomic spectrum is essential. Steps to achieve this include expanding pro bono programs, creating additional self-help centers, and encouraging attorneys to adopt a sliding-fee scale based on income and ability to pay. Additionally, all court system professionals, including judges, have a responsibility to contribute to public education about legal rights.
Occupation
Attorney and Legislator
Qualifications for office
Attorney and Legislator, Highly Recommended by the Allegheny County Bar Association
Education
Western Connecticut State University, BA in History 1996, BS in Secondary Education 1997; Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, 2002
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I spent 11 years as a public defender and a county solicitor with experience in Criminal, Orphans’ and Family, making thousands of court appearances during this time, primarily in Family. For 11 years as a state legislator, I prioritized disability, mental health, juvenile justice and labor rights. I have received numerous disability and mental health advocacy awards and currently serve as a lawyer at Ruder Law handling special education matters. As Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee I have debated and analyzed law that impacts everyone of our courts. I received a “Highly Recommended” rating from our Bar Association and believe my experience in practicing and writing law is a key qualification for me to be elected to the bench.
Judges of course can only apply and interpret the law, they cannot create it. Ultimately it is the job of any judge to make a decision based on the facts presented. It has been my experience in the court that “valid legal arguments” are typically not the purview of one side or another- few attorneys offer an invalid legal argument. But arguments based on law with a fact pattern most similar to precedent and in line with legislative intent should be most successful.
Equality before the law has always been our intent, but our history is replete with examples of our failure to administer it equally. This is a responsibility of everyone in our courts to work to improve.
The key issue regarding pro se litigants is whether they fully understand their rights- not just to proceed without an attorney, but to proceed with one free of charge if they qualify. Judges need to make sure these rights are explained effectively (and that attorneys have an appropriate amount of time to prepare the case and their clients). Pro se litigants may benefit from a judge appointing an attorney to assist them too- not to take over the case, but to help safeguard rights and improve understanding.
Occupation
Attorney
Qualifications for office
I have been a practitioner, law clerk, and hearing officer in the field of Family Law for over twenty years. Prior to becoming a licensed attorney, I was a law student intern in a law firm that focused on Family Law. As a member of the Duquesne University School of Law Law Review, I published an article entitled, “Maintaining the Legal Fiction: Application of the Presumption of Paternity and Paternity by Estoppel in Pennsylvania”. I have been a frequent presenter on Family Law topics with the Matrimonial Inns of Court, Allegheny County Bar Association, and Pennsylvania Bar Association
Education
Duquesne University, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences B.S. Chemistry, Minor, Mathematics, 2000 & Duquesne University, School of Law (now known as the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University) J.D., cum laude, 2004 Law Review
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My primary area of practice for the past 20 years has been Family Law, but I have 13 years of experience in Criminal Division as a Law Clerk to Judge Tom Flaherty and have litigated a few matters in Civil Division and Orphan’s Court.
With respect to Family Division, I have litigated custody, support, divorce, protection from abuse, dependency, and appellate matters on behalf of clients. I served as Judge Flaherty’s Law Clerk while he was assigned to the Family Division and was appointed as a Discovery Master for complex divorce cases. For the past 6 years, I have been a Divorce Hearing Officer where I preside over hearings and conciliations related to economic claims incident to divorce, complex support, and other related matters.
As a Divorce Hearing Officer, I have encountered this situation frequently, as the parties oftentimes have differing perspectives on the underlying facts and circumstances of their case and each party presents a different legal theory that justifies their requested relief. After determining the credibility of the parties’ testimony and considering all other evidence presented, I conduct a thorough review of case law to ascertain whether there is a similar factual scenario to the facts presented which would guide my decision regarding which legal theory to apply. If the case involves a novel factual situation and there is no precedential case law, I look to constitutional law, statutory law, and public policy to reach my conclusion.
As a litigator, judicial law clerk, and hearing officer, my approach has always been to treat all litigants with dignity and respect, to hear each case in a fair and impartial manner, and to ensure an equitable outcome for all litigants.
Occupation
Magisterial District Judge, Attorney
Qualifications for office
I have been an attorney for 30 years. I was a Deputy Attorney General for 10 years. I then entered private practice where I primarily focused on criminal defense. I was a Hearing Examiner for the Liquor Control Board. For the past 5+ years, I have been a Magisterial District Judge. I am the only candidate who has been a prosecutor, defense attorney and a Judge. I have experience in trials, appeals and grand jury cases. I have experience on all sides.
Education
Duquesne University, BA, cum laude; Dickinson School of Law, JD
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Santicola for Judge
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Santicola for Judge
I was a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney and have experience in jury trials, bench trials and grand jury cases. I have also presided over thousands of preliminary hearings as a Magisterial District Judge, including homicide cases. I have also practiced in the civil division as a Deputy Attorney General, representing the Commonwealth in consumer protection cases. As a Magisterial District Judge, I have presided over thousands of civil cases. I have ruled on admissibility of evidence, credibility of witnesses and applied the facts to the law. I have also presided over hundreds of Protection from Abuse ex parte hearings, which fall under the Family Law umbrella. As a Judge, I will continue to attend classes to stay current.
I regularly handle this situation. And my approach is the same as it is in every case. I listen to both sides. I give both sides the opportunity to be fully heard. I respect everyone who walks into my courtroom. Often times, both sides present good and valid arguments. That is what makes the job of a judge so difficult. But it's also what makes it so important. A judge must interpret and follow the law. That is what I do and what I pledge to do if I am elected to the Court of Common Pleas.
I regularly have pro se litigants in my courtroom. I take great care to make sure they are treated fairly and with respect. I understand that legal representation is extremely expensive and out of reach for many. I also understand that people's lives are significantly impacted by the decisions that are made when they come to court, and without representation, they are at a disadvantage. I do everything I can to make sure pro se litigants are given the opportunity to present their cases and be fully and fairly heard.
Occupation
Lawyer
Qualifications for office
I have 13 years of experience as a defense attorney, and I've handled many differnt types of cases. I also served as a judicial law clerk in the Family Division for the last 12 years. In these combined roles, I have experience in all four divisions of the Court of Common Pleas, and would be prepared to start on day one if I were elected.
Education
B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a J.D. from Duquesne University's Kline School of Law
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I have been a practicing attorney for the past 13 years where I focus on criminal defense cases and civil matters. I served as a judicial law clerk for 12 years in the family division where I conducted legal writing and research for divorce, custody and juvenile court cases. I have also written hundreds of judicial opinions on termination of parental rights cases, which are heard in Orphans Court. I have a very broad range of experience in the Court of Common Pleas. I do not handle any estate law cases as a part of my practice so that is the one area of Orphans Court that I would need to learn. Things are constantly changing so I would be sure to familiarize myself with the law and any monitor any changes to it.
I would approach every case with an open mind and consider all arguments made by the parties. Judges are tasked with applying the law to the facts of each case. I would be sure to explain the rationale behind every decision so that the parties could understand how I arrived at that conclusion.
It would be a requirement in my courtroom that everyone be treated with respect. Not only would I abide by this rule but everyone who had business in the court would be expected to do the same. Oftentimes, a court experience is incredibly stressful to begin with. The judge sets the tone of the courtroom, and I would hope to be as empathetic and compassionate as possible and to treat everyone with dignity.
