The Courts of Common Pleas are the general trial courts of Pennsylvania.  They are organized into 60 judicial districts, with 53 comprising one of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, and seven comprising two counties.  Butler County is the only County in the 50th Judicial District.  Each district has from one to 93 judges.  For many years, Butler County has had six judges on the Court of Common Pleas.  Last year, the Legislature authorized a seventh seat due to the growth in the population.

The Court of Common Pleas hears cases falling into three general categories:  serious criminal issues, family issues, and civil issues with over $12,000 at issue.  Less serious criminal issues and smaller civil issues are first heard by the Magisterial District Courts.  In civil cases, appeals from the Magisterial District Court are heard by the Court of Common Pleas.  They also hear appeals from certain state and local government agencies.   

Common Pleas Judges are elected to serve 10-year terms.  At the conclusion of that term, Judges must again face a voter referendum if they desire to stay on the bench.  In what is referred to a retention election, voters are asked whether a Judge whose term is expiring should be retained for an additional term of 10 years.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of 11 states that uses retention elections to confirm a new judicial term for sitting Judges. 

Another interesting note about Common Pleas Judges, is that the position is classified as “nonpartisan.”  In Pennsylvania, the nonpartisan election means candidates are not required to run under the umbrella of a single political party.  As with other positions, such as school boards, candidates may be listed as both Republican and Democratic candidates on the ballot.  In many races, this makes the voters’ choice in the primary especially meaningful. 

I am a registered Republican.

Growing up on a farm in Kentucky and witnessing the impact of suburban growth on rural communities taught me the importance of balancing development with preserving local heritage. My parents and sister still live in Shelby County, but they do enjoy visiting my family.  I am an Eagle Scout, lettered in three sports, and was class co-Valedictorian.  Long story short, I enjoyed a happy and normal childhood. 

In addition to being a farmer, my father was career law enforcement officer.  I learned at an early age the importance of a criminal justice system that protects the rights of the accused while protecting the broader society.    

I left Kentucky for college.  I graduated from Wake Forest University in North Carolina in 2000 and stayed in North Carolina for law school.  I graduated from Duke University School of Law with a J.D. and an LL.M. in 2003.  I worked as a Summer Associate at K&L Gates while in law school and accepted a full time position in October 2003. 

Choosing Pittsburgh out of law school may have seemed a curious choice to some given my lack of roots, but it was a blessing.  I met my wife, Amy, and we married in 2010.  We moved to our current home in Adams Township in 2013 moving closer to her parents and sister. 

The primary job of a judge in any proceeding is to make decisions.  By the nature of our adversarial system, many of those decisions will negatively impact some of the parties to a case.  A judge takes an oath to support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth and to discharge the duties of the office with fidelity.  That is what I will do.  I will work diligently to render correct decisions in a timely manner.  I commit to studying the laws and issues before me to, so that I can make those decisions in compliance with the laws and Constitutions to the best of my ability.  It is important to remember that the Court of Common Pleas is not a policy body.  I do not believe the proper role of a trial judge is to actively advance policy agendas.  Instead the proper role is to study the law and render decisions in compliance with the law.